Top 5 cheap eats in Reykjavik (that don’t leave you hungry)
Writing and photography: Taylor Holmes
The first adventure. Something about it seems so recent, yet so long ago. This trip to Iceland, for our honeymoon, was what kick started a passion for both Katelyn and I. Neither of us had ever left North America before and we’d always seen the stunning imagery of Iceland in photos online. The volcanoes, glaciers, moody skies…. and food!
Our love for each other is rivaled only by our love of food, which has always brought us together. From classic and modernistic culinary styles, to historical Viking bites that my mother would refer to as “Food based on a dare”. We were ready to try whatever lay ahead of us, on this mysterious mist shrouded island.
1: Snakk Barrin
After wandering downtown Reykjavik a short while, we found ourselves looking for a bite and perhaps a drink. We decided to stop in at a small tapas restaurant, with a broad and diverse menu. We were excited to try some local beer and liquor along with our meals. We tried Viking brand beer, somewhat similar to Canadian back home. Light and easy drinking, without challenging the drinker. Simple and crushable.
Along with our new drinks, we ordered a few platters of small snacks, served artfully in mason jars. Everything from cod fritters and fried fish balls to the traditional Icelandic delicacy: Hakarl, which I will further discuss later
From sweet potato fries and fish balls (center two of the left tray) to minke whale tartare and fermented Greenland shark, hakarl (Center two of the right tray).
2: Pylsur
You can’t talk about Icelandic food without talking about the world famous Icelandic hotdog, pylsur. This is almost kind of a fast food staple in the country.
I’d like to make note that fast food franchises in Iceland are not terribly common. The one we happened to see the most often was Subway. I noted one Dominos, and a KFC while we were there as well. Not that there isn’t convenient and tasty food available, there just seems to be healthier options more regularly available from the corner stores / grocery stores.
Probably one of the most common types of fast food we found in Reykjavik was hot dogs. Specifically, the trademark Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. What separates these delectable dogs from the competition is: the inclusion of lamb meat in the dog’s mixture, crunions (crunchy fried onions), remoulade, and a type of sweet mustard. It all comes together in an irresistibly addictive fashion.
Even during the weekdays you can see how busy the “Best hot dog in town” can be!
3: Hlollabatar
Next is one of my personal problems: Hlollabatar.
Every day Katelyn would ask “What should we try today?” My response would always be “Let’s try a new sub at Hlollabatar!” The bold menu hosts several dozens of subs. From pulled pork with crunions and braised cabbage, to roasted lamb, there’s something on this menu for both the adventurous, and the tame. From my experience, you couldn’t go wrong. Situated in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, Hollabatar serves the hungry lunchgoer, and the late night bar crawler alike!
Me, moments before destroying a pulled pork boat
4: Icelandic Street Food
Icelandic Street Food is where we first tried three delicious Icelandic classics: Kjötsúpa (meat soup), dry salted cod and plokkfiskur.
The kjötsúpa, or meat soup is a lamb based stew served deliciously in a bread bowl, and was a hearty meal for anyone looking to fill their gullet.
The plokkfiskur was a delicious mix of buttery “Hollandaise” like sauce, mashed potatoes, and cod. Not quite a stew, but served almost like one. This Gratin-like meal is always going to put some meat on your bones, and leave you satisfied. Typically served with the classic Icelandic rye bread, which is cooked in the earth, using geothermal heat. Due to the way it’s cooked, to offset the bitterness and density, extra sugar is added in the recipe, leading to a complex earthy sweetness.
Part of the amazing charm of Icelandic Street Food is their motto. No one leaves hungry. They refill your dish for free, and every time we went, we weren’t allowed to leave without trying some tasty post meal cookies! Katelyn almost had to roll me back to where we were staying afterward!
The delicious, bottomless kjötsúpa, served in a bread bowl
5: Mandi
Middle Eastern cuisine in Iceland? Yep. Mandi is by far one of the most easy to recommend cheap eats in Reykjavik. The prices are some of the best around, and the food quality is on point. It’s also one of the few options you’ll have for great late night eats.
We stopped by on a weekday evening to find the place packed. Ton’s of people eating inside and out, but the turnover was quite fast, we didn’t wait long for our food. We got a chicken shawarma, and their specialty fries, and were definitely not disappointed. The chicken was tender and well seasoned, the fries were crispy, and the sauce that came with them was delicious. We had taken it with us to go, and even by the time we returned to our accommodations, the quality had not much suffered.
Chicken shawarma spit. Photo taken by Syed Hussaini
Although these places are some of the best priced and most delicious options we found in Reykjavik, the list is ongoing. You can count on us to be doing another edition of the best eats we can find in Reykjavik on our next trip to Iceland!