Icelandic cuisine could be described as distinctive, and locals would be hard-pressed to disagree. Fermented fish, dense breads and an obsession with sugar; the country’s culinary repertoire may raise an eyebrow or two, but there’s no denying the flavour, tradition and passion which goes into each of Iceland’s unique dishes.
To help you get to grips with Icelandic cuisine ahead of your visit on board Scenic Eclipse, we’re taking a look at some of the country’s signature plates and culinary styles – from its beloved seafood to its world-famous ice cream and yogurt.
Seafood has been a mainstay of Icelandic cuisine for thousands of years, with the fishing industry shaping communities around the country. Before the 19th century, Iceland had little access to things like grain to make bread and feed livestock, so fish was relied upon as a nutritious and readily-available source of food.
Today, Iceland’s love affair with seafood continues, with many of the country’s acclaimed dishes sourced from the plentiful larder of the Atlantic. It’s believed most households in Iceland consume fish at least four times a week – making it one of the most seafood-reliant nations on Earth.
Here, we take a look at two of the country’s must-try fish dishes.
Icelandic bread may be revered around the world today for its distinct flavour and hearty texture, but bread doesn’t have as ancient an association with Iceland as you might expect. Until the 19th century, the country had no professional bakeries, with grain being too difficult to cultivate. In fact, bread was considered a luxury for the rich until around the turn of the 20th century.
Now, however, things have changed, and bread is considered the cornerstone of many a meal in Iceland. From dense rye bread to deliciously-charred flatbreads, Iceland has quickly established itself as one of the world’s foremost destinations for bread fans.
Iceland began importing sugar in 1880, and in the decades to follow, locals fell in love with this coveted ingredient. As with bread, Icelanders quickly found new ways to make sugar their own – using it in everything from ice cream and liquorice to candied dates and patisserie.
Of all its sugary treats, ice cream and frozen yogurt are the key sweet vices of Iceland. In almost every town, you’ll find an award-winning ice cream parlour, with locals tucking into classics such as bragdarefur – even in the depths of winter.
But ice cream isn’t the only sweet treat on offer in Iceland; here are two other options to seek out.
No visit to Iceland would be complete without trying the island’s signature yogurt, skyr. According to the National Museum of Iceland, this traditional dairy product has been made in Iceland for over a thousand years, its origins stemming from the ancient Norse. Technically a type of cheese, skyr is made by separating milk from cream before adding live cultures from previous batches. The result is a thick, natural yogurt that’s often flavoured with vanilla, berries and liquorice, or else transformed into Iceland’s famous frozen yogurt.
For your chance to sample the wonderful cuisine of Iceland and even enjoy a Scenic Freechoice culinary tour of Akureyri, take a look at our collection of luxury ocean cruises which include a visit to this enchanting country.