Iceland’s culinary scene is a delightful surprise, even for seasoned food enthusiasts. At its heart, Icelandic Food traditionally revolves around meat, dairy, and fish. Historically, cultivating fruits and green vegetables was challenging in Iceland’s climate, making items like apples and oranges rare luxuries, primarily enjoyed during significant celebrations such as Christmas.
To survive and thrive, Icelanders developed ingenious methods of food preservation. Necessity became the mother of invention, leading to techniques like fermentation, smoking, salting, and curing. Foods were even encased in aspic, a type of savory jelly, to extend their shelf life and maintain edibility.
A Taste of History: Tracing the Roots of Icelandic Cuisine
The story of Icelandic food is interwoven with the culinary heritage of Scandinavia. When Norse settlers arrived in Iceland during the ninth century, they brought with them the food traditions of their Nordic homelands.
Initially, Icelanders relied heavily on subsistence farming. However, the onset of a small ice age in the 14th century significantly impacted agriculture. This climatic shift led to an increased dependence on cereal grains, although farming persisted in some form until the late 18th century.
The 19th century brought Danish cultural influence to Iceland, subtly weaving Danish culinary elements into Icelandic dishes. However, the early 20th century witnessed a transformative boom in Iceland’s fishing industry. This economic surge solidified fish as a cornerstone of the Icelandic diet, shaping the nation’s food identity.
Today, Icelandic cuisine presents a fascinating blend of both age-old preservation methods and contemporary freshness. While horse meat is no longer taboo and salted meats are less common, fish remains a central and cherished food source in Iceland, reflecting its maritime heritage and abundant natural resources.
Top 10 Must-Try Traditional Icelandic Foods
One of the most rewarding aspects of traveling to Iceland is immersing yourself in its local food culture. Many visitors opt for small-group food tours in Iceland to truly delve into the flavors of the island. For an authentic Reykjavik experience, consider joining a food walking tour led by a local food expert.
For those eager to embark on a culinary adventure, here are ten traditional Icelandic foods that should be on every visitor’s must-try list:
1. Icelandic Fish: Freshness from the North Atlantic
Iceland stands as a beacon of high-quality seafood. Renowned for its pristine waters and sustainable fishing practices, Iceland offers fish that is simply unparalleled in freshness and taste. To truly experience Icelandic food, indulging in any type of locally caught fish is essential.
Popular choices include langoustine, cod, and haddock, each offering a unique taste of the Icelandic ocean. Typically, Icelandic fish dishes are elegantly simple, often served with boiled potatoes and traditional Icelandic rye bread, accompanied by creamy butter. This minimalist approach highlights the exceptional quality and flavor of the fish itself.
2. Kleinur: The Icelandic Twisted Doughnut
For those with a penchant for sweets, Kleinur, the Icelandic twisted doughnut, is a delightful treat. These fried doughnuts are characterized by their unique twisted shape and a perfect balance of textures: delightfully fluffy and light on the inside, with a satisfyingly crispy exterior.
Kleinur are a beloved traditional sweet in Iceland, readily available in bakeries and grocery stores throughout the country. Enjoy them as a snack with coffee or as a comforting dessert.
3. Bragðarefur: The “Tasty Fox” Icelandic Ice Cream
Bragðarefur, translating to “tasty fox” or “trickster,” is a unique Icelandic ice cream experience that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This customizable ice cream dish allows you to choose your favorite ice cream flavor and then select up to three toppings. The magic happens as the ice cream shop staff expertly swirls these ingredients together, creating a personalized and utterly delicious frozen concoction.
Bragðarefur is a staple in almost every ice cream shop across Iceland, making it a readily accessible and highly recommended dessert option.
4. Hákarl: Adventurous Fermented Shark
Hákarl, fermented shark, is arguably the most iconic and perhaps most daring food in Iceland. For the truly adventurous eater, trying Hákarl is an authentic Icelandic story waiting to be experienced and shared. The fermentation process gives Hákarl a pungent aroma and a distinctive, strong flavor, often described as an acquired taste.
Traditionally, Hákarl is best enjoyed with a shot of Brennivín, Iceland’s signature cumin-flavored liqueur. The strong flavors of Brennivín are said to complement and cut through the intensity of the fermented shark.
5. Svið: Sheep’s Head – A Culinary Conversation Starter
Svið, or sheep’s head, is another traditional Icelandic delicacy that might raise eyebrows but is deeply rooted in the country’s culinary heritage. This dish is not for the faint of heart, but it offers a unique and historically significant culinary experience.
Svið is typically prepared by singeing, boiling, and sometimes curing the sheep’s head. It’s often served simply, allowing the rich and distinctive flavors of the sheep’s head to shine through. Enjoy it with a side of bravery and your preferred beverage.
6. Pylsa: The Ubiquitous Icelandic Hot Dog
Dining out in Iceland can sometimes be expensive, but thankfully, there are many cheap places to eat throughout the country.
Among the most affordable and universally loved foods in Iceland is the Pylsa, the Icelandic hot dog. Often cited as the best hot dog in the world, the Icelandic Pylsa is a must-try for any visitor. Even those seeking familiar American-style food in Iceland will find themselves drawn to this classic wiener, typically made from lamb, pork, and beef. It’s commonly served in a bun with a variety of toppings, including crispy fried onions, raw white onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade, a mayonnaise-based sauce with sweet relish.
7. Skyr: Iceland’s Ancient Dairy Delight
Skyr is a cultured dairy product with a history deeply intertwined with Icelandic cuisine, dating back centuries. Its popularity has endured through generations, remaining as cherished today as it was a hundred years ago. While some classify skyr as a type of cheese due to its production process, it’s generally recognized and enjoyed as a thick, creamy yogurt.
Skyr is widely available in various flavors at all grocery stores in Iceland. It’s a versatile food, perfect for breakfast, a healthy snack, or even as a base for desserts.
8. Flatkaka með Hangikjöti: Smoked Lamb Flatbread
Similar to skyr, Flatkaka með hangikjöti, flatbread with smoked lamb, is a traditional Icelandic food that has graced Icelandic tables for centuries. This simple yet flavorful dish is an ideal choice for fueling up before a day of exploring Iceland’s stunning nature.
Flatkaka is a thin, unleavened rye flatbread. Hangikjöt, the star of the dish, is smoked lamb, thinly sliced and layered on the flatbread. This combination creates a satisfying and authentically Icelandic sandwich.
9. Harðfiskur: Viking Era Dried Fish
Harðfiskur, or dried fish, is a culinary relic from Iceland’s Viking era, making it one of the most historically significant traditional Icelandic foods you can sample. The preparation process is remarkably simple yet effective: fish, typically cod, haddock, or wolffish, is air-dried until it loses a significant amount of moisture, shrinking to as little as 9% of its original size. This method of preservation allowed Vikings to store food for long journeys and harsh winters. Harðfiskur is best enjoyed with a generous spread of butter, which softens the fish and adds richness.
10. Kjötsúpa: Hearty Lamb Meat Soup
Kjötsúpa, a hearty lamb meat soup, is a quintessential Icelandic comfort food, signaling the arrival of fall and winter for many Icelanders. It’s the perfect warming dish after a day of outdoor adventures in Iceland’s often brisk climate.
Kjötsúpa is a rich and flavorful soup packed with lamb meat, root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and turnips, and often rice. You can find Kjötsúpa at many restaurants in downtown Reykjavik and even at popular tourist destinations like restaurants along the Golden Circle. For a truly immersive experience, consider joining local food tours from Reykjavík to taste authentic Kjötsúpa guided by local food enthusiasts.
Top 10 Icelandic Drinks to Complete Your Culinary Experience
Exploring Icelandic food is incomplete without sampling the local beverages. Iceland offers a range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that perfectly complement its unique cuisine. Here are ten top drinks to try in Iceland:
1. Kókómjólk: Icelandic Chocolate Milk
Kókómjólk is Iceland’s beloved chocolate milk, a perfect beverage to accompany pastries, baked goods, or even a Pylsa hot dog! It’s richer and often considered more flavorful than standard chocolate milk, making it a comforting and indulgent treat.
2. Appelsín: Icelandic Orange Soda
Appelsín is Iceland’s version of Fanta, a sweet and refreshing orange soda. It’s a popular soft drink enjoyed by Icelanders of all ages and is readily available throughout the country.
3. Malt: Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage
Malt in Iceland is a non-alcoholic malt beverage, similar in style to malt beer but without the alcohol content. It’s characterized by its sweet flavor, dark color, and subtle notes of licorice. For many Icelanders, the taste of Malt evokes a sense of home and nostalgia, particularly around the holidays.
4. Malt og Appelsín: The Christmas Mix
Malt og Appelsín is a quintessential Icelandic drink created by simply mixing Malt and Appelsín together. This combination results in a unique flavor profile that’s both sweet and slightly malty. It’s so popular that it’s considered the official Christmas drink of Iceland, a must-try during the festive season.
5. Icelandic Tap Water: Pure and Pristine
Icelandic tap water is not just water; it’s often touted as some of the best tap water in the world. Sourced from glaciers and natural springs, it’s incredibly pure, clean, and refreshing. Staying hydrated with Icelandic H2O is a delightful and healthy part of any Icelandic adventure.
6. Icelandic Gin: Arctic Infused Spirits
Iceland produces several high-quality gins, often infused with local botanicals that reflect the unique Arctic environment. Mixing Icelandic gin with tonic water creates a classic and refreshing gin and tonic cocktail with a distinctly Icelandic twist.
7. Opal or Tópas: Licorice Liqueur Shots
Opal and Tópas are popular black licorice liqueurs in Iceland. These strong and distinctive spirits are local favorites, often served as shots. Their intense licorice flavor is a characteristic taste of Iceland.
8. Brennivín: “Black Death” Viking Spirit
Brennivín, nicknamed “Black Death,” is Iceland’s signature cumin-flavored liqueur. This potent spirit is a must-try for those seeking an authentic taste of Viking-era drinks. Its strong cumin flavor and high alcohol content make it a memorable and historically significant Icelandic beverage.
9. Local Icelandic Beer: Craft Brewing Scene
Beer-making has surged in popularity in Iceland, with numerous microbreweries and craft breweries emerging across the country. Icelanders have embraced beer culture, and local bars offer a wide selection of Icelandic beers, often brewed with the country’s exceptional water. Exploring local Icelandic beer is a great way to taste the modern Icelandic beverage scene.
10. Reyka Vodka: Icelandic Glacier Vodka
Reyka Vodka is a premium Icelandic vodka often proclaimed by Icelanders as “the best vodka in the world.” Made with glacial water and distilled in Iceland, Reyka Vodka is known for its smoothness and purity. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a base for cocktails.
Unique Icelandic Delicacies: Exploring the Unusual
Beyond the mainstream dishes, Iceland offers some truly unique and sometimes controversial delicacies. Whale meat, puffin meat, and horse meat are among the more unusual Icelandic foods still consumed today. These meats represent a connection to Iceland’s history and resourcefulness.
Whale Meat: Minke Whale Delicacy
Minke whale meat is a distinctive Icelandic delicacy, typically served as a steak or in sushi preparations. While its consumption is debated, many who try it describe whale meat as having a rich and unique flavor, unlike any other meat they’ve tasted. For those interested in trying whale meat, it can be found at select restaurants in downtown Reykjavik.
Puffin Meat: Smoked Seabird Specialty
Puffin meat is another Icelandic delicacy that sparks discussion. Smoked puffin is the most common preparation, offering a distinctive gamey flavor. Like whale meat, puffin can also be found in certain restaurants in Reykjavik for those curious to try it.
Horse Meat: A Lean Red Meat Option
Horse meat is another meat that features in Icelandic cuisine, offering a lean and flavorful alternative to beef. Often priced affordably, horse meat in Iceland is known for its tenderness and mild, slightly sweet taste, similar to beef but with its own unique character. For adventurous foodies, horse steak in Iceland is an intriguing culinary option.
Traditional Icelandic Christmas Meal: A Festive Feast
Icelanders deeply cherish their traditions, and Christmas meals are often a testament to this, with families often adhering to menus passed down through generations. Here are the typical components of a traditional Icelandic Christmas feast:
Starters
- Smoked salmon on toast with sauce: A classic and elegant 시작 to the meal.
- Soup: Options include creamy asparagus soup, rich lobster bisque, or flavorful fish soup to warm the palate.
- Risa La Mande – rice pudding: A sweet and creamy rice pudding, often served cold as a starter in Icelandic Christmas meals.
- Síld – pickled herring with rye bread: Pickled herring, a staple in Nordic cuisine, served with hearty rye bread.
Mains
- Hamborgarahryggur – cured pork loin or gammon steak: A festive and substantial pork dish, often glazed and roasted.
- Hangikjöt – smoked lamb: Smoked lamb, a year-round favorite, takes a central role in the Christmas meal.
Sides
- Caramelized potatoes: Sweet and savory caramelized potatoes, a must-have side dish.
- Corn or peas: Simple vegetable sides to complement the richness of the main courses.
- Laufabrauð – deep-fried thin bread cut out in patterns: Thin, decorative flatbreads, deep-fried to a crisp and visually appealing.
- Waldorf salad: A refreshing and crunchy Waldorf salad to balance the heavier dishes.
- Béchamel sauce: A creamy béchamel sauce, often served with the pork or lamb.
- Rauðkál – red cabbage: Sweet and tangy braised red cabbage, a classic Christmas side in many European countries.
