Icelandic food: what to eat in Reykjavík
Icelandic food is seasonal cooking built on what the island has always had. Traditional Icelandic cooking often centres on fish, lamb and dairy, with good bread on the side. These are the things we suggest to friends who visit.
Ten things to try
- Kjötsúpa, lamb soup with root vegetables. It’s a classic on a cold, wet day.
- Plokkfiskur, a creamy stew of white fish and potatoes. It belongs next to dark rye bread.
- Rúgbrauð, dense and sweet rye bread. One traditional method is to bake it slowly in the warm ground near hot springs. Eat it with plenty of butter.
- Skyr. A cultured dairy product, thick enough to stand a spoon in. Locals have it for breakfast, as a snack or as a dessert with berries.
- Fresh fish: cod, haddock and Arctic char are the ones you’ll see most on menus.
- Icelandic lamb. The sheep graze freely in the hills over summer.
- Pylsa, the Icelandic hot dog. Order it “eina með öllu”.
- Kleinur and snúðar: twisted doughnuts and cinnamon buns, sold in every bakery.
- Liquorice, often combined with chocolate or ice cream.
- Ice cream. Ice cream shops stay busy in January too, and a cone dipped in chocolate (ís með dýfu) is a local favourite.
Traditional midwinter food
Hákarl (fermented shark) and the other traditional þorramatur dishes turn up mainly at midwinter feasts. If you’re curious, try a small piece. It’s traditionally served with brennivín, but you don’t need it to taste the shark.
Eating out without the shock
Tap water is free and very good, so ask for a glass instead of buying bottles. Tipping isn’t generally expected because service is included in prices. Lunch is the better deal: many restaurants do a fish or soup of the day at midday.
Taste Icelandic food with a local
Our Reykjavík Locals Food Tour has five tasting stops with a local guide, and each one is a surprise until you get there. Food Tour guests also get the Local Walk web app, a map of more places to try.
Quick answers
What is the national dish of Iceland?
There isn’t an official one. Ask a local and you’ll probably hear lamb soup (kjötsúpa) or the hot dog.
How much does a meal cost in Reykjavík?
Eating out costs more than in most of Europe. Lunch deals, soup of the day, bakeries and hot dog stands help you eat well for less.
Do you tip in Iceland?
Generally not. Service is included in prices, so a tip is optional.
Sources
Written by Elfar Tjörfi Steinason. We checked the facts in this article against these sources on 19 October 2026:
