What to eat in Iceland: traditional dishes and how Icelanders eat
Icelandic food is built on fish, lamb and dairy from a cold, remote island, cooked simply and often warming. Newer kitchens work with the same ingredients in fresh ways. The one thing to know is that eating out is dear, so a lamb soup or a hot dog can be the best-value meal of the day.
The short answer
- Order this first
- Kjötsúpa, lamb soup with root vegetables, or fresh fish of the day. Both are local and filling.
- When people eat
- Lunch around midday and dinner between 6 and 8 in the evening. Kitchens in small towns can close early.
- Tipping
- Service is included, so tipping is not expected.
- Where to eat well
- Our Reykjavík food guide names the places, each checked against a source.
What to eat in Iceland
- KjötsúpaA thick lamb soup with potato, swede, carrot and herbs. A cheap, warming lunch, and a good first choice.Nationwide
- PlokkfiskurA creamy mash of boiled fish, potato and onion, served with dark rye bread. Home cooking made from the day's catch.Nationwide
- SkyrA thick, tangy dairy product like strained yoghurt, eaten at breakfast or as a dessert with berries. Sold in every supermarket.Nationwide
- PylsurThe Icelandic hot dog, made partly with lamb. Order one with everything, meaning crispy and raw onion, ketchup, sweet mustard and remoulade.Nationwide
- Icelandic lambLamb grazes freely in summer and has a mild, distinct flavor. Look for it roasted, smoked or in stews.Nationwide
- Fresh fishCod, haddock, Arctic char and langoustine from the surrounding seas. Order the fish of the day, often pan-fried with butter.The coasts
- RúgbrauðA dense, sweet rye bread traditionally baked slowly in hot ground. Eaten with butter, smoked fish or lamb.Nationwide
- HarðfiskurDried fish, usually haddock or cod, eaten as a snack with butter. A strong, salty local habit.Nationwide
- ÞorramaturA midwinter spread of traditional foods such as cured shark and singed sheep's head. It is a cultural curiosity more than an everyday meal.Nationwide
How the food changes across Iceland
Reykjavík and the south west
The widest range, from hot dog stands and soup bars to modern restaurants working with local fish, lamb and vegetables.
The coasts and fishing towns
Fish and seafood landed that morning, often served simply in harbor cafes. The best meal on a trip can be a plate of the day's catch.
The north and farms
Dairy, lamb, geothermal-grown vegetables and farm cafes. Many farm stays serve a set dinner built on what they produce.
What to drink in Iceland
- BeerA growing craft scene sits beside the main lagers. Alcohol is dear, so many visitors have one drink with dinner.
- BrennivínA caraway-flavored spirit, nicknamed the black death, taken as a small shot, often with fermented or cured fish.
- CoffeeIcelanders drink a lot of it. Cafes serve strong filter coffee and espresso drinks, and refills are common.
- Tap waterClean and cold, and free. Ask for water with a meal rather than buying a bottle.
Where to eat in Iceland, city by city
Reykjavík
A small, colorful harbor capital of cafes, swimming pools, galleries and a famous church tower. It suits couples and friends who want a relaxed base with nature on the doorstep.
Order Plokkfiskur
How Iceland eats
- Meal timesLunch around midday and dinner between 6 and 8. Outside Reykjavík, many kitchens close by 9 in the evening.
- CoffeeA daily habit. Bakeries and cafes open early, and a pastry with coffee is a common mid-morning break.
- ReservationsBook dinner at known restaurants in Reykjavík a week or two ahead for weekends. Villages with one restaurant fill up in summer.
- TippingService is included, so tipping is not expected. Cards are taken almost everywhere.
Signs of a place to walk past
Menus in five languages with photographs of every dish.
A restaurant on the main tourist street with someone outside calling you in.
Fish on every menu that never says where it was caught.
A hot dog stand or cafe where everything is pre-made and sitting under a heat lamp.
Food in Iceland: questions people ask
What food is Iceland known for?
Lamb, fresh fish, skyr, rye bread and the Icelandic hot dog are the best known. Fermented and dried fish are more traditional than everyday.
What is the national dish of Iceland?
There is no single official one. Kjötsúpa, lamb soup, and plokkfiskur, fish and potato mash, are among the dishes most often named as everyday Icelandic food.
What is skyr?
A thick Icelandic dairy product, similar to strained yoghurt but tangier. It is eaten for breakfast or dessert, often with berries.
Is food expensive in Iceland?
Yes. Eating out costs more than in most of Europe. Soup, hot dogs, bakeries and supermarket meals keep costs down.
Do you tip in Iceland restaurants?
No. Service is included in the price, so tipping is not expected.
Is Iceland good for vegetarians?
Reykjavík has several vegetarian and vegan kitchens, and most restaurants offer a meat-free dish. In small towns the choice is narrower, so ask ahead or self-cater.
What should I try on a budget in Iceland?
A hot dog from a stand, a bowl of soup at lunch, bakery sandwiches and supermarket skyr. Book one proper dinner and keep the others simple.