Signature Icelandic food that will expand Your horizons
What comes to mind when thinking of the best food scene in the world? Most likely, it’s Japan, Italy, France, or Peru. Iceland may not be the top of the classiest cuisine, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out how flavorful the meals were. Icelandic food consists of some of the best and worst dishes I’ve ever tasted. Being a desolate frozen island, it’s apparent to see how most of their dishes were born out of necessity and survival. However, the lack of resources for sustenance did not stop Iceland from having a world renowned food scene. Here’s some of the most interesting Icelandic foods you MUST try on your next visit.
The Best Icelandic Food:
Roasted Lamb
One of the few domesticated animals in Iceland are the sheep. This explains why the most popular and delicious meal you’ll find is the roasted lamb shank. The meat is so tender it slices like butter and the flavor is incredible. It is commonly served with the bone and a side of veggies or potatoes. They are common throughout the country but our favorite was at the Berg Restaurant in Iceland’s southern coast of Vik. Also, the Créme Brulée was fantastic.
Arctic Char
The Arctic Char is the most common fresh water fish in the country. With Iceland’s huge fishing culture, the seafood game is on point. Similar to salmon, the Arctic char is cooked to perfection and loaded with tantalizing seasonings. My all time favorite was at Messinn Seafood Restaurant in Reykjavik. It’s served in a fish pan alongside some potatoes and veggies. The bold mix of flavors makes for a heavenly dinner.
Icelandic Hot Dog
I know what you’re thinking. I didn’t fly halfway across the world to eat a hot dog. However, all my expectations were completely blown away after trying my first bite. It consists of a mix of lamb, pork, & beef and topped with sweet brown mustard, crispy fried onions, and some mayo sauce. It is hands down the best hot dog I ever had and probably the best in the world. Sorry Chicago. Try it at the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in Reykjavik or the random food stand at the base of Fagradalsfjall volcano for the best in the country.
Icelandic Soup
Logically, soup is one of the most popular dishes around the country. And no one knows how to do soup better than the Icelanders. The rich and flavorful varieties of soup are great appetizers to warm the body and soul. Some of the amazing types include lamb, lobster, vegetable, mushroom, and meat soup. Each has its own distinct taste and can be found all around the country. The Soup Company in Vik offers 2 choices in a hefty bowl to choose from. The vegetable soup I had at a rest stop in the Golden Circle was also phenomenal. Pretty much if the menu offers soup, get it.
Humar – Langoustine
We already know that the seafood in Iceland is out of this world. But the Humar pushes the competition to the next level. The langoustine is similar to the lobster but way softer, smoother, and slightly smaller. Try it in a delicious langoustine soup or an immaculate lobster roll that can compete with Boston’s famous roll. The best one was at Heimahumar “Local Langoustine” Truck right at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. They open at 11:30am so we made sure to start our ice cave tour after that so we can enjoy an outstanding breakfast.
Plokkfiskur
Despite the unappealing appearance, Plokkfishkur is actually very flavorful. It is essentially a fish stew with some potatoes, flour, and onions mixed to the same consistency as mashed potatoes. An affordable and tasty one was at Reykjavik Street Food in downtown.
Kleinur
One of the best go tos for a sweet snack is the Icelandic kleinur. This deep fried pastry is basically a twisted doughnut without the overpowering amount of sugar. You can find it almost anywhere from bakeries to convenient stores.
Grilled Icelandic Horse
For a more controversial Icelandic food, try the grilled horse meat. It is quite tender and has excellent flavor. Icelanders generally eat anything they can get their hands on, so are very proud of any type of nutrients they can get. We got recommended the 3 Frakkar (3 Coats) restaurant by multiple locals and it is the best place to find exotic meats in Reykjavik. It’s pretty good and I would recommend trying it at least once unless you have a moral obligation to horses.
Skyr – icelandic yogurt
Step into any grocery store and you’re bound to find the famous Skyr yogurt. This is a great light and healthy snack if you’re on an Icelandic Road trip. The natural cultures and high protein content made me want to try all the flavors! It also makes a cheap breakfast option if you’re on a strict budget in Reykjavik.
Rúgbrauð – Dark Rye Bread
Icelanders take their bread very seriously, as is evident with the abundance of bakeries scattered across every city. One of the most distinct breads you must try is the dark Rye bread which is exclusively found in hot springs. The bread is traditionally steamed in a wooden cask and buried in the ground near a geyser or geothermal pool to be heated. The bread is slightly sweet and has a moist texture similar to cake. Try ordering it at the Blue Lagoon or Fontana hot springs.
Icelandic Water
Enough cannot be expressed about the glorious water to be found in Iceland. It is known as the cleanest and most delicious water in the world. Since most water is filtered by natural sources, it has no added preservatives or chemicals. This pure alkaline water has a high pH level of 8.4 and is even drinkable from the tap. Hands down the best thing to drink in Iceland. Don’t forget your water bottle!
Worst Icelandic Food
Whale Sashimi
While the taste itself isn’t actually that bad, the whaling business as a whole is pretty terrible. Once you learn about the intelligence and conditions whales had to endure, it kinda puts you off to eating them. That and the fact the practice is mainly kept alive by tourists despite the misconception of not being a traditional Icelandic food. Only about 2% of locals actually consume it regularly. Unfortunately I visited the Whales of Iceland Museum after tasting it, but I probably won’t be supporting the industry in the future. Oddly enough, it tasted more similar to beef than seafood.
Hákarl – Fermented Shark
This without a doubt has been the most repulsive food I’ve ever eaten. Hákarl is a Greenland shark that is fermented for months before it can be safely eaten. The meat is too poisonous to eat fresh, and so must undergo an eccentric process before it can be prepared. Despite being served in tiny diced cubes, the pungent, ammonia-like odor leaves a strong lingering after taste in your mouth. In fact it tastes more like rotten fish, and ruins the palette for anything you consume afterwards. Now It makes sense why it is often served with a shot of alcohol. If you are bold enough to try it, leave it for last. We tried it at Cafe Loki, across the street from the Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral.
Harðfiskur – Dried Fish
As a lover of seafood and preserved meats, I had to give this a try. Sad to say I was pretty underwhelmed with the excessively dry and bland flavor of Harðfiskur. The consistency feels like eating paper and the fishy smell can be quite strong. Traditionally, it is spread with butter and eaten as a healthy snack. It definitely grew on me the more I ate it, but I can understand how it’s an acquired taste. It can easily be found at grocery stores or ordered as an appetizer.
Brennivín – Black Death
Although it is considered to be Iceland’s national distilled beverage, it has to be one of my least favorite alcoholic beverages. Of course anything with the nickname “the Black Death” should be expected to go down rough. Brennivin closely translates to burning wine, which is exactly how you’ll feel after you take a sip. It is distilled with fermented potato mash and herbal seeds. It has a strong taste, but I would recommend trying it at least once on a night out in Reykjavik.
Sviðakjammi – Sheep’s Head
Arguably the most disturbing dish is the sviðakjammi. This sheep’s head delivered on a platter is not for the faint of heart. I heard it tastes sweet and delicious and is nutritious but I gotta draw the line somewhere. We never actually came across this national delicacy but I would be hesitant to try it. Perhaps on my next visit to the Land of Fire and Ice…
And there you have the delicious and strange signature Icelandic food that has notarized the country’s cuisine. Dishes like the lamb, Arctic Char, Hot Dogs, and soups were some of the best food I ever had. Yet there were a few dishes which literally left a bad taste in my mouth. Overall I have mixed feelings about Iceland’s food scene. Regardless, the bittersweet feeling from an Icelandic food tour was an adventure of gastronomic proportions. If you’re interested in trying even more world famous cuisines, check out our other food blogs! Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Here’sour food tour vlog if you prefer the video version! We also rate each dish to give you some perspective on our favorite foods:
