What to eat in Reykjavik: 10 delicious dishes

With tastes tantalizing every tastebud, finding delicious food in Reykjavik is easy. Start the day with a bowl of Skyr, a sweet, strained yogurt that’ll set you up for a day of sightseeing. When searching for lunch food that Reykjavik is known for, succulent Icelandic lamb or a warming bowl of lobster soup is perfect. End the day with a hearty dish of plokkfiskur (fish stew) before finishing it with a sweet treat like ástarpungar or kleinur — lightly spiced fried dough. Whether you’re looking for a multi-course gourmet meal or a quick bite, discover the best food in Reykjavik on this list.

1. Skyr

Savor the sour tang of Skyr, a cultured dairy product that is one of the most popular foods in Reykjavik. While it’s technically a curd cheese, Skyr tastes more like yogurt and is eaten on its own or sweetened with sugar or berries.

How to eat the best Skyr in Reykjavik?

Popularly eaten with a spoon, Skyr is a great nutritious breakfast food and will set you up for a day of exploring the best places in Reykjavik.

2. Icelandic lamb

Icelandic lamb is globally renowned and has been one of the most important foods in Icelandic cuisine since the Viking Age. The quality of the meat, which acquires delicate flavors as the sheep graze freely in wild pastures, is a point of pride for locals.

How to eat the best Icelandic lamb in Reykjavik?

While lamb is traditionally served with Christmas dinner in Iceland, you can try succulent Icelandic lamb any time in one of the many top-quality restaurants in Downtown Reykjavik.

3. Lobster soup

Icelandic lobster soup is a rich, salty soup similar to a bisque. It is one of the most famous foods to eat in Reykjavik. Made with locally sourced langoustines, lobster soup is creamy and perfect for seafood lovers.

How to eat the best lobster soup in Reykjavik?

Enjoy a warming bowl of lobster soup as part of a leisurely lunch by the seafront in Reykjavik’s old harbor — the perfect meal to warm you up on a cold winter’s day.

4. Icelandic hot dog

Try an Icelandic hot dog, a delicacy made of a sausage served in a soft bun and topped with a sweet brown mustard. Made primarily from Icelandic lamb, these hot dogs are a classic Reykjavik street food item and a great cheap option for those on a budget.

How to eat the best Icelandic hot dog in Reykjavik?

Icelandic hot dog stands, like the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, are located by the waterfront, where many of the city’s most famous attractions, including cafes, bars, restaurants, and the best museums in Reykjavik, are located.

5. Plokkfiskur

A traditional Icelandic dish, plokkfiskur is an Icelandic fish stew. Typically made with mashed fish, bechamel sauce, and potatoes, plokkfiskur may be simple, but it’s also delicious.

How to eat the best plokkfiskur in Reykjavik?

While plokkfiskur can be a warming dish in winter, it’s also a great light meal to have in Reykjavik in summer as it can be served cold, too.

6. Ástarpungar

Sweet tooths will love ástarpungar, deep-fried balls of dough. Also called “love balls,” thanks to their spherical shape, ástarpungar is served alone or with ice cream.

How to eat the best ástarpungar in Reykjavik?

Ástarpungar is best enjoyed in a cozy café in the city center with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate.

7. Fermented shark

If you’re wondering what food Reykjavik is known for, look no further than a fermented shark. This rotten meat has a mild, cheese-like flavor and can be chewy, so it’s maybe for the more adventurous eater who is looking for off-the-beaten-path recommendations in Reykjavik.

How to eat the best fermented shark in Reykjavik?

Fermented shark is typically paired with Brennivín (meaning Black Death), a strong distilled spirit with licorice, caraway, and cumin flavors.

8. Kleinur

The cousin to ástarpungar, kleinur is made from knotted fried dough, similar to a donut, and is a must-try food in Reykjavik. The dish features a wonderfully warming aroma, flavored with cardamom and nutmeg.

How to eat the best kleinur in Reykjavik?

After dinner, savor the sweet taste of kleiner as dessert before heading back out to explore the best things to do in Reykjavik at night.

9. Rye bread

Rye bread is a dense, hearty dark bread that is one of the most popular foods in Reykjavik. It is slow-cooked, making it much sweeter than other breads, and it is the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of soup or a traditional meal like plokkfiskur.

How to eat the best rye bread in Reykjavik?

What better way to try rye bread than after learning to make it? Book a bread-making experience to learn how rye bread was traditionally cooked using geothermal heat under the ground.

10. Fresh fish

Reykjavik is a coastal city with a significant maritime history and long-standing fishing traditions. Emphasis is placed on sustainable practices and protecting the marine environment, which results in some of the best fresh fish in the world.

How to eat the best fresh fish in Reykjavik?

Eat as the locals do and catch your own supper on a fishing trip in Faxafloi Bay — what could be more rewarding? Whatever you reel in, whether cod, haddock, catfish, or mackerel, is yours to eat for dinner.

FAQs

What are the must-try traditional dishes in Reykjavik?

While it is pretty divisive, fermented shark is considered one of the top foods to try in Reykjavik. If that’s not for you, try rye bread, a hearty accompaniment to delicious dishes like lobster soup and plokkfiskur. Or sample the tangy taste of Skyr, an authentic Icelandic yogurt.

Where is the best place to take a food tour in Reykjavik?

Most Reykjavik food experiences take place Downtown, which means you don’t just get to sample delicious local foods but also spot Reykjavik’s most famous landmarks and monuments. A guided food tour is a great way to sample popular food in Reykjavik, including meats, cheeses, soups, desserts, and ice cream.

What are the top local food markets in Reykjavik to visit?

Hlemmur Food Hall is one of the best markets in Reykjavik and offers a great variety of Icelandic foods. Smaller food markets also pop up around the city, especially during summer.

What is the best time of year to visit Reykjavik for food lovers?

Many staples of Icelandic cuisine, like fresh fish and lamb, are available all year round in Reykjavik. But foodies should visit when the famous Food & Fun Festival is held in February or March.

How much should I budget for food in Reykjavik?

It’s no secret that Iceland is an expensive country, but eating out doesn’t have to break the bank. A meal typically costs 2,500 ISK per person, but this can quickly increase to more than 6,000 ISK at the city’s top restaurants. Sampling street food like Icelandic hot dogs is a more affordable option.