Cafe Milano

Austurstraeti is one of the busiest streets in central Reykjavik, running from Laekjartorg square toward the harbour with the parliament building and Austurvollur square alongside it. Cafe Milano sits right in the middle of all this, serving Italian-inspired food in a location that makes it almost impossible to miss — and a smart choice when you want a reliable meal without the planning that Reykjavik's trendier restaurants demand.

The Food

The menu covers the Italian basics with competence. Pasta dishes are the strongest offering — the sauces are made with care, the pasta is cooked properly, and the portions are generous enough to justify the Reykjavik pricing. The pizza is thin-crust and reliable, if not quite in the same league as Reykjavik's dedicated pizzerias. Risotto, salads, and a handful of meat and fish dishes round out the menu.

This is not the place for an authentic Italian culinary pilgrimage. What it is, consistently, is a comfortable restaurant serving well-prepared food from a familiar menu. After days of trying to decode Icelandic menus featuring dried fish and fermented delicacies, a plate of good pasta can feel like coming home.

The coffee is solid — Italian in style, properly made, and available throughout the day. As a cafe, Milano holds its own against the more dedicated coffee spots in the area.

The Location

Location is Cafe Milano's strongest card. Austurstraeti puts you at the heart of everything: the parliament, the harbour, Laugavegur, and Hallgrimskirkja are all within easy walking distance. The outdoor seating in summer is prime real estate for people-watching, with the foot traffic of downtown Reykjavik providing a constant stream of entertainment.

Inside, the space is comfortable and warmly lit, with a casual atmosphere that works for everything from a morning coffee to a relaxed dinner. It is the kind of place where you can settle in with a book and a cappuccino for an hour without feeling pressured to order more.

Who It Is For

Cafe Milano works for travellers who want a straightforward meal in a central location without the commitment of booking a table at one of Reykjavik's finer restaurants. It is good for families, for groups who cannot agree on what to eat, and for solo diners who want to sit comfortably and watch the city go by.

Practical Tips

Walk-ins are the norm. The busiest periods are weekend lunch and early evening, when the combination of location and accessibility draws a crowd. Prices are in the mid-range for central Reykjavik, which means they are expensive by most standards but unremarkable by Icelandic ones. Service is friendly and efficient. If you are staying in the city centre, Cafe Milano is the kind of place you will likely walk past several times — and at least once, you should walk in.