Reykjavik, the vibrant capital of Iceland, is not only known for its stunning landscapes but also its unique and delicious culinary scene. During a recent visit, we embarked on a food adventure, exploring various eateries and flavors, from traditional cafes to bustling food halls and cozy restaurants. Our journey provided a taste of authentic Icelandic fare, highlighting the must-try “Icelandic Street Food” experience and much more.
Our day began at Cafe Loki, a charming spot in the heart of Reykjavik renowned for its homemade traditional Icelandic food. Needing to fuel up before exploring the city, it proved to be the perfect breakfast stop.
A cozy corner in Cafe Loki, Reykjavik, filled with patrons enjoying traditional Icelandic breakfast
The menu offered a delightful array of Icelandic breakfast staples. For myself, a simple yet satisfying bagel with cream cheese and chives was the choice.
A close-up of a bagel with cream cheese and chives, a classic breakfast option at Cafe Loki
Adrienne opted for the homemade rye bread, a staple in Icelandic cuisine, topped with egg and herring, a traditional and flavorful combination.
Homemade Icelandic rye bread topped with egg and herring, showcasing a traditional breakfast choice
Eric, joining in the traditional breakfast experience, chose the homemade rye bread with cold-smoked trout, another popular Icelandic delicacy.
Rye bread with cold-smoked trout, presenting another variation of traditional Icelandic breakfast at Cafe Loki
For a taste of Reykjavik’s dynamic food scene, we ventured into Posthus Matholl Food Hall. This bustling hub in the city center is more than just a typical food hall; it’s a vibrant showcase of Reykjavik’s culinary diversity, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
The lively interior of Posthus Matholl Food Hall in Reykjavik, filled with various food stalls and people
The beauty of a food hall lies in its variety, allowing everyone to satisfy their individual cravings. Surprisingly, Eric went for a hamburger, which turned out to be a great choice, especially with the exceptional fries we couldn’t stop snacking on.
A juicy hamburger with golden fries at Posthus Matholl, highlighting diverse food options available
Pizza was my pick, and it was a delicious one – visually appealing, wonderfully aromatic, and incredibly tasty.
A tempting pizza at Posthus Matholl, showcasing international food choices within the Icelandic food scene
Adrienne’s choice of salmon proved to be the winner of the evening, perfectly cooked and flavorful, as confirmed by Eric.
Perfectly cooked salmon dish at Posthus Matholl, representing a healthy and delicious meal option
Wine for Adrienne and beer for me perfectly complemented our diverse meal choices at the food hall.
Wine and beer glasses accompanying a meal at Posthus Matholl, enhancing the dining experience
Despite the chilly and windy weather, we continued our exploration of Reykjavik, which included some shopping and sightseeing. A stop at a local brewery provided a welcome respite to warm up and enjoy some salty snacks.
The cozy ambiance of a local brewery in Reykjavik, offering a warm escape from the cold weather
The brewery offered a selection of local brews, allowing us to sample Icelandic beers. True to Icelandic custom, every stop included a bottle of Icelandic water. The salty snacks served were incredibly moreish, leading to a friendly fight over the last crumbs.
A bowl of salty snacks and Icelandic beer at a local brewery, a perfect combination for a break
Amidst discussions about the next dining destination, we enjoyed the quiet afternoon in the brewery.
Friends relaxing and chatting at a brewery in Reykjavik, enjoying local drinks and snacks
As a light drizzle turned into a downpour, we sought refuge in Messinn Seafood Restaurant, located along one of Reykjavik’s main streets. Having visited five years prior on a food tour, we were eager to return. Messinn specializes in “fish pans,” serving freshly cooked fish straight from the kitchen with butter-fried potatoes and vegetables.
The inviting entrance of Messinn Seafood Restaurant in Reykjavik, promising a warm seafood dining experience
Eric opted for the “Cod Tung” fish pan, featuring cod cheeks. He noted the similarity to dishes from the Gulf coast but appreciated the unique fatty texture of the cold-water fish.
Cod Tung fish pan at Messinn Restaurant, showcasing a unique Icelandic seafood dish with cod cheeks
Adrienne chose the Artic Char fish pan, another excellent example of Icelandic seafood cuisine.
Arctic Char fish pan at Messinn Restaurant, highlighting another popular Icelandic fish dish
The damp weather made the langoustine fish soup particularly appealing. Topped with a dollop of cream and accompanied by a bread basket, it was the perfect comforting choice.
Langoustine fish soup with cream and a bread basket at Messinn, a comforting and warming meal choice
A close-up of the creamy langoustine soup at Messinn, emphasizing the rich texture and flavor
The final culinary highlight of this post, and a must-try for anyone visiting Reykjavik, was Icelandic Street Food, conveniently located just around the corner from our apartment.
The storefront of Icelandic Street Food in Reykjavik, advertising traditional Icelandic fast food
Billed as offering flavorful food at reasonable prices in downtown Reykjavik, Icelandic Street Food specializes in traditional Icelandic meat soup. Their website proclaims them as the first fast-food concept in Iceland dedicated to traditional dishes, a family-owned business using grandmother’s recipes.
The counter area at Icelandic Street Food, with vats of soup and friendly staff ready to serve
Orders are placed at the counter, and you are called when your food is ready. We chose to sit at the bar, right in front of the vats of soup, immersing ourselves in the bustling atmosphere.
The bar seating area at Icelandic Street Food, offering a view of the soup preparations and lively environment
While waiting, Eric playfully photobombed my shot as I enjoyed an Einstok White Ale.
A person enjoying an Einstok White Ale at Icelandic Street Food, showcasing beverage options
A popular option is to have your soup served in a bread bowl, which I gladly chose for my lamb soup, filled with potatoes, carrots, and root vegetables.
Lamb soup served in a bread bowl at Icelandic Street Food, a hearty and traditional Icelandic meal
Eric selected the Shellfish soup, a flavorful broth made from langoustine and filled with Icelandic scallops and shrimps.
Shellfish soup at Icelandic Street Food, featuring langoustine broth, scallops, and shrimps
Adding to the appeal, refills at Icelandic Street Food are free, making it an incredibly value-for-money dining experience.
Along one wall, a small self-service station drew considerable attention with a notice about free waffles.
A sign indicating free waffles at the self-service station in Icelandic Street Food, attracting customer attention
The waffle station was indeed a “zoo,” with customers eagerly awaiting fresh waffles straight off the iron.
Customers crowding around the waffle station at Icelandic Street Food, eager for fresh waffles
Freshly made waffles at Icelandic Street Food, a popular complimentary dessert option
Toppings like sugar or fruit jam were available to add a touch of sweetness to the freshly made waffles.
Waffles topped with sugar and jam at Icelandic Street Food, offering simple yet delightful dessert options
This delightful culinary exploration occurred on the night originally planned for our Northern Lights tour, which unfortunately was cancelled.
A cancellation notice for the Northern Lights tour, impacting evening plans in Iceland
Despite the tour cancellation, our food adventures in Reykjavik provided a memorable and delicious experience, with “Icelandic street food” and the diverse culinary scene leaving a lasting impression. We look forward to hopefully rebooking the Northern Lights tour on our next visit!
