Kaffivagninn

I'm not sure if it's possible to live by my motto of "just wing it" any more than how we went about things on this trip to Iceland. The story behind Kaffivagninn serves as no exception. Speaking on behalf of my two friends and I who took in the Icelandic experience, Iceland knows how to do breakfast...

Not once were we disappointed with a single breakfast meal we had while visiting. Also worth noting, not once did we have any idea where we were about to eat before we had walked in to a single restaurant. Just as we had found Omnom Chocolate, we came across Kaffivagninn much the same way: driving around aimlessly until we found well..something. Our last morning in Iceland we had some time for a nice sit down breakfast and we just happened to wander out towards Reykjavik's Old Harbor where there appeared to be this quaint little cafe/coffee shop/bakery (maybe that's what Kaffivagninn translates to). Anyways, we weren't entirely sure if this was simply a coffee house that had some generic pastries, but we thought 'what the heck, we're already here,' so we went in.

Aside from the tight and cozy space of this clean and impressively charming cafe, Kaffivagninn held a secret we were completely unaware of. Apparently everyone and their puffin goes to breakfast at Kaffivagninn! Sure it was a smaller place, but with half the population of Iceland in there it would naturally feel overcrowded. Taking each experience as it came our way we were able to find some high chairs facing the window so we dashed to save our spots.

Our food came out in a timely manner and the bakery selection did not disappoint either (I asked the person taking my order for her favorite cake they made). Simple and straightforward breakfast, but done to perfection. We left satisfied to say the least. The cloudy & dreary wintry morning complimented this cute little cafe nestled in the old harbor quite well. Kaffivagninn is definitely a breakfast hot-spot for tourists and locals alike, the ambiance is welcoming, and it's been a staple to the community since its inception in 1935, so you know they're doing something right.

My advice: if you're a morning person, go ahead and grab a spot near the windows and enjoy the view of the docks. If you're a late riser, hit Kaffivagninn up for brunch and brush shoulders with a new friend..they serve until 3:00pm! Finding hidden gems like this takes a lot skill...or at the very least you have to...

Just wing it.

-C