Kexland

KEX was a biscuit factory. Now it is a hostel, restaurant, bar, and cultural hub that has become one of the defining gathering places of modern Reykjavik. The name itself is the Icelandic word for biscuit, a nod to the building's industrial past, and the spirit of transformation -- from factory to community space -- runs through everything Kexland does.

The Food

The dining programme at Kexland has evolved over the years, and the current iteration centres around Flatus, a pop-up restaurant within the KEX space that focuses on pizza and bar snacks. The pizzas are well made, with good dough and generous toppings, and they pair naturally with the craft beer selection. It is not destination dining, but it is satisfying, affordable, and available from lunch through to late evening.

Breakfast is a separate and worthwhile affair. The Baxtur morning buffet runs daily from half seven to ten and provides a solid start to the day with a spread that goes beyond the standard hostel breakfast. For non-guests who want to eat well before a day of sightseeing, the breakfast buffet is a sensible option.

The Space

The converted factory interior is the real star. High ceilings, exposed beams, industrial fixtures, and a design sensibility that honours the building's history while making it comfortable for modern use. The main bar area has the feel of a communal living room -- large enough to absorb a crowd, intimate enough to encourage conversation.

There are nooks for quiet drinks, communal tables for sociable ones, and a stage area for the regular live music events that give Kexland its cultural identity. The space shifts naturally from morning coffee spot to afternoon work space to evening bar to late-night music venue.

The Crowd

What makes Kexland distinctive is the mix of people who use it. Hostel guests from around the world rub shoulders with Reykjavik locals who treat it as their regular bar. Creative types, musicians, and the kind of people who make a city interesting gravitate toward the space, creating an atmosphere that is diverse, welcoming, and never dull.

Practical Information

Kexland is on Skulagata, a short walk from the eastern end of Laugavegur. It is open daily from breakfast through to late evening, making it useful at almost any time of day. No reservations are needed for the restaurant, though arriving early for weekend breakfasts is wise.

Why Kexland Works

In a city where restaurants and bars can feel either touristy or exclusive, Kexland occupies the rare middle ground: a place that is welcoming to visitors without being designed for them, and popular with locals without being unwelcoming to outsiders. The food is secondary to the atmosphere, but the atmosphere is good enough that the food does not need to carry the experience alone.