96 Hours in Iceland: What I ate, drank, and did

I recently went to Iceland with husband and have only AMAZING things to say about the trip. I’ve been wanting to travel to Iceland for quite some time, so I was thankful when a unique opportunity popped up and allowed us to go. My husband plays on a soccer team through his office and as crazy as sounds, the New York team wanted to play its London counterparts “halfway” between the both of them…so, Iceland it was! We were there in early May and the weather was great. It was slightly chilly while we were there, but we were so active, we barely noticed. (If you’re thinking about traveling to Iceland, here’s a guide that breaks down the best times to travel there & why.)

We took a red eye after work on a Friday night and arrived in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, early Saturday morning. Although it might sound like quite a stretch, the travel arrangements honestly worked out really well. I highly recommend the red eye given it allows for a full day at the destination.

We arrived early enough to then pick up our rental car (right at the Keflavík International Airport) and arrived in Reykjavík before 8 a.m. local time. The drive’s about 40 minutes, but it’s a scenic route and you get a feel for each town along the way. It’s worth noting that you can use your US driver’s license in Iceland, so you won’t need an international driver’s permit.

We stayed at the Fosshótel Reykjavík. It was nice, clean and very convenient to everything in the city. Thankfully, everything is within walking distance. I truly believe the best way to experience a new city is by walking everywhere. (Full disclosure: I live in New York, so my walking distance might be different than yours so Google map it if you’re worried).

Every morning, we walked to Laugavegur, the “Main Street” in Reykjavík and grabbed breakfast.

I found my FAVORITE breakfast spot the very last day we were in town…

Early in the Morning is a breakfast shop that’s open for a few hours during brunch! The restaurant is super chic and cozy and the food was to die for. Here’s the menu if you want to take a look. I got the farmer’s sausage with fried eggs and baked beans. The best part, though? The bread and jam they give to you while you’re sipping your little cup of coffee and wondering if, in fact, life could ever ANY better.

The fresh pumpkin seed bread was life-changing and I honestly wanted to take a whole loaf with me on the plane. My mouth waters even writing about it.

*Pumpkin seed bread at Early in the Morning.*

My second favorite brunch spot was Sandholt. They make fresh bread, pastries, and really anything you could possibly dream of, daily. We went here almost every morning for breakfast sandwiches and it is hands down, the best breakfast sandwich I’ve EVER had. I would eat one every morning if I could. Their scones are also mouthwatering.

After my husband’s soccer game, we went to BrewDog for dinner and beer. If you’re not familiar with BrewDog, it’s a company that’s passionate about GREAT beer. So, you can’t go wrong with anything on their drink menu. In terms of food, I highly recommend their Buffalo chicken wings and the bangin’ buffalo cauliflower wings.

If you’re craving something sweet while exploring the streets of Reykjavík, I really enjoyed Joylato, an ice cream shop that makes Nitrogen ice cream! Although they weren’t able to make the ice cream when we popped in, all the products we did have were delicious. An added bonus: everything on their menu is gluten free. I got a warm, homemade, cinnamon sugar crepe and my husband got their gelato!

Believe it our not, we actually did do more than just eat & drink. COMING SOON - my article on the incredibly beautiful hikes and outdoor activities we did!