Icelandic Street Food
Traditional Icelandic lamb soup and fish stew with unlimited refills — the best value meal in Reykjavik, served in a cosy basement on Laugavegur.
In a city where a simple lunch can easily cost ISK 4,000 or more, Icelandic Street Food offers something that feels almost too good to be true: traditional Icelandic soup, served in a bread bowl, with unlimited refills, for a single flat price. It has become one of the most popular budget dining options in Reykjavik, and for good reason — the food is genuinely good, the value is exceptional, and the concept is as honest as the ingredients.
The Concept
The menu at Icelandic Street Food is refreshingly short. You choose from a small selection of traditional Icelandic soups — the lamb soup and fish stew are the constants — and it arrives in a hollowed-out bread bowl. Eat it, and when you are ready, go back for another serving. And another, if you can manage it. The refill policy is not a marketing gimmick; the staff genuinely encourage you to keep going until you are satisfied.
The bread bowl itself is part of the experience — dense, slightly sweet Icelandic bread that soaks up the broth and becomes edible by the end. It is a clever and satisfying way to serve soup, and it means there is nothing left on the table when you are done.
The Lamb Soup
The lamb soup is the star of the menu and the dish that keeps people coming back. It is a thick, hearty broth loaded with tender pieces of Icelandic lamb, carrots, turnips, and herbs. The recipe is traditional — the kind of soup that Icelandic families have been making for generations — and the flavour is deeply comforting. On a grey, windy Reykjavik afternoon, a bowl (or three) of this soup is exactly what you need.
The fish stew is equally satisfying — creamy, well-seasoned, and made with fresh Icelandic fish. Both options are straightforward, unpretentious, and exactly what they claim to be.
The Space
Icelandic Street Food is housed in a cosy basement on Laugavegur. The space is small, with a handful of tables, simple decor, and the kind of warmth that comes from a room where soup has been simmering all day. It is not a place for a long, lingering meal — you come in, eat well, and leave happy. The atmosphere is informal and friendly, and the staff are accustomed to tourists asking questions about the food and Icelandic food culture in general.
Practical Tips
No reservation needed. The busiest period is between 12:00 and 14:00, but even then the wait is short because turnover is fast. Cash and cards are accepted. Budget around ISK 2,500 for a meal that will fill you up completely.
For the best-value meal in central Reykjavik — and one of the most authentically Icelandic food experiences you can have — Icelandic Street Food is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Icelandic Street Food serve?
- Icelandic Street Food serves traditional Icelandic soups and stews — primarily lamb soup and fish stew — served in hollowed-out bread bowls. The concept is simple: choose your soup, get unlimited refills, and eat until you are full.
- How much does a meal cost at Icelandic Street Food?
- A soup in a bread bowl costs approximately ISK 2,200-2,800 (around €15-19) and includes unlimited refills. This makes it one of the best value meals in Reykjavik — you can eat as much as you want for a single price.
- What are the unlimited refills?
- When you order a soup at Icelandic Street Food, you can go back for as many refills as you like at no extra charge. This policy is genuine and the staff actively encourage it. Most people manage two or three bowls before calling it quits.
- Is the lamb soup at Icelandic Street Food good?
- The lamb soup is excellent — a thick, hearty broth with tender pieces of Icelandic lamb, root vegetables, and herbs. It tastes like proper home cooking, which is exactly the point. On a cold Reykjavik day, it is one of the most warming meals you can find.
- Where is Icelandic Street Food?
- Icelandic Street Food is in a cosy basement space at Laugavegur 2b, right at the bottom of Reykjavik's main shopping street. The entrance is at street level — look for the sign and head downstairs.
- Do I need a reservation at Icelandic Street Food?
- No. It is first-come, first-served. The space is small and can fill up during peak lunch hours (12:00-14:00), but turnover is quick and the wait is rarely more than a few minutes.
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