Skyr, Soup & Shark: Exploring Icelandic Cuisine

🇮🇸 Icelandic Food Guide: What to Eat & Where to Try It 🐟 Seafood Staples Iceland’s surrounding waters are teeming with fish — and Icelanders know how to prepare it. Plokkfiskur - A creamy fish stew made with mashed fish (usually cod or haddock), potatoes, onions, and white sauce. Comfort food! Arctic Char - A delicate, buttery fish somewhere between salmon and trout. Often grilled or smoked. Fish of the Day - Nearly every restaurant offers this — always fresh, always local. Langoustine (Icelandic Lobster) - Smaller than Atlantic lobster, but incredibly tender. Look for grilled tails or lobster soup. Where to try: Sægreifinn (Sea Baron) – Famous for lobster soup. Fiskfélagið (Fish Company) – Upscale, creative seafood dishes. Icelandic Street Food – Budget-friendly, hearty options. 🥩 Meat & Traditional Dishes Icelanders traditionally relied on lamb and preserved meats to survive harsh winters. Lamb - Free-roaming Icelandic lamb is tender and flavorful. Try it roasted, smoked, or in a stew. Hangikjöt - Smoked lamb, often served during holidays with potatoes and béchamel sauce. Hot Dogs (Pylsur) - Iceland’s unofficial national dish! Try it with “eina með öllu” (everything): ketchup, mustard, remoulade, fried & raw onions. Horse Meat - Occasionally served grilled or smoked. A delicacy, not very common. Fermented Shark (Hákarl) - A pungent, ammonia-rich snack — try it if you're feeling brave. Often served with a shot of Brennivín ("Black Death"). Where to try: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur – Reykjavík’s iconic hot dog stand. Matur og Drykkur – Traditional dishes with a gourmet twist. Kopar – Creative Icelandic cuisine in a cozy setting. 🥣 Soups & Stews Great for warming up after a cold day of exploring. Kjötsúpa - Traditional lamb soup with root vegetables and herbs. Earthy and filling. Lobster Soup - Often made with a tomato or creamy base, sometimes with coconut or curry. Bread Bowl Soups - Popular in Reykjavík’s street food scene — you eat the bowl too! 🧀 Dairy & Breads Icelanders take pride in their clean, rich dairy products. Skyr Thick, protein-rich yogurt. Slightly tangy, very creamy. Try different flavors — or plain with berries. Flatkaka Flat, rye-based bread often served with smoked lamb or butter. Rúgbrauð Dense, dark rye bread traditionally baked in the ground using geothermal heat. Sweet, moist, and amazing with butter or smoked fish. Where to try: Brauð & Co. – Famous bakery in Reykjavík with fresh sourdough, cinnamon buns, and more. Sandholt – Artisanal bakery with great skyr pastries and breakfast. 🍬 Sweets & Treats Icelanders love their candy — especially licorice! Icelandic Licorice (Lakkrís) Often salty (salmiak) and mixed with chocolate. It’s an acquired taste. Kleina Icelandic fried dough — like a cross between a donut and a biscuit. Hjónabandssæla ("Wedded Bliss") A rhubarb jam oat crumble dessert. Perfect with coffee. ☕ Drinks Brennivín Icelandic schnapps made from fermented grain or potat #deliciousfood #localguides