From Reykjavik’s famous sheep hot dogs to American restaurant chains, Iceland has its fair share of fast food. While you won’t find any McDonald’s or Starbucks here, you will find mom-and-pop stops, gas station bites, and burger joints, all dishing up deliciously cheap eats. Here’s a guide to Fast food in Iceland and how to eat on the cheap.
Is food expensive in Iceland? How much?
There’s no way around it—food in Iceland can be very expensive! Especially if you’re planning to eat at restaurants for most of your trip. High inflation, coupled with the fact that it’s simply more expensive to ship ingredients to the island, is what makes food costs more expensive than you’re probably used to.
The cost varies depending on which part of Iceland you’re visiting. Restaurants are usually more expensive in the capital, Reykjavik, and other highly touristed areas like the south coast and Golden Circle. Plan to spend anywhere from $50-$100 for meals in a nice restaurant, while even roadside stands and gas stations will cost a pretty penny, anywhere from $15 to $20 a meal.
- Related reading: 6 Best Cheap Eats in Iceland: grab a bite for $15 or less
Are there Fast food restaurants in Iceland? Where are they?
Without McDonald’s or Starbucks , you might be asking yourself, “Is there fast food in Iceland?”
Yes, there are fast food restaurants in Iceland. Plenty of them! You’ll find everything from American fast food joints like Domino’s and KFC to the Icelandic version of McDonald’s, Metro. Most of these restaurants are located in Iceland’s larger cities like Reykjavik and Akureyri.
Fast Food Options and Restaurants in Iceland
You’ll find both Icelandic and American fast food chains in Iceland. Some of the options include…
- Domino’s Pizza: A quick in-and-out pizza restaurant.
- Subway: An American sandwich shop serving cold and hot deli-style subs.
- KFC: It’s all in the name, KFC is an acronym for Kentucky Fried Chicken and serves up just that along the sides, like mashed potatoes.
- Taco Bell: An Americanized, fast food version of Mexican cuisine like quesadillas, tacos, and burritos.
- Pizza Hut: Another American fast-food pizza restaurant.
- TGI Fridays: American fare like chicken wings, fries, burgers, etc.
- Aktu Taktu & Metro: Both of these Icelandic restaurants are a take on McDonald’s with burgers and fries offered. With locally sourced ingredients, these fast food chains are definitely something you would like to grab a bite in case of missing the taste of McDonalds in Iceland!
- Haborgarabúllan (tommi s burger joint): Another Icelandic fast-food chain that services burgers and vegetarian options.
- Gas Stations: Several gas stations throughout Iceland, like Orkan and N1, offer fish and chips, hot dogs, and even lamb stew.
- Various hot dog stands around the country: Icelandic hot dog is one of the must try traditional Icelandic street food when you explore Iceland. Not only the most famous Bæjarins Beztu hot dog stand located in Iceland’s capital. There are loads of other local hot dog stand aounrd the county.
Keep reading for more tips on eating cheap in Iceland!
Quick tips for eating cheap in Iceland + save money on eating in Iceland
Although food costs in Iceland can be very expensive, there are several ways to save money! Here are some ideas to keep in mind for your trip to the Land of Fire and Ice…
1. Go grocery shopping
Grocery shopping is the best tip for avoiding expensive food costs in Iceland. You’ll get to experience local food, like the deliciously creamy Iceland skyr, without breaking the bank. There are several discount grocery stores throughout the country but the most famous is Bonus and Kronan.
2. Avoid alcohol
Alcohol is extremely expensive in Iceland. Avoiding buying beer, wine, and liquor is one of the easiest ways to cut down on restaurant costs. If you do want to indulge in a drink or two on your vacation, buy alcohol from the duty free shop in the airport on arrival or before boarding the plane to Iceland.
3. Bring some items from home
Bringing some food staples from home, like granola bars, instant noodles, and oatmeal, is a great way to keep costs low while traveling Iceland. This is especially convenient if you’re planning on camping or road-tripping in a campervan.
4 Plan your meals
Planning out your meals ahead of time will help you save money at the grocery store and make your meals go further. Research which restaurants you want to eat at to see the cost ahead of time. You’ll also avoid making spur-of-the-moment decisions because of hunger!
Don’t forget to rent a cheap car in Iceland to save even more!
Looking to save cash on both food and your car rental in Iceland?
If you’re planning a budget trip to Iceland, there’s no better place to rent a car than Firefly Iceland Car Rentals! With some of the cheapest deals in the entire country, you’ll save enough money to splurge on a fancy dinner out or add an additional tour to your itinerary.
Conclusion
There are fast food restaurants scattered around Iceland. Whether you’re craving a burger, are eager to try the famous hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, or are looking for a cheap way to eat, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Firefly Car Rental Iceland provides both 4×4 rental cars and standard vehicles at a fraction of the cost of other Icelandic car rental companies, which means you can spend more money on seeking out the best cheap eats in Iceland!
