Café Loki

Café Loki is a casual café at Lokastígur 28 in the Skólavörðuholt area of Reykjavik, Iceland, directly opposite Hallgrímskirkja. It specialises in traditional Icelandic dishes, making it a convenient place for visitors who want to try local home cooking without a formal dinner. The café is classed as casual, with dishes typically costing around ISK 2,400-4,500.

The menu includes several dishes that visitors associate with Icelandic cuisine. Plokkfiskur is a comforting mash of fish, potato and onion, often served with rye bread. Rye bread ice cream is a signature dessert, made with dark rye crumbs and served with whipped cream. Icelandic meat soup, a lamb-based soup with root vegetables, is another staple, and a fermented shark tasting plate is offered for the more adventurous. These items make the café a practical introduction to Icelandic flavours in a relaxed setting.

The dining room is simple and homely, with wood panelling, mismatched furniture and windows facing the church tower. Upper-floor seating offers views over Skólavörðuholt toward the city and the sea. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, noise levels are moderate, and there is no dress code. Tourists dominate in summer, so the café can feel busy at midday, but turnover is quick.

The café typically opens daily from about 09:00 to 21:00, though visitors should confirm hours before planning. It operates on a walk-in basis, with no reservation system, so arriving outside lunchtime reduces the wait for a table. Its position next to Hallgrímskirkja makes it a natural stop before or after visiting the church tower, and it is within a short walk of Skólavörðustígur and the central shopping streets.