Sandholt

Sandholt is a family bakery on Laugavegur, the main shopping street of central Reykjavik, and one of the oldest operating bakeries in Iceland. It is now run by the fourth generation of master bakers, and its approach combines traditional recipes with new creations, which makes it a good place to try both Icelandic baking classics and more modern pastries.

The heart of the business is bread. Several kinds of sourdough are baked fresh every day, and the bakery also turns out cakes, tortes and a wide range of desserts and pastries that fill the counter from early morning. To drink there is coffee, as well as handmade sodas and craft beer. Sandholt also caters for parties and events, from traditional Icelandic dishes to international finger food and canapés, and recommends booking catering by phone.

The bakery opens every day from 07:30 to 18:00, so it is one of the earliest places on Laugavegur to get breakfast. Many visitors come in for a coffee and pastry before heading out on a tour, or pick up a loaf and something sweet for a picnic or a long drive. Because it is on the busiest stretch of the street, it can be crowded at weekend mornings and around lunchtime in summer; arriving early is the easiest way to get a seat and the widest choice.

Sandholt suits almost everyone: families looking for a quick breakfast, couples wanting a relaxed coffee, and food lovers keen to try Icelandic baking. Prices are higher than in a supermarket bakery, as you would expect in central Reykjavik, but a pastry and coffee here is still one of the more affordable sit-down treats in town.

If you plan to have a picnic or a long day in the car, pick up bread and pastries in the morning, as the best choice is available early in the day.

Laugavegur 36 is in the middle of the shopping street, a few minutes' walk from Hallgrímskirkja, Skólavörðustígur and Hlemmur. Dozens of shops, bars and restaurants are within a short stroll, so Sandholt fits easily into a morning of browsing. The bakery's catering service is worth knowing about if you are planning a celebration during your stay.