Dish Destination: Dining in Iceland

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Iceland is a magical place any time of year, but summer there feels extra special. The sunsets are late and last a remarkably long time. After sunset the sky gets grey and dusky and never really feels like the nighttime sky to which we’re accustomed. It’s hard to go to sleep at a reasonable hour because it never feels late enough for bed. But that just creates extra time for more exploring, enjoying and eating!

Sireksstadir

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A sheep farm, guest house and restaurant, Sireksstadir is almost the farthest away from the capital, Reykjavik, that you can get. We drove there in a day along the northern coast and returned the following day along the southern coast. That pace of travel is possible, but probably not advisable. The Sireksstadir farmstay was the perfect place to land after driving all day. We got in late, right before the restaurant closed, but the sheep farmer’s daughter made us the most delicious lamb dishes and spent time chatting with us about sheep farming in Iceland. Then we got to frolic in the meadow while watching the sun scrape along the horizon for more than an hour. Vopnafjörður, East Iceland, 690 Iceland

Akureyri Backpackers Hostel

We really needed to break for food in the middle of our drive from Reykjavik to Sireksstadir, so we decided to stop in Akureyri. Without having done much research, we ended up at the Akureyri Backpackers Hostel, which also has a restaurant and bar. If we’d had more time, it would have been fun to chat with the other travelers there, but we still had hours more driving to do. Hafnarstraeti 98, 600 Akureyri

Icelandic Fish & Chips

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Icelandic Fish & Chips was responsible for my favorite meal on our trip back in 2012. The restaurant has done away with the different batter options, but customers still pick the type of fish, which is then battered in spelt flour and fried. The sauce menu is extensive; I think we had nine different sauces on the table. In addition to the fish and potatoes (shown at the top of the article), we also ordered the Fisherman’s Stew, which was much like a shepherd’s pie but with fish, cheese and potatoes. I think the food got even better, and the whole place (the location has changed—make sure you’re walking into the right one!) has a more upscale vibe than it did before. Tryggvagata 11, 101 Reykjavik

Bláa Kannan

Bláa Kannan is a huge, welcoming bright blue building as you enter Akureyri. We stopped for coffee and dessert, though it’d also be a great lunch spot serving soup, paninis and any pastry anyone could want. Hafnarstraeti 96, 600 Akureyri

ROK

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ROK was new to me since the last time I was in Reykjavik in 2012. The building itself is typical Reykjavik architectural style, but painted a sleek black and set apart by its turf roof. We stumbled upon it on the sunniest day we were there. It was uncharacteristically sunny and warm that day, so we were able to sit on the patio, drink a bottle of rosé and linger over a pile of tasty, classic Icelandic small plates.

Reykjavik Roasters

Reykjavik Roasters was the coffee shop we most frequented during the trip. I did make one stop to Mokka Kaffi to get that ski lodge vibe and eat a waffle, but otherwise, Reykjavik Roasters handled my caffeination and aesthetic needs. The interior is sparse, but in that cozy Scandinavian way—with simple vintage wooden tables, some covered in lace tablecloths, and a turntable in the corner with crates of records. Kárastígur 1, 101 Reykjavik

  • Photos: Lisa Yoder