YoYo Ice Cream
A self-service frozen yogurt and ice cream shop in downtown Reykjavik where you build your own creation and pay by weight.
Icelanders eat ice cream in all weather, at all hours, and in quantities that would alarm most nutritionists. YoYo caters to this national obsession with a simple, effective concept — self-service frozen treats where you are the architect of your own sugar rush.
The Concept
Walk in, grab a cup, and start filling. Twelve soft-serve machines dispense a rotating selection of ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet flavours. Then comes the toppings bar: fresh-cut fruit, candy, chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and whatever else they have stocked that day. You place your creation on a scale, pay by weight, and find somewhere to eat it.
It is the kind of format that works brilliantly for families (kids love the autonomy) and terribly for anyone with impulse-control issues around dessert toppings. The weighing moment at the counter is where reality sets in.
Quality and Flavours
The frozen yogurt is the strongest offering — tangy, creamy, and a genuine cut above the generic soft-serve you find elsewhere. The ice cream flavours are solid if less remarkable. Sorbets provide a lighter option and tend to be intensely fruity.
The toppings make or break the experience. Fresh fruit is always a good call; the candy options range from M&Ms to Icelandic liquorice for the adventurous.
Practical Tips
YoYo is best as a sweet stop during a downtown walk rather than a destination in itself. After dinner on Laugavegur, a ten-minute walk to Egilsgata for a custom frozen yogurt creation is a satisfying way to end the evening. Keep your toppings disciplined if you want to keep the bill reasonable — those gummy bears add up faster than you think.
No reservations needed. Cash and cards accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does YoYo Ice Cream work?
- It is self-service. You grab a cup, fill it from 12 different ice cream and sorbet machines, add toppings from a wide selection of candy, fruit, and sauces, then pay by weight at the counter.
- How much does ice cream at YoYo cost?
- You pay by weight, so it depends on how much you pile into your cup. A modest serving runs around ISK 800-1,200 (EUR 5-8). Go heavy on the toppings and it climbs from there.
- Where is YoYo Ice Cream located?
- At Egilsgata 3, near the eastern edge of downtown Reykjavik. It is a short walk from Hallgrimskirkja and Laugavegur.
- Does YoYo serve regular ice cream or just frozen yogurt?
- Both. They have frozen yogurt and ice cream flavours, plus sorbets. Around 12 options are available at any time, rotating seasonally.
- Is YoYo Ice Cream open in winter?
- Icelanders eat ice cream year-round, so yes — though hours may be slightly shorter in the off-season. Check their website for current times.
- Is YoYo suitable for children?
- Absolutely. The self-service format is a hit with kids, who get to build their own creations. Just keep an eye on portion sizes if you are paying.
Explore Iceland's Food Scene — Reykjavik
Join a guided food tour and discover the best local flavors Iceland has to offer.
Browse Food ToursMore in Reykjavik
See all →
reykjavikApotek
Housed in a former pharmacy on Austurstraeti, Apotek combines a stunning historic interior with modern European cuisine and one of Reykjavik's best cocktail bars.
reykjavikBaejarins Beztu Pylsur
Iceland's most famous hot dog stand since 1937 — a humble kiosk near the harbour that has fed locals, presidents, and curious travellers for nearly a century.
reykjavikBaka Baka
A neighbourhood bakery on Skolavordustigur — fresh bread, pastries, and coffee in a simple, welcoming setting near Hallgrimskirkja.