Booztbar

Tucked into the ground floor of an office building on Borgartun, Booztbar is Reykjavik's go-to spot for anyone chasing a healthy start to the day. This is not a cocktail bar, despite what the name might suggest. It is a juice and smoothie bar, pure and simple, and it does what it does with impressive efficiency and genuine care for quality.

What to Expect

Walk in and you will find a bright, compact space that runs like clockwork. The counter is lined with fresh fruit, leafy greens, and tubs of Icelandic skyr ready to be blended into something genuinely delicious. Orders move fast here. The staff know their regulars, and even first-timers will have a drink in hand within minutes. There is nothing pretentious about the setup: Booztbar exists to fuel busy people with something better than a vending machine coffee.

The Menu

The drinks menu revolves around three pillars: fresh-pressed juices, blended smoothies, and skyr-based protein drinks. The juices lean towards classic combinations -- carrot, ginger, and apple; beetroot and orange -- but there are more adventurous options if you want them. The smoothies are thick, satisfying, and taste like actual fruit rather than sugar syrup.

The skyr drinks are the real point of difference. Icelandic skyr has a richness and tang that works beautifully in a smoothie base, adding protein and body without the cloying sweetness you get from yoghurt-based alternatives elsewhere. If you are visiting Iceland and want to try skyr in a form beyond the supermarket pot, this is an excellent way to do it.

Light snacks round out the offering. You will not find a full lunch menu here, but there are protein bars, overnight oats, and the occasional baked good to keep you going.

Practical Information

Booztbar sits in the Borgartun business corridor, east of downtown Reykjavik. It is not on the typical tourist trail -- you will not stumble across it while walking Laugavegur -- but it is easily reached by bus or a short drive. The neighbourhood is home to offices and corporate headquarters, which explains the early opening hours and the steady stream of smartly dressed locals queuing before nine.

If you are staying in central Reykjavik and want to make a special trip, it is worth the detour if you care about genuinely good smoothies. Otherwise, keep it in mind if you happen to be in the Borgartun area and need a refreshing pick-me-up.

The service is friendly, the drinks are consistently good, and the prices are fair by Icelandic standards. Booztbar will never make a list of Reykjavik's most glamorous destinations, but it earns its loyal following by doing something simple exceptionally well.