In the event you’re planning a visit to Iceland, you’ll rapidly uncover the nation’s meals scene is as distinctive as its landscapes. A minimum of that’s what we discovered. From cosy bowls of fish stew after a day within the Westfjords to lobster pizza in a South Coast fishing village, consuming right here is an journey in itself. Icelandic delicacies attracts on centuries-old traditions formed by isolation and survival, then provides trendy creativity from a brand new era of cooks.
On this journey, you would possibly begin with plokkfiskur, a creamy fish stew, or hangikjöt, the smoky lamb usually served at Christmas. You’ll discover pylsur, the well-known Icelandic scorching canine, in each metropolis streets and distant gasoline stations, whereas rúgbrauð (rye bread) bakes underground in scorching springs. Recent catches like humar (lobster) and Arctic char showcase the island’s pristine waters, and treats like do-it-yourself Icelandic ice cream or tangy skyr give a candy end to any day.
Our information takes you thru probably the most iconic and scrumptious Icelandic meals to attempt, from hearty farmhouse favourites to creative dishes in Reykjavík’s buzzing meals scene.
Prime Iceland Meals at a Look
Plokkfiskur – Creamy fish stew served with darkish rye bread
Hangikjöt – Smoked lamb, usually a Christmas custom
Pylsur – Icelandic scorching canine with fried onions and remoulade
Humar – Candy lobster tails from the South Coast
Rúgbrauð – Rye bread baked in scorching springs
Skyr – Thick yogurt eaten at breakfast or in desserts
Why Iceland’s Meals Scene is Distinctive
Iceland’s volcanic soil, chilly seas, and geothermal sources have formed its delicacies for over a thousand years. Farming is proscribed, so lamb, dairy, and seafood grew to become staples. Geothermal greenhouses now develop greens like tomatoes and cucumbers year-round, whereas the encircling ocean supplies cod, haddock, and Arctic char. The result’s a mix of conventional recipes, usually born out of necessity, and trendy dishes impressed by world culinary traits.
One evening you would possibly tuck into lamb soup at a mountain hut; the following, you’re sipping craft beer with langoustine tacos in Reykjavík. For a real Iceland foodie expertise, attempt each ends of the spectrum.
1. Pylsur – Well-known Icelandic Sizzling Canine
What it’s:Pylsur are Iceland’s well-known scorching canine, made out of a mix of lamb, pork, and beef. They’re served in a bun with uncooked onions, crispy fried onions, tangy mustard, candy ketchup (made with apples), and creamy remoulade.
Why attempt it:We stood within the snow outdoors Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in Reykjavík, the nation’s most well-known scorching canine stand , and it was value each minute of the wait. The lamb provides the sausage a delicate sweetness, whereas the fried onions add a satisfying crunch.
Cultural notice:Sizzling canine grew to become well-liked in Iceland after WWII, and in the present day they’re thought-about a nationwide quick meals. They’re additionally one of the reasonably priced meals yow will discover on this in any other case costly nation.
The place to seek out it:Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is the enduring spot, however you’ll discover pylsur at gasoline stations, festivals, and roadside stands nationwide. Order it “ein með öllu” — one with every thing.
2. Skyr – Icelandic Yogurt
What it’s:Skyr is a thick, protein-rich dairy product that appears and tastes just like Greek yogurt however is technically categorized as a smooth cheese. The Icelandic model is made by straining milk to take away the whey, it has a creamy texture and a tangy flavour that pairs completely with fruit, honey, or granola.
Why attempt it:On our glacier hike day in Vatnajökull Nationwide Park, we packed particular person pots of skyr for breakfast. It was filling sufficient to maintain us going for hours with out weighing us down, and the tangy creaminess was refreshing after the lengthy drive. It’s not only a wholesome snack — it’s a real meals from Iceland that locals take pleasure in each day, whether or not at dwelling or on the go.
Cultural notice:Skyr has been a part of Icelandic diets for over a thousand years, courting again to Viking settlements. As soon as made solely in properties and farms, it’s now produced commercially however nonetheless makes use of conventional cultures to take care of its distinct flavour.
The place to seek out it:Each grocery store, café, and comfort retailer sells skyr in plain and flavoured varieties. For a particular deal with, attempt skyr-based desserts like skyrkaka (cheesecake) in eating places.
3. Plokkfiskur – Icelandic Fish Stew
What it’s:Plokkfiskur is a creamy stew of flaked white fish (normally cod or haddock), mashed potatoes, onions, and a buttery white sauce. The title actually means “plucked fish,” describing the best way the fish is damaged into small items earlier than mixing.
Why attempt it:We first had plokkfiskur in a harbour café in Ísafjörður on a snowy winter evening. The home windows steamed up as locals got here in from the chilly, and the scent of fish stew crammed the air. It’s hearty with out being heavy, and the candy, recent fish balances completely with the buttery sauce.
Cultural notice:This dish began as a means to make use of leftover fish, stretching it with potatoes to feed the entire household. At the moment, it’s consolation meals — the sort you’ll discover at dwelling kitchens, roadside cafés, and upscale eating places alike.
The place to seek out it:In Reykjavík, Café Loki serves a conventional plokkfiskur with darkish rye bread. Coastal cities like Siglufjörður and Húsavík have wonderful variations of their harbourside eating places. You’ll be able to even purchase it pre-made in grocery shops for those who’re self-catering.
4. Kjötsúpa – Lamb Stew
What it’s:A hearty soup made with lamb shank, root greens like carrots and rutabagas, potatoes, and recent herbs.
Why attempt it:On a chilly, windy day alongside the Golden Circle, we stopped at a small café and ordered steaming bowls of kjötsúpa. The lamb was so tender it fell off the bone, and the broth was wealthy with out being heavy.
Cultural notice:Kjötsúpa is without doubt one of the most Icelandic typical meals dishes, valued for its skill to heat and nourish by lengthy winters.
The place to seek out it:Eating places, countryside guesthouses, and even gasoline station cafés.
5. Hangikjöt – Smoked Lamb![]()
What it’s:Hangikjöt interprets to “hung meat,” referring to the best way the lamb is smoked whereas hanging over a birchwood or dried sheep dung hearth. This conventional preservation technique infuses the meat with a deep, smoky flavour.
Why attempt it:We first tried hangikjöt throughout the Christmas season in Reykjavík, served with boiled potatoes, inexperienced peas, crimson cabbage, and Icelandic leaf bread. The smoky aroma hit earlier than the plate reached the desk, and the meat was so tender it virtually melted.
Cultural notice:Sheep farming has been central to Iceland’s economic system for hundreds of years. Smoking lamb wasn’t nearly style, it was about survival by the lengthy winters. Even in the present day, hangikjöt is a festive centrepiece, particularly in December.
The place to seek out it:Accessible in grocery shops throughout the holidays and in conventional eating places year-round. Farm stays typically serve their very own smoked lamb, which is about as genuine because it will get.
6. Humar – Icelandic Lobster
What it’s:Humar is Iceland’s small, candy lobster, really nearer to langoustine, prized for its tender tail meat. It’s served grilled, baked, fried in garlic butter, or in creamy lobster soup known as humarsúpa.
Why attempt it:On our South Coast street journey, we stopped in Höfn, Iceland’s lobster capital, for humar pizza. The candy lobster meat with melted cheese and herbs was an unforgettable mixture.
Cultural notice:Humar is generally caught alongside Iceland’s southeast coast, and fishing for it’s strictly regulated to make sure sustainability.
The place to seek out it:Seafood eating places in Höfn and Reykjavík serve humar in varied varieties, from connoisseur entrées to informal lobster rolls.
7. Rúgbrauð – Sizzling Spring Rye Bread
What it’s:Rúgbrauð is a dense, darkish rye bread with a barely candy flavour, historically baked within the floor utilizing geothermal warmth from Iceland’s scorching springs. The dough is positioned in a pot or picket cask, buried close to a scorching spring, and left to prepare dinner slowly for about 24 hours utilizing geothermal warmth.
Why attempt it:We first tasted Icelandic rye bread recent from the earth at Laugarvatn Fontana, the place employees dug up steaming pots proper in entrance of us. The bread was moist, wealthy, and subtly candy, so good it barely wanted butter. Pairing it with smoked lamb or pickled herring is a basic Icelandic mixture.
Cultural notice:Earlier than ovens have been widespread, Icelanders relied on the earth’s pure geothermal warmth to prepare dinner. Rúgbrauð (aka Sizzling Spring Bread) was a staple as a result of it could possibly be made year-round with out scarce gasoline sources.
The place to seek out it:Bakeries and cafés throughout the nation promote rúgbrauð, however for the genuine expertise, go to Laugarvatn Fontana or different scorching spring cities the place you possibly can watch it being baked underground.
8. Harðfiskur – Dried Fish
What it’s:Harðfiskur is dried fish, usually cod, haddock, or wolffish, cured within the salty North Atlantic air till it’s chewy and filled with flavour.
Why attempt it:On a street journey by the Westfjords, we grabbed a bag in Bolungarvík, pondering it might be a light-weight snack. Inside minutes, we have been hooked, particularly after locals instructed us to unfold it with salted butter. It’s protein-rich, moveable, and one of the conventional meals from Iceland.
Cultural notice:Drying fish dates again over 1,000 years and is comparable in precept to growing old cheese. In lots of fishing villages, you’ll nonetheless see picket racks lined with fish drying within the open air.
The place to seek out it:Offered in grocery shops, gasoline stations, and harbour markets. For the freshest, purchase it straight from fishermen in coastal cities.
9. Arctic Char
What it’s:A chilly-water fish native to Iceland, Arctic char is someplace between salmon and trout in flavour and texture. It may be grilled, smoked, or pan-seared.
Why attempt it:We had Arctic char in Seyðisfjörður, butter fried with tomatoes and sliced almonds. The fish was buttery and delicate, with a clear, recent style that spoke to its pristine atmosphere.
Cultural notice:Arctic char thrives in Iceland’s chilly, clear rivers and lakes, making it a dependable meals supply for hundreds of years.
The place to seek out it:Served at eating places throughout Iceland, particularly within the Eastfjords and different fishing areas.
10. Fish and Chips – Iceland Fashion
What it’s:Recent cod or haddock coated in a light-weight batter, fried till crisp, and served with chunky fries and do-it-yourself sauces.
Why attempt it:In Akureyri, we tucked into fish and chips the place the cod had been caught simply hours earlier. The fish flaked aside with the lightest contact of a fork, and the tartar sauce was vibrant with recent herbs.
Cultural notice:Whereas fish and chips isn’t native to Iceland, the standard of the fish right here makes it distinctive. Icelandic waters produce a few of the finest cod on the earth.
The place to seek out it:Harbour cafés, Reykjavík’s Icelandic Fish & Chips restaurant, and coastal meals vans.
11. Flatkaka með Hangikjöti – Flatbread with Smoked Lamb
What it’s:Flatkaka is a skinny, spherical flatbread made out of rye flour and water, cooked rapidly on a scorching griddle. It’s usually topped with hangikjöt (smoked lamb), cream cheese, or lamb liver pâté.
Why attempt it:We tried flatkaka at a family-run café on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the place it was served heat with thick slices of smoky lamb. It’s easy however stuffed with flavour, and it’s a kind of Iceland meals to attempt that you may simply recreate at dwelling.
Cultural notice:Flatbreads have been a part of Icelandic diets for hundreds of years, providing a fast, filling base that could possibly be paired with no matter was accessible, from lamb to fish to foraged herbs.
The place to seek out it:Accessible in most bakeries and supermarkets. Many guesthouses serve it as a part of a conventional breakfast unfold.
12. Icelandic Mussels
What it’s:Recent mussels harvested from Iceland’s clear coastal waters, usually steamed with garlic, herbs, and white wine.
Why attempt it:In Stykkishólmur, we had a steaming pot of mussels caught that morning in Breiðafjörður Bay, candy, briny, and completely recent.
Cultural notice:Iceland’s chilly waters sluggish the mussels’ progress, leading to a extra concentrated flavour.
The place to seek out it:Coastal seafood eating places, particularly within the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
13. Pickled Herring
What it’s:Marinated herring fillets preserved in vinegar, sugar, and spices, usually served with heat rye bread, boiled potatoes, and typically hard-boiled eggs.
Why attempt it:We had pickled herring for breakfast at a harbour café in Ísafjörður, and the mixture of sweet-sour fish with heat, earthy rúgbrauð was unforgettable. It’s easy, satisfying, and deeply rooted in Iceland’s coastal traditions.
Cultural notice:Herring fishing was as soon as a serious a part of Iceland’s economic system, and preserving it by pickling meant it could possibly be loved year-round.
The place to seek out it:Breakfast buffets, fish markets, and conventional eating places.
14. Icelandic Ice Cream
What it’s:Icelanders have a shocking obsession with ice cream — they usually eat it year-round, even in snowstorms. It ranges from soft-serve ice cream (referred to as “ís”) dipped in chocolate to artisanal scoops in creative flavours like rhubarb, licorice, and even beer.
Why attempt it:We as soon as stood in line for Icelandic ice cream in Reykjavík whereas the wind chill was nicely beneath freezing, and we weren’t the one ones. The creamy texture, wealthy flavour, and beneficiant toppings made each shiver value it. It’s a kind of Iceland meals to attempt that tells you as a lot in regards to the tradition because it does in regards to the delicacies.
Cultural notice:Ice cream parlours are a social hub in Iceland. Households, buddies, and {couples} usually make an evening of going out for ice cream, irrespective of the climate.
The place to seek out it:Fashionable spots embody Valdís in Reykjavík for artistic flavours and Ísbúð Vesturbæjar for traditional soft-serve with mix-ins.
15. Icelandic Cinnamon Roll (Kanilsnúðar)
What it’s:Kanilsnúðar are Iceland’s tackle the cinnamon roll, smooth, buttery dough spiralled with cinnamon sugar and sometimes topped with a drizzle of icing or a dusting of coarse sugar.
Why attempt it:We adopted the scent of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls to Brauð & Co. in Reykjavík, and inside minutes we have been unravelling the nice and cozy, sticky spiral. The mixture of pillowy dough, aromatic cinnamon, and simply the correct quantity of sweetness makes it among the best good meals in Iceland moments for anybody with a candy tooth.
Cultural notice:Whereas impressed by Scandinavian baking traditions, Icelanders have made kanilsnúðar their very own. They’re as well-liked for breakfast as they’re for a day deal with.
The place to seek out it:Bakeries throughout Iceland, particularly Brauð & Co. and Sandholt in Reykjavík, serve freshly baked cinnamon rolls each day.
16. Icelandic Cheese & Dairy
What it’s:Whereas skyr will get many of the worldwide consideration, Iceland’s dairy scene provides a wide range of distinctive cheeses. These embody tangy skyr-based spreads, smooth white cheeses, and brunost (Norwegian-style brown cheese) made out of caramelized whey, which has a candy, nutty flavour.
Why attempt it:We stumbled upon a cheese counter at Reykjavik’s Kolaportið flea market and couldn’t resist sampling every thing. The brunost was not like any cheese we’d tasted earlier than, nearly dessert-like, whereas the smooth cheeses have been wealthy and creamy, excellent with rye bread or crackers.
Cultural notice:Dairy farming has been a cornerstone of Icelandic agriculture for over a millennium. Even within the harshest situations, sheep and cows offered milk that could possibly be was cheese, butter, and skyr to final by the winter.
The place to seek out it:Specialty meals outlets, markets, and cheese plates in Reykjavík wine bars. Many rural guesthouses serve their very own farm-made cheese.
17. Hákarl – Fermented Shark
What it’s:Greenland fermented shark meat is fermented for a number of months after which dried, leading to a powerful aroma and intense flavour.
Why attempt it:We sampled hákarl at a fishing village museum in Húsavík. The scent was eye-watering, however chasing it with Brennivín (Iceland’s schnapps) made the expertise extra enjoyable than horrifying. Let’s simply say some native meals are enjoyable to attempt as soon as.
Cultural notice:Fermented shark was developed as a survival meals; Greenland shark is poisonous when recent, so fermentation was essential to make it secure.
The place to seek out it:Specialty outlets, Þorrablót feasts, and conventional eating places.
18. Icelandic Craft Beer & Brennivín
What it’s:Iceland’s craft beer scene provides a shocking selection, from crisp Arctic lagers brewed with glacial water to wealthy stouts flavoured with native herbs. Brennivín, however, is a transparent schnapps infused with caraway seeds. Its nickname, “Black Loss of life,” comes from the black label used when it was first produced, and its sturdy, distinctive style.
Why attempt it:We had our first style of Brennivín as a part of the basic “hákarl problem” in Reykjavík — the schnapps’ daring, spicy flavour lower proper by the fermented shark’s intense aroma. Pairing a chilly craft beer with recent humar or lamb stew is equally rewarding, including a neighborhood contact to any meal.
Cultural notice:Beer was banned in Iceland from 1915 till March 1, 1989; a date nonetheless celebrated as “Beer Day.” Since then, breweries have flourished, creating beers that replicate Iceland’s distinctive components and pure water sources. Brennivín stays tied to custom, usually served at Þorrablót feasts and different cultural gatherings.
The place to seek out it:Pattern craft beer at Reykjavík brewpubs like Skúli or MicroBar, or go to native breweries in cities like Akureyri and Egilsstaðir. Brennivín is bought at Vínbúðin liquor shops and served in most conventional eating places and bars.
Exploring the Icelandic meals scene is like taking a chunk in a foreign country’s historical past, panorama, and tradition unexpectedly. Each dish, whether or not it’s a easy slice of rye bread recent from a scorching spring or a plate of humar in a seaside café, tells a narrative of resourcefulness, custom, and pleasure in native components.
From hearty staples like lamb soup and fish stew to candy comforts like skyr and cinnamon rolls, there’s one thing for each palate. And with trendy Icelandic cooks reimagining these classics, there’s by no means been a greater time to be an Iceland foodie.
So, as you intend your journey, make room in your itinerary (and your abdomen) for these iconic flavours. Whether or not you’re sipping Brennivín with locals at a midwinter competition or grabbing a scorching canine at a Reykjavik meals stand, you’ll depart with extra than simply nice images, you’ll take dwelling the style of Iceland.
FAQ – Icelandic Meals
Pylsur, Iceland’s scorching canine, are sometimes known as the nationwide dish. They’re made with lamb, pork, and beef and topped with uncooked onions, crispy onions, mustard, apple ketchup, and remoulade. Attempt the unique stand in Reykjavík at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur.
Begin with plokkfiskur fish stew, kjötsúpa lamb soup, hangikjöt smoked lamb, rúgbrauð scorching spring rye bread, harðfiskur dried fish, skyr, and humar langoustine. These classics replicate Iceland’s preservation traditions and native components.
Consuming out could be expensive. For worth, seize scorching canine, bakery gadgets, or grocery store picnic provides and blend in a number of sit?down meals. Authorities?run liquor shops have restricted hours, so plan forward if you need native beer or Brennivín.
Go to Laugarvatn Fontana to see bread buried in geothermal sand and baked for about 24 hours, with each day tastings and demos.
On March 1, 1989. The date continues to be celebrated nationwide as Beer Day.
Search for specialty outlets and museums that supply samples, and seasonal Þorrablót occasions. It’s generally served with a shot of Brennivín.