Johansen Deli
A quality deli in Reykjavik's business district serving artisan sandwiches, fresh salads, and baked goods to a loyal crowd of local professionals.
Tucked away in Reykjavik's Thorunnartun business district, Johansen Deli operates well outside the tourist circuit and makes no effort to change that. This is a deli that serves the people who work in the offices around it, and it serves them well -- with quality sandwiches, fresh baked goods, and the kind of efficient, friendly service that turns first-time visitors into daily regulars.
The Food
Sandwiches are the core of the menu, and they are made with genuine care. Quality bread -- properly baked, with texture and flavour -- forms the foundation, and the fillings are premium: smoked meats, aged cheeses, fresh vegetables, and house-made sauces. The daily specials rotate and reward repeat visits with variety.
Salads are fresh and substantial enough to constitute a meal. Soups change with the season and the chef's inclination, and the baked goods -- pastries, cakes, and bread -- maintain a standard that puts many dedicated bakeries to shame.
This is deli food elevated by attention to ingredients and preparation, and the difference between Johansen and a generic sandwich shop is immediately apparent.
The Setting
Thorunnartun is not a neighbourhood that tourists typically explore, and the deli's clientele reflects this. The lunchtime crowd is made up of suits, creatives from nearby offices, and the occasional tradesperson -- all united by the knowledge that Johansen makes the best lunch within walking distance. The atmosphere is brisk and purposeful during the rush, quieter and more relaxed in the mid-afternoon.
Why It Matters
Reykjavik's dining recommendations tend to cluster around Laugavegur and the harbour, which means the excellent restaurants and cafes in the business district get overlooked by visitors. Johansen Deli is a case in point: the quality is high, the prices are fair, and the experience offers something that the tourist centre cannot -- a genuine slice of everyday Reykjavik life.
Practical Information
The weekday-only hours and closing time of four o'clock mean planning is required. The best strategy is to visit between eleven and one, when the selection is at its peak and the sandwich counter is in full operation. If you are staying in the city centre, the walk to Thorunnartun takes about fifteen minutes and passes through some of Reykjavik's less-visited but interesting streets.
Come for the sandwiches, stay for the atmosphere, and leave feeling like you have discovered something that most visitors miss entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Johansen Deli serve?
- Johansen Deli specialises in artisan sandwiches, fresh salads, soups, and baked goods. The sandwiches use quality bread and premium fillings, and the daily specials change regularly.
- Is Johansen Deli open on weekends?
- No. Johansen Deli is open Monday to Friday only, from 08:00 to 16:00. It caters primarily to the weekday lunch crowd in the surrounding business district.
- Where is Johansen Deli located?
- Johansen Deli is at Thorunnartun 2 in the 105 district of Reykjavik, in the business area near Borgartun. It is about a fifteen-minute walk from the tourist centre.
- Is Johansen Deli good for takeaway?
- Yes. The deli format is well suited to takeaway, and many customers grab sandwiches and salads to eat at their desks or in nearby parks. Everything is packaged for convenient transport.
- Is Johansen Deli expensive?
- Prices are moderate. Sandwiches and lunch items cost ISK 1,800-2,800, which is competitive for the quality offered. It is slightly cheaper than equivalent options in the tourist centre.
- Why should tourists visit Johansen Deli?
- If you want to eat where Reykjavik professionals eat, Johansen Deli offers a window into local working life. The food quality is high, the prices are fair, and the atmosphere is authentically Icelandic rather than tourist-oriented.
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