Discover Reykjavik's Best Vegan Spots: A Vegan Food Guide to Iceland's Capital
Reykjavik has many vegan and vegan friendly restaurants throughout the city. From cozy cafés, to innovative restaurants crafting Nordic-inspired vegan delicacies and even international cuisines, there are plenty of great spots to choose from!
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Must-Visit Vegan Restaurants in Reykjavik
Mama Reykjavik
Dhal a la Mama is a must! Along with their wood-fired garlic naan.
The creation of Chef María Ingibjörg, Mama brings global plant-based cuisine to Reykjavik with a distinctly Icelandic twist. The restaurant's cozy interior feels like dining in someone's home, complete with family photos and vintage Icelandic cookbook collections. María sources ingredients from her own greenhouse during summer months.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Daily curry special, homemade kombucha, Dhal a la Mama, wood-fired garlic naan
Vegan World Peace
Founded by Buddhist practitioner and chef Nara Lee, this restaurant embodies the principle that peace begins on your plate. The space features calm, minimalist décor with touches of Icelandic design, creating a serene dining atmosphere. Their kitchen team works closely with local organic farmers to source seasonal ingredients, and they offer cooking workshops during the slower winter months.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: The Peace Bowl (a nourishing combination of local grains, roasted vegetables, and house-made fermented foods) and their famous chocolate cake made with Icelandic sea salt
Plantan Kaffihús
Plantan has great coffee and many sweet and savory pastries as well as sandwiches and more!
Opened in 2021 by sisters María and Anna Jónsdóttir, Plantan has quickly become a community hub for Reykjavik's vegan scene. The café's interior features reclaimed furniture and local art, with all dishes served on vintage plates collected from Icelandic homes. They work with a local mushroom farm to create their popular mushroom-based dishes and collaborate with other vegan businesses to host monthly market events.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: House-made pastries, specialty coffee drinks, and their innovative mushroom "seafood" dishes
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants with Excellent Options
Kaffihúsið Garðurinn - Ecstasy's Heart-Garden
A legendary vegetarian restaurant in Reykjavik.
One of Reykjavik's longest-running vegetarian restaurants, Garðurinn has been serving the community since 1999. Founded by meditation teacher Jónína Ósk, the restaurant reflects her philosophy that food should nourish both body and soul. The peaceful garden setting features plants grown in their own greenhouse.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Daily soup, their famous carrot cake (vegan version available), and seasonal greenhouse salads
Chickpea
Located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, Chickpea was started by Middle Eastern chef Mahmoud Saad, who brings authentic family recipes passed down through generations and has many vegan options. The restaurant's warm, spice-scented atmosphere transports you from Iceland to a vibrant Middle Eastern market.
Location: Laugavegur 59
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Classic falafel plate, hummus bowl, and their secret-recipe spicy sauce
Svarta Kaffið
A cozy spot that revolutionized Reykjavik's soup scene with their iconic bread bowls. The owners, siblings Björn and Bryndís, every day they offer a meat option and a veggie option, which tends to be vegan (but be sure to ask). The restaurant's rustic interior features wooden tables made from reclaimed fishing boats.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Soup in homemade bread bowl. Every day there is 1 meat option and 1 veggie option
Kopar
Under the direction of head chef Ylfa Helgadóttir, this harbor location in a historic building offers stunning views of the Northern Lights during winter months. They have a seven-course vegan tasting menu (4900 ISK) option and it is a journey through Icelandic cuisine with seasonal ingredients, featuring dishes like:
Grilled local mushrooms with pine needle oil
Barley risotto with foraged herbs
Caramelized rutabaga with vanilla and thyme
Birch ice cream with crowberry sauce Each course can be paired with organic wines or local craft beverages.
Price Range: $$$
Must-Try: Vegan tasting menu option (reserve 24 hours minimum in advance), harbor view seating
Sandholt
Sandholt, a historic family-run bakery and café in downtown Reykjavík, has been perfecting their craft since 1920. This elegant establishment combines traditional Icelandic baking with French pastry techniques, offering an impressive selection of breads, pastries, and café fare. While known for their artisanal baked goods, they've thoughtfully expanded their menu to include several vegan options especially when it comes to their toasts and sandwiches.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Their vegan Shakshouka
Kemuri
Kemuri, a charming Polish dumpling haven in the heart of Reykjavík, brings a unique twist to traditional pierogi with its extensive vegan menu. The cozy space offers an inviting atmosphere that reflects the sharing culture of Polish dining. Their handcrafted dumplings showcase both traditional and innovative plant-based fillings, ranging from classic sauerkraut and mushroom to creative vegan adaptations. The kitchen's commitment to sustainability shines through their use of local Icelandic produce whenever possible.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: vegan Saurkraut pierogies or any of their soup specials!
Reykjavik Chips
Started by Belgian-Icelandic couple Marc and Sigríður, Reykjavik Chips brings Belgian fry-making techniques to Iceland by double-frying their potatoes in high-quality vegetable oil. The casual, street-food style spot features fun potato-themed artwork by local artists.
Price Range: $
Must-Try: Large cone of chips as well as their vegan burger.
Must Go To Food Hall in Reykjavik!
Pósthús Food Hall & Bar
I got a great vegan pizza from Pizza Popolare inside Pósthús!
What was once a post office is now an awesome food hall. Here you'll find many different food vendors and different types of cuisines and there are vendors that do have vegan options! Plus, the bar offers a selection of drinks that perfectly complement the diverse menu, adding to the overall experience. The main floor can get full fast but there's also a downstairs with even more seating. It's a must for a fun dining experience!
Vegan Desserts & Pastries in Reykjavik
Brauð & Co
kanilsnúður is a signature pastry from Brauð & Co and they have a vegan version of it!
This artisanal bakery, started by master baker Ágúst Einþórsson, brings traditional Icelandic baking methods to pastries. Vegan friendly, the building's iconic street art exterior makes it impossible to miss. Inside, bakers work in an open kitchen, hand-crafting each item using organic ingredients and sourdough cultures that have been maintained for decades.
Price Range: $
Must-Try: Vegan cinnamon roll (kanilsnúður)
Multiple locations Google Maps
Gaeta Gelato
Gaeta Gelato has great vegan options to choose from!
an authentic Italian gelato shop in Reykjavik, Iceland owned by Italian immigrants. Known for its high-quality, creamy gelato made with both Icelandic and Italian ingredients. It has a focus on quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations. They have vegan options and their vegan chocolate is one I highly recommend as well as their vegan mango!
Elder Og Ís - Ice cream and crêpes
Elder Og, a charming ice cream and crêpe shop in Reykjavík, offers a delightful array desserts and is lactose-free, vegan, and gluten-free friendly. The cozy space uses highly-quality organic ingredients in their ice cream flavors and creative crêpe combinations both sweet and savory.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Any of their vegan ice cream and crêpe options!
Valdis
Valdis is an iconic ice cream parlor in Reykjavík's vibrant Grandi harbor area. The cheerful, retro-style shop is known for its daily-made artisanal ice cream and extensive selection of dairy-free options. They have a playful approach to flavors, combined with exceptional quality and welcoming service.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Any of their vegan ice cream options!
Want an interactive guide with ALL my recommendations and for you to put together your own itinerary?
Check out my interactive Iceland guide powered by Rexby
Vegan Ventures Iceland Group Tour
In partnership with rexbyWant to explore Iceland with other like-minded vegan foodie travelers? Join our upcoming Vegan Ventures group tour happening May 2026 and let us guide you through Iceland!
