Iceland Food and Drink Guide: What to Eat and Drink

Why Icelandic food surprises you

Iceland's cuisine is built on a harsh landscape: cold seas, volcanic soil, and long winters. The result is fresh fish, free-roaming lamb, and clever preservation. Modern Reykjavik restaurants are excellent, but the best meals are often the simplest.

Signature dishes to try

• Lamb — Icelandic lamb grazes on wild herbs, giving it a clean, slightly gamey flavour. Order it roasted, or try kjotsupa, a hearty lamb-and-vegetable soup.
• Plokkfiskur — a comforting mash of fish (usually cod or haddock), potatoes, onion and bechamel, served with dark rye bread and butter.
• Fresh fish — cod, haddock, arctic char and langoustine (humar) are world-class. Coastal towns like Hofn are famous for langoustine.
• Skyr — a thick, protein-rich cultured dairy, eaten with berries or cream. It is technically a cheese but tastes like yoghurt.
• Rugbraud — dense, sweet rye bread traditionally baked using geothermal heat in the ground near Laugarvatn.

Street food and quick bites

• Pylsur (hot dog) — the national snack. Get one at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur in Reykjavik, ordered *eina med ollu* (one with everything: raw and fried onion, ketchup, sweet mustard and remoulade). Around 600 ISK.
• Fish and chips — fresh and light, found at stands across Reykjavik.
• Kleinur — twisted fried doughnuts, perfect with coffee.

For the adventurous

• Hakarl — fermented Greenland shark, served in small cubes with a shot of Brennivin (caraway schnapps nicknamed Black Death). Strong, ammonia-heavy, and a rite of passage.
• Hra… smoked lamb (hangikjot) and singed sheep's head (svid) appear around Christmas and the midwinter Thorrablot feast.

What to drink

• Tap water is among the purest on Earth — never buy bottled.
• Coffee culture is strong; cafes give free refills.
• Beer was banned until 1989; today craft breweries like Einstok and Borg thrive.
• Brennivin is the signature spirit. Alcohol is sold only at state Vinbudin shops, not supermarkets.

Practical dining tips

• Iceland is expensive: a main course runs 3,000-6,000 ISK; a beer 1,200-1,800 ISK.
• Tipping is not expected — service is included.
• Tap water is free; ask for it rather than buying drinks.
• Use the Bonus or Kronan supermarkets to self-cater and save money.
• Many rural restaurants close early, so book ahead outside Reykjavik.

Stay connected in Iceland

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