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If you are looking for breakfast in Reykjavik, Iceland, you are going to find that there are a few options. Reykjavik has many small cafes that serve coffee and light breakfast options (pastries and the like), but very few serve a full breakfast early. If you are someone who is hoping to get a early start to your day, you will have very little to choose from as many of the cafes don’t open until 9am. We were able to grab an early breakfast at Bergsson Mathus and were extremely pleased with our meal.
Bergsson Mathus is a quaint eatery and great place to grab a breakfast in 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 and provide wonderful natural light while you are dining. Opposite side of cafe offers more seating options with bench tables.
While it is seat yourself, 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.
Once your order is placed, it will be brought to your table once it is ready. While you wait for your food, you can go ahead and serve yourself juice. Glasses are on the table and there is a small station to grab either apple or orange juice.
First thing you should know if 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. We chose a pretty traditional Icelandic breakfast. The breakfast plate had soft boiled egg, salad, hummus, bacon, potatoes, prosciutto, fresh fruit, cheese, bread, and a little pot of yogurt, fruit, and muesli. For the four of us, we ordered 2 of the breakfast plates plus a plate of fruit. It was more than enough food.
Overall, we were very pleased with the Bergsson Mathus breakfast in Reykjavik. The food was fresh & delicious and the atmosphere was charming. If you are looking to get out early to make the most of your trip in Iceland, this is the place to go. We arrived when they opened (7am) and were out of there by 8:15am. It was a great way to start our day before heading out along the Golden Circle!
Looking for things to do in Reykjavik? We have a great list!
Have you enjoyed traditional Icelandic meals? Where is your go-to place in Reykjavik?
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).
We were so lucky to find this place as, like you said, so many don’t open until 9 for a proper breakfast.
Yummy breakfast. I can have it everyday 🙂
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 🙂
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.