Iceland is a place worth a visit, at least once in a lifetime. Picturesque landscapes, powerful waterfalls, an abundant selection of various activities and not to mention the Northern Lights, makes it one of the fastest growing travel destinations in the world. But beware, Iceland is not a cheap country to visit for many reasons, and you’ll soon discover that the food is expensive both in and out of restaurants.
Keeping that in mind, it’s important you never waste a second (or a penny) on a meal that doesn’t live up to your expectations. Iceland is a Nordic nation and has survived in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean for 1000 years mainly because of three things, often referred to as the Icelandic Trinity. The good news? They’re all delicious:
Feast on the fish
Fish has kept the Icelandic people alive through the ages, and still does, as one of Iceland main exports. Everything from haddock, plaice, halibut, herring, and shrimp are exported daily to all corners of the world, known for the quality and freshness. The catch of the day is also available at most Icelandic restaurants, that have any ambition, and usually is strongly recommended. The fish is always the catch of the day, caught earlier that morning and served without delay. Why would you say no?
Enjoy servings of sheep
Sheep are a big part of Icelandic culture, as it’s believed by many that only the Icelandic sheep could have survived harsh weathers, volcanic eruptions, and the bare highlands of the island. There are even more sheep than people in the country, almost twice as much. As a result, it’s not surprising that there are a few delicacies derived from the sheep that should be tried and tasted during a visit to Iceland.
First is Kjötsúpa, a lamb stew prepared in a traditional Icelandic way. Some restaurants do it better than others, but it never fails to satisfy. Kjötsúpa is recommended on cold days, as it both warms your belly and heart. Secondly, there is Hangikjöt (cured and smoked leg of lamb), a dish Icelanders have on Christmas Day. This traditional delicacy is not normally available at restaurants, but you can always get a pack of sliced hangikjöt in the grocery store to enjoy alongside some rye bread.
Sample some skyr
Skyr is dairy product similar to yogurt that is high in protein and low in fat. Very popular with Icelanders, since nearly every resident has been eating it almost daily from a very young age, skyr is a good option at the grocery store when storing up on food for a long day of hiking or driving. You can expect to find various flavors to choose from at your local Icelandic grocery store. Most restaurants have some sort of dessert made from skyr, often skyr brulee or skyr-a-cotta.
When travelling throughout Iceland planning your dietary needs is a necessity. Firstly it can be quite expensive to dine out twice a day, especially when outside the capital area or larger towns such as Akureyri. The rule of thumb is that the fewer the restaurant options the more expensive they get. Lack of competition is a big factor, and you should also take into consideration that some restaurants out in the “middle of nowhere” are only open part of the year.
Not to mention that it can be quite hard to find something to your liking when there are such few options. The best way to address these two challenges is to pack a lunch for each day, and use your time in Reykjavík, or any of the larger towns around the island, to do some grocery shopping.
Grocery stores are quite European, you can get your normal products such as fruits, toiletries, candy, and meats. But you can also get a few products that cannot be found anywhere in the world.
Shopping list for some good Icelandic lunch packs include:
- Skyr (skyr)
- Skyr drink (a drink made from skyr) and also KEA skyr (a spoon comes along with it), perfect for a lunch pack or a healthy snack during a busy day. Skyr is getting known outside Iceland, and supposedly available in US and UK.
- Rúgbrauð; a dark bread made from rye, in Iceland it is quite sweet and sticky. Usually, Icelanders put a lot of butter on top and then either hangikjöt or reyktur silungur.
- Reyktur silungu; smoked arctic char or smoked salmon are popular toppings on rúgbrauð or flatbrauð (flat bread). The fish are smoked in farmhouses around the country, especially near Lake Mývatn.
- Hangikjöt; smoked and cured leg of lamb that is either enjoyed for Christmas dinner or in slices on top of bread on a more frequent basis.
- Harðfiskur (dried fish); dried fish is the best thing you can have in your pocket after a few hours hiking in the Icelandic wilderness. Almost pure protein and full of energy, the dried fish will get you going that last mile. Fitting as well as a beer snack.
- Appelsín; orange soda, the best in the world according to this Icelander. Best served ice cold.
When in Iceland, cooking at “home” is of course based on your accommodation options. Hostels and apartments usually offer some sort of kitchen facilities and you can save some money by cooking your own dinner. Fresh fish is quite easy to get and easy to cook, and as a bonus it’s also quite cheap compared to meat. Kjötsúpa is also a very easy course to cook and one you should definitely try! Just remember that however you choose to enjoy your meals, you need to enjoy some skyr for dessert.
Bon appetite or verði þér að góðu as they say in Iceland!
