Cafe Gardurinn

In a country where the traditional diet revolves around lamb, fish, and dairy, a fully vegetarian restaurant feels like an act of gentle rebellion. Cafe Gardurinn has been that quiet rebel for years, serving homemade vegetarian and vegan food on a side street near Laugavegur at prices that make the rest of Reykjavik's dining scene look positively extortionate.

The Food

The menu at Gardurinn changes daily, which keeps regulars coming back and means that what you eat depends on when you visit. The constants are the soups — always homemade, always warming, and always good. A thick, spiced vegetable soup with homemade bread is the kind of meal that costs EUR 10, fills you up completely, and makes you wonder why you ever pay more.

Beyond the soups, daily specials might include curries, stews, lasagna, or whatever the kitchen has been inspired to create. The cooking is organic, wholesome, and prepared with obvious care. Flavours lean toward the comforting rather than the complex — this is not experimental cuisine. It is home cooking done well, with vegetables and legumes at the centre rather than the margins.

For vegans, Gardurinn is a genuine sanctuary. In a city where many restaurants offer a single vegan option as an afterthought, having an entire menu of plant-based food is a relief. Everything is clearly labelled, and the staff are happy to discuss ingredients and preparation.

The Setting

Cafe Gardurinn is small, modest, and slightly bohemian. The decor is eclectic, the tables are mismatched, and the atmosphere is the kind of relaxed that only comes from a place that has nothing to prove. It operates as a self-service cafe — you order at the counter, take your food to a table, and bus your own dishes. There is no waitstaff, no elaborate service ritual, and no bill shock at the end. The simplicity is part of the charm.

Why It Matters

Reykjavik has embraced international cuisine in recent years, but genuinely affordable vegetarian dining remains surprisingly scarce. Gardurinn fills this gap with warmth and consistency. It is the place that vegetarians and vegans recommend to each other, the lunch spot that budget-conscious travellers discover and return to daily, and the proof that good food does not require meat, elaborate preparation, or a large bill.

Practical Tips

Closed on Sundays. The lunch rush hits between 12:00 and 13:30. The space is small enough that you may need to wait briefly for a table, but turnover is fast. Cash and cards accepted. The Klapparstiguir location is just off Laugavegur and easy to combine with a walk along the main street. Bring your own bag if you want to take soup away. Gardurinn is one of the best things about eating in Reykjavik, and at these prices, there is no reason not to try it.