Where to Eat in Reykjavik

      At some point while you are in Iceland there will be the urge to eat some of the traditional “delicacies” that have been made famous by previous travelers and their Instagram posts.   You’ll be able to find opportunities to try everything from sheep’s head to fermented shark, dried fish to puffin, if you so desire.   

     But you need not go hungry if your preferences land closer inside the traditional culinary box.  My top choice in Reykjavik is actually a little hole-in-the-wall soup joint called “Icelandic Street Food”.  The menu is simple.  You can choose a Fisherman’s Stew, a Lamb Soup or a Shellfish Soup - each one served in a rye bread bowl.  This is true, everyday Icelandic food, and the proprietors offer free refills to everyone, and a special pancake or marriage cake as dessert.

     The area just north of the parliament holds a number of Irish pubs, American burger joints, Italian pasta restaurants and takeout pizza vendors.  While I’d skip the most egregiously international chain restaurants, if you are hankering for home… swing into the PostHus Food Hall to find a local version of your favorite foods.

     Extending east from this area, walking across Laekjargata Street, you’ll connect first to Bankistraeti and then Laugarvegur Street and Skolavordistigur Street (painted in rainbow colors). These are the main walking arteries of downtown Reykjavik, and you’ll find plenty of other options - from gastropubs to cat cafes to fine dining to ice cream shops - within a few blocks of either of these streets.

      Finally, no matter what you do, every day in Iceland should include a sampling of one of their many varieties of dairy products.  Try them all, and see if you end up falling in love with Thykkmjolk and Skyr like I have.  Your morning breakfast will never taste the same.