Icelandic cuisine stands out because it evolved its own direction, shaped by local ingredients and long-lasting food traditions. Today, visitors can find both traditional dishes and modern meals made with Icelandic dairy, seafood and lamb. Many travelers remember Icelandic food for its uniqueness, often mentioning certain dishes when sharing stories about their trip.
Icelandic Food Guide for Travelers
1. Skyr
Skyr is a thick dairy product that´s high in protein and low in fat. It´s made by straining cultured milk, which places it in the cheese category, even though it is eaten like a yogurt.
Most common uses in Iceland today:
- Breakfast bowls with oats or granola
- Smoothies
- Desserts
Popular flavors include blueberry, strawberry, vanilla and mixed fruits.
2. Cod and Haddock
Fish grows slowly in Iceland´s cold North Atlantic waters, giving it a mild, clean flavor.
Typical dishes include:
- Fish & Chips made with Icelandic cod (þorksur)
- Grilled cod with butter or herb oils
- Pan-fried haddock with potatoes and light creamy sauces
Photo by Hools on Flickr
3. Plokkfiskur
A warm, creamy stew made with haddock, potatoes, butter, flour and milk or cream. It´s a standard comfort dish found across the country.
Often served with:
- Rúgbrauð, Icelandic rye bread
4. Lamb
Icelandic lamb dishes are widespread thanks to free-roaming sheep and a natural herb-rich diet
Common dishes include:
- Kjötsúpa (lamb soup with root vegetables and mild seasoning)
- Roasted lamb
- Lamb chops with mushrooms or cream sauces
- Fusion dishes like tacos, ramen or dumplings
- Hangikjöt (thin-smoked lamb, especially in winter)
5. Harðfiskur
Air-dried Icelandic white fish snack that is very high in protein and sold in supermarkets.
- Normally eaten with butter
- No refrigeration needed
- Easy self-drive snack option
6. Bread and Bakeries
Most Icelandic towns have small, locally run bakeries that open early and serve as community meeting points. Reykjavík also also has several modern bakeries and cafés that combine traditional Icelandic baking with Nordic-style pastries.
Common Icelandic breads and bakery items include:
- Rúgbrauð: dense, slightly sweet rye bread
- Laufabrauð: thin, decorative winter flatbread, fried until crisp
- cinnamon roll
- Danish pastry with custard
- Icelandic chocolate tray cake
- Cakes made with rye or Skyr
- Local berries used in fillings and toppings
7. Langoustine (Humar)
A smaller lobster-like shellfish that is popular in local restaurants. It has a tender, slightly sweet flavour
You´ll see it served in
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Ramen
- Grilled plates
- Hot dog variations in upscale cafés
8. Artic Char (Bleikja)
A common Icelandic fish used in both casual meals and Nordic-style restaurant dishes.
Modern presentation include:
- Thin raw slices
- Tacos or slides
- Pan-seared plates
- Fish bowls with light seasoning or sauces.
9. Pylsur: Iceland´s Hot Dog
Pylsur is Iceland´s answer to classic street food. It´s quick, simple and can be found all over the the country, from petrol stations to local cafés and food windows.
The most talked-about hot dog stand in Iceland is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, located in Reykjavík´s city center. This long-running stand is a downtown staple, known for serving pylsur fast and keeping the topping combination traditional.
What you´ll get there:
- A sausage
- A soft steamed bun
- Toppings such as raw and crispy onions, sweet mustard, ketchup and remúlaði.
- A straightforward, iconic Reykjavík street-food stop
It´s one of Reykjavík´s best-known, cheap and fast food stops and a practical place to grab a bite before heading to your next activity in the city.
Photo by Loonie on Flickr
10. Kleinur
Kleinur are a traditional Icelandic pan-fried pastry, shaped like a twisted diamond. They are soft inside, lightly crisp outside and usually flavored with cardamom. Less sweet than many doughnuts, often eaten with coffee. Sold in bakeries, cafés and supermarkets across Iceland.
Local tip: IKEA on Garðabær sells some of the best kleinur at a great price.
12. Flatkökur
Flatkökur are thin, soft Icelandic rye flatbreads, cooked on a pan. They have an earthy, mild flavor are commonly folded with butter or used for sandwiches with smoked lamb or salmon. Found in food shops and supermarkets all year.
13. Ice Cream
Ice cream is a big part of Iceland´s everyday food culture. You´ll find ice cream shops in most towns, serving classic flavors and local favorites. One popular order is bragðarefur, a soft ice cream mixed with sweets such as chocolate, cookies, fruit or Icelandic candy. Flavors vary by shop and seasons. Icelandic sweets often include black licorice in chocolate, ice-cream and candy.
Ice cream shops with bragðarefur
- Ísbúðin Laugalæk
- Ísbúðin Vesturbæjar
- Skalli
- Huppa
- Bryjnju Ís
Photo by Pat on Flickr
Best Food Stops in Iceland (Great for Self-Drive Trips)
Some locations in Iceland are especially know for certain dishes. These stops are easy to add to a self-drive plan on the Ring Road or between regions
- Reykjavík, known for pylsur at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, bragðarefur at Huppa and Skyr bowls at Ísey Skyrbar (the Reykjavík spot for skyr bowls)
- Vík, popular for classic cafés, rye cakes and local bakery stop
- Höfn, best known for Humar (langoustine) dishes, especially Humar pizza and pasta
- Eastfjords, local salmon (Reyktur lax) and Artic char (Bleikja) plates
- Akureyri, cafés serving pastries kleinur, cinnamon buns and classic Icelandic ice cream
- Húsavík area, known for seafood and classic harbor resturants
FAQ: Icelandic Food and Local Eating Tips
- What traditional Icelandic food should travelers try?
Common traditional foods include Skyr, Plokkfiskur, Icelandic lamb and simple bakery items like Kleinur and Flatkökur.
- Where can I try Iceland´s famous hot dogs?
The most well-known spot is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in central Reykjavík. It´s a popular place for a quick and affordable meal.
- What is bragðarefur?
Bragðarefur is a soft-ice cream blend mixed with chocolate, candy, fruit or cookies. It´s available at several ice-cream shops, including Huppa and Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
- Is Skyr the same as yogurt?
Skyr is technically a soft cheese, but it is eaten like yogurt. For a simple option, Ísey Skyrbar in Reykjavík serves fresh Skyr bowls with various toppings.
- Where can I find Icelandic pastries?
Most towns have small local bakeries and Reykjavík has several modern cafés offering items like snúður, vínarbrauð, kleinur and other Icelandic pastries.
- Is Icelandic food expensive?
Prices vary, but many cheap options exist, such as hot dogs, bakery items, simple fish dishes and supermarket snacks like Skyr or Harðfiskur. Ice-cream shops also offer budget-friendly treats.
Photo by Jeff Lipson on Flickr
Final Tips
Icelandic food varies widely. Some dishes are mild and familiar, some are fermented or smoked and others show up in casual fusion menus using local fish, dairy or lamb. Many travelers try supermarkets snacks like Skyr, kleinur or harðfiskur during their self-drive tours, while adding restaurants stops for cod, lamb soup or humar plates.
If you want freedom to explore more cafés, bakeries and seafood stops without strict schedules, self-driving makes it easier. Firefly Iceland is built for travelers who want reliable cars at a cheap price, simple pick-ups and plans that don´t involve unnecessary stress.
