Sandholt is another perennial Grapevine favourite that continues to deliver. And sure, its fresh croissants, pastries, breads, sandwiches and baked goods will set you back marginally more than some of the city’s other top-of-the-line bakeries, but you won’t regret spending the extra krónur, particularly if owner Ásgeir Sandholt has done the day’s baking. A fourth-generation baker, Ásgeir still uses the same oven that his predecessors used when the bakery opened in 1920, although he has changed up nearly everything else about the place, including the bread recipe (a deceptively simple one which was in use 100 years ago). The bakery also recently expanded its seating area and added a back porch, both of which make stopping here for coffee and cake quite cosy, no matter the weather. Oh, and an added bonus in case you, like several Grapeviners, have strong opinions about such things: Sandholt’s fancy new machine allows you to choose exactly how thick your bread slices will be.

2013: Sandholt
2012: Mosfellsbakari in Reykjavík
2011: Sandholt
2010: Sandholt
2009: Mosfellsbakari

Photo by Magnús Andersen