Iceland is a hidden gem, shaped by the islands extreme climate, rich Viking heritage, and an abundance of fresh, natural ingredients. If youre planning a trip to Iceland, you cant miss its uniquelocal dishes, which range from hearty lamb soup to daring delicacies like fermented shark.
As someone who has explored Icelands vibrantfood culture, I can tell you firsthand that the countrys culinary scene is as fascinating as its landscapes.
One thing that sets Icelandic food apart is its reliance on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. Due to the islands isolation, Icelanders have perfected the art of preservation, leading to traditional foods like pickled herring, dried fish jerky, and smoked meats. But Iceland isnt just about ancient recipesits modern Nordic cuisine movement blends tradition with innovation, making it a foodies paradise.
From the world-famous Icelandic hot dog (arguably the best youll ever taste) to the luxurious langoustine soup, theres something for every palate. If youre adventurous, try Hkarl (fermented shark), a Viking-era dish thats become a must-try for brave travelers. And no visit is complete without tasting Skyr, Icelands high-protein dairy delight.
In this guide, Ill take you through the best Icelandic dishes, where to find them, and what makes each one special. Whether you're a food lover or just curious about authentic Icelandic cuisine, youre in for a delicious journey.
10 Best Icelandic Typical Dishes to Try
The history of Icelandic cuisine dates back to the first Viking settlers who landed on the island in the 9th century. These explorers brought with them not only their seafaring skills but also their culinary traditions. Over the years, they became deeply rooted in Icelandic culture, which has obviously continued to evolve, fusing those early Nordic influences with local and foreign elements.
Iceland's unique geography has also had a significant impact on its cuisine. With its volcanic landscapes, lava fields and hot springs , the island offers a limited but interesting variety of ingredients that form the basis of many Icelandic dishes. Examples include fresh fish caught in the cold waters of the Atlantic, high-quality dairy products and lamb raised in the highlads.
Ready to discover the typical dishes to eat in Iceland ? Let's start the gastronomic journey!
Note : Many of these typical recipes are not on the menus of many restaurants in Iceland, and their prices will be higher. So you will probably have to eat more common dishes such as pizza, burgers or fish & chips on more than one occasion.
1. Plokkfiskur
One of the tastiest dishes in Iceland is plokkfiskur, a creamy stew of shredded cod , potatoes, onions and milk. The mixture is simmered until all the ingredients become tender and delicious. It is usually accompanied by the typical rgbrau , a rather strong rye bread that is traditionally cooked with the heat of the earth.
2. Rgbrau, a product you have to eat in Iceland
Rgbrau is a very compact rye bread that, apart from rye flour, also contains sugar and yeast. The most curious and peculiar thing is that its traditional way of baking is on the hot floor of a geothermal oven , which gives it a unique and distinctive flavour. This bread is ideal to accompany soups and stews, or simply to spread with butter and jam. Yum!
We liked it quite a bit, but you should know that it is very filling, so one slice will be enough and in fact, it seemed more like a sponge cake than a normal bread. It is also a good souvenir to take back from Iceland and at a good price (it can be found in any supermarket).
3. Hangikjt
This is a lamb meat dish that is smoked over a bed of birch wood, giving it a distinctive flavour that is a delight for meat lovers. It is a much-loved dish in Icelandic tradition and is often served at special celebrations , such as Christmas.
4. Skyr
If there is a typical Icelandic product, it is skyr, an Icelandic dairy product similar to yogurt , but thicker and creamier. Rich in protein and low in fat, it is a popular choice for breakfast and/or dessert. There are tons of flavors and types , and even if you are vegan, you should know that there is also a veg option in some supermarkets such as Bonus or Nett.
5. Hardfish
It is a typical Icelandic snack consisting of fish , usually cod, that has been sun- or air-dried until it has a hard, crunchy texture. It is usually eaten as a snack or in sandwiches and can be found in grocery stores and local markets in Iceland.
6. Hkarl, one of the most controversial typical Icelandic dishes
Among the Icelandic recipes we don't like is this one, but if you're more adventurous than us, hkarl is quite an experience. It's basically fermented, air-dried shark , which has a strong, distinctive flavour that can be quite a challenge for the palate.
They say that to be a true Icelander you have to eat this delicacy followed by a shot of Brennivn , a liquor nicknamed the black death and considered the national drink. Would you dare to try it?
7. Kjtspa
But let's get back to the more normal flavours. Kjtspa is a meat soup made with lamb, potatoes, carrots, onions and peas. The broth is flavoured with local herbs such as thyme and rosemary, and simmered until the meat is tender and the vegetables are soft.
Icelandic soups are actually tasty and you'll find them on almost any menu. Our favorite was the vegan soup from Myvatn Hot Springs (it had tomatoes, coconut milk and spices). It was also one of the cheapest and most comforting meals we had on the entire trip.
8. Pylsur
Did you know that one of the most popular street foods in Iceland is hot dogs ? Look, don't imagine that you'll find them on every corner, it's still Iceland and on most corners there's absolutely nothing hehe, but you get the idea.
One of the most famous hot dogs in Iceland is the one from the Bjarins Beztu chain , which also costs only 4-6 (very cheap for Iceland). There are several around the country, including 3 stands in the airport itself, although the most famous is the one in Reykjavik , which boasts of having celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Charlie Sheen, and the Kardashians among its customers. In Akureyri we tried the vegan/vegetarian hot dogs from Pylsuvagninn and they were quite tasty (plus there are many options).
Here we recommend 8 restaurants where you can eat in Iceland (well and cheap) .
9. Hrtspungur and Svi, we don't think you'd dare, but
These two dishes are not so common in Icelandic restaurants, but they are two of the traditional dishes that attract the most attention from tourists. The first of them, hrtspungur, is a cake-shaped preparation made from sheeps testicles ! While svi is nothing more than a boiled sheeps head served in half
10. Small
Originally from Denmark, kleinur are a kind of doughnut made from fried sweet bread dough and sprinkled with powdered sugar. We didn't try them, but in Reykjavik we tried the cinnamon buns from Braud&co and they were amazing!
Bonus dish: Brennivn
And finally, we'll tell you about a traditional drink , one of those with a sparkle In fact, we could define Brennivn as Icelandic liquor . It is made with fermented potatoes or barley and is distilled with aromatic herbs until obtaining a liquor of about 37-40%. It is another of the most popular souvenirs from Iceland and you can get a bottle of "the black death" in the duty free area of the airport when you are leaving the country.
Will you be hungry on your Icelandic tour? I hope not! Which typical Icelandic dishes would you like to try and which ones would you rather not eat?
