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Why Iceland is a must-go destination for foodies

Heading to Iceland? Here's where to get your foodie fix.

A country where fermented shark is a delicacy is not usually a place associated with haute cuisine. But that’s all set to change as Iceland’s capital city Reykjavik is fast becoming the travelling foodie’s must-go destination.


The Scandinavian countries have long been top of the list for those keen to explore more than just the sights on offer thanks to their experimental kitchen techniques. And as the trend for food and drink tourism grows, with over 50% of tourists now seeking out destinations based on their artisanal offerings – according to a study by Mandala Research - Reykjavik’s the perfect place to start.


Icelanders have long been reliant on their imaginations in the kitchen. After all, the island is essentially a frigid arctic wasteland, reliant on greenhouses and geothermal energy to provide heat for cooking. Their ancestors had to forage for food and make do with fermented fish and vegetables for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 365 days a year.


However, over the past five years this traditional, hunter-gatherer approach has been ushered into the modern Reykjavik dining scene. The city packs a punch when it comes to edible offerings - with everything from horse (bear with us, it’s delicious honestly!) to puffin (yes, really) and everything in between. It’s one of the few places in the world not to have a McDonalds and it more than makes up for it with its varied, unique gastronomical experience.


Here’s a guide to some of the best places to eat in Reykjavik at every time of the day.

BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH

Grai Kotturinn aka ‘The Grey Cat’ serves up brunch favourites like eggs, pancakes and bagels alongside great coffee in a dimly-lit book shop-style-café. The perfect place to sit back, relax and read the excellent English language entertainment listings newspaper Grapevine and decide on the day’s plan. Coffee is done properly in Reykjavik - as the Icelander’s take their caffeine fix very seriously. So ditch that tea habit and team your espresso with a delectable whipped cream and jam smothered waffle at Mokka-Kaffi, where the space doubles as an art gallery. Or take some grounds home with you as a delicious souvenir from Reykjavik Roasters.

LUNCH AND LIGHT BITES

Kolaportid flea market is a vintage and foodie lover’s heaven. Open Saturday and Sunday 11am – 5pm, it’s awash with stalls selling traditional Icelandic ingredients and snacks, ideal for lunch on the go while out exploring.

Most tourist attractions while fabulous, don’t offer a menu at reasonable prices to match. But Lava rips up the rule book. After a relaxing soak at the famous Blue Lagoon, a series of natural geothermal pools about 45 minutes from Reykjavik, throw on your robe and head up for the sumptuous buffet lunch in the summer, and an a la carte menu in the winter months with out-of-this-world views of the steaming milky pools below.

The best antidote to the chilly weather, Saegreifinn by the marina serves a no-frills lobster soup, eaten school dinner hall style squished up next to strangers on long benches. Trust us, it’s worth it.

After a few drinks, join the inevitable queue at Baejarins Beztu for a juicy pylsur – that’s a hotdog to you and I. Best served ‘eina meo ollu’ (with all the trimmings) including fried onions, remoulade, mustard and ketchup. An Icelandic staple, the unassuming cart opened in 1937 and has been named the best hotdog in the world. And we’re not going to argue with that. It’s estimated that over 70% of the country’s population have eaten here.

At Kaffibarinn, a hip pub owned by Blur’s Damon Albarn, cheese boards and waffles are free, so long as you are buying a drink. What’s not to love?

DINNER

If you’re a fan of burgers (who isn’t?) you’ve come to the right place. Kex Hostel’s Saemundur gastro pub serves up juicy free range Icelandic beef patties in a converted old biscuit warehouse.

Meanwhile, Lebowski Bar offers them up alongside a list of lip-smacking sides and over 30 to-die-for milkshake variations.

After a bargain bite? Vitabar does the famous Forget-Me-Not Burger – complete with lashings of blue cheese and garlic sauce.

For a burger with a difference, head to Grillmarkadurinn for the mini sliders sampler menu featuring whale, puffin and lobster. This fancy Michelin starred dining spot also serves up the tenderest steak we’ve ever tried – albeit horse not beef – in uber-swish surroundings.


If you fancy splashing out, there’s no better place than Dill. Opt for the delicious tasting menu full of foraged, local ingredients such as Arctic char with pickled vegetables and baked beetroot for the full Icelandic gastronomic experience.

AND TO DRINK...

Beer was illegal in Iceland until 1989 – so it only seems right to make up for it with a hop-tastic bar crawl. The main strip of Laugavegur is awash with coffee shops, bars and restaurants – ideal for refuelling after all that walking. Check out hipster havens Bar 11, Bunk Bar and Micro Bar in our very own CenterHotel Plaza – a craft brewery with an extensive tasting menu.

For something a bit more special, head to Slippbarinn in the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina where cocktails are the order of the day. Bar Apotek, a former apothecary sees award-winning ‘pharmacists’ serve up imaginative tipples whilst Perlan, a grand glass domed revolving building houses a chic cocktail bar with stunning panoramic views across the city.

Alcohol prices can be high in Iceland but most bars offer happy hour discounts. Download the Appy Hour app to let you know where the best deals are. A great souvenir to take home is Topas or Ópa, local liquorice liqueurs. Much better than a fridge magnet.

SPECIALITIES

They’re not for everyone, but it’s all about immersing yourself in the local culture when travelling, right? Take a break from the hotel buffet and sample all the local delicacies in bite-size portions (perfect if fermented shark isn’t usually your bag) at Tapasbarinn where the tapas style menu lets you sample 7 courses including puffin, whale and traditional skyr yoghurt for dessert for just £44.

And if you’re feeling really brave try Hakarl (fermented shark) at Café Loki, washed down with a shot of Brennevin, a local aniseed infused spirit.
Sound appetising?

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Author: Emma Hunt

Last updated: 14.09.2016

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