120+ dishes decoded — point at the menu, filter by dietary needs, and order with confidence
71 items found
Cod · Seafood
Iceland's most abundant fish, fresh and mild. The backbone of Icelandic fishing for centuries.
Tip: Often served simply pan-fried with butter. Ask for "nýr þorskur" (fresh cod) vs frozen.
Salmon · Seafood
Atlantic salmon, farmed and wild. Iceland produces some of the cleanest salmon in the world.
Tip: Gravlax (cured salmon) is a popular starter. Look for wild-caught (villtur) vs farmed (eldisstofn).
Arctic Char / Trout · Seafood
Arctic char is a prized freshwater fish found in Iceland's glacial rivers. Delicate pink flesh, similar to salmon.
Tip: Arctic char is more distinctly Icelandic than salmon. A must-try if you see it on the menu.
Haddock · Seafood
Mild white fish, very common in Iceland. Often smoked or baked.
Tip: Smoked haddock (reykt ýsa) is a traditional preparation worth trying.
Redfish / Ocean Perch · Seafood
A sweet, firm white fish caught in the North Atlantic. Beautiful red skin.
Tip: Excellent pan-fried with herbs. The red color comes from deep-water habitat.
Plaice · Seafood
Flat fish with delicate white flesh. Common in coastal Icelandic towns.
Tip: Best prepared simply grilled or pan-fried to appreciate its delicate flavor.
Shrimp · Seafood
Arctic shrimp, small and incredibly sweet. Caught in cold Icelandic waters.
Tip: Cold water shrimp are smaller but sweeter than warm water varieties. Try as a starter.
Langoustine (Iceland "Lobster") · Seafood
NOT what you think — this is langoustine, a small Norway lobster. The Lobster capital of Iceland is Höfn. Delicate, sweet, and magnificent.
Tip: Visit Höfn in East Iceland for the best humar. The Humarsetur restaurant is legendary. Do not miss this!
Fermented Skate · Seafood
Skate fermented in its own urine — a traditional dish eaten on December 23rd (Þorláksmessa). Very strong ammonia smell. An acquired taste!
Tip: Hotels air out buildings after skata dinners. Adventurous eaters: pair with brennivín to cut through the intensity.
Dried Fish Jerky · Seafood
Wind-dried cod or haddock. Iceland's original snack food, eaten for centuries. Chewy, salty, intensely flavored.
Tip: Buy in shops and eat with butter. It's a protein-packed snack locals eat daily. Pull it apart to eat.
Fish Paté · Seafood
Smooth fish paste, typically cod or haddock. Served on bread as a starter or snack.
Tip: Available in grocery stores too. A convenient and tasty Icelandic snack.
Herring · Seafood
Pickled or marinated herring. A Scandinavian staple found in Iceland, especially in the Westfjords.
Tip: The Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður celebrates Iceland's herring boom. Try pickled herring there.
Halibut · Seafood
Large flat fish with firm white flesh. Premium fish in Iceland, excellent grilled or baked.
Tip: One of the more expensive fish dishes. Worth it for its firm texture and clean flavor.
Wolffish / Catfish · Seafood
Wolffish with fierce teeth but delicious firm flesh. Ugly but tasty! Found in North Atlantic waters.
Tip: Don't judge by looks! Wolffish has dense, sweet flesh that holds up well to bold preparations.
Saithe / Coalfish · Seafood
Dark-fleshed fish, slightly stronger flavor than cod. Common in Icelandic cuisine.
Tip: Often overlooked but excellent smoked. Ask if it's locally caught.
Minke Whale · Seafood
Whale meat served as steak. Iceland is one of few countries where this is offered. Controversial ethically.
Whale hunting is highly controversial. Many conservation groups urge tourists to skip it. Minke whale populations face pressure from hunting.
Tip: Consider the ethical implications before ordering. Most whale eaten by tourists, not locals.
Puffin · Seafood
Iceland's beloved seabird, historically eaten as game. Smoked puffin served as a delicacy.
Puffin populations are declining significantly due to climate change affecting their food supply. Many Icelanders no longer hunt puffins. Consider skipping.
Tip: Puffin numbers have declined 50%+ in some colonies. Most puffin on menus is for tourists, not traditional Icelandic food today.
Lamb · Lamb
Iceland's finest product. Free-range lambs roam volcanic highlands all summer eating wild herbs and grass. The result is incredibly flavorful, tender meat unlike anywhere else.
Tip: This is THE thing to eat in Iceland. Icelanders are fiercely proud of their lamb. Order it any way it comes.
Smoked Lamb · Lamb
Traditional smoked lamb, Iceland's Christmas dish. Smoked over birch and sometimes dried sheep dung. Served cold or hot.
Tip: Often served cold at Christmastime with green peas and white sauce. A taste of Icelandic heritage.
Lamb Chop · Lamb
Grilled or pan-seared Icelandic lamb chop. Simple preparation that lets the exceptional meat shine.
Tip: Order medium-rare to appreciate the natural herbs in the meat from summer grazing.
Lamb Fillet · Lamb
Premium cut of Icelandic lamb, the most tender and prized piece. Restaurant finest.
Tip: If you want to splurge once in Iceland, make it an Icelandic lamb fillet at a quality restaurant.
Brisket / Chest Meat · Lamb
Slow-cooked meat brisket, often lamb or beef. Tender from long braising.
Tip: Great cold-weather comfort food. Often served with root vegetables.
Pork · Meat
Pork dishes are available widely. Iceland imports pork as pigs cannot graze freely in the climate.
Tip: Less distinctly Icelandic than lamb. Still good, but if choosing between pork and lamb — choose lamb.
Beef · Meat
Beef available in most restaurants. Some Icelandic beef is raised domestically on small farms.
Tip: Locally raised Icelandic beef can be excellent. Ask if it's domestic (innlent) or imported.
Chicken · Meat
Chicken dishes widely available. Iceland imports most chicken as free-range outdoor chicken is not feasible in the climate.
Tip: A safe option for picky eaters, but not distinctly Icelandic. Try the lamb instead!
Horse Meat · Meat
Horse meat occasionally appears on Icelandic menus. Iceland has its famous Icelandic horse breed. Controversial for many tourists.
Many tourists are uncomfortable eating horse meat given cultural associations with horses as companions. The Icelandic horse is an iconic national symbol.
Tip: Traditionally eaten in Iceland for centuries. Make your own ethical judgment before ordering.
Icelandic Hot Dog · Street Food
Iceland's most famous street food! Made with lamb, pork, and beef. Served with raw and crispy onion, remoulade, sweet mustard, and ketchup. Bæjarins Beztu in Reykjavik is world-famous.
Tip: Order "eina með öllu" (one with everything). Bill Clinton ate here! Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is near Harpa concert hall.
Icelandic Skyr · Traditional
Thick, protein-rich dairy product — technically a soft cheese but eaten like yogurt. Slightly tangy, very filling. Iceland's superfood for over 1,000 years.
Tip: Try plain skyr with cream and berries (wild blueberries if in season). Available at every supermarket and most cafes. NOT yogurt — it's classified as cheese!
Fermented Greenland Shark · Traditional
Greenland shark buried for months until fermented, then hung to dry. Smells intensely of ammonia. A traditional dare food. Absolutely unique to Iceland.
Tip: Hold your nose and swallow quickly. Chase immediately with brennivín. Do it once for the story. Anthony Bourdain called it the single worst thing he ever ate.
Pickled Ram's Testicles · Traditional
Ram testicles cured in lactic acid and pressed into a cake. Traditional farmhouse food from times of using the whole animal.
Tip: Eaten at Þorrablót (midwinter feast in January/February). A genuine cultural experience if you're adventurous.
Singed Sheep's Head · Traditional
Sheep head seared to remove wool, then boiled and served halved. Brain removed. Eaten as a meal with mashed turnips.
Tip: Available at BSÍ bus terminal cafeteria in Reykjavik. A visual experience! Best cheek and tongue meat is the highlight.
Blood Sausage / Blood Pudding · Traditional
Traditional blood sausage made with sheep's blood, oats, and fat. Eaten at Þorrablót. Similar to British black pudding.
Tip: Part of the traditional Þorramatur platter. Pair with flatkaka bread.
Liver Sausage · Traditional
Icelandic liver sausage made from lamb liver, suet, and oats. Dense and strong-flavored. Traditional farmhouse food.
Tip: Another Þorrablót dish. Slice and eat with flatkaka. Earthy and filling.
Sour Whey-Pickled Ram Testicles · Traditional
Ram testicles preserved in sour whey (mysa). The traditional preservation method for winter food in Iceland before refrigeration.
Tip: Found at Þorrablót festivals and specialty food shops. The ultimate Icelandic adventurous eating challenge.
Icelandic Lamb Soup · Soups
The ultimate Icelandic comfort food. Slow-cooked lamb with root vegetables, turnips, carrots, potatoes. Thick, hearty, warming.
Tip: Perfect for cold Icelandic days. Often served with bread. Locals swear by it as a hangover cure too.
Langoustine Bisque · Soups
Rich, creamy soup made from Icelandic langoustine. Luxurious and deeply flavored. Among the finest soups in Scandinavia.
Tip: Try at Sægreifinn (Sea Baron) in Reykjavik harbor for the famous lobster soup in a bread bowl.
Fish Soup · Soups
Creamy fish chowder with mixed North Atlantic fish, potatoes, and cream. Hearty and satisfying.
Tip: The quality varies wildly. At good fish restaurants, this is exceptional. Ask locals for recommendations.
Carrot Soup · Soups
Smooth, warming carrot soup. Often spiced with ginger. A vegetarian-friendly option in Iceland.
Tip: Often vegan-adaptable. Ask if made with cream (rjómi) or vegetable stock to confirm vegan status.
Tomato Soup · Soups
Classic tomato soup, widely available. Often creamier than British or American versions.
Tip: A safe vegetarian option. Available even in rural Iceland where options may be limited.
Dark Rye Bread · Bread
Dense, sweet, dark rye bread cooked for 24 hours using geothermal heat near hot springs and geysers. One of the most unique foods on earth.
Tip: Try at Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal bakery where it's baked in pots buried in the ground. Eat with smoked salmon and butter. Unbelievable.
Flatbread · Bread
Thin, soft flatbread made from rye flour. Traditional unleavened bread cooked on a griddle. A staple for centuries.
Tip: Serve with butter and hangikjöt (smoked lamb) or skyr. The traditional combination.
Leaf Bread · Bread
Thin, intricately carved Christmas flatbread, deep-fried until crispy. Family tradition to carve the delicate patterns before Christmas.
Tip: Available December to January. Buy at bakeries or supermarkets during Christmas season. Beautiful to look at!
Bread · Bread
Generic term for bread. Icelandic bakeries produce excellent bread including sourdough and various grain varieties.
Tip: Icelandic bakeries (bakarí) are excellent. Fresh-baked bread with Icelandic butter is a simple pleasure.
Icelandic Sheet Cake · Desserts
Dense, fudgy chocolate sheet cake topped with thick vanilla or chocolate icing. Iceland's answer to brownies. Found everywhere — bakeries, petrol stations, cafes.
Tip: Grab a slice at any Icelandic petrol station (N1, Orkan) — surprisingly excellent. Best comfort food on a long drive.
Icelandic Pancakes · Desserts
Thin crepe-like pancakes, rolled with jam and whipped cream. Traditional Icelandic home cooking. Thinner than American pancakes, rolled not stacked.
Tip: A cherished Icelandic family tradition. Often homemade. At cafes, they're usually served with skyr and jam.
Fried Dough Twists · Desserts
Traditional twisted fried doughnut, slightly spiced with cardamom. A Christmas treat and year-round bakery staple. Crunchy outside, soft inside.
Tip: Found at every Icelandic bakery. Best eaten fresh and warm with coffee (kaffi).
Skyr Cheesecake · Desserts
Cheesecake made with Icelandic skyr instead of cream cheese. Lighter, tangier, and more nutritious than regular cheesecake.
Tip: A modern Icelandic dessert combining traditional skyr with international baking. Usually excellent in quality restaurants.
Ice Cream · Desserts
Ice cream is enormously popular in Iceland — locals eat it year-round, even in freezing temperatures! Local brands use Icelandic cream.
Tip: Icelanders eat more ice cream per capita than almost anywhere. Ís og Vatn in Reykjavik is beloved. Do not be shy in winter.
Happy Marriage Cake · Desserts
Traditional rye and oat cake filled with prune jam. The name means "happy marriage bliss." Dense, wholesome, not overly sweet.
Tip: A traditional Icelandic bake that's hard to find abroad. If you see it at a bakery, try a slice.
Love Bites Cream Cake · Desserts
Small cream-filled pastry or cake. The name means "love bites." A sweet treat at Icelandic bakeries.
Tip: Found in traditional Icelandic bakeries. A sweet, indulgent treat worth trying.
Cream · Desserts
Fresh Icelandic cream, very thick and rich. Often served alongside desserts or skyr.
Tip: Icelandic dairy is exceptional due to clean pastures. The cream is noticeably richer than many countries.
Potatoes · Sides
Potatoes are a staple side dish in Iceland. Often boiled, roasted, or mashed.
Tip: Icelandic potatoes are of good quality. Mashed with butter is a classic side.
Vegetables · Sides
Vegetables on Icelandic menus. Many grown locally in geothermal greenhouses — notably tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
Tip: Iceland grows impressive vegetables geothermally. Tomatoes and cucumbers from Friðheimar farm are exceptional.
Rice · Sides
Rice as a side dish. Available in most restaurants.
Tip: A gluten-free starch option when potatoes are not available.
Salad · Salads
Salad, often a side or starter. Icelandic restaurants increasingly offer sophisticated salad options.
Tip: Ask what dressing is used. Icelandic dressings can be creative. Confirm if vegan (veganskt).
Oatmeal / Porridge · Breakfast
Traditional Icelandic breakfast porridge. Thick oatmeal, often served with skyr, jam, or brown sugar.
Tip: A warming, traditional breakfast. Add skyr on top for extra protein — locals do this often.
Eggs · Breakfast
Eggs cooked various ways. Free-range Icelandic eggs are available.
Tip: Icelandic hens are well-cared for. Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon is an excellent breakfast.
Butter · Breakfast
Icelandic butter from grass-fed cows. Rich, high-fat, and notably delicious.
Tip: Icelandic butter is exceptional. On rúgbrauð or flatkaka, it's outstanding.
Skyr Drink / Skyr Smoothie · Breakfast
Drinkable skyr blended with fruit. A popular on-the-go breakfast and snack in Iceland.
Tip: Available in all supermarkets and petrol stations. High protein, convenient for hiking days.
Breakfast · Breakfast
The generic Icelandic word for breakfast. Hotel buffets often include skyr, cured meats, rye bread, eggs, and pastries.
Tip: Icelandic hotel buffet breakfasts (included in many packages) are typically generous and worth eating well before a day of driving.
Black Death Schnapps · Beverages
Iceland's signature spirit. Caraway-flavored aquavit nicknamed Black Death. Made from fermented grain with caraway seeds. 37.5% ABV.
Tip: The traditional chaser with hákarl. Try a shot at least once. Look for the distinctive black label.
Beer · Beverages
Icelandic craft beer has boomed since prohibition ended in 1989. Borg Brugghús, Víking, and Egill are major local breweries.
Tip: Beer was illegal in Iceland until 1989! Try a local craft beer. Borg Brewery makes excellent IPAs.
Wine · Beverages
Wine is widely available. All wine is imported as grapes do not grow in Iceland.
Tip: Wine is expensive in Iceland due to import duties. House wine (húsvín) is usually the best value.
Coffee · Beverages
Icelanders are among the top coffee consumers per capita worldwide. Coffee culture is strong and quality is high.
Tip: Reykjavik has excellent specialty coffee shops. Kaffitár and Reykjavik Roasters are top local roasters.
Tea · Beverages
Tea is widely available. Iceland also has native herbs like arctic thyme used in herbal teas.
Tip: Ask for herbal tea (jurtate) for a local flavor. Arctic thyme tea is uniquely Icelandic.
Water · Beverages
Iceland has the purest tap water in the world. Straight from glacial springs. Do NOT buy bottled water — tap water is exceptional.
Tip: ALWAYS drink tap water. Asking for bottled water is considered wasteful in Iceland. Save money and the planet!
Milk · Beverages
Icelandic whole milk from grass-fed cows. Noticeably rich and creamy.
Tip: Try full-fat Icelandic milk (nýmjólk) — it's noticeably richer than in many countries due to the cows' diet.
Orange Juice · Beverages
Orange juice. All imported as citrus cannot grow in Iceland.
Tip: Available everywhere. Nothing particularly Icelandic about it!
Apple Juice · Beverages
Apple juice, widely available. A good alcohol-free option at restaurants.
Tip: A good alcohol-free option at restaurants.
Alcohol (general) · Beverages
General term for alcoholic beverages. Iceland only sells alcohol in state-run Vínbúðin stores and licensed restaurants.
Tip: Buy alcohol at Vínbúðin (state liquor store) before going to restaurants — bar prices are very expensive.
Non-Alcoholic Beer · Beverages
Non-alcoholic beer, increasingly available in Iceland. Good option for drivers on the Ring Road.
Tip: Important for self-drive trips! Icelandic zero-tolerance drunk driving laws make this a smart choice.
Curated by locals. Do not leave without trying these.
From Bæjarins Beztu — world famous. Order "eina með öllu"
Plain with cream and berries. It's technically a cheese, not yogurt!
Warming, hearty, and quintessentially Icelandic
Best in Höfn. Rich and sweet — not what you think 'lobster' means!
Iceland's original snack. Eat with butter.
Even at petrol stations. Fudgy, dense, perfect.
Baked underground using volcanic heat. Laugarvatn Fontana is the best.
Iceland's Christmas dish. Smoky, tender, unforgettable.
At any bakery. Cardamom-spiced and crispy.
Just once! Chase it with hákarl if you dare.
Read this to avoid surprises at the table.
Whale is on menus but...
Minke whale is legal in Iceland but controversial. Most whale eaten in Iceland is purchased by tourists, not locals. Consider the ethics before ordering.
Puffin numbers are declining
Puffin populations have dropped sharply due to climate change affecting their food supply. Many Icelanders no longer hunt puffins.
"Humar" is NOT what you think
"Humar" means langoustine (a small Norway lobster), NOT the large American lobster. It's still delicious — just smaller and sweeter!
Skyr is technically cheese
Despite looking and tasting like thick yogurt, skyr is classified as a soft cheese. Made with skim milk and cultures.
Hot dogs are serious business
The Icelandic pylsur is a point of national pride. Made with lamb-pork-beef blend. Bæjarins Beztu has been serving them since 1937. Even Bill Clinton stopped in.
Tap any card to copy the Icelandic phrase. Show your phone to the waiter.
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Everything you need to know about eating in Iceland.
Covers 120+ Icelandic menu items · Dietary info is approximate — always confirm with staff for allergies