Taste of South Iceland: Your Guide to Top 5 Food & Drink Experiences
South Iceland, that stunning area packed full with glaciers, volcanoes, and black sand beaches, it’s just a sight for sore eyes. Yet, beyond the gorgeous landscapes, that place has a bubbling food scene that might be a surprise. So, whether you like your food, just want to try new things, or you’re planning a trip, you’ll want to learn all you can about South Iceland’s culinary side. Prepare to treat your taste buds to some yummy adventures.
1. Icelandic Lamb: A South Iceland Staple
The Icelandic lamb, more or less, it’s the big star when you’re talking local grub. The lamb wanders around freely, munching on that pure, wild vegetation of the region, is that right? And that’s what gives it a taste that’s just so unique. You might notice hints of herbs and a certain clean taste that is seriously different. Farmers here, you see, they really take pride in using age-old ways to raise the lamb. The way it’s cooked, sometimes, is in the traditional style of roasting it slowly until that meat’s falling right off that bone; it’s super tender and packed full of flavor. When that lamb’s served up at places such as Hotel Ranga, known to some as a spot with views and service, it’s often accompanied by local root veggies, plus a rich gravy which complements things greatly. At a top spot like that, the chef really cares about showing off Iceland’s taste traditions in a modern manner. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Hotel Ranga Lamb)
2. Fresh Seafood: Straight from the Atlantic
Being an island nation, more or less, Iceland sure is a spot where seafood’s big. Those chilly Atlantic waters are just teeming with fish. Villages that you might spot around the coast such as Vik i Myrdal they basically live and breathe around that sea. What folks do is, you’ll notice that many restaurants and local spots serve fresh catch everyday; that means that day’s fish, is that correct? Think cod, haddock, and even the plump langoustine. It’s very common to see that seafood prepped super simply; many people just grill or pan-sear it, then squeeze lemon juice all over it. You’ll get what that food’s about; a natural and fresh ocean flavor, you could say. Right there in Vik, place such as Halldorskaffi they often get chatted about thanks to that stunning ocean view, but too they do fantastic, freshly caught fish. That’s a restaurant that serves fresh food but has nice scenery too it’s almost, isn’t it? Read our full review: Halldorskaffi Restaurant Details
3. Skyr: Iceland’s Dairy Delight
Let’s chat about Skyr, that thing similar to yogurt that is seriously popular and extremely tasty, is that right? It might be super high in protein but still quite low on fat. In that region it is something folks have been chowing down on for hundreds of years. Usually they are having it at breakfast, snacks, or some sweet dessert too. What Skyr offers is, you’ll be finding many cafes, food shops, and grocery stores all around South Iceland putting their own spin on things, like berries, honey or crunchy nuts as toppings; it’s common actually. So, you might visit Efstidalur II; very known to people as a local farm with a super cute ice cream barn, which is worth talking about, for some tasty, Skyr-based dessert options. While checking out where they make it all, you will find yourself devouring stuff right there too; the product quality is superb, basically.
4. Rye Bread (Rúgbrauð): Baked Underground
Iceland’s rye bread, referred to sometimes as “Rúgbrauð”, that is more than bread, you see; that bread tends to be like some tradition put in baked kind of form, doesn’t it? Usually, what sets this apart’s just how folks are cooking it; people pop that bread batter straight in a pot then stick it next some geothermal hot spring to simmer nice and slow, basically. All that low and gradual cook that is giving it that heavy, rather sweet flavor. In local eateries that are in the region of Laugarvatn (that location sitting smack-dab by these geothermal areas), Rye bread tends to get offered paired with butter and maybe a chunk of local cheese, which is superb, actually. You may visit the Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths. Usually, at that place, not only are they sinking themselves into that naturally heated spa, yet they too learn firsthand how locals cook up bread in these very springs, that’s fascinating I feel, seriously.
5. Icelandic Beer: A Thriving Craft Scene
Beer fanatics, take note because South Iceland actually has an up-and-coming scene focused upon beer making and has some cool breweries that you could find if you seek around, so it’s something to look into. Basically these breweries are going heavy on using Iceland’s springs (like really purified groundwater) and also blending that water using indigenous local flavors, just like angelica or even the dreaded (for some) birch, basically. You’re likely to find many types to consider – such pale ales up to stouts, which means, beer is for pretty much everybody’s preference here, usually. Head around to spots similar to the Ölvisholt Brugghús microbrewery in Selfoss, that place very famed due to some pretty adventurous (maybe bizarre) beer styles but its commitment to quality has earned rave feedback from beer-lovers, could be. So, basically just plan the travel there so as to try all of their limited-edition concoctions or take what they have to give by sampling classic beers for your standard stuff.
When your South Iceland exploration turns into one that’s more food related, what tends to happen is you simply scratch under something a bit deeper versus purely stunning things that naturally happen right here; you will be witnessing just all of which locals appreciate Iceland using its local practices, very pure components, combined by really modern food preparations. Try yourself for an unforgettably Icelandic encounter when eating stuff.
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Icelandic Brewery Tour)
Icelandic dishes main ideas that come to me, or some takeaways might tend to be that
- Embrace the Lamb: Really search on to trying stuff that’s all regarding that well-recognized Icelandic lamb meal that originates here right here, is that OK.
- Seafood First: To a point Iceland stays within the sea which is simply so very much worth that, be it that they take their seafood incredibly seriously due to location!
- Skyr All Times: Discover things from yogurt which are actually an important cultural symbol: skyr, OK?
- Bread That’s Unusual: Explore traditional baked below-the-ground rye bakes; there exists absolutely zero like it
- Cheers! In Local Means.: Appreciate beer culture; try craft labels while tasting Icelandic flavor spins through every sip of something right here.
