Reykjavik is a city jam-packed with unique cultural and adventurous activities, including a bustling (and delicious) food scene. Like many Nordic countries, Iceland relies on locally sourced and fresh ingredients and pride themselves on their traditional meals. Some of Iceland’s many delicacies include skyr, Icelandic pancakes, and Icelandic beer. Iceland is also home to several different food tours and festivals, as well, giving tourists the opportunity to experience all the cuisine the country has to offer. Check out some of Reykjavik’s top food festivals and tours below!
The Reykjavik Food Walk is a year round tour that starts in the center of the city and heads to different landmarks and local restaurants. This two-mile walk provides a ‘restaurant-hopping’ dining experience. Tour guides take you on a journey through the city to stop for a meal at each of the best local restaurants. From various meats, to rye bread, to ice cream, this tour fills visitors up on Icelandic history, culture, and food!
One tasty treat you might try is the pylsur, or, the Icelandic hot dog. It’s a combination of beef, lamb, and pork. Order it with the works – onions, mustard, and remoulade – and you have a delicious, authentic Icelandic meal! Another popular treat to expect is ice cream. Throughout the year (even during the coldest months!) you can find locals enjoying the sweet and savory dessert. Popular options include traditional flavors, such as vanilla, to more obscure ones like Turkish pepper. Some ice cream shops in Iceland also offer dairy-free options, so everyone can enjoy the dessert!
The tour also aims to meet each visitors’ dietary preferences so everyone can enjoy the cuisine Iceland has to offer. The Reykjavik Food Walk tour is among the most popular activities and sometimes gets booked up months in advance! If you’re interested, make sure to reserve your spot as soon as you can.
Another exciting way to try Icelandic food is the cuisine festival, Food and Fun! It occurs each year and pairs chefs from both sides of the Atlantic with Reykjavik’s best restaurants to prepare menus that capture the freshness of Icelandic ingredients. This year’s festival, taking place from February 27-March 3, 2019, marks the 18th anniversary of the event.
Over the years, the festival has become increasingly popular in Reykjavik, capturing the attention of tourists and locals alike. With chef’s creating meals solely using Icelandic ingredients, the purpose of the festival is to promote sustainable cooking in the unspoiled nature of Iceland. At the end of each festival, a single chef is announced Food and Fun Chef of the year!
Icelanders are known for their unique love of beer! From February 21-23, 2019, Iceland will be celebrating the 8th annual Icelandic Beer Festival. After nearly 74 years of prohibition in Iceland, the law was finally lifted on March 1, 1989. Icelanders come together for the Icelandic Beer Festival to celebrate the historic end of the prohibition! The festival is one of the country’s most anticipated events and one of many occasions highlighting Iceland’s rich food and drink culture!
Have you ever tried a traditional Icelandic meal? Tell us about your favorite dish in the comments below or on Twitter!
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