Get yourself cozy in the winter - Best sweet treats in Reykjavík

Who said Iceland does not have a food culture? Perhaps the traditional food might not be exactly appealing, but the capital offers a vibrant food scene. There is a place for every taste, from ramen to tacos, American ribs to plant-based options.

When the light starts lacking, the roads get icy and candlelight bonanza comes back in style, there is nothing better than going downtown and treating yourself with a sweet treat and a warm drink.

I want to share with you a few spots where you can relax, hang out and embrace the coziness with some of the best sweet treats you can find in Reykjavík.

DEIG - Donuts

I had never been a fan of donuts until I tried those from Deig. They are so tasty and comforting, the best way to start, continue or finish your day. Perfect at any time. They come in different shapes, doughs and flavors. My personal favorites are the cinnamon cruller, made out of french choux dough and the mighty crème brulée donut, filled with (a lot of) custard and torched on the top.

Aleppo Café – Middle Eastern Delicacies

This is hands down one of the best cafés in town, with a twist. The owners are Syrian so there is a huge assortment of Middle Eastern traditional sweets and pastries along with basic  European  café pastries. In addition, they serve Syrian coffee which is kind of spicy and so flavorful. My go-to treat there is a pistachio or lemon bun.

Luna Flórens & Lóla Flórens – Baunin Vegan Cakes

If you are looking for some vegan sweet goodness in one slice, then you need to pay a visit to Luna Flórens and its recent addition that opened this fall, Lóla Flórens. Here, vegan cake artist Baunin’s creations are available for customers to purchase. Baunin cakes are not only incredibly tasty, with original and seasonal flavor combinations, but real pieces of artwork as they are beautifully decorated. If one or two slices are not enough at these two cafés, you can directly contact Baunin to order an entire cake or cupcakes for any event or no event at all, I mean who am I to judge (been there, done that!).

Sandholt – French pastries

If you have been to or are from France, you must have tried the best French pâtisserie and complained since in other parts of the world croissants and pain au chocolat are not the same (what a shocker!). As a person who lived in France throughout their bachelor's, I feel entitled and confident in stating that Sandholt’s french style pastries and bread are pretty close to the original concept. It might not be Reykjavík’s cheapest café but if you crave a sweet treat with a French twist this is the place to be.

Apótek – Fine pâtisserie

In a more fancy setting, you can find a wonderful choice of fine pâtisserie in Apótek Restaurant. If you want to embrace your inner luxurious self, you have to try one of their amazing desserts. I recommend the chocolate rose, but all of them look unreal and taste delicious. They are the most expensive treats compared to the others I mentioned, but I would say it is worth it, especially if you enjoy a finer selection of sweet treats.

This list reflects my personal taste, which is why I completely overlooked the ice cream shops. But if you love a cold ball of cream with minus temperatures, I suggest the Italian ice cream shop Gaeta Gelato.