Five-minute grab-and-go stop in Terminal 1 for real food
In KEF Terminal 1, Mathús Grab & Go fills the gap between candy kiosks and full sit-down spots. It runs as a kiosk-style setup with refrigerated self-service cases, so you’re in and out fast, like the reviewer who timed it at about five minutes between flights. Figure on airport-normal pricing in the $$ range, similar to the rest of Keflavík, not a budget stop.
Mathús leans on pre-made cold options: sandwiches, salads, and simple boxed meals aimed at eating on board rather than at the stand. Think wrap or baguette, a salad, maybe a yogurt or snack, then straight to your gate. Several Google reviewers call it a “better choice than the candy-heavy kiosks” if you actually want protein before a 3–5 hour flight out of Iceland.
Food quality sits around the 2.5-star mark overall, fine but not memorable. Reviews flag that sandwiches can feel dry or tired later in the day, especially on late-night departures after 21:00. Regulars suggest grabbing food earlier in the afternoon for fresher bread and better selection in the refrigerated cases.
Dietary coverage is basic. You’ll usually see a couple of veggie-leaning salads or sandwiches, but strict vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-sensitive travelers report limited options. If you need something specific for a 4–6 hour transatlantic leg, plan to scan labels carefully at the case, or backstop with snacks from another shop in Terminal 1.
Watch out for price shock: passengers often call out high prices for pre-packaged items, even by KEF standards. A sandwich, salad, and drink can easily land in the $20–25 range at airport exchange rates. One practical tip: treat Mathús Grab & Go as your “plan B” backstop. Check if any sit-down place has too long a queue; if lines look like a 25-minute problem, grab a sandwich here, a big water from the nearest shop, and eat on the plane.