Sandholt Bakarí

Why I recommend it

Yes, you will probably find other travellers here. Yes, it gets busy. And yes, I would still go back. Sandholt has been part of Reykjavík for generations, and that history somehow still comes through despite how well known it has become. The bakery feels polished without losing that cosy, local feeling, and the quality of the bread and pastries makes the popularity very easy to understand. Sometimes a place does not need to be undiscovered to be worth recommending. It just needs to be really good.

What to do

Start at the pastry counter and let that make the decision for you. Pair whatever looks best with a coffee, or go for one of their sourdough-based breakfast or lunch dishes if you are more hungry. Their salmon avocado toast and sourdough sandwiches are especially tempting, but this is one of those places where I would happily order based purely on what catches my eye.

Good to know

Do not expect a quiet little secret bakery. Sandholt is well known and can get busy, especially around breakfast and brunch. That said, do not let the popularity put you off. Turn up, accept that you may have to wait a little, and enjoy the fact that some of Reykjavík’s most famous spots really do live up to the attention they get.