The Laundromat Cafe
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Laundromat Cafe is worth choosing when flexibility matters more than ceremony: a central Reykjavík café suited to casual dates, family meals, low-pressure group plans. For a more polished dinner, compare it with Apotek Kitchen + Bar, Brút, or Grillmarkaðurinn; for pure quick-stop practicality, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is the simpler alternative.
About The Laundromat Cafe
For a low-friction stop in Reykjavík, The Laundromat Cafe is best framed by the basics: casual dress and broad opening hours across the week. Choose it when the brief is relaxed and easy, rather than for a chef-led format, award profile, specific cuisine category, or special-occasion service style.
The schedule gives it practical range: 9 AM–9 PM Monday through Wednesday, 9 AM–10 PM Thursday and Friday, 10 AM–10 PM Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM Sunday. For specific menu, pricing, service, seating, dietary, reservation details, check directly with the venue.
A casual Reykjavík fallback that works better for flexibility than ceremony
The decision is simple: consider The Laundromat Cafe when casual dress and convenient hours matter most. If you are comparing it with Brút, Apotek Kitchen + Bar, Grillmarkaðurinn, Hjá Jóni, or Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, treat those as separate Reykjavík options rather than assuming they serve the same purpose.
The safest way to judge The Laundromat Cafe is by fit: a casual Reykjavík venue with clearly listed hours. For anything more specific, including what to order or whether it suits a particular group size, confirm with the cafe before you go.
Use it for casual plans when the hours fit
The strongest reason to keep it on a Reykjavík shortlist is the schedule. It opens at 9 AM on weekdays, 10 AM on weekends, closes at 9 PM Monday through Wednesday, 10 PM Thursday through Saturday, 6 PM Sunday. Use those hours to decide whether it fits your day, look elsewhere if you need a more clearly defined dining format or special-occasion setting.
Planning details
- Location
- Austurstræti 9, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Website
- thelaundromatcafe.is
- Phone
- +354 771 9660
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Laundromat Cafe reads as a lived-in neighborhood hub: book-lined walls, mismatched furniture and a deliberately informal aesthetic give the room a well-worn, authentic feel. Its double-purpose premise — a daytime cafe above a self-service laundry — underlines the place’s eccentric, practical charm and positions it as a comfortable, low-pressure alternative to Reykjavik’s more formal tasting restaurants. Hospitality here is approachable rather than theatrical; the service and rhythm of the room prioritize ease and steadiness, making the cafe feel like a local living room where visitors are welcome without fuss.
Best For
This is a strong pick for relaxed mornings and weekend brunches: early visitors find quiet tables, reliable coffee and a menu geared toward egg dishes and open-faced brunch plates. The kitchen broadens into burger-format plates by lunch and early afternoon, so the place also works for casual midday meals. Families, solo visitors and neighborhood groups appreciate the low-pressure vibe, and signature items like the Elvis Pancakes and the Queen of Denmark Burger make it easy to choose a distinctive, crowd-pleasing order.
Ordering Tips
Timing shapes the experience: arrive early for a quieter table, dependable coffee and the fullest selection of brunch-style dishes; later in the day the menu shifts toward burgers and heartier plates. Expect unhurried service and a relaxed pace — this is a spot meant for lingering rather than quick turnover. If you’re looking for local favorites, try the Elvis Pancakes for brunch or the Queen of Denmark Burger when the lunch rhythm sets in. Keep in mind the cafe’s unusual layout (with a laundry in the basement) — it’s part of the charm rather than a distraction.
Venue details
Ambiance
Quirky and eclectic with distinctive decor, cozy seating, and a lively yet relaxed atmosphere ideal for lingering.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Elvis Pancakes
- Queen of Denmark Burger
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this does not fit
Pick Brút if the meal needs a higher-end modern-cuisine signal and the budget can handle €€€€. Pick Apotek Kitchen + Bar if the brief is a more polished Reykjavík dinner without moving into the quick-bite lane.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Reykjavík
Hjá Jóni, Apotek Kitchen + Bar, Grillmarkaðurinn are stronger candidates when the meal needs to feel like a planned dinner. The Laundromat Cafe is the easier, more casual choice for mixed groups, daytime plans, visitors who want flexibility without building the day around a reservation.
Brút is the clearest splurge comparison because it is listed as Modern Cuisine at €€€€. Choose Brút when food ambition is the point; choose The Laundromat Cafe when the group needs a relaxed central stop and a lower-pressure room.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is the pure quick-bite alternative. It is better for speed and a minimal commitment, while The Laundromat Cafe gives more of a sit-down café experience without moving into formal dinner territory.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Laundromat Cafe guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Laundromat Cafe
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Laundromat Cafe | Reykjavík | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Hjá Jóni | Reykjavík | ; | ; | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Apotek Kitchen + Bar | Reykjavík | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Brút | Reykjavík | Modern Cuisine | €€€€ | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #1We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin Plate |
| Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur | Reykjavík | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Grillmarkaðurinn | Reykjavík | ; | ; | No published awards |
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How The Laundromat Cafe Reykjavík compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternatives to The Laundromat Cafe in Reykjavík?
Other Reykjavík options to compare include Hjá Jóni, Grillmarkaðurinn, Apotek Kitchen + Bar, Brút, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Check each venue directly for its current menu, format, hours, booking details.
What should I wear to The Laundromat Cafe?
The dress code is casual. Formalwear is not necessary; choose comfortable, casual clothing appropriate for your plans in Reykjavík.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Laundromat Cafe?
The hours cover daytime and evening periods on most days, but check the venue directly for current menu availability before planning around a specific meal.
Is The Laundromat Cafe good for a special occasion?
The Laundromat Cafe is best suited to casual Reykjavík plans; choose another option if you need a more clearly defined celebration setting.
