5. The Soup Company
Photo from The Soup Company.
The Soup Company (Súpufélagið) sits right in the heart of Vik and does exactly what the name promises — warming you up, properly. It’s a small, unpretentious spot that happens to serve one of the most comforting meals you’ll find anywhere on the South Coast.
The thing most people come back for is the Red Hot Lava Soup, a spiced beef broth ladled into a rustic black bread bowl. It’s hard to beat on a grey day. If you’d rather skip the meat, the vegan cauliflower soup is a solid choice, and the freshly baked cakes alongside a filter coffee or tea round things out nicely.
The location works in its favour too — right next to the Icelandic Lava Show and a short walk from the beach. Stop in before or after you explore the coastline and you won’t regret it.
Here are a few details to help you plan your visit:
-
Address: Vikurbraut 5, 870 Vik
-
Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 to 21:00
-
Menu highlights: Red Hot Lava Soup, vegan cauliflower soup, house-made cakes, filter coffee, and tea
4. Lava Cafe
Photo from Lava Cafe.
Lava Cafe is tucked just behind the Kronan grocery store in central Vik. It’s a lively place, usually busy, and for good reason — the range of food on offer covers most of the day without feeling like it’s trying too hard.
You’ll find bagels, sandwiches, pastries, pasta, and daily soups, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options mixed in. For drinks, there are espresso options, smoothies, and hot beverages. It earns its all-day reputation.
The interior has rustic wooden fittings and big windows that let in a decent amount of light — a welcome thing after a morning at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Pull up a seat, order a coffee, and take your time.
Here are the essential details for planning your visit:
-
Address: Austurvegur 20, 870 Vik
-
Opening hours: Daily from 09:00 to 18:00
-
Menu highlights: Bagels, sandwiches, pastries, pasta, soup, comprehensive vegetarian and vegan options, espresso drinks, smoothies
3. Halldor coffee shop
Photo from Halldorskaffi.
Halldorskaffi (Halldórskaffi) occupies one of the oldest buildings in Vik — the historic Brydebud (Brydebúð) — and the space has personality to spare. Stone walls, worn wood, a genuine sense of age. It’s the kind of place where you settle in rather than rush through.
The menu leans on Icelandic staples: Arctic char, lamb sandwiches, homemade cakes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and if you fancy something stronger than coffee, they serve beer and wine too.
It sits directly across from the Katla Visitor Center, which makes it a natural stop if you’re doing a walk around town. Worth knowing before you head off to the next attraction.
Quick details for your visit:
-
Address: Vikurbraut 28, 870 Vik
-
Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 to 21:00
-
Menu highlights: Arctic char, Icelandic lamb sandwich, pizzas, soups, vegetarian and vegan options, homemade cakes, coffee, beer, wine
2. Crepes.is Food Truck
Photo from Crepes.is Food Truck.
The Crepes.is Food Truck is hard to walk past without stopping. Run by a husband-and-wife team, it’s become a genuine favourite in Vik — the kind of spot locals mention without being asked.
Sweet crepes come loaded with Nutella, bananas, and the beloved Prince Polo chocolate bar. On the savoury side, ham and cheese or pesto mozzarella are popular choices. Portions are generous, and the to-go holders mean you can eat while you wander — which, honestly, suits the town perfectly.
You’ll find it near the Vik i Myrdal Church. If you’ve got a sweet tooth and you’re passing through, this one’s a no-brainer.
Essential details for your visit:
-
Address: Austurvegur 7, 870 Vik
-
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 to 21:00
-
Menu highlights: Sweet and savory crepes, coffee, and tea
1. Skool Beans
Skool Beans is the one you’ll see from the Ring Road and wonder about. A bright yellow American school bus, parked just off the road — it’s impossible to miss, even when the fog rolls in.
The bus once carried glacier guides. Now it’s Vik’s first micro-roaster and tea lab, and the transformation is genuinely charming. Inside: a small wood stove, built-in seating, a coffee bar, and local artwork covering the walls — all of it for sale. It’s cosy in a way that doesn’t feel manufactured.
Holly opened Skool Beans in 2020 and still roasts every batch of beans right here in the village. The filter coffee is excellent. The loose-leaf teas are thoughtfully chosen. The gourmet hot chocolate comes in flavours like orange and sea salt, which sounds unusual until you try it. The bagels, generously topped, have developed their own loyal following.
Plenty of people grab takeout and keep moving down the South Coast. Understandable. But if you can stay, do — coffee by the fire, surrounded by art, in a converted school bus in the middle of Iceland. There are worse ways to spend an afternoon.
Then there’s Jeffrey. The café’s resident orange cat divides his time between the fireplace and charming anyone who happens to be standing outside. He’s part of the experience.
Don’t forget, Guide to Iceland VIP Club members enjoy exclusive discounts here, making a visit all the more enticing.
Here are the details to enhance your visit:
-
Address: Klettsvegur 9, 870 Vik
-
Opening hours: Daily from 09:00 to 17:00 (hours may vary seasonally)
-
Menu highlights: House-roasted coffee, gourmet hot chocolate, loose-leaf teas, bagels with diverse toppings, pastries
Bonus: Gas Station Coffee (N1 Vik)
Iceland’s gas stations have saved more road trips than people care to admit. The N1 station in Vik isn’t trying to be a café, and it doesn’t need to be — it just reliably has hot coffee when you need it, which on an early-morning South Coast drive counts for a lot.
You’ll also find classic Icelandic hot dogs, pastries, and sandwiches. It’s a practical stop for fuel of both kinds.
Locals and travellers alike appreciate the clean restrooms, decent coffee, and staff who are actually friendly. When the cafés are shut and you need a caffeine fix at 7am, N1 is there. Worth keeping in mind.
Coffee Culture in Vik and Beyond
In Iceland, coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s a ritual. The country ranks among the world’s top coffee-consuming nations per capita, and that’s not an accident. Coffee breaks, known locally as kaffitímar, are built into the day: at work, at home with family, whenever guests arrive. The pot is almost always on.
That culture runs right through to Vik. For a village of its size, it takes coffee seriously. You won’t find large commercial chains here — just small, family-run places serving robust black filter coffee (the Icelandic home standard) alongside well-made espresso drinks.
The staff tend to know their regulars. The atmospheres are easy and unpretentious. Your barista probably lives five minutes away. It’s the kind of café scene that feels like it belongs to somewhere, rather than anywhere.
How Much Does a Coffee Cost in Vik?
Coffee in Vik follows the same pricing logic as the rest of Iceland — the remote location and commitment to quality both factor in. A standard cup generally runs from $3.50 to $5.50 (450 to 700 ISK). Specialty drinks like flat whites or oat milk lattes can reach $7 (900 ISK).
Note: These prices are relatively budget-friendly by Icelandic standards, making a café-hopping adventure a delightful and economical way to savor your travels in Iceland.
Refills aren’t the norm, but many places will put fresh-baked bread or a homemade pastry in front of you, which turns a quick coffee stop into something a bit more enjoyable. That’s the idea, really.
Where To Eat in Vik
If the cafés have left you wanting more, Vik’s restaurant scene is worth exploring too — the town’s food options have grown steadily and there’s more on offer than many visitors expect. And if you’re heading north after your South Coast trip, the top-rated cafés in Reykjavik are a natural next stop on any Icelandic coffee tour.
A cup of coffee in Vik is a small thing, but it has a way of opening up the place — the people, the pace, the particular quiet of a southern Icelandic village on an ordinary afternoon.
