Top 5 North Iceland Food & Drink: A Delicious Review

So, you’re off to North Iceland? Great choice! Seriously, it’s an area famous for stunning views, dramatic landscapes, and believe it or not, amazing eats and drinks. It might be a little off the typical tourist path exploring North Iceland, yet the food scene definitely offers something truly unique. It’s not just about survival up there; it’s about enjoying fresh, local ingredients prepared with a whole lot of care. From cozy cafes serving up steaming bowls of traditional soup to restaurants creating elegant dishes using ingredients straight from the fjord, there’s lots of options to discover. And don’t even get me started on the beer – Iceland has some seriously talented brewers! This guide will talk about five experiences you don’t want to miss, giving you a good taste of what North Iceland has to offer, culinarily speaking.

1. Kaffi Kú: A Farm-to-Table Experience, Very Literally

Okay, picture this: you’re in a café, sipping coffee, and, literally, separated by nothing more than a window, you see cows just hanging out in their barn. I mean, talk about farm-to-table! That, essentially, is Kaffi Kú. The name, by the way, means “Cow Café”. They’ve really created a place up there that combines awesome Icelandic hospitality with the charm of farm life, really making you feel warm and welcome. And it’s not a gimmick – the milk they use for your lattes and cheesecakes? Yeah, it comes straight from those very cows you see munching away.

But, beyond the cows themselves (which, alright, are kind of the main draw), the food’s awesome. They specialize in homemade cakes, sandwiches, and light meals, yet their Skyr cake seems to get the most hype. It’s super popular and worth a taste! So, that might sound strange to some, yet Skyr is a traditional Icelandic dairy product – thick, creamy, and a bit tangy. It tastes really fresh, and they definitely seem to use it creatively in their baking. And if you’re brave, get a glass of the fresh milk, you know, straight from the source. Actually, they also have some stronger lunch options, with soup and bread available, making it an awesome, comforting way to recharge during a long day exploring the north. Don’t just drive past it – this cafe is just that, pretty cool.

2. Myvatn Nature Baths Restaurant: Soak and Savor

The Mývatn Nature Baths are often considered the North’s answer to the Blue Lagoon, so really the geothermal waters are soothing, especially after a long day of driving or hiking, very therapeutic you know? They’re known as one of the premier geothermal spas on Earth. And there’s something really unique about relaxing in warm water while overlooking a stunning volcanic landscape, like truly awesome views, right? But did you know they have a restaurant right there too? Yeah, so you can soak your cares away and then grab a bite to eat.

The restaurant up there focuses on fresh, regional ingredients. You will discover things like Arctic char (a kind of trout) prepared in a bunch of ways, local lamb dishes, and fresh salads. That may not seem amazing on its own, yet think of eating these awesome things after a couple of hours spent floating in mineral-rich water. The atmosphere there tends to be pretty relaxed, and with that scenery, it’s honestly really special. Plus, let’s be frank, it makes it easy to enjoy a good meal with a glass of wine without worrying about driving anywhere afterwards because getting behind the wheel isn’t happening! Consider that you are already right there, at the Baths.

3. Strikið Restaurant: Akureyri’s High-Rise Dining

Strikið is right in Akureyri, which can be considered North Iceland’s “capital,” pretty much a city but on a smaller scale. So, the restaurant is pretty darn cool since it sits on the top floor of one of the tallest buildings around. I mean the views you get from there? Just breathtaking, like really special views over the town, the fjord, and the mountains all around.

So, while that’s awesome, they are not all talk and no substance! You can grab things like fresh seafood, steaks, and often some awesome vegetarian dishes, they tend to focus on a modern, sort of fancy style of cooking, giving things some unexpected spins. So, too it’s almost a place that combines a fancy night out with fantastic Icelandic flavors. If you’re in Akureyri and looking for that dinner place to celebrate a special occasion or like your partner just wants to feel a little fancy, that probably works, then Strikið is absolutely worth it. It probably trends pricier, yet you also pay for location. Plus, dressing a bit smartly feels pretty natural in that situation, in some respects.

4. Einstök Ölgerð: Taste the Beer of the Vikings (Okay, Maybe Not *Actually* Vikings)

Alright, I have something a little different for the next thing: instead of just food, what if there was a beer experience! Einstök Ölgerð is an Icelandic brewery that’s won a bunch of awards. What do they have to do with Vikings you might wonder? Well their beers are really popular and based on pure Icelandic water and some seriously good brewing skill among Icelandic breweries, so basically, that just ties into the vibe of the country pretty nicely. So, too it’s almost like when Vikings stopped sailing in their boats, they pulled up at Iceland’s coast for refreshment after being thirsty from the seas.

You’ll locate the brewery right in Akureyri. They make pretty awesome beers – their Arctic Pale Ale and White Ale are extremely popular, also, their seasonal brews seem worth checking out, usually having fun, creative tastes. Getting to take a tour might be cool because the guides walk you through brewing and provide a bit on the Icelandic brewing scene overall. Also you get tasters included, which is clearly the best component, as a matter of fact. Check it out when in Akureyri. If you’re into cool local beers this spot is totally great for discovering what’s special regarding Iceland.

5. Local Bakeries: Sweet Treats and Hearty Breads

Okay, let’s talk about a secret treasure in North Iceland. Pretty much wherever you might be traveling, try stopping in at a local bakery. Bakeries here have really warm vibes, almost serving more than just the food: giving you, essentially, an authentic window to how things actually operate daily. You will probably stumble into an aroma when first walking in – freshly baked bread combined with sugary treats, it has that magic ability to be really comforting right away. And trust us the goods usually stand up for how delightful the aroma initially was.

So, I guess it will be the usual cakes and cookies but it is important to check out the pastries in Icelandic design. It may surprise you that a “Snúður” seems pretty close to a cinnamon roll. Actually, you might spot rye bread that has been created for days by geothermal heat, what can arguably be viewed as a very Icelandic process! Pick some of your favorites and pair it together with a locally-roasted espresso with beans straight from a small-town coffeehouse; so, that could honestly be what I view to be the ideal comfort break right between trips! I mean if this just has got you looking and seeing just what those cozy bakeries actually feature, you’re completely missing the idea. Also you tend to spot such locations even at tiny communities all over Iceland which will lead to the trip seeming like you understand and appreciate North Iceland pretty darn perfectly too.