Planning an Iceland trip and don't know where to start?
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Where to Buy Food in Iceland: What's Open Now, Late-Night Groceries, 24-Hour Shops & Opening Hours
Where to Buy Food in Iceland
What's open now, what stays open late, and where to go when it doesn't
Where can I buy food right now?
During the day: the nearest Bónus, Krónan, Nettó, or Hagkaup. In the evening: Nettó runs to midnight, Krónan closes at 21:00, and the Bónus on Laugavegur runs to about 23:00. Late at night: a 10-11 or Krambúðin convenience store, or a gas station (N1, Orkan). They cost more, but they are open when supermarkets are shut. There is no true 24-hour supermarket, but 10-11 branches run around the clock and the Hagkaup at Skeifan is reported to as well. Details below, and always worth a quick call to confirm.
Typical Opening Hours
Opening hours in Iceland may differ from what you're used to. Here's a general guide:
General Shops
10:00–18:00 weekdays, shorter on weekends
Supermarkets
Often open until 22:00–23:00
Shopping Malls
11:00–18:00/19:00, varies by location
Opening Hours by Supermarket Chain
Typical hours in the Reykjavík area. These are a guide, not a promise: hours vary by branch, are shorter on Sundays and holidays, and change outside the capital. Always confirm the exact branch on Google or by phone before a special trip.
| Store | Typical weekday hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bónus | 10:00 to 11:00 open, 18:30 to 23:00 close | Cheapest, but hours vary by branch. Laugavegur stays open until about 23:00, Grandi (Fiskislóð) around 20:00, Skipholt closes 18:30. Shorter Sunday hours. |
| Krónan | 10:00 to 21:00 | Mid-range. Branches close at 21:00. |
| Nettó | 07:30 to 24:00 | The latest-closing supermarket, open to midnight. |
| Hagkaup | 09:00 to 24:00 | Most branches close at midnight. The Skeifan store is reported to run 24 hours, worth a call to confirm. |
| Krambúðin | 08:00 to 23:00 or later | Convenience store, higher prices, often open late. |
| 10-11 | 24 hours | Most expensive, but open at any hour. |
Supermarket Chains
Common grocery stores include Bónus, Krónan, and Hagkaup, each with different price points:
Bónus
Budget-friendly, recognizable by the pink pig logo
Krónan
Mid-range, good selection, often open late
Hagkaup
Larger stores with wider product range
Nettó
Budget-friendly supermarket, open 07:30 to midnight, the latest-closing supermarket in Iceland
Supermarkets often sell ready-made food such as sandwiches and microwave meals.
Late-Night & Convenience Stores
If you arrive late or need essentials outside regular hours, head to the nearest 10–11 or Krambúðin. These convenience stores are found throughout Iceland and carry snacks, drinks, toiletries, and basic groceries.
10–11
Many locations are open late or 24 hours. The most likely store to be open when everything else is closed.
Krambúðin
Neighborhood convenience stores found across the country. Often open late, and during holidays like Easter many locations stay open 24/7.
Prices at convenience stores are higher than supermarkets, but they're a lifesaver when you land at midnight and need water, snacks, or a phone charger. Gas stations (like N1 or Orkan) also sell basic items and are often open late.
Looking for a 24-Hour Shop or Pharmacy?
This is one of the most-searched things by visitors, and the honest answer is not what most people expect. Iceland has far fewer round-the-clock options than most large cities, so it helps to know exactly where to go before you need it.
24-hour food: 10-11 branches
Most big supermarkets (Bónus, Krónan, and most Hagkaup branches) close at night. The 10-11 convenience stores run 24 hours, including on Laugavegur (including near Hallgrímskirkja) and at Austurstræti 17. The store itself runs around the clock, but there is no hot food counter: late at night it is pizza slices and hot dogs. At Austurstræti the Sbarro counter inside the shop makes fresh pizza until about 04:00, then closes while the store stays open. Pizza slices can sell out earlier, and hot dog availability late at night varies by branch. Ready meals (cooked, packaged meals in the chiller) can be microwaved for you at the counter if you ask. Convenience stores charge more than a supermarket, but they are there when nothing else is. Hours can shift, so it is worth calling the specific branch to confirm before a late-night trip.
One 24/7 pharmacy: Lyfjaval Hæðasmára (drive-through)
There is one round-the-clock option in the capital area: Lyfjaval bílaapótek Hæðasmára (Hæðasmári 4, 201 Kópavogur, 577 1160). Its drive-through hatch (bílalúga) is open 24 hours every day. Note the walk-in shop keeps shorter hours (weekdays 10:00 to 18:00), so overnight it is the drive-through window you use. It sits in Kópavogur, roughly a 15 minute drive south of downtown Reykjavík: head onto Kringlumýrarbraut then Reykjanesbraut toward Smáralind, and it is just off the Hæðasmári exit. Since Uber, Lyft, and Bolt do not exist in Iceland, if you do not have a car call a taxi (Hreyfill 588 5522 or BSR 561 0000) to get there.
If you cannot pronounce the name, write it down, take a screenshot of the address, or put the location in Google Maps and show your taxi driver. Most drivers in the capital area know the spot.
Other pharmacies close at midnight
Aside from Lyfjaval Hæðasmára, the longest-open pharmacies are Lyfja Lágmúli and Lyfja Smáratorg in the Reykjavík area, open from 08:00 to midnight every day. Outside the capital, pharmacy hours are much shorter, so stock up on anything you rely on. Hours can change, so it is worth calling ahead to confirm before a late trip.
Overnight and outside Reykjavík
After midnight, your options narrow to gas stations (N1, Orkan), which often stay open late but are rarely 24 hours outside the city. For anything medical overnight, call the medical helpline on 1700 (Læknavaktin), or 112 in a real emergency.
Are Shops Open on Sundays and Holidays?
Sundays
Yes. Most supermarkets and convenience stores open on Sundays, but often with shorter hours than weekdays. Bónus in particular tends to open later and close earlier. Smaller specialty shops may be closed entirely. Vínbúðin, the alcohol store, is always closed on Sundays, so buy any wine or beer beforehand.
Public holidays
Hours are reduced and some stores close completely. Most shops close December 24 to 26, and around Easter and other major holidays many stores close for several days in a row. Gas stations and some 10-11 and Krambúðin branches usually stay open. The honest rule: if a holiday is coming, stock up a day or two in advance rather than assuming a shop will be open.
Alcohol Is Not Sold in Supermarkets
Alcohol above a low percentage (around 2.25% ABV) is not available in supermarkets or convenience stores in Iceland. Wine, beer, and spirits are sold only at Vínbúðin, the state-run alcohol store, which has limited hours and is closed on Sundays. Plan ahead, especially on evenings and holidays.
Hours Vary by Location
Opening hours can vary significantly by location and season. Always verify before making a trip, especially outside Reykjavík or on holidays. Many shops have reduced hours on Sundays and public holidays.
Food Costs
Eating out in Iceland can be expensive. Many visitors use supermarkets and bakeries for more affordable meals.
Clothing & Essentials
Warm clothing, hats, gloves, and winter layers are widely available in clothing stores, shopping malls, and some supermarkets.
Public Holidays
Shops may have reduced hours or be closed on Icelandic public holidays. Gas stations and some convenience stores usually remain open.
Questions visitors often ask
Can I buy alcohol in supermarkets in Iceland?
No. Alcohol is only sold at Vínbúðin, the state-run store. It has limited hours and is closed on Sundays.
Are shops open on Sundays in Iceland?
Many shops have reduced hours on Sundays. Supermarkets and convenience stores are usually open, but smaller shops may be closed.
Is food expensive in Iceland?
Eating out can be expensive. Many visitors use supermarkets and bakeries for more affordable meals.
Are shops open on Christmas in Iceland?
Most shops close from December 24–26. Gas stations (such as N1 and Orkan) remain open and sell limited convenience items.
Should I buy bottled water in Iceland?
Tap water in Iceland is among the cleanest in the world, so most people refill a reusable bottle from the cold tap. If you prefer or need bottled water, for any reason, buy it. That is completely fine.