Spending 3 months in Reykjavik didn't make me a local, but I still hope that this small Reykjavík guide will be helpful for some traveller looking for good food.
Supermarkets:
Bónus - the cheapest and most wide spread supermarket on Iceland. Though not the most well sorted one, it has all the basics and a bit more. You can find basics, veggies, fruit, soymilk, tofu and beans here. They also have an organic section with more fancy stuff such as coconut oil, grains and tahini. If you search thouroughly, you will be able to find most of what you need.
Map with all their locations on Iceland.
Hagkaup - Bónus's more well sorted and expensive big brother. Not as wide spread but they have a much bigger selection of food.
Map with all their locations on Iceland.
Mai Thai - Situated right where down town ends, it's close by and easy to find. They don't only sell Thai food, but also Japanese and Chinese and probably from other countries as well. Here you can find various kinds of noodles, spices, soy sauces and condiments, as well as a smaller selection of fresh produce. They have vegan spring roll pastry in the freezer and ginger candies to die for.
See it on a map.
Yggdrasill - An organic supermarket which is combined with a very sterile and non-cosy café. They have the stuff you can usually find in organic stores, but their produce and fridge/freezer section leaves a lot to wish for. Very high prices.
See it on a map.
Restaurants and cafés:
Check out happy cow for more!
Á næstu grösum - Probably the most well known all-vegetarian place on Iceland. It's a restaurant down town serving up some different dishes everyday, always offering a soup and a special of the day. You will always be able to get a plate of vegan food from the menu, and then there's a home made bread to kill for, hummus and chutney which you can eat as much as you want from. The food has varied from really yummy to bland the times I've been there, but Friday's are all about Indian food (at least right now) so that's probably a safe option!
See it on a map.
Sushibarinn - Known for the best sushi in Iceland, and even though I haven't tested any other place, it might just be true. Their vegetarian mixed plate can easily be asked for to make vegan, and what it includes varies from time to time depending on what ingredients are fresh that day. You will get at least 5 different fillings/toppings and they always taste good. The sushi restaurant is connected with the café Kofi Tómasar Frænda, so you can order and eat in there for a cosier environment.
See it on a map.
Cabin Hotel - blog post here.
Café Babalu - Situated on the main tourist street leading up to the church, this place somehow stands out from the crowd. Bright orange with wall paintings and a nice but small roof terrace for the warm days. The atmosphere inside is welcoming and more like a living room than the regular café, with sofas, books and board games. For vegans, they offer cold and warm drinks, soy milk for coffee and a big slice of carrot cake that is OK but not fantastic. Sometimes they also have a vegan brownie (which I can almost swear is made by using the basic chocolate cupcake recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, tastes exactly the same!). Prices are OK, and they have free WiFi.
See it on a map.
C is for cookie - My favourite café. Blog post here.
Locally grown produce:
Amazingly, considering where Iceland is situated, you will be able to find a selection of locally grow vegetables all year around. They grow tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and more in green houses heated by geo-thermal power, and you find it at any grocery store.
Bónus - the cheapest and most wide spread supermarket on Iceland. Though not the most well sorted one, it has all the basics and a bit more. You can find basics, veggies, fruit, soymilk, tofu and beans here. They also have an organic section with more fancy stuff such as coconut oil, grains and tahini. If you search thouroughly, you will be able to find most of what you need.
Map with all their locations on Iceland.
Hagkaup - Bónus's more well sorted and expensive big brother. Not as wide spread but they have a much bigger selection of food.
Map with all their locations on Iceland.
Mai Thai - Situated right where down town ends, it's close by and easy to find. They don't only sell Thai food, but also Japanese and Chinese and probably from other countries as well. Here you can find various kinds of noodles, spices, soy sauces and condiments, as well as a smaller selection of fresh produce. They have vegan spring roll pastry in the freezer and ginger candies to die for.
See it on a map.
Yggdrasill - An organic supermarket which is combined with a very sterile and non-cosy café. They have the stuff you can usually find in organic stores, but their produce and fridge/freezer section leaves a lot to wish for. Very high prices.
See it on a map.
Restaurants and cafés:
Check out happy cow for more!
Á næstu grösum - Probably the most well known all-vegetarian place on Iceland. It's a restaurant down town serving up some different dishes everyday, always offering a soup and a special of the day. You will always be able to get a plate of vegan food from the menu, and then there's a home made bread to kill for, hummus and chutney which you can eat as much as you want from. The food has varied from really yummy to bland the times I've been there, but Friday's are all about Indian food (at least right now) so that's probably a safe option!
See it on a map.
Sushibarinn - Known for the best sushi in Iceland, and even though I haven't tested any other place, it might just be true. Their vegetarian mixed plate can easily be asked for to make vegan, and what it includes varies from time to time depending on what ingredients are fresh that day. You will get at least 5 different fillings/toppings and they always taste good. The sushi restaurant is connected with the café Kofi Tómasar Frænda, so you can order and eat in there for a cosier environment.
See it on a map.
Cabin Hotel - blog post here.
Café Babalu - Situated on the main tourist street leading up to the church, this place somehow stands out from the crowd. Bright orange with wall paintings and a nice but small roof terrace for the warm days. The atmosphere inside is welcoming and more like a living room than the regular café, with sofas, books and board games. For vegans, they offer cold and warm drinks, soy milk for coffee and a big slice of carrot cake that is OK but not fantastic. Sometimes they also have a vegan brownie (which I can almost swear is made by using the basic chocolate cupcake recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, tastes exactly the same!). Prices are OK, and they have free WiFi.See it on a map.
C is for cookie - My favourite café. Blog post here.
Locally grown produce:
Amazingly, considering where Iceland is situated, you will be able to find a selection of locally grow vegetables all year around. They grow tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and more in green houses heated by geo-thermal power, and you find it at any grocery store.
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