Is There Vegetarian Food in Iceland?

Reykjavik leads the way with cafes and restaurants catering specifically to vegetarians and vegans. Menus often highlight local vegetables, greenhouse-grown produce (Iceland uses geothermal energy for greenhouse farming), and creative preparations of legumes and grains.

Outside the capital, options become more limited. Small-town restaurants may have fewer meat-free choices, and traditional Icelandic cuisine leans heavily on fish and lamb. Hotel breakfast buffets typically include vegetarian items like bread, cheese, fruit, and skyr, which helps.

If you have strict dietary requirements, consider staying at accommodations with kitchen access so you can prepare some of your own meals. Grocery stores carry vegetarian staples, though imported goods come with high price tags.

Communicating your dietary needs is straightforward since English is widely spoken. Most establishments will accommodate requests when possible.