In recent years, there has been a growing trend of food trucks and stalls popping up in Reykjavík, offering a variety of delicious and affordable food options. These are in addition to the growing trend for food halls in the city. This weekend, the annual European Street Food Awards festival will take place in Hljómskálagarður downtown Reykjavík.
Types of Street Food in Reykjavík
The street food in Reykjavík is diverse like the city itself. You can find everything from traditional Icelandic fare to international cuisine. Some of the most popular street food options include:
- Icelandic hot dogs: These are a must-try for any visitor to Iceland. They are made with a special type of sausage that is grilled and then topped with ketchup, mustard, remoulade, raw onions, and crispy fried onions.
- Fish and chips: This is another popular option, especially in the summer months. The fish is typically cod or haddock, which is battered and fried. It is then served with french fries and tartar sauce.
- Lamb meat soup: This is a hearty and warming soup that is made with lamb, vegetables, and often rice or even barley. It is a popular wintertime dish.
- Plokkfiskur: This is a traditional Icelandic dish that is made with cod, potatoes, onions, and milk. It is a simple dish, but flavorful.
- Hummus and falafel: These Middle Eastern dishes are becoming increasingly popular in Reykjavík, a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
- Ice cream: Iceland is known for its delicious ice cream, and you can find plenty of vendors selling it throughout the city.
Where to Find Street Food in Reykjavík
The best place to find street food in Reykjavík is in the city centre. Food trucks and stalls are located around Hallgrímskirkja, at the bottom of Laugavegur (around Lækjargata), and around Hlemmur at the top of Hverfisgata. These are some of the food stalls and trucks that can be recommended:
Bæjarins Beztu is considered a classic in Iceland and the hot dog with everything or “ein með öllu” could be considered the national dish. Around lunch time and in good weather, you will often see long queues outside their main location downtown but they also have branches, e.g. at Keflavik Airport, in Skeifan (inside Hagkaup) and in Kópavogur.
Chinese Flavour 华味 on Hlemmur square – the silver coloured shining truck sells pork bun dumplings, chinese crepes and chinese kebab. The flavour rich pork bun dumplings and crunchy chinese crepes taste great and are frequently mentioned in the five star reviews on Google. The price is very reasonable here too.
The Fish & Chips Stall is located by the old harbour and serves quality locally sourced cod with chips. The fish is caught and processed by the same family run company.
Vöffluvagninn sells Belgian waffles and is located by Hallgrímskirkja. The waffles are topped with cream and strawberry jam or chocolate sauce.
Jufa Zapiekanki is located in Lækjargata (Mæðragarðurinn on the corner of Reykjavik Pond) and sells popular Polish street food called zapiekanki. Polish people make up the largest immigrant group in Iceland and more signs of that have become visible in recent years, e.g. with a few food markets.
Tommi’s Burger Joint is located in Hafnarfjörður behind the famous Bæjarbío. It wasn’t always located here – hungry shoppers will likely recognise it from Skeifan, a popular shopping area in Reykjavík. But that’s the beauty of food trucks! Tommi’s will be serving up burgers at the “Heart of Hafnarfjörður” festival this summer, from July 28-30.
Ingólfstorg Square has several street food options. The original is definitely Hlöllabátar, a hamburger, sandwich, and hotdog stand that has stood the test of time. It’s not exactly a modern, hipster food truck, but it definitely hits the spot after a couple drinks on a night out! Other options near Ingólfstorg include kebab and gelato.
Sbarro locations can be found in the 10/11 (a popular convenience store) on both Austurstræti, and the one across from the bus station Hlemmur. This option isn’t exactly artisanal either, but hey – sometimes a greasy slice for under 1,000 ISK is all you really want!
The Coffee Bike is a fully mobile café that can usually be found by Bakarabrekka, a small park right at the intersection of Laugavegur and Lækjargata. As you might imagine given the Icelandic weather, it’s a pretty seasonal operation. But during the summer, it’s a great place to grab a cappuccino and a pastry when you’re downtown!
Other Places to Find Street Food in Reykjavík
- The Food Truck Festival (European Street Food Awards): This festival is held every summer in Reykjavík and features a wide variety of food trucks from all over Iceland.
- Hlemmur Food Hall: This food hall is located in the heart of Reykjavík and features a variety of restaurants and food stalls serving up everything from Icelandic cuisine to Asian fusion.
- 101 Reykjavík Street Food has a Google search friendly name and opened in 2018. It is a popular fast food option in the city, serving Icelandic lamb meat soup, fish & chips, seafood soup and several other quick bites.
- Late night on Lækjartorg. Several small stands come and go here with the weekend crowds. It’s one of the busiest intersections in Reykjavík, so next time you’re waiting on a taxi at 2 AM, keep an eye out for what tasty late night treats are available.
- Wandering around! Sometimes food trucks will come and go, or else restaurants might try out a pop-up style restaurant. Some of the best places to keep an eye out for food trucks in Reykjavík are the Grandi harbour district, Hlemmur bus station, shopping areas like Skeifan, and popular tourist attractions like Hallgrímskirkja cathedral.
Conclusion
Street food is a great way to experience the local cuisine as well as international options in Reykjavík. It is also a great way to save money, as most street food options are quite affordable. When you are in Reykjavík, be sure to check out the street food scene. You won’t be disappointed!
Additional Information
- Prices: Street food in Reykjavík is generally relatively affordable. A typical hot dog will cost around 700 ISK (~$5 EUR/USD), while a larger meal like fish and chips could cost around 2200 ISK (~$15 EUR/ 17 USD).
- Hours: Most street food vendors are open during the day, from around 11am to 7pm. However, there are a few that stay open later, especially in the summer months.
Related:
