We talked about flights, hotels, and transportation, and we went over the value of the Reykjavik City Card in parts one and two. Today, we will tell you what we did for food while on our 72 hour budget adventure in Iceland. There is no denying that food in Iceland is expensive. Iceland is an island, after all, and a lot of their food has to be shipped in. But, you can find ways to cut corners and still enjoy some yummy eats.
First, avoid the airport food if you can. The airport is notoriously expensive for food. We packed our own dinner to eat before our red eye flight. Icelandair does not provide free snacks or food, and, while you can purchase food on the plane, it is expensive and didn’t look very appetizing. We packed paninis, fruit and carrots, chips, cookies, dried fruit and nuts, and water bottles for refilling in Iceland.
Next, try to get a hotel that has a free breakfast included. The breakfasts in Iceland are delicious, filling, and an easy way to start your day with a full belly and strong coffee. If you can’t get a hotel that includes breakfast, you can visit a local bakery for a delicious baked good and coffee, or visit a grocery store and stock up on skyr, pastries, fruits, and other inexpensive options.
Speaking of the grocery store, they are really your best bet for saving money on food. Snacks, drinks, grab and go lunches, and other easy items are plentiful and fairly reasonably priced at the grocery. We gave ourselves a challenge while we were there this time: can we make pylsur in our room and save money? Check out the videos. My children were disgusted, but honestly they tasted just like the ones we bought at the stand.
I do recommend eating out if you can, at least once. Since we were in Iceland for my husband’s birthday, we made reservations at Torfan. The staff were incredible, and the food…absolutely divine. The lamb was tender and decadent. The Arctic char was crispy and flavorful, and the special starter soup was cozy and fragrant. You may think of fermented shark and lamb heads when you think of Icelandic cuisine, but it is much more than those dishes. Choose one restaurant and indulge, if you can. Torfan even included a free brownie dessert for my husband!
If you enjoy an alcoholic beverage, your best bet is to stop at the Duty Free shop in the airport on your way through and purchase whatever you like. Outside of the airport, you have fewer options. Happy Hour at the bars will save you some money, but drinks are still pretty pricey. There are some wine and liquor stores, but the hours are short and the selection is limited.
Iceland is a place where you can go way overboard on your budget if you aren’t careful. So pick and choose what is important to you. Iceland will tempt you with many luxuries, from food to lagoons to souvenirs to guided tours. However, being on a budget does not mean you also have to miss out.
In the next and final part of Iceland on a Budget, we will talk about souvenirs and tours, and ways to save on those. Happy Adventuring!