What to Eat in Iceland

Icelandic cuisine is built on what the land and sea provide: free-range lamb, fresh-caught fish, and dairy, shaped by centuries of preserving food through long winters. Here are the dishes to look for — and the brave ones to know about.

The staples

• Lamb — Icelandic sheep roam free all summer, giving the lamb its prized flavour. It turns up roasted, in soups, and smoked (hangikjöt).
• Seafood — cod, haddock, Arctic char, and langoustine (Icelandic “lobster”) are abundant and fresh. Plokkfiskur, a comforting fish stew, is a classic.
• Skyr — a thick, protein-rich cultured dairy product (technically a soft cheese) eaten like yogurt, and a national staple for centuries.
• Rye bread — dense, dark, slightly sweet rúgbrauð. In geothermal areas it’s famously baked underground using the earth’s heat (hverabrauð).

The everyday icon

• The Icelandic hot dog (pylsur) — made mostly of lamb, served with crispy and raw onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade. A beloved, inexpensive national snack you’ll find everywhere.

The adventurous classics

• Hákarl — fermented Greenland shark, an acquired taste and a rite of passage for adventurous eaters.
• Brennivín — the signature Icelandic spirit, a caraway schnapps nicknamed “Black Death,” traditionally drunk alongside hákarl. More on it in Icelandic beer, spirits & brewery tours.

Where to try it all

A guided food walking tour is the easiest way to sample several of these in one go, with a local guide to explain each. Reykjavík’s restaurants and bakeries cover the rest.

Frequently asked questions

What food is Iceland known for? Lamb, fresh seafood, skyr, and dense rye bread are the staples, while the lamb hot dog (pylsur) is the everyday icon. Fermented shark (hákarl) is the famous adventurous classic.

What is skyr? A thick, tangy cultured dairy product, technically a soft cheese but eaten like yogurt. High in protein and low in fat, it’s been an Icelandic staple for centuries.

Is Icelandic food expensive? Eating out in Iceland tends to be pricey, but there are affordable icons — the lamb hot dog above all — and a guided tasting tour can be a good-value way to try several dishes at once.

Taste your way through it on a food & drink tour, or start with the best food & drink tours in Iceland.