Reykjavik doesn’t spring to mind when you think amazing food. That’s where you’d be wrong. Iceland’s capital is full of amazing places to eat, drink and be merry. From Icelandic delicacies to Michelin star cuisine, Hayley Goerisch knows the best places to eat and drink in Reykjavik.
Known for traditional delicacies such as fermented shark, puffin and minke whale, Iceland may not seem like a foodie destination, but it has so much more to offer: delicious baked goods, some of the best hot dogs in Europe and top-notch fine dining destinations.
Hayley Goerisch knows where to go to sample everything from Icelandic delicacies to Michelin star cuisine. Read this before you visit. Side note: While in Reykjavik, make your base the design-led 101 Hotel in Reykjavik and start exploring this food mecca.
CINNAMON ROLLS AND OTHER FRESHLY BAKED GOODS
Down the street from the iconic Hallgrimskirkja is Brauð and Co. They serve delicious freshly baked treats such as cinnamon rolls and cinnamon cake throughout the day. Sandholt Bakari opens earlier than most restaurants and businesses in Reykjavik, which makes it a great place to eat before heading off to explore the countryside. The restaurant has both a take out bakery section and a more formal sit down area. The menu focuses on items made with their freshly baked breads, such as toast with seasonal jam and butter or a breakfast sandwich with egg and potato salad, ham and sauerkraut.
BILL CLINTON’S FAVOURITE LAMB HOT DOGS
Photo credit: Baejarins Beztu Pylsur
Iceland takes its hot dogs very seriously (as do we); they even have a special hot dog mustard. The sausages are thin, made from lamb and have quite a snap. The most famous of Reykjavik’s hot dog establishments is Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, which translates to best hot dog in town. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton famously ordered a hot dog with only mustard, but it’s recommended you try one with everything on it: sweet brown mustard, remoulade sauce, ketchup, fried onions and raw onions.
ICELANDIC GROCERY SHOPPING
Photo credit: Kolaportid Flea Market
Food can get expensive in Iceland and if you’re staying at a place with a kitchen, such as an AirBnB, then cooking your own meals can cut back on expenses. Grocery stores and convenience stores are all over Reykjavik. Some of the most common are Bonus, Kronan, Netto, and Hagkaup. Bonus is recognizable by its winking pig logo and runs cheap. Kronan has a wider selection than Bonus and includes a section for people with dietary restrictions. Netto is out of the northern city of Akureyri and has just started showing up in the rest of the country, though the store in Reykjavik has been around for a while. Hagkaup is a supermarket where you can find items such as cosmetics and home appliances in addition to groceries.
To shop for more traditional Icelandic food items, go to Kolaportid Flea Market, an indoor food market that sells traditional items such as pickled ram’s testicles, fermented shark and birch cheese… all an acquired taste, we should add.
QUICK, CHEAP, AND MULTICULTURAL OPTIONS
Reykjavik offers more than just cinnamon rolls, hot dogs, and traditional Icelandic food. Grab a falafel at Mandi, a curry from Shalimar (they have a lunch Curry in a Hurry special that includes a small portion of their daily curry with rice and naan), or a slice at Deli. All three offer lunch specials for less than 1000 ISK (a.k.a. cheap).
MICHELIN STAR FINE DINING
Photo credit: Perlan restaurant
Easily considered the best restaurant in Reykjavik, Michelin Starred Dill is known as the center of New Nordic fare in Iceland. With a seasonal menu that features items such as wild goose, tusk, reindeer, and homemade birch liqueur, Dill is a destination for food lovers and adventurous eaters. Seafood lovers should head over to Fiskfelagid located in the basement of the historic Zimsen building. Their menu features outstanding local seafood and dishes from around the world. For stunning 360 degree views of Reykjavik with a four course meal or wild game buffet, diners should head over to Perlan on top of Oskjuhlio hill.
Where was your favourite place to eat in Reykjavik? Tweet us @travioor or post a comment on Travioor’s Facebook page and tell us about your experience.
Originally published at www.travioor.com.
