Kristjans Bakari

Some establishments earn their place through innovation. Kristjans Bakari earns its through consistency. Since 1912, this Akureyri institution has been opening its doors at dawn, filling the street with the smell of fresh bread, and sending people off into their day properly fed. A century of service is not a marketing angle — it is a track record.

The History

Founded in the early twentieth century, Kristjans Bakari has survived world wars, volcanic eruptions, financial crises, and the arrival of chain bakeries — all while maintaining its position as the bakery in Akureyri. The location on Hafnarstraeti, the town's main pedestrian street, has remained constant, and the commitment to traditional Icelandic baking methods has not wavered either.

The Pastries

The kleina is where you start. These twisted, deep-fried Icelandic doughnuts are a national tradition, and Kristjans makes them the way they were meant to be: slightly sweet, slightly cardamom-scented, with a texture that is crisp outside and tender within. They are the kind of pastry that tastes simple but reveals its quality through every bite.

The snudur — Icelandic cinnamon rolls — are another highlight. Larger and less sweet than their Scandinavian cousins, they are perfect with coffee. The cake selection changes daily but is consistently well-made, and the fresh bread is among the best in northern Iceland.

More Than Pastry

While the baked goods are the main event, Kristjans also serves sandwiches, coffee, and freshly squeezed orange juice. It is a complete breakfast stop, and on a cold Akureyri morning (which is most mornings), the combination of a warm bakery, good coffee, and a fresh kleina is genuinely restorative.

The interior is functional rather than designed — this is a working bakery, not a concept cafe — but the warmth is real, and the queue of locals that forms each morning tells you everything you need to know about quality.

Practical Tips

Arrive early for the best selection. By mid-afternoon, popular items may be sold out. The Hafnarstraeti location is impossible to miss if you are walking Akureyri's main street. Prices are very reasonable — a coffee and pastry for well under ISK 1,500 — making this one of the best-value food experiences in northern Iceland.

If you are passing through Akureyri on a Ring Road drive, Kristjans Bakari is worth the stop. A century of baking does not lie.