Hot dogs are the national food
Bæjarins Beztu (the famous Reykjavik stand) serves lamb hot dogs with raw onion, crispy onion, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade. Bill Clinton ate here. Order 'eina með öllu' (one with everything).
🍜 Food & drink in Iceland
Food in Iceland is woven into daily life — how you order, when you eat, what you tip, and which dishes locals reach for on a Tuesday night versus a weekend out.
In Iceland, food & drink comes down to a few things: hot dogs are the national food, seafood is exceptional, and skyr is not yogurt.
Seafood is exceptional
Icelandic cod, Arctic char, langoustine, and minke whale (controversial). Fish restaurants in Reykjavik are expensive but outstanding. The harbor in Akureyri has fresher, cheaper options.
Skyr is not yogurt
It's a cultured dairy product — thicker, higher protein, and distinctly Icelandic. Eaten for breakfast with berries and granola. Available everywhere. It's been made here for 1,000+ years.