Trademark of the Month: Barbara kaffibar – A Community Café with a Story

This autumn, a new café opened on Strandgata in Hafnarfjörður: Barbara kaffibar. Founded by Katla Karlsdóttir, Sigurður Halldór Bjarnason, and Pétur Orri Ingvarsson, Barbara has quickly become a vibrant meeting place in the heart of town. Barbara kaffibar is the Trademark of September at the ISIPO.

Barbara is located in Hafnarfjörður’s oldest concrete buildings, directly opposite the Bæjarbíó theatre. The venue has a rich history, once home to the iconic Mánabar, a barber shop, and the beloved Súfistinn café for over 30 years. The new owners wanted to honour that heritage while creating a welcoming and cozy space, open from early morning until late at night.

The concept behind Barbara is more than just a café. It’s designed as a cultural and social hub for the local community. Alongside quality coffee, Barbara offers artisan sandwiches, classic comfort food like meatballs and schnitzel, as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. The atmosphere evolves throughout the day, relaxed, inclusive, and always warm.

Katla, who has a background in marketing and teaches consumer behaviour at the University of Iceland, knows the importance of building a strong brand. Every detail of Barbara’s identity has been thoughtfully curated, from vintage furniture to custom-designed typefaces and signage. The name "Barbara" was chosen using a baby name app and felt like the perfect fit for the spirit of the place.

Trademark V0138500

"Barbara kaffibar", was registered on 15 September 2025 in classes 12, 30, 32, 33 and 43, covering goods and services such as food and beverage services, coffee, sandwiches, beer, and wine.

Trademark of the month

ISIPO selects a Trademark of the Month to highlight the value of trademark registration and share inspiring stories from local businesses. Chosen from newly registered or renewed Icelandic trademarks, the selection reflects strong distinctiveness and connection to Icelandic products or services.