Skip to main content

Sample 3 of the Best Craft Beer Bars in Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is a country of gorgeous waterfalls, impressive geysers, romantically desolate lava fields and, of course, ice.

It gets cold in Iceland. That probably isn’t a news flash to anyone. But as someone who just made his first trip, I was still amazed at how fickle the seasonal weather can be, even in early summer. Yes, we were expecting a cooler climate and maybe some rain. Instead we were met with stinging pelts of sleet, powerful wind gusts, near-freezing temperatures and only a few precious hours of cloudless sky.

As I walked through downtown Reykjavík, wondering how anyone survives a summer in Iceland (much less the brutal, dark winters), I saw two signs that answered my question. The first was a taqueria named El Santo (after the famous Mexican wrestler), and the second was an outpost of Mikkeller’s craft beer bar empire called Mikkeller & Friends.

Good beer can solve a lot of the world’s problems, and cozying up to friends new and old in the neighborhood pub is a time-honored tradition of making the best out of a bad situation (or getting ready to cheer on Team Iceland at the upcoming World Cup). After passing Mikkeller & Friends, I perked up and began looking for other craft friendly spots. I was amazed by the quantity of establishments in the rather sleepy national capitol of just 123,000 people.

The next time life takes you to Iceland, perhaps to tour the Golden Circle or soak in a natural hot spring, end your day at one of these fantastic craft beer oases.

Mikkeller & Friends

Mikkeller & Friends

Let’s get one thing out of the way. Nothing in Iceland is cheap. Depending on the pour size, brand, and relative scarcity, expect to pay between $8 and $20 for a craft ale in Reykjavík. But at least at Mikkeller & Friends, you’re bound to have the chance to try beers you’ve never experienced before. The rotating list of beers from around the world recently featured brews from Fort George Brewery in Oregon, Cerebral Brewing in Colorado, and Iceland’s own KEX Brewing.

Micro Bar

Microbar Iceland/Facebook

Not to be confused with Samara Costa Rica’s Microbar, you’ll go underground to experience this beer hall. The staff at Iceland’s Micro Bar is friendly and the dedication to Iceland’s local beer scene is evident. You can get small pour flights of those regional beers to sample what some of the most creative brewers in Iceland have to offer.

Icelandic Craft Bar

Icelandic Craft Bar/Facebook

If you need some bites to go along with your brews, Icelandic Craft Bar is your stop. Try the local delicacy of fermented shark meat and then wash it down with an Einstok Icelandic White Ale. It’s centrally located in the heart of the tourist friendly downtown and known for its all-important happy hour pricing. 

Looking for a place to stay while in Iceland? Cozy up in these great cottages you can rent today. And if beer isn’t hard enough for you, take a sip of Iceland’s Black Death to test your mettle.

Editors' Recommendations

5 food and drink trends the experts wish would just go away
Food trends can be fun, but these are a few we're totally over
food and drink trends that should die in 2023 molecular gastronomy

We all love food trends. There's something exciting about being in on the fun and chatting knowingly about delicious newcomers like butter boards and cloud bread. Every now and then, it's good to jump on the bandwagon because you may find you love something you might not have otherwise tried if not for TikTok or Instagram. We're all for unique experiences and constantly learning and trying new things. Sometimes, though, these trends outstay their welcome. Sometimes, they just won't take the hint, which means it's time to drop the nice manners and scoot them out the door. We've chatted with some experts in the food world to find out which of these trends they're most eager to see go, and we have to admit — we couldn't agree more.

Molecular gastronomy
Marissa Johnson, professional event planner and founder of Inflatable Blast, says, "This trend has been around for a while, and it's time for it to go. We're all for experimentation in the kitchen, but some of the 'molecular' dishes we've seen look more like science experiments than food."

Read more
The best (and worst) stadium food in the US, ranked
Betting.com analyzed over 100,000 reviews to bring you the best and the worst foods at U.S. sports arenas
Baseball food — chili dog and chili fries.

The beginning of winter is a time for sports highlights. Baseball is in the midst of free agency, the NBA season features marquee matchups throughout the holidays, and the NFL is tilting toward the playoffs. Whether it’s in your hometown or an excursion on the road, heading to a sporting event is an iconic way to experience a locale. Sports stadiums like to show off local culture, and there are few better ways to do this than with stadium food.

M&R Glasgow
The best stadium food

Read more
Mcdonald’s explores automated store, so our dystopian future is one step closer
McDonald's newest endeavor is a super-sized mistake
adult happy meals are here nonthaburi  bang yai 29 there is a 2017 logo mcdonald s

Well, it's finally happened, folks. At long last, robots have officially taken over. No, they didn't come for our cars, our computers, or our homes. They've come for our cheeseburgers.

Last month, in Fort Worth, Texas, McDonald's launched their first automated, no-humans-required, soulless and lovin' it restaurant, and people have feelings.

Read more