Brauð & Co. Frakkastígur

Brauð & Co. opened its first bakery in spring 2016 at Frakkastígur 16, just off Laugavegur. Since then it has grown into a small chain with branches around the capital area, but the Frakkastígur shop is still the original, and many visitors make a point of stopping here on the walk between Laugavegur and Hallgrímskirkja.

The bakery's approach is built on good ingredients and visible craft. It uses organic ingredients wherever possible: the flours are imported from Denmark and Italy, other grains, seeds and sugar are mostly organic, and Icelandic butter and sea salt are used in the baking. The baking itself is done in view of customers, so you can watch the dough being shaped while you queue.

The cinnamon buns, or snúðar, are the bakery's best-known product, and there are other buns and pastries alongside them. Sourdough bread is baked fresh, and the croissants are another favourite. The bakery takes online orders for pick-up, sells gift vouchers and offers party catering. Many customers take their bag away to eat on the go or back at their hotel.

The Frakkastígur bakery opens early, from 06:30 to 17:00 every day, which suits early starts before tours and road trips. Come early for the best choice, especially at weekends.

Baking in Iceland has a long tradition, and buns and pastries are a big part of everyday life, often eaten with coffee in the afternoon. Brauð & Co. is a good place to try that tradition in a modern form. If you are heading out on a day trip, a bag of buns and a loaf of sourdough makes an easy road-trip picnic, since food options in the countryside can be limited and expensive. Payment is by card, as almost everywhere in Iceland.

Brauð & Co. suits everyone who likes bread and pastries, from families to solo travellers, and it is one of the more affordable ways to eat well in the centre. Other branches include Austurstræti 17 in the old town, Melhagi in the west and Fákafen, so you can find one elsewhere in the city if you miss this one. From Frakkastígur, Hallgrímskirkja is a few minutes uphill and the seafront and Sun Voyager are a few minutes downhill.