The Espresso Bar

Reykjavik has embraced speciality coffee with the same enthusiasm it brings to everything it decides to care about, and the result is a city punching far above its weight in caffeinated quality. The Espresso Bar on Bankastræti represents the efficient, no-nonsense end of this spectrum: excellent coffee, prepared quickly, in a central location, without the extended hipster ritual that some coffee shops seem to require.

The Coffee

The espresso is the foundation, and it is very good. Properly extracted, balanced, and served at the right temperature -- details that matter more than most people realise and that separate good coffee shops from great ones. The flat white is a particular strength: silky, well-textured milk meeting a shot that has the body and sweetness to stand up to it.

For those who prefer their coffee less milky, the cortado and macchiato are equally accomplished. Americanos are clean and flavourful. Filter coffee is available for traditionalists. In short, whatever your preferred style, The Espresso Bar will execute it competently.

The Pastries

The food offering is deliberately limited. This is a coffee bar, not a brunch restaurant, and the pastries and croissants that fill the display case are chosen to complement the coffee rather than constitute a meal. The croissants are buttery and flaky. The pastries are fresh. There is nothing here that will change your life, but everything pairs well with what you are drinking.

The Space

The interior is compact. A few seats, a counter, and the espresso machine -- that is essentially it. This is a place designed for quick stops rather than lingering, and the brisk turnover of customers reflects that. If you want a coffee to take away as you walk down Bankastræti towards Laugavegur, this is ideal. If you want a quiet table where you can sit for three hours with a laptop, try one of the larger cafes.

The Location

Bankastræti 2 could hardly be more central. The street connects Austurstræti (the main square end) to Laugavegur (the shopping and nightlife end), making The Espresso Bar a natural midpoint stop during any exploration of central Reykjavik. You will likely pass it multiple times during a visit.

Practical Notes

Opens at 07:30 on weekdays, making it one of the city centre's earlier options for a caffeine fix. Closes at 18:00 on weekdays, 17:00 on weekends. No reservations needed, no table service -- order at the counter, wait briefly, and receive your drink. Cards accepted. Prices are standard for speciality coffee in Reykjavik.