Best Late Night Coffee Places in Akureyri Still Open After Dark
Words by
Hanna Stefansdottir
The first time someone asked me about late night coffee places in Akureyri, I just laughed. This town sleeps early, mostly. But if you know where to look after nine, you can still find a warm cup of coffee, a quiet chair, and someone willing to keep the lights on. Those of us who live here have our spots, the ones we rely on when the rest of the dark winter hours stretch too long. Below is what I actually use and recommend when someone needs to sit down with thoughts and coffee after everything else has pulled its shutters down.
1. Bláa Kannan on Hakólfsbraut, Where Night Owls Drink Their Strongest Brew
Right off the main pedestrian street down by the harbour, Bláa Kannan stays open latest of anywhere still serving decent coffee after ten. I count it among the dependable cafes open late Akureyri actually has. The interior is understated, a mix of simple wooden tables and local art that rotates every few months.
The Vibe?
Quiet and practical. People come here alone with laptops or in pairs talking low. If you need a place to think or write without too many interruptions, this is where I send you.
The Bill?
A regular cappuccino runs about 700 ISK. A slice of their cake is around 1,200 ISK.
The Standout?
Their filter drip coffee, made with Ethiopian beans ground fresh. It is the best late filter brew I know of in town after nine.
The Catch?
The Wi‑Fi can be slow when the place fills up, so do not count on fast uploads at eleven when it is busiest.
Local Tip:
Ask the staff what the bean of the week is. They change suppliers seasonally and will tell you which roaster they are using. This is where I learned to appreciate smaller Icelandic roasts.
2. Greifaféll on Hafnarstræti, Nights at the Heart of Town
At the corner of Hafnarstræti, Greifaféll sometimes feels like the last lamp left on in the whole centre. It stays open past ten on weekends, making it one of the few places where you can walk in late and still order something warm and well‑made.
The Vibe?
Busy earlier, calmer later. After ten, the crowd thins and you get a more intimate space with regulars and the occasional musician setting up quietly.
How much?
An Americano sits at about 650 ISK at night. Their chocolate cake is pricier, around 1,300 ISK.
What to try?
Their mocha with Icelandic chocolate. It is thick and rich, which I crave more than plain coffee on cold nights.
Watch out for:
On Friday and Saturday around midnight, they may stop serving some baked goods as stocks run out. If you want something specific, go earlier in the evening.
Local Tip:
Greifaféll is one of the first cafes open late Akureyri had that actually invested in good espresso equipment rather than just extending hours. Ask them about the story behind the old photographs on the walls. Most tourists miss the pictures from the town’s earlier trading days.
3. Kaffi Ilmur on Skipagata, Where Night Shifts End Over Coffee
Along Skipagata, Kaffi Ilmur is not always listed as a late‑night spot, but I have met many shift workers here after nine. They keep the doors open and the coffee hot, which matters for nurses, fishermen, and anyone else finishing late. On darker evenings, you can see the harbour lights through the windows.
The Vibe?
Simple and unpretentious. It is not trying to be fancy, just reliable deep into the night.
Price point?
A latte is usually around 750 ISK. Basic sandwiches are in the 1,000‑1,500 ISK range.
What’s worth it?
Their refill policy. You can often get a second cup for half price if you have been sitting a while, which I appreciate during longer conversations.
The downside:
Service can slow down during shift changes at the hospital nearby, as many staff quickly file in and out.
Local Tip:
Kaffi Ilmur is one of the quieter late night coffee places in Akureyri if you go after ten on weekdays. Ask them about the owner’s involvement with local charity events. Many in town know it as much for its donations and sponsorships as for the coffee itself.
4. Gamla Brio on the Hafnarstræti Edge, Sweet Treats Past Ten
Near the lower end of Hafnarstræti, Gamla Brio keeps the lights on later than many cafés still open late Akureyri visitors usually expect. Known for its chocolate and sweets, it stays open at least until eleven on some nights.
The Vibe?
Sweet shop meets café. People come for lingering over hot chocolate and cake rather than just a quick takeaway.
The Bill?
Hot chocolate is roughly 900 ISK, while their brownies are around 1,100 ISK.
The Standout?
The hot chocolate is made with their own chocolate, which you can see displayed at the counter.
The Catch?
It can be noisy earlier in the evening with families; late calmer hours are better if you want quiet.
Local Tip:
If you care about chocolate, ask about the production schedule. Locals know that some days you can see fresh batches being prepared earlier in the afternoon. Tourists often just see the display case, not the kitchen behind it.
5. Strikið on Kaupvangsstræti, Late Conversations in a Historic Corner
Just off Kaupvangsstræti, Strikið stays open late enough that after ten it edges into the night café territory. There has long been talk of an Akureyri 24 hour cafe. No shop is truly around the clock, but nights here often stretch toward midnight on busy weekends, which is close as we get.
The Vibe?
Older building, sparse décor, good lighting, more sober than trendy. People come for conversation or reading rather than performances.
Pricing?
Standard coffee is around 600 ISK. Their soup is roughly 1,400 ISK when available.
What to notice?
The newspapers and books lying around lend a library feel late at night.
Heads‑up:
Closing times vary, especially in winter, and they may turn people away earlier if it’s quiet. Check their door sign before committing.
Local Tip:
Strikið has hosted local writers’ nights. Ask staff about any remaining schedules. This is where I occasionally see poetry and quiet readings, making it one of the night cafes Akureyri actually offers in practice, even if unofficially.
6. Café Laut on Eyrarlandsvegur, Where Students and Stragglers Gather
Out near the school area on Eyrarlandsvegur, Laut is the sort of place that stays open late enough that I have mistaken it for an Akureyri 24 hour cafe on sleepless nights. It is not, but it runs later than most expect for this side of town.
The Vibe?
Fewer lights, more focus. Students spread papers, friends lean in close, and talk stays at a reasonable level.
Cost?
A tall coffee sits around 600 ISK. Lighter snacks like pastries or sandwiches rarely exceed 1,200 ISK.
What works?
The atmosphere when the town is drowsy but you are not. If you need a table and outlet rather than charm, this is it.
The snag:
It is more utilitarian than comfortable. Seating can be basic, and there is not much variety once kitchen hours end.
Local Tip:
During exam season, students claim most seats late into the evening. I plan my visits around their schedule, dropping by after hours normalize again.
7. Hressingarminn Bar & Restaurant (Late Coffee Option) on Hafnarstræti, When Bars Dim Lights but Keep Brewing
Technically a bar and restaurant, Hressingarminn on Hafnarstræti nonetheless answers the need for late night coffee places in Akureyri. Past ten, when other coffee shops are shuttered, you can often still order coffee here alongside the night crowd.
The Vibe?
Barrooms near closing time. Some nights it is mellow, some nights less so, but the coffee keeps going.
What’s the price?
Coffee is around 600 ISK. Expect a bill closer to a café than a full restaurant if you only order drinks.
Why bother?
Because sometimes you miss every café deadline and still need somewhere warm and awake.
The caveat:
If you want peace, avoid weekends around closing. It can get loud as energy shifts.
Local Tip:
This is where I send people who insist nothing is open. In truth, Akureyri does not have a formal 24‑hour café, but Hressingarminn and a handful of night‑focused venues provide the next best thing.
8. Extras at Gasstöð on Ráðhússtræti, When Nothing Else Is Lit
Out on Ráðhússtræti, the local gas station sometimes becomes the fallback Akureyri 24 hour cafe in spirit. It is not a café, but when every door is closed and you still need coffee, the machines here stay on.
The Vibe?
Fluorescent lights, linoleum, and the hum of fridges. Not romantic, but functional.
Cost?
A machine coffee is cheap, often under 400 ISK.
Why mention it?
Because in a town this size, late night coffee places in Akureyri sometimes mean “anywhere with hot liquid and a seat.”
The downside:
The coffee is average at best, and the environment is not conducive to lingering.
Local Tip:
If you are driving back from a late shift or a long day trip, this is where I stop for a quick cup before heading home. It is not glamorous, but it is honest.
When to Go / What to Know
- Winter vs. Summer: In winter, nights are long and dark, so cafés that stay open late feel like lifelines. In summer, daylight stretches, and people linger outside instead. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
- Weekday vs. Weekend: Weekdays are quieter, and some places close earlier. Weekends can stretch later but also bring more noise and limited seating.
- Cash vs. Card: Most places accept cards, but having a small amount of cash is wise, especially at gas stations or if systems are slow.
- Ask Locals: If you are unsure where is open, ask at your accommodation. Staff often know which cafés are running late that week.
- Respect Closing Times: Akureyri is small, and staff often have long days. Arriving near closing is fine, but lingering past it is not appreciated.
In the end, late night coffee places in Akureyri are not about glamour. They are about warmth, light, and a place to sit when the rest of the town has gone to sleep. If you know where to look, you will find them.
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