For my first Iceland trip, I packed a bunch of crackers while one of my girlfriends stacked up on instant noodles that could build a little barricade inside her petite carryon. Why? Well, like many other things in Iceland, food is known to be notoriously expensive (I’m going to write a separate post on How to travel in Iceland on budget.). And its cuisine is probably ranked somewhere comparable to British food (whose review should be saved for another day). So is Icelandic food that bad?

It is true that food prices in Iceland are expensive, which does make sense if you think about it. First of all, Iceland is an isolated island country and has to depend on resources from other countries through importation. Having the most expensive labor cost (on the other hand, benefits for working in Iceland are darn good) in the world and ban on importing agricultural products also do not help. Then after speaking to one of my tour guides, I’ve also learned that unlike in New York, Icelanders usually prefer home cooked meals. Only at special occasions they would dine out with families and friends. So outside of Reykjavík and other bigger cities, there are fewer options of restaurants. Less competitors means ability for restaurants to charge higher prices.

However, quality wise, I must declare that Icelandic food is not as bad as I’ve thought. After trying out few restaurants, the price to quality ratio is surprisingly high. So what is worth eating (or drinking) in Iceland? There are 5 things I can think of that everyone should try while in Iceland:

1. icelandic water

The quality of the drinking water in Iceland is one of the best in the world. Due to its wealth of fresh water from the glaciers, the water is pure and clean. Tap water is free in hotels and restaurants. If you are going for a glacier walking tour, get a chip of ice and taste it.

2. Fish

You can’t go wrong from ordering a fish dish in Iceland. In fact, you should definitely try it at least once. All of the fish are freshly caught in the North Atlantic Ocean. The common fish found on the restaurant menus include Arctic char, salmon, catfish, codfish and haddock. Langoustine (prawns that are closely related to lobsters) and mussels are equally tasty as well. If you are interested in exotic delicacy, it is not difficult to find shark meat and minke whale on the menu in some of the fancier restaurants.

3. Lamb

I hate to make a stereotype statement, but the lamb meat in Iceland is amazing! It is tender, juicy and flavorful. With unpolluted water and free of antibiotic and added hormones, there is no doubt that the lamb tastes so good. But it is definitely more on the pricier side. You can get a rack of lamb for around $50-60.

Just a side note, the stable of fish and lamb in Icelandic cuisine corresponds perfectly to a Chinese character “鮮” (left side: fish and right side: lamb) which means heavenly delicacy and the duo are indeed of such!

4. Bread

The bread in Iceland is usually freshly baked so by the time it reaches the table it is still warm and soft. A typical Icelandic bread, the rye bread (Rugbrauð), is a moist crustless bread that is traditionally cooked in pots buried underground at the nearby geothermal springs. I am normally not a bread person, but for some reason I just couldn’t get my hands off those breads. Yum!

4. Hot Dog

Hot dog (Pylsa) is ubiquitous and can be found in many places in Iceland. Perhaps the cheapest hot food option you can find in Iceland ($3-4), both the tourists and native Icelanders love eating hot dogs. The Icelandic hot dog looks similar to its American counterpart, but it is made from a blend of lamb (mostly), beef and pork meats. Unlike the American hot dog (e.g., Nathan’s), it is less salty and has more of a meaty taste. The Icelandic hot dog typically comes with fried onions, pylsusinnep (Icelandic mustard that looks like some kind of brown gravy sauce) and remoulade (white Mayo base sauce).

5. Skyr

A Icelandic trip will not be complete without trying the skyr. It is a dairy product that is made from non-fat milk and live cultures. It has a similar texture as yogurt, but with a much creamier and richer taste. Every Icelander grows up from eating skyr and proud of this centuries old food creation. Skyr is known for its high protein and calcium content and is enjoyed by the young and the old alike in Iceland.

Additionally, I would highly recommend trying potatoes (Icelanders love their potatoes!!) and the fresh fruits and vegetables. Despite the freezing weather and limited growing season, greenhouses in Iceland now can cultivate fruits and vegetables year around, thanks to the renewable energy from its abundant geothermal resources.