Best Of Reykjavík 2025: Best Vegan Meal

There are guides and there are guides. Longevity sets us apart and for 20-plus-years we have dined, wined, ordered takeaways and visited spots once, twice, a dozen times in our quest to find the city’s best burgers, bakeries, brews and more.

The Best of Reykjavík dining category has always reflected reality and nothing warms our hearts more than to see Newcomers graduate to winners as the years go by. Now we have winners who will have the added recognition of being Reykjavík Institutions, a badge of honour to commend establishments that have stood the test of time — so keep an eye out for the *I as you peruse our lists of what’s Best.

Here’s to another year of deliciousness, skál!

Best Vegan Meal

Joint Winners

Kemuri

Hverfisgata 2a

You’d be hard pressed to believe that Poles make up the majority of the Icelandic population if you had to go by their presence on the high street (or lack thereof). Kemuri is an ambitious little pierogi house that has for the past year served more than just nostalgic Polish fare. Vegan and vegetarian, handmade and made in house, Kemuri is also the first and only Polish restaurant on Reykjavík’s high street. With inspired takes on traditional pierogies (the sauerkraut and mushroom ones are particularly moreish), seasonal specials (wild mushrooms in the fall, festive offerings during the holidays), cakes and bakes, dining here feels like a personal dream buoyed and built by the community.

Chickpea

Hallveigarstígur 1

Photo by Art Bicnick

“I eat here just to talk to the owners,” confessed one panellist, “I order for work so often,” admitted another. With their scratch made food, and we mean scratch made — everything you see in the counters and on your plate is made fresh everyday by the small yet efficient team behind Chickpea. This is slow fast food done well, made intentionally, and with love. The wraps are either sourdough flatbreads or slow raised pita, the pickles are ugly rejects or a tie up with local cooperatives, all the condiments – kimchi, sauces and schmears traverse through Moldova somewhat, but the real star, the falafels, are made in the tradition of the dish. Dry chickpeas are soaked and ground coarse with plenty of fresh herbs a la the Levantine version or lean a bit more Nordic with the hot pink hued beetroot falafel. The wraps are filled to the seams, bursting with flavour and we strongly recommend saving space for one of their sweet treats to finish.

Previous Winners

2024: Sumac Grill & Drinks

2023: Hnoss

2022: Sono Matseljur

2021: Sono Matseljur

2020: Veganæs