country Essentials · 13 foods
Iceland Essentials
A considered first route through Iceland: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Iceland foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
13 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Iceland
Kjötsúpa
Lamb, barley, roots, and herbs make Iceland’s beloved everyday soup.
Westfjords, Iceland
Hákarl
Kæstur hákarl
Months-cured fermented Greenland shark is Iceland’s Þorrablót cultural icon.
Iceland
Icelandic Hot Dog
Pylsur
Lamb hot dogs with onions and sauces are Iceland’s beloved street food.
Iceland
Skyr
Thick high-protein cultured dairy is Iceland’s ancient everyday staple.
Iceland
Rúgbrauð
Sweet dark rye bread baked underground in geothermal heat is distinctly Icelandic.
Iceland
Hangikjöt
Smoke-cured lamb is Iceland’s traditional Christmas and everyday meat.
Iceland
Brennivín
Caraway potato schnapps is Iceland’s traditional national drink.
Westfjords, Iceland
Harðfiskur
Wind-dried cod or haddock with butter is Iceland’s ancient snack.
Iceland
Plokkfiskur
Mashed cod, potatoes, and béchamel define Iceland’s comfort-food classic.
East Iceland, Iceland
Humar
Sweet North Atlantic langoustine is Iceland’s prized coastal delicacy.
Iceland
Kaest Skata
Kæst skata
Fermented skate, pungent and Westfjords-linked, belongs to Iceland’s Þorrablót.
Iceland
Vinarterta
Vínarterta
Layered cardamom-prune cake is an Icelandic Christmas and diaspora classic.
Faroe Islands
Pönnukökur
Íslenskar pönnukökur
Thin Icelandic pancakes with sugar and jam are a daily festive treat.