Trip report: 5 days in Iceland
Mar 14th, 2017, 10:07 AM
#21
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mms - great to hear you had wonderful meals in Iceland! I really wanted to but only a few dishes stood out to me. Iceland was still a fun overall, just not memorable for the food.
FlyBus was okay but I just didn't think their customer service was very good nor were their operations very efficient. I think they could have done more to clear up confusion but I don't think the incentive is there since they don't have much competition. Maybe it'll change in a few years.
FlyBus was okay but I just didn't think their customer service was very good nor were their operations very efficient. I think they could have done more to clear up confusion but I don't think the incentive is there since they don't have much competition. Maybe it'll change in a few years.
Mar 14th, 2017, 10:19 AM
#22
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Yes, the food! Reykjavik is different, since it had the choices one would expect from a city, but going around the Ring Road it was hard to take expensive, yet mediocre food. We *did* end up picking snacks for dinner at various Bonus markets a couple of times just because the choices weren't great.
On our last two day and a half in Reykjavik, just before we flew home, I ate at a Thai noodle place twice.
Ahhhh, but the landscape is glorious. I hope to go back someday in the summer and visit the West Fjords and the Highlands.
On our last two day and a half in Reykjavik, just before we flew home, I ate at a Thai noodle place twice.
Ahhhh, but the landscape is glorious. I hope to go back someday in the summer and visit the West Fjords and the Highlands.
Mar 14th, 2017, 11:06 AM
#23
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lindygirl--I agree, if they had competition it would definitely help! The only so-so meal we had was one evening we just grabbed sandwiches from the nearby grocery store for in the hotel room. Pretty nondescript, but that would be the same thing at most grocery stores here too
Mar 14th, 2017, 12:58 PM
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Sorry Melnq8! You might have a totally different experience and love the food! I think it's clear that we all think it's expensive, but taste is subjective. Just to give you context, my favorite cuisines are Thai and Vietnamese so it's easy to see why I drew the conclusions I did.
I really hope you have a blast! It's a beautiful country, full of friendly people and progressive thinking.
I really hope you have a blast! It's a beautiful country, full of friendly people and progressive thinking.
Mar 14th, 2017, 01:16 PM
#27
I just made a post about food in Iceland which has disappeared - oh well.
what I said was that those who are going round the ring road should see what the petrol stations have to offer in the way of food - often they have cafes or snack bars which can be surprisingly good.
Otherwise - good luck!
what I said was that those who are going round the ring road should see what the petrol stations have to offer in the way of food - often they have cafes or snack bars which can be surprisingly good.
Otherwise - good luck!
Mar 14th, 2017, 02:16 PM
#30
Mel - we found the soups edible at least, though mutton soup can become a little monotonous. IME it is worth looking at the eating recommendations in a decent guide book - and making a detour to experience them.
Will you be self-catering? [I know that it's your preferred style of travel] We tried it but it wasn't terribly successful as certainly when we went, obtaining varied fresh food at supermarkets [when you could find one] wasn't very easy, and when you did the quality was variable. We never really did find out where Icelanders bought their meat and fish which is weird I know. But the bakeries are very good so that's a start.
But like all travel, it's an adventure. Although we never ate the dreaded fermented shark we did try things like guillimot which was fine to eat, and we drank lots of coffee!
Will you be self-catering? [I know that it's your preferred style of travel] We tried it but it wasn't terribly successful as certainly when we went, obtaining varied fresh food at supermarkets [when you could find one] wasn't very easy, and when you did the quality was variable. We never really did find out where Icelanders bought their meat and fish which is weird I know. But the bakeries are very good so that's a start.
But like all travel, it's an adventure. Although we never ate the dreaded fermented shark we did try things like guillimot which was fine to eat, and we drank lots of coffee!
Mar 14th, 2017, 02:29 PM
#31
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Melnq8 - I did enjoy: the Skyr, ice cream, coffee, and rye bread. Actually, the cream of langoustine was good both places I got it. The tomato soup at Friðheimar was fresh-tasting and the bread plentiful so that was a yummy lunch. Try their cucumber salsa - it was tangy and crunchy. I hope you'll be able to check it out.
You have to try the fermented shark! When in Rome... er, Iceland! Let's just say it was a bonding experience for me and my husband. Hehe
Iceland is also known for licorice. Chocolate with licorice is one of their specialties which you'll find plenty of at markets.
You have to try the fermented shark! When in Rome... er, Iceland! Let's just say it was a bonding experience for me and my husband. Hehe
Iceland is also known for licorice. Chocolate with licorice is one of their specialties which you'll find plenty of at markets.
Mar 14th, 2017, 03:37 PM
#32
No, no, no on the fermented shark! Not even tempted.
annhig -
Unfortunately for me, I won't get anywhere near mutton soup. As if eating in Iceland isn't challenging enough, I don't eat seafood, eggs or meat (or licorice, but my husband loves it).
Sounds as if I won't be gaining weight, which is always a good thing
I do however, love ice cream, coffee and rye bread, and I look forward to trying the Skyr.
What's the chocolate situation?
I've been compiling a lengthy list of recommended restaurants/cafes/bakeries over the past few weeks. Hopefully, that will increase our chances of good food.
Regarding self-catering - we'll probably self-cater breakfast when its not provided by our selected hotels/guesthouses and also pack lunches. We're doing the very thing I tell people not to do in NZ - we have mostly one night stays - so much for taking my own advice - so I imagine that will severely limit any actual cooking.
annhig -
Unfortunately for me, I won't get anywhere near mutton soup. As if eating in Iceland isn't challenging enough, I don't eat seafood, eggs or meat (or licorice, but my husband loves it).
Sounds as if I won't be gaining weight, which is always a good thing
I do however, love ice cream, coffee and rye bread, and I look forward to trying the Skyr.
What's the chocolate situation?
I've been compiling a lengthy list of recommended restaurants/cafes/bakeries over the past few weeks. Hopefully, that will increase our chances of good food.
Regarding self-catering - we'll probably self-cater breakfast when its not provided by our selected hotels/guesthouses and also pack lunches. We're doing the very thing I tell people not to do in NZ - we have mostly one night stays - so much for taking my own advice - so I imagine that will severely limit any actual cooking.
Mar 14th, 2017, 06:36 PM
#33
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Melnq8 - Ah, so you'll need vegetarian options... I don't recall much in the way of veggies but I'm sure you can find something. I also don't remember much about chocolate but it is available in markets and stores. Luckily there is plenty of Skyr, ice cream, coffee, and rye bread to enjoy. The pastries were also decent from what I remember.
Do try Sandholt - it was really good. I loved their coffee and they have plenty of bread and pastries. Braud & Co as well for bread and pastries.
I also don't remember much about chocolate but it is available in markets and stores. Luckily there is plenty of Skyr, ice cream, coffee, and rye bread to enjoy. The pastries were also decent from what I remember.Do try Sandholt - it was really good. I loved their coffee and they have plenty of bread and pastries. Braud & Co as well for bread and pastries.
Mar 14th, 2017, 07:36 PM
#35
From the sound of it, DW will be subsisting on skyr and cheeses since veggies might be difficult to get. She will eat fish though so that is an option. No gluten so bread is out for her. Are eggs easy to come by - we will be in a self catering apartment in Snaefellsnes for 3 nights and eggs could be a real plus. That could be salvation. Me, I will eat anything. Well, almost anything. There is a cafe near the apartment that is well known for its fish soup. We are both looking forward to that.
Mar 14th, 2017, 10:02 PM
#36
Mel - if you remember my TR, you will recall that we took our own cucumber with is, more as a joke than as a means of providing sustenance, but as it happened it turned out to be quite useful as the situation with greens and fruit seemed to us to be quite dire. This was getting on for 10 years or so ago [I've just checked and it was of course 2008, just before the "Crash"] and we might just have been unlucky, but forwarded is forearmed.
I don't recall that there any problems about getting chocolate though!
<<we will be in a self catering apartment in Snaefellsnes for 3 nights and eggs could be a real plus.>>
Basingstoke - I can't remember a problem getting eggs either. Our one night in the "holiday chalet" aka the nightmare hut on the Snaefellsnes peninsular was remarkable for several things, including the smoked lamb/mutton which we discovered we had bought for supper. Not a great choice as DS hated [and still hates] anything smoked. However it had been the only meat on offer in the supermarket so that's what DH had bought. I can't recall what poor DS ate - perhaps it was the last of the cucumber!
I don't recall that there any problems about getting chocolate though!
<<we will be in a self catering apartment in Snaefellsnes for 3 nights and eggs could be a real plus.>>
Basingstoke - I can't remember a problem getting eggs either. Our one night in the "holiday chalet" aka the nightmare hut on the Snaefellsnes peninsular was remarkable for several things, including the smoked lamb/mutton which we discovered we had bought for supper. Not a great choice as DS hated [and still hates] anything smoked. However it had been the only meat on offer in the supermarket so that's what DH had bought. I can't recall what poor DS ate - perhaps it was the last of the cucumber!
Mar 15th, 2017, 05:55 AM
#38
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Melnq8--We tried Omnom chocolate there and loved it!!! They are bars, and salted almond was my favorite. Here is a link so you can see what they look like. They were not cheap, but worth it!
https://www.omnomchocolate.com/pages/products
I also really like Pure Icelandic Chocolate, but I can find that at Whole Foods here at home. The 70% extra bitter is my favorite of theirs.
https://www.omnomchocolate.com/pages/products
I also really like Pure Icelandic Chocolate, but I can find that at Whole Foods here at home. The 70% extra bitter is my favorite of theirs.
Mar 15th, 2017, 10:03 AM
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I had a good experience with food in Iceland. I like Seafood and fresh veggies and most of the restaurants where I ate had those really tastily prepared. On the road there were fresh made sandwiches at the Gas Stations. When possible I did spend money to eat at good restaurants.
And yes,I loved Skyr.
And yes,I loved Skyr.
