If you are looking for an early breakfast in Reykjavik, there are very few options. While many small cafes serve coffee and light breakfast options (pastries and the like), there aren’t many that have a full breakfast early in the morning.
Best Early Morning Breakfast in Reykjavik
Those who are hoping to get an early start to their day and want breakfast should check out Bergsson Mathus. We believe that this is the best early-morning breakfast Reykjavik has to offer.
Bergsson Mathus is a quaint eatery located in downtown Reykjavik. While the exterior is quite unassuming, the interior is bright and what I would describe as farmhouse chic.
There are high-top tables nearest to the windows that provide lots of natural light. The opposite side of the cafe offers more seating options with bench tables, but not with the same amount of light.
While it is open seating, you will first need to place your order at the counter. There are paper menus and you may find that you need to browse the menu before placing your order.
Just step to the side while you look as to not hold up the locals who may come in to just grab a coffee to go.
Speaking of coffee, the coffee at Bergsson Mathus was fantastic. I am so glad that they had an in-house cafe with a full-service barista!
Once your order is placed, you can grab your juice and condiments.
Glasses for your beverages are on the table and you will find a selection of apple or orange juice nearby for you to serve yourself. The meal will be brought to your table.
Icelandic Breakfast in Reykjavik
The first thing you should know is that food is expensive in Iceland. Once you get over that fact, you will find that sometimes it pays to share meals.
We found sharing meals to be quite easy at Bergsson Mathus.
For the four of us (two adults & two children), we ordered two of the breakfast plates plus a plate of fruit. It was more than enough food.
The breakfast plate has a soft-boiled egg, salad, hummus, bacon, potatoes, prosciutto, potatoes, fresh fruit, cheese, bread, and a little pot of Icelandic yogurt with fruit and muesli.
The food is locally produced (minus the fruit), fresh & delicious. Overall, we were very pleased with the Bergsson Mathus breakfast in Reykjavik and will be going back on our next trip to Iceland.
It was a great way to start our day before heading out along the Golden Circle!
Have you enjoyed traditional Icelandic meals? Where is your go-to place in Reykjavik?
Eva
Saturday 29th of July 2017
I am always a little afraid of being judged when sharing a meal, as I don't want to give the impression that I am trying to steal and always assume restaurants are happier when every seated guest orders something - then you are allowed to nib from your friend's plate. Given the prices of food in Iceland, though, sharing a meal sounds more than reasonable. And I guess I am just being overly stressed and in some places this would be regarded as just normal behaviour, nothing sneaky. So I guess it's just something I should stop worrying about :)
Kristi
Saturday 5th of August 2017
Yes, certain places seem to frown upon sharing. We noticed that to be the case in Paris. Luckily, that was our only experience like that in Europe.
Sapnas
Saturday 29th of July 2017
Yummy breakfast. I can have it everyday :-)
Ania | Snow to Seas
Saturday 29th of July 2017
That looks and sounds like one delicious breakfast place! Really helpful to learn that there is a spot that opens earlier than 9 am (I currently live in Sweden and face the same struggles when travelling around the country).
Kristi
Saturday 5th of August 2017
We were so lucky to find this place as, like you said, so many don't open until 9 for a proper breakfast.