Where to eat: Reykjavik, Iceland

I understand that your first thoughts of Iceland isn’t the food scene but more the scenery and adventures that lie ahead of you, and thats fair. Iceland is one of the most beautiful and magical places I’ve ever been to, and its a different world in every season. With that said, that doesn’t mean you should write off there food scene. In fact theres a lot of hidden gems around the country. The dairy program they have on the island is incredible, some of the best butter and milk products I’ve ever had. Which, in turn makes for some pretty delectable pastries..

Icelandic Fish & Chips

First on the list is Icelandic Fish & Chips. It’s no surprise that fish takes center stage majority of the time in Iceland given its within the islands nature. Super fresh and crispy fried Hake with a side of chips and sauces only run you about $18USD here and it’s some of the best I’ve had EVER. Hake was fresh, insanely crispy with an airy fry and super flakey and buttery

Sauces: Lemon & Dill- Basil & Garlic- Tart

Braud & Co.

Like I said, the dairy program out here is unreal. Infact all of there programs are set into place so naturally that it goes pretty unrivaled against anything i’ve ever seen. Why don’t we have that in the states. Aside from their incredible dairy and eggs, take the lamb industry for example. They have one major lamb pruveyor that handles most of the lamb grown on the whole island. The company has been around since the late 800’s, yes the 800’s, and has an agreement with local farms and land owners to just let there animals roam free eating whatever and wherever they please. Such a natural and organic approach to farming that isn’t dependent on the quantity or return that normal food and agricultural systems struggle to keep up with cough cough *America* .

Really any bakery you go to is going to surprise you, but my favorite- paired with a great cup of coffee, is Braud & Co. Flakey buttery pastries that leave your mouth asking for more… and thats coming from the ex CDP of viennoiserie for Bouchon Bakery.

Messin

Messin was high on my list when researching restaurants and should be high on yours too. A classic fish restaurant that hasn’t changed much since opening decades ago. This restaurant focus’s on fish centered dishes or as they like to call “Fish Plates”.

We started by grabbing an appetizer to split, smoked salmon with a dill cream cheese in a cucumber cup. Nothing out of the box but the flavors really shined from the fresh ingredients.

Second, we ordered an Arctic char fish plate. A big roasting pan hits our table sitting on a trivet filled with potatoes, tomatoes, an arugula salad and of course, 4 thick filets of Arctic char dressed with honey and almond. A filling yet light and refreshing meal to warm up from Icelands cold weather.

Baejarins Betau Pylsur

This restaurant will keep popping up the more you search Iceland, and obviously for good reason. You see Icelands national dish is the hotdog, yes the hotdog. This isn’t an American hotdog; when you think of hotdogs in the states you think of quick cheap eats on the side of the street, in your back yard or at a ball game. Theres also dozens and dozens of different brands making hot dogs here to compliment our many favored textures and styles.

Well in Iceland, 90% of all the hot dogs you are to find comes from the same company, and there all lamb based (yum). Meaning consistency across the island in quality remains pretty high; the same hotdog you’ll get here is the same hotdog you’ll get at a gas station. So what sets them apart?

Well this little stand in the middle of the city of Reykjavik has been here since the early 1930’s. The sauces and accompaniments they use are all homemade and are slightly different then the commercial ones most businesses buy. And for that, you should definitely schedule Baejarins Betau in your dining itinerary.

Dairy

As I’ve said over and over, the dairy out here is insane, which only means their cheese is on another level. Any store you go to or cheese monger you find, stop in and look around. The smell alone from these aging beauties will lock you in like a drug. Sample everything you possibly can!

Matur OG Drykkur

This place was very special and was certainly the best food we had eaten on our trip. Classic survival Scandinavian cuisine, which normally doesn’t have a reputation other than living off the land and sustaining you, is done here with a modern twist. There will be a follow up piece foley on this restaurant coming in the next week, stay tuned.