Bokin
Reykjavik's oldest used bookshop doubles as a quiet cafe where you can browse shelves of Icelandic and English books while sipping coffee in a literary atmosphere.
Reykjavik is a literary city -- Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other nation -- and Bokin is where that tradition lives and breathes. This small used bookshop on Klapparstigur has been trading since 1964, and stepping through its door feels like entering a world that the rest of downtown has largely forgotten.
The Bookshop
The shelves are packed floor to ceiling with a chaotic, wonderful assortment of used books. Icelandic literature sits alongside English-language novels, poetry collections lean against travel guides, and rare first editions hide behind stacks of paperbacks. There is no algorithm here, no curated recommendation engine -- just thousands of books waiting to be discovered by anyone willing to browse.
The Icelandic section is particularly rewarding for those who read the language or want to try. Saga translations, modern Icelandic fiction, and out-of-print titles that you will not find anywhere else turn up regularly. For English readers, the selection is broad and eclectic, reflecting the diverse reading habits of previous owners.
The Coffee
Bokin serves coffee and light refreshments, though calling it a cafe would be generous. The coffee is perfectly adequate, the setting is unbeatable, and the combination of a warm drink and unlimited browsing time is hard to improve upon. This is not a place for elaborate latte art or artisan pastries -- it is a place for reading, and the coffee exists in service of that higher purpose.
The Atmosphere
What makes Bokin special is its atmosphere. The shop is quiet in a way that feels almost subversive in a city increasingly dominated by noise and tourism. The lighting is soft, the floorboards creak, and the only sounds are pages turning and the occasional murmur of conversation at the counter. It is deeply, thoroughly peaceful.
Regulars treat Bokin as a kind of secular sanctuary -- a place to think, read, and be left alone. Visitors are welcome, but the unspoken code is clear: speak softly, browse freely, and respect the silence.
Worth Visiting
For anyone who loves books, Bokin is essential. For everyone else, it offers something equally valuable: a genuine Reykjavik institution that has survived six decades of change by simply being itself. In a city that is transforming rapidly, places like this matter more than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Bokin a restaurant or a bookshop?
- Bokin is primarily a used bookshop that also serves coffee and light refreshments. It has been operating since 1964 and is the oldest used bookshop in Reykjavik.
- Does Bokin serve food?
- Bokin serves coffee, tea, and simple snacks. It is not a full cafe or restaurant -- the books are the main attraction, with the coffee as a welcome accompaniment to browsing.
- What kind of books does Bokin sell?
- The shop carries a wide range of used books in both Icelandic and English, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and rare Icelandic titles. It is a treasure trove for book lovers.
- Where is Bokin located?
- Bokin is at Klapparstigur 25-27 in central Reykjavik, a quiet side street off Laugavegur. It is easy to miss if you are not looking for it, which adds to its charm.
- Is Bokin a good rainy-day activity?
- Absolutely. On a wet Reykjavik afternoon -- which is most afternoons -- settling into Bokin with a coffee and a pile of books is one of the city's most pleasant ways to pass an hour or two.
- What are the opening hours?
- Bokin is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Sundays.
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