A trip to Iceland is undoubtedly a unique experience, and so is discovering true traditional Icelandic cuisine. It is a simple cuisine, which makes full use of all that the land has to offer. With a harsh climate, little suited to agriculture, and given the isolation that has lasted for many years, the Icelanders have learnt to eat everything and not to throw away anything edible; the result is therefore a rather peculiar cuisine, characterised by strong flavours that may be a little difficult for our palate, but it is definitely worth trying some of the typical dishes of this wonderful island.
The main ingredients of Icelandic cuisine are lamb and fish, of course. Eating in restaurants in Reykjavik can be quite expensive, but with a little care, you will undoubtedly be able to taste the most typical local dishes without breaking the bank. Let's take a look at the 10 things you absolutely must eat in Reykjavick, Iceland.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Reykjavik
1 - Hákarl
Photo by Xfigpower. One of the most typical Icelandic dishes is undoubtedly hákarl, a dish for iron stomachs: it is in fact putrefied shark meat. The shark meat is left to rot for weeks in wooden crates underground, thus losing all its poison and releasing ammonia. The smell is undoubtedly nauseating, but if you can get past this, you will realise that the taste is not bad at all.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00-12.00
Main ingredients: shark meat
2 - Ástarpungar
A typical Reykjavik dessert not to be missed is ástarpungar, round pancakes made with sultanas. Literally the word ástarpungar means'lover's balls', this cake is linked to a rather peculiar legend: it is said that an Icelandic man had a very beautiful and 'libertine' wife. When he discovered her with her lover, in a fit of jealousy he decided to take his revenge, killing his rival and depriving him of his testicles, which he then cooked in a sweet fried batter and served to his wife in the dark.
Recommended for: breakfast, after meals
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, sultanas
3 - Svið
Photo by Schneelocke. Another typical Icelandic dish for strong stomachs is svið, i.e. sheep's head that is split in two and barbecued; it is then boiled and eaten fresh, or preserved in brine.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: mutton
4 - Hangikjöt
Photo by Martin Sønderlev Christensen. A popular meat dish in these parts is hangikjöt, traditional Icelandic smoked lamb. It is a dish strongly associated with the Christmas holidays and is eaten with boiled potatoes, béchamel and peas or rye pancakes.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: lamb, potatoes, béchamel
5 - Kjötsúpa
Another dish definitely worth trying in Reykjaivk is Kjötsúpa, a tasty lamb soup with potatoes and carrot, ideal for warming up after a day out and about.
Recommended: dinner
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: lamb, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onion
6 - Pylsur
A classic Icelandic street food, pylsur are nothing more than the famous hot-dogs, which are made with lamb meat stuffed into a natural casing.
Recommended for: snack, lunch
Average cost: approx. €4.00
Main ingredients: lamb, bread
7 - Fiskisúpa
A distinctly Icelandic and much-loved dish is Fiskisúpa, i.e. fish soup, which you can find almost everywhere in Reykjavik. Fish is the main raw material in Iceland, and one of the traditional ways to eat it is in soup, which can be made with cod or salmon, or with halibut, or one of the variants most appreciated by locals and tourists alike is the famous lobster soup, considered the best dish in Iceland.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: fish (cod, salmon, halibut) or shellfish (lobster), vegetables.
8 - Pönnukökur
A dessert you absolutely must try in Reykjavic is pönnukökur, sweet pancakes that are very reminiscent of classic American pancakes, made with cinnamon, usually accompanied by skyr, another traditional Icelandic dish, similar to yoghurt (it is actually a fresh cheese made from cow's milk).
Recommended for: breakfast
Average cost: €4.00
Main ingredients: flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon
9 - Þorramatur
Photo by The blanz. More than a typical dish, Þorramatur is a real selection of traditional Icelandic food. It is made of meat and fish products that are served sliced or shredded and served with rúgbrauð (thick, dark rye bread), butter and a shot of Brennivín (Icelandic brandy). It is a dish that is traditionally eaten during the winter, and especially during the Þorrablót festival celebrations.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: lamb, dried fish
10 - Brauðterta
Photo by Anneli Salo. We close this roundup of typical Icelandic dishes that you can eat in Reykjavik with Brauðterta, a dish of Danish origin that is also very popular in these parts, which consists of layers of sandwich bread stuffed with mayonnaise, fish and seafood (smoked salmon and shrimp).
Recommended: snack
Average cost: €5.00
Main ingredients: bread, salmon, prawns, mayonnaise
Where to eat in Reykjavik: best restaurants, typical places and street food
The cuisine reflects the typically Nordic character of Reykjavik. The harsh climate makes the country unsuitable for crops and the local cuisine is poor in vegetables and unbalanced in favour of meat or fish dishes.
The country's gastronomic tradition is rich and varied. Eating in Iceland is not cheap and prices in restaurants reflect the general high cost of living in this country.
However, in recent years, cheaper options have sprung up on which to rely, such as fast food, pizzerias or delicatessens. Icelanders generally eat very early, and typical Icelandic dishes are often reserved for strong stomachs: the most famous is hákarl, or fermented shark meat, often a shock for tourists but much appreciated by locals.
Also for stomachs that can resist anything is svið, or a sheep's head split in two and barbecued.
Dried haddock meat is also popular, or cod cooked in endless variations. Puffins in Iceland are also often found in dishes, and their meat is considered a delicacy. Lamb and fish soups complete the traditional menu.
1 - Saegreifinn - Sea Baron
Description: a seafood restaurant near the harbour, where you can choose your favourite catch and it is freshly cooked.
Speciality: freshly cooked kebabs, lobster soup
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: Get directions
2 - Laundromat Café
Description: original café that serves as a laundry, café, restaurant and children's playground together
Speciality: their brunch
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: Get directions
3 - Inlenski Barinn
Description: hamburgeria popular with locals
Speciality: shark meat
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: Get directions
4 - Sandholt
Description: café, pastry shop, perfect place for light meals
Speciality: excellent pastry
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: Get directions
5 - Fish Market
Description: Japanese Icelandic fusion cuisine
Speciality: fish dishes, vegan and gluten-free options
Average price: from €100.00 per person
Address: Get directions
