Top 10 Icelandic Food You Should Try!
What to eat in Iceland?
In this Iceland food guide, I will introduce you to delicious Icelandic food that you should try when visiting Iceland.
1. Skyr
I first knew about the name “Skyr” while I was going to Iceland. It was a long 3.5 hours fly from Copenhagen to Keflavík, so I started reading the WOW air magazine.
Skyr first caught my eyes with its appealing flavors with different choices from plain, strawberry, blueberry, mango, etc., and its benefit.
Not only contains high protein, but Skyr is also FAT-FREE!
How does it taste?
Skyr tastes quite similar to yogurt, but it has a thicker form. I prefer the one with a mixed flavor of blueberry and raspberry! It’s super tasty and healthy.
How to eat Skyr like a local?
Skyr is often served with milk, but trying it alone is also tasty. While Skyr is popular in Nordic countries, it is exclusively Icelandic.
If you want to find the best Skyr, you should always look for the MS Skyr or KEA Skyr brands (Arla are not from Iceland and are thus not real Skyr).
2. Fermented Shark Meat
When I was walking around the flea market, one seller offered me to try shark meat. It was quite salty, and the taste stayed long inside my throat.
Although I don’t support or encourage eating sharks, tasting it was one way to understand Icelandic food and culture more.
3. Dried fish – Harðfiskur
During my road trip to Iceland, I noticed that dried fish is sold everywhere. You can either find it at the supermarket, souvenir shop, or fish markets.
I tried it once at the flea market and still remember the taste until now. I could feel the freshness of the sea a bit salty, and I enjoyed the tastiness of different types of fish.
Not only rich in omega-3, but dried fish products also have a lot of vitamins and protein. You can surely buy it as a perfect souvenir thanks to its healthiness, lightweight, and long-shelf-life.
4. Icelandic meat soup – Kjötsúpa
Having a hot bowl of soup when it’s cold outside is the best, isn’t it?
Meat soup is one of the traditional dishes of Iceland, and every restaurant offers this meal.
With the tasty flavor of the broth made of the root veggies – potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, and lamb, Kjötsúpa comforted and warmed me up.
5. Smoked lamb – Hangikjöt
Don’t forget to try smoked lamb when you visit Iceland. Although smoked lamb is a traditional Icelandic dish usually served on Christmas day, you can still find it in many restaurants.
6. Flatbread – Flatkökur
Another Icelandic food to try on this list is flatbread, made of rye flour and whole wheat flour.
It is usually served with butter and a slice of smoked lamb or smoked salmon. I tried the one with smoked lamb, and that combination was delicious!
I had this meal at Loki café, an excellent restaurant that served traditional Icelandic food with a beautiful view.
The decoration was unique, and the service was excellent too! I recommend this place.
7. Icelandic hot dog
There is a popular hot dog chain in the heart of Iceland, Reykjavik, named Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which means “The best in town.”
It has operated since 1937 and is famous for its lamb sausages.
Many famous people have visited this stand, including Bill Clinton (2004). This place is selected as the best hot dog stand in Europe.
Side note: According to my Icelandic friend, it’s probably just something they say to sell to tourists. It’s just hot dogs with a mash of leftover meat, mostly pork, then some beef and lamb.
8. Breakfast in Iceland with Icelandic bakery –Kleina
Do you know how people have breakfast in Iceland?
It’s common to get some bread (Kleina) and drink cocoa milk.
9. Licorice candy for gifts
Licorice candy is popular in Nordic countries, and so is Iceland.
There are various candy stores in Reykjavik with different flavors. I think the taste is quite weird, but many people love it, so try it!
10. Sheep’s head – Svið
Sheep’s head is one of the traditional Icelandic foods rarely eaten today. If you’re looking to try something special (and challenging), a sheep’s head should be on your list.
I didn’t try it, though. I cannot eat without imagining the sheep is staring at me.
I visited Iceland back in 2014, and Skyr was my absolute favorite!! I also brought some licorice candy home for some relatives, too.
It’s nice to hear that! Did you enjoy licorice candy?
Ooh I would love to try these foods! Iceland looks like a spectacular place to explore.
Iceland is a lovely country to explore!
Interesting to see that basically, many foods are common across countries, with minor variations in ingredients according to local availability. Of course, they are named so differently. Like the meat soup, for instance…you find that all over the world. By the way, why does that sign say ‘rotten shark meat’?
It’s always interesting to try different foods around the world. “Rotten shark meat” is the name of Icelandic shark meat (Hákarl). The meat is rotten, fermented and dried delicacy :)
This is quite an informative post. Thanks for adding photos too! Next time I’m visiting Iceland, I’m not leaving it without having all this. Ha-ha!
I’m glad that you enjoyed reading :)
We have been wanting to go to Iceland so I will keep this blog in mind with all the food choices! I don’t eat red meat or chicken so fish will be my go to. Plus I love Liquorice!!!
You can try lots of fresh fish in Iceland surely, and don’t forget to try some shark meat as well!
I just recently watched a show on Travel Channel about Iceland. They did mention about Skyr, like the Icelandic version of yoghurt. If I get to travel to Iceland someday, I will give it a try. It looks like a must-try since you’ve listed it here too!
Yes it was listed as the first thing to try in Iceland as well! You will love it as I did!
As much as I loved visiting Iceland, I wasn’t so in love with the food! It’s so funny because I went to that same cafe, Cafe Loki, right opposite the church! I did enjoy the lamb soup, but like you said, only because it was so cold there! Thanks for bringing back good memories!
Oh it’s interesting to know that you went to Cafe Loki as well! That place has a special design :)
Wow! I can’t bring myself to choose a favorite from the pictures. I’d love to try all these Iceland foods on the list. I’d detox later on. For the love of food.
You should try all if you have a chance to visit Iceland!
trying the local food is the best way to get the feel of a place. Whenever I travel, I make sure to get my hands on the local food or try the speciality of the place at least. This is wonderful post on icelandic food
Thank you for stopping by! I always try new food in every country that I visit as well.
I read your post with keen interest. I have only heard about shark meat and Icelandic hotdog. I live in a tropical country and so anything which is totally different from my country interests me! I am confident that skyr would please me. Dried fish sounds intriguing, I have always ate fried fish, would love to taste dried fish someday!
I’m glad that you find the article interesting. I think you will love Skyr and Fried fish if you try it in Iceland.