As you plan your Iceland visit, you are thinking of waterfalls, glaciers, whales, and volcanoes. But remember that you will need to eat so you can you climb those mountains. Luckily, there is a wide variety of amazing and delicious foods for you to enjoy on your Iceland vacation! We were there recently so today we share what you can expect with Iceland national food and drink.
Fish and Lamb, Iceland’s Two Big Foods
These are the big two foods in Iceland. Every restaurant will have one or both on their menu. Both are fresh and amazing parts of Iceland’s national food and drink scene.
The lamb is succulent and tender, and the fish is worth the trip alone. When you are here, make sure you have some cod. There is a reason the British fought the Cod Wars with Iceland. Yes, there were cod wars.
Some of our group had cod every single day during our Iceland visit, and they never regretted it.
By the way, the fish and chips at this food truck at the harbor was so good we ate there three times in a week! They have a regular restaurant too, called Vagninn.
Fresh arctic char is another special fish to eat when you visit Iceland. If you have never tried it, it tastes like salmon.
Icelandic Hot Dogs What a Surprise!
When you think Iceland national food and drink, you think hot dogs, right? No? Well, after your Iceland vacation you will. Hot dogs are ubiquitous throughout the country, and they serve them up in their own way. First, they are all Icelandic-made mixing lamb, beef, and pork, and served with two types of onions and two types of sauces. They are fantastic and one of the most affordable meals in the country. Make sure to check out Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. You might not be able to pronounce it, but it is the original, and best, place for dogs on your Iceland vacation.
Vegetarian Eating on Your Iceland Vacation
There has been a lot of meat in this post, but do not worry! If you abstain from meat and fish, or animal products altogether, you will not be starving on your Iceland visit! Every single restaurant that we visited had a variety vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. So, when you hear about Iceland vacations full of lamb and cod, know that it will be just as easy for the vegetarian traveler!
Buying Groceries On Your Iceland Vacation
If you are enjoying your Iceland vacation, but want to cook yourself, or even just get a snack, you will want to stop by a grocery. Luckily, Iceland has them readily available. A lot of visitors are surprised by the price of food in Iceland, because it is relatively high. We really liked Bonus, which is a grocery store easily found by their piggy bank logo. It is a lot like an Aldi and has some of the better prices you can find.
Hákarl and Svið, the Traditional Foods of Iceland
If you are adventurous about food and drink in Iceland, two of the traditional Iceland national food and drinks are Hákarl and Svið. Svið is a boiled sheep head, usually served with potatoes. While it is just as tasty as any of the other lamb in Iceland, its appearance can be off-putting.
Meanwhile there is Hákarl. This is a fermented shark, typically served in small cubes. The shark is buried and left to rot, then dried in the air for months. It is often served with a shot of the rye liquor called Brennivin (probably to get the taste out of your mouth). Bennivin’s nickname is “Black Death.” We ended up not trying the Hakarl, because every single server warned us about how nasty it is. It is described as intensely fishy and ammonia rich. If you want to try it on your Iceland visit, don’t say we didn’t warn you! However, we are happy to attest that the Brennivin is good and potent.
For other travel planning tips for an Iceland vacation read more.
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