Curious about the price of food in Iceland? It’s a popular question since Iceland has the reputation of being on the pricier side. As a foodie destination, you’ll definitely want to try out the local restaurant scene. Icelanders truly value fresh ingredients and spices, and their eateries reflect that.
Iceland is a popular place to rent a van so its common for visitors to buy groceries. If your van doesn’t have a refrigerator you can buy a ice cooler for your perishable items and shop at local grocery stores.
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Average Cost of Food in Iceland for Breakfast
Unlike Paris, breakfast in Iceland is traditionally hearty and savory rather than light. Icelanders often start their day with bowls of skyr, a thick and creamy yogurt-like dairy product that’s high in protein and paired with fresh fruit, nuts, or granola. At Sandholt, a bowl of skyr with all the fixings is about $10.44 USD.
You’ll often also see smoked salmon, rye bread, and eggs on the breakfast menu in Iceland. The average price is around 2,000-3,500 ISK or $14.40-$25.20 USD.
Iceland Food Costs at Restaurants
The food culture in Iceland really surprised me. Did you know that Iceland has three Michellin Star restaurants? Honestly, I was not expecting how good the food was. It didn’t matter if it was a casual restaurant, or one with a long waiting list, most of meals were perfect.
A 3 course meal at a casual restaurant will cost around $40-50 a person. For example, Reykjavik Street Food is a must visit. Although their menu is pretty small, the offer local dishes at a competitive price.
Sumac served me the most memorable meal in Iceland. They offer Moroccan and Lebanese inspired dishes with local, seasonal Icelandic ingredients. I’m not sure if their meat is halal, as they do serve alcohol and wine. Their mocktails were artistically crafted and delicious. I recommend ordering the restaurant’s namesake, The Sumac mocktail, which includes lime, ginger, and the legendary Middle Eastern spice.
Is Food Expensive in Iceland?
Price is relative to where you’re from and your budget. As someone based out of the USA, I consider the food in Iceland to be a bit expensive, but not as expensive as places like Switzerland or Sweden. It’s comparable to big cities in the United States like New York City or Washington DC. If you’re looking for a budget friendly European country, Iceland is not it.
Food Prices in Iceland Compared to The United States
As you can tell from the chart, the food prices in Iceland are much more expensive than the prices in the United States. This can be due to a few different factors. For one, Iceland imports a lot of their produce. This may be because of Iceland’s climate and short growing season.
| Food Item | Price in Iceland (USD) | Price in US (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (1L) | 1.75 | 0.90 |
| Bread (Loaf) | 3.50 | 2.50 |
| Eggs (12) | 6.00 | 4.25 |
| Cheese (1kg) | 14.00 | 10.00 |
| Chicken (1kg) | 13.00 | 7.50 |
| Apples (1kg) | 3.80 | 2.50 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 2.60 | 1.50 |
| Water (1.5L) | 2.50 | 1.20 |
| Coffee (Regular, 1 cup) | 4.00 | 2.50 |
Tips To Keeping Food Costs Low in Iceland
One of the easiest ways to save money on food in Iceland is to stay at an AirBnb. Instead of ordering out, you can go grocery shopping and make food at home. Personally, I love visiting grocery stores in other countries. It’s one of my favorite things to do, plus its much cheaper to buy local coffee or seasoning as souvenirs. Luckily in Iceland, there’s a grocery store for every budget.
If you’re traveling with a big family or plan on staying for a while, there’s a Costco that offers items in bulk. Their items are a bit different than what the USA Costco offers.
The most popular affordable grocery stores are Bonus and Kronan. Both stores are easy to find and offer lots of fresh produce. Bonus’s simplicity and prices reminded me of Lidl. Remember to bring your own reusable bag or be prepared to pay for bags.
Other grocery stores are:
READ MORE:
- Is Visiting the Blue Lagoon Iceland at Night Worth It?
- The Best Souvenirs from Iceland: A Gift Guide
- 4 Reasons Why Iceland is the Perfect Solo Female Travel Trip
- 5 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Iceland
- Best Places for Solo Female Travel
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