Calling all foodies! While everyone is already familiar with Iceland’s dramatic natural beauty, many are not familiar with all of the amazing Icelandic food the country has to offer. Get your tastebuds ready to eat your way through Iceland! We have come up with the top 8 dishes you must try during your next time in stunning Iceland:

1. Craft Beer

A foodie cannot complete their trip to Iceland without tasting a selection of the wide variety of craft beer Iceland has to offer. Iceland originally had a ban on beer until 1989, but since then the local craft beer industry has taken off. Microbar is one of the oldest craft beer bars in Iceland and offers 10 different beers on draught in addition to over 80 different kinds of bottled beers.

2. Lamb

In a country that has an equivalent population of 4 lambs per person, it is of little surprise that lamb is one of the most popular dishes in Iceland. You can find it prepared everywhere from gas stations to 5-star restaurants. After a day of exploring freezing glaciers, a bowl of lamb stew is the perfect dish to warm you back up. For a hearty, traditional preparation of this dish, try Íslenski Barinn in Reykjavík.

3. Rye Bread

Icelandic rye bread is a staple for the local cuisine. You’ll never get bored of it since there are a million different ways to enjoy it. Try it chopped and blended in ice cream or topped with cream cheese and salmon. The most popular way amongst locals is cooking it for a full day 30cm underground next to a bubbling geyser. This method of cooking makes the bread super soft and spongy. It is often made sweet with additional sugar added into the dough. This special method is home to the Laugavautn Wellness Resort and Geothermal bakery near the popular hot springs.

4. Lobster Soup

Lobster soup is claimed as being one of the best dishes in the world. With its blend of creaminess and spice, this tasty meal is known to pair well with a glass of white wine. Sea Baron in Reykjavík’s old harbor is known to offer the best lobster soup in Iceland. This sea shack filled with nautical decorations will leave you wanting more with its classic and creamy recipe that has been passed down from the fisherman that once opened this popular restaurant many years ago. Don’t be surprised if the line is out the door and filled with hungry tourists from all over the world. This dish makes a great snack if you need a midday pick-me-up. If you are looking for a tad more substance, grab a grilled skewer of fish from the restaurant as well. 

5. Reykjavik's Hot Dog

This hot dog is not your ordinary hot dog. This popular late-night snack is a mix of beef, lamb, and pork and topped with sweet mustard, ketchup, raw onions, crispy deep-fried onions, and creamy remoulade. The most popular spot in Reykjavik to taste this dish is none other than Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a tiny hotdog cart that has been in business for over 60 years. Be prepared to wait in a long line of people wrapped around the corner of the stand, all waiting to try a delicious bite. Bring along some small bills with you to help move the line along and do yourself a favor and order 2 since you’ll definitely be left wanting more after your first. 

6. Fermented Shark

Not known for being one of the tastiest dishes Iceland has to offer, fermented shark is best enjoyed by visitors wanting to go all-in on experiencing the Icelandic heritage. Once a part of Iceland’s daily cuisine, this dish was once popular since it could survive the long, harsh winters. Although this practice is outdated and no longer utilized, the shark used to be soaked in urine and placed underground to ‘ferment’. Luckily, today if you are looking to try this dish you can head to the restaurant, Þrír Frakkar Baldursgata, where they ferment the shark in vinegar and other natural ingredients. The restaurant is known to pair the shark with a ‘shot of black death’, a sample of unsweetened schnapps to help the strong smell and flavor of the shark go down smoother. Another spot to try fermented shark is at the Kolaportid flea market in Reykjavik. Merchants often pass out samples to tourists looking to indulge in this traditional Icelandic snack.

7. Skyr

The beloved Icelandic yogurt, skyr, is a thick and creamy dairy product that is similar to Greek yogurt. Best described as a mix between yogurt and cottage cheese, it is made from pasteurized skim milk and a bacteria culture. This dish is often served with granola and tart berry jam. Try it with sugar or how the locals love it, au natural.

8. Puffin

Iceland is home to the largest puffin colony in the world and is known for this delicacy of a dish. With Iceland being the only country in the world where you can hunt this bird, for those foodies interested, it is an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on. While puffins are hunted from September to April, this dish is typically most eaten at the end of summer, in August. This dish is most popularly prepared in a sweet milk sauce made up of bacon, butter, milk, and jelly. It is best served with caramelized potatoes and boiled vegetables. The most recognized place to try this dish in Reykjavik is at the restaurant, Three Coats. The puffin there is known to be served tender and delicate and with a side of house-made mustard.  

Which Icelandic dish are you most excited to try? Are you brave enough to taste the fermented shark? If you’ve been to Iceland before and we’ve missed your favorite, let us know in the comments below! Let ACanela plan your next foodie adventure to Iceland today!

 Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak