If you are wondering what vegans can eat in Reykjavik, the good news is that Iceland’s capital is much more vegan-friendly than you might expect. You can find fully vegan restaurants, vegan-friendly cafés, plant-based comfort food, fresh soups, Asian dishes, falafel, vegan baked goods, and useful grocery options.
The key is knowing what to look for and where to shop. Reykjavik is compact, and several areas have a good concentration of plant-based food, making it possible to eat well without spending your entire trip searching for vegan meals.
Is Reykjavik Vegan-Friendly?
Yes. Reykjavik has developed a surprisingly diverse plant-based food scene. Several restaurants are fully vegan or vegetarian, while many other restaurants and cafés offer clearly marked vegan choices or can adapt dishes.
For travelers, this means you do not have to rely on salads. You can find filling meals such as soups, curries, noodles, falafel, grain bowls, burgers, sandwiches and vegan baked goods.
However, Icelandic traditional food is still strongly associated with fish, lamb and dairy, so checking ingredients is important when ordering.
Best Vegan Foods to Look For in Reykjavik
1. Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews
Soup is one of the easiest vegan meals to find in Reykjavik, especially during Iceland’s colder months.
Look for vegetable soups, lentil soups, bean soups and curry-style stews. A bowl of hot soup with fresh bread can make an inexpensive and satisfying lunch.
Several vegan and vegetarian restaurants regularly serve a soup of the day.
2. Vegan Curry and Rice Bowls
Curry is another excellent choice for vegan travelers. Reykjavik’s plant-based restaurants offer dishes influenced by Indian, Asian and international cooking.
Look for lentil dhal, vegetable curries, rice bowls and coconut-based dishes. These meals are usually much more filling than a basic vegetable salad.
3. Vegan Asian Food
Asian cuisine gives vegan travelers plenty of choices in Reykjavik. Depending on the restaurant, you may find vegan pho, noodles, tofu dishes, vegetable stir-fries and other plant-based comfort foods.
When ordering, ask whether the broth, sauces and noodles contain fish sauce, oyster sauce, milk or egg.
4. Falafel and Middle Eastern Food
Falafel is one of the easiest vegan-friendly foods to find while traveling. Look for falafel wraps, hummus, salads, rice bowls and vegetable plates.
Chickpea is particularly useful for plant-based travelers because its menu centers around chickpeas, including falafel wraps, pitas and bowls.
5. Vegan Burgers and Comfort Food
You do not have to eat light food for your entire trip. Reykjavik also has plant-based burgers, fries, sandwiches and other comfort-food options.
This can be especially useful after a long day of walking, sightseeing or exploring Iceland’s dramatic landscapes.
6. Vegan Breakfast and Café Food
Breakfast can require a little more planning because traditional Icelandic breakfasts often include dairy or eggs.
Look for cafés offering oat milk, plant-based pastries, toast, sandwiches, porridge or other vegan options.
Always ask whether baked goods contain butter, milk or eggs because a pastry that looks plant-based may not actually be vegan.
7. Vegan Desserts
Reykjavik also has options for travelers with a sweet tooth. Depending on the café or bakery, you may find vegan cakes, cookies, waffles, sorbets or dairy-free desserts.
Dedicated plant-based cafés and bakeries are usually the easiest places to find completely vegan desserts.
Where to Find Vegan Food in Reykjavik
You will find a particularly useful concentration of plant-based choices around central Reykjavik, including the 101 area, Laugavegur and the Grandi district.
Current local guides also list fully vegan restaurants such as Mama Reykjavik and Vegan World Peace, while other restaurants offer vegan options rather than completely plant-based menus.
Because restaurant menus, locations and opening hours can change, check the restaurant’s current menu before visiting.
Fully Vegan Restaurants Worth Checking
Mama Reykjavik
Mama is one of the city’s best-known fully plant-based restaurants. Its food focuses on comforting bowls, soups, curries, wraps and other globally inspired dishes.
Vegan World Peace
Vegan World Peace focuses on plant-based Asian-inspired comfort food. Depending on the current menu, travelers may find dishes such as noodles, tofu-based meals and other flavorful vegan options.
Plantan Kaffihús
Plantan is another useful stop for vegan travelers looking for coffee, baked goods, sandwiches or a light meal.
Always check the current opening hours and menu because restaurant information can change between seasons.
What About Traditional Icelandic Food?
This is where vegan travelers need to be careful.
Many famous traditional Icelandic foods are based on fish, lamb, dairy or other animal products. That does not mean you have to miss the local food culture completely.
Instead, look for naturally plant-based Icelandic foods and modern plant-based interpretations.
Icelandic Rye Bread
Icelandic rye bread, often known as rúgbrauð, can be a good option for vegans, but always check the ingredients before ordering.
It is especially interesting when served with plant-based spreads or vegetables.
Plant-Based Skyr Alternatives
Traditional skyr is a dairy product, but plant-based alternatives are increasingly available. Check supermarket refrigerators and health-food sections for dairy-free versions.
Vegan Food at Icelandic Supermarkets
Supermarkets can be one of the smartest options for vegan travelers, especially if you are planning a road trip around Iceland.
Current travel guides specifically recommend supermarkets such as Krónan and Bónus for stocking up on plant-based foods and road-trip supplies.
Depending on the store, look for:
- Plant-based milk
- Oat milk
- Hummus
- Tofu
- Plant-based yogurt
- Vegan cheese
- Fruit and vegetables
- Plant-based meat alternatives
- Bread and simple sandwich ingredients
- Snacks for road trips
Vegan Food in Reykjavik vs. the Iceland Countryside
This is one of the most important things to understand before traveling around Iceland.
Reykjavik has considerably more plant-based choices than remote parts of the country. Once you leave the capital and travel through smaller towns or rural areas, vegan restaurant choices can become much more limited.
If you are planning a Ring Road trip, stock up on useful foods in Reykjavik before heading into more remote areas.
Pack simple snacks and ingredients that do not require refrigeration whenever possible.
How to Order Vegan Food in Iceland
The word vegan is widely understood in Reykjavik, but it is still worth asking about hidden ingredients.
A simple question you can use is:
“Er þetta vegan?”
It means “Is this vegan?”
If the answer is unclear, ask specifically about butter, milk, cream, cheese, eggs, fish sauce and meat-based broth.
Hidden Ingredients Vegans Should Watch For
- Butter in vegetables and bread
- Milk or cream in soups
- Fish sauce in Asian dishes
- Eggs in noodles or baked goods
- Cheese in salads
- Meat or chicken stock in soups
- Honey in dressings and desserts
When traveling, never assume that a dish is vegan simply because it contains vegetables.
How to Eat Vegan in Reykjavik on a Budget
Iceland can be expensive, so eating every meal at a restaurant can quickly increase your travel budget.
A better strategy is to combine restaurant meals with supermarket shopping.
- Have breakfast from supermarket ingredients.
- Buy fruit, bread, hummus and snacks for day trips.
- Choose soup or a casual lunch instead of an expensive dinner.
- Carry snacks when leaving Reykjavik.
- Save one or two restaurant meals for dishes you really want to try.
Best Areas to Look for Vegan Food
101 Reykjavik
The central 101 area is one of the easiest places to start looking for vegan and vegan-friendly food.
Laugavegur
Laugavegur and the surrounding streets have many cafés and restaurants, making it convenient for travelers staying in central Reykjavik.
Grandi
The old harbor area is another useful food destination. Food halls and nearby restaurants can provide several plant-based choices.
Vegan Reykjavik Travel Tips
- Check menus online before walking across the city.
- Keep a supermarket meal as a backup.
- Stock up before road trips outside Reykjavik.
- Ask about sauces and soup stock.
- Do not assume bread or pastries are vegan.
- Look for fully vegan restaurants when you want the easiest experience.
- Check opening hours because Icelandic businesses can change schedules seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reykjavik good for vegans?
Yes. Reykjavik has a growing plant-based food scene with fully vegan restaurants, vegan-friendly cafés and many restaurants offering vegan dishes.
What is the easiest vegan food to find in Reykjavik?
Soups, falafel, Asian food, rice bowls, vegan burgers, sandwiches and café foods are among the easiest options to find.
Can vegans eat traditional Icelandic food?
Some traditional foods are naturally plant-based, but many famous Icelandic dishes contain fish, lamb or dairy. Check ingredients carefully and look for modern plant-based versions.
Are vegan restaurants expensive in Reykjavik?
Eating out in Iceland can be expensive, but travelers can reduce costs by combining restaurant meals with supermarket shopping and simple self-catered meals.
Is vegan food available outside Reykjavik?
Yes, but the selection becomes more limited as you travel into remote areas. Planning ahead and carrying snacks is especially useful for road trips.
Do Icelandic supermarkets have vegan food?
Yes. Major supermarkets such as Krónan and Bónus can be useful for finding plant-based milk, tofu, hummus, vegan alternatives, bread, fruit, vegetables and snacks.
Final Thoughts
Reykjavik may not be the first city people associate with vegan food, but the reality is much better than its traditional meat-and-fish reputation suggests.
With fully vegan restaurants, international plant-based dishes, cafés, supermarkets and plenty of vegan-friendly options, you can enjoy a varied trip without relying on the same salad every day.
The biggest difference is preparation: enjoy Reykjavik’s plant-based restaurants while you are in the capital, check ingredients carefully, and stock up before heading into rural Iceland.
