Reykjavik's Cafe Culture

Reykjavik has one of the most vibrant and lovely café scenes. I think it is the one thing I most miss most after having lived there. Real Estate is such a commodity here in New York you feel like there are no places to sit and relax with a strong cup of coffee. DEMO on Perry and 7^th might be the exception that proves the rule, it would be fantastic if it was not the only café around, it always feels cramped and rushed and there are always a slew of men on the prowl….

But in Reykjavik there are dozens and dozens of cafes and they are always filled with energetic types busy: talking, writing and smiling. There are so many cafes to choose from---Vegamot is nice and is always filled with Icelanders and tourists, stay clear of the food though it is really really greasy. Their coffee is fisherman strength (just the way I like it) very ,very dark and they give you your own coffee press filled to the brim.

Another smoking cafe is Kaffi Barinn it is super trendy, and filled with vintage wearing artist types and is really fun but beware of the smoke!

There are a few smoke free cafés which are just as nice, they have a less intense vibe but that is can be great too, Kaffitar is a coffee company that has a café, it is all about fair trade and it does not allow smoking there are always a wide variety of patrons and they have excellent cakes.