If you’re planning a trip to West Iceland and want to taste real, traditional Icelandic food, you’re in the perfect part of the country. West Iceland is rich in fishing villages, farms, and small family-run restaurants that still serve recipes passed down through generations. Staying with Ourhotels.is puts you right in the middle of this food culture, with easy access to local specialties and authentic dining experiences.
Traditional Icelandic cuisine is built on what the land and sea provide: fresh fish, lamb, dairy, and seasonal ingredients preserved using age‑old methods like drying, fermenting, smoking, and curing. While you can find modern twists on these dishes in Reykjavík, there’s something special about tasting them in the small towns and coastal villages where they originated.
One of the best bases for exploring traditional food in West Iceland is Borgarfjörður. When you stay at Hvítá Inn, just a short drive from Borgarnes, you’re surrounded by fertile farmland and rivers, which means excellent access to local lamb, dairy, and trout. In and around Borgarnes you can look for:
– Plokkfiskur – a comforting fish stew made from boiled fish, potatoes, onions, and a creamy white sauce, usually served with dense Icelandic rye bread (rúgbrauð) and plenty of butter.
– Kjötsúpa – traditional lamb soup simmered with root vegetables. It’s simple, hearty, and one of the most authentic everyday dishes you can try.
– Skyr – thick, creamy, high‑protein dairy that Icelanders have eaten for centuries. Try it plain with sugar, or with local berries and cream.
From Hvítá Inn, you can also explore nearby farms and countryside cafés that serve homemade cakes, waffles, and traditional breads. Ask the staff at Ourhotels.is for current recommendations; they often know which local spots are serving seasonal specialties like fresh trout, lamb roasts, or homemade rhubarb desserts.
If you’re heading out toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, The Stykkishólmur Inn is a perfect stop for seafood lovers. Stykkishólmur is a charming harbor town, and its restaurants and cafés make the most of the daily catch. Here you can look for:
– Fresh fish of the day – cod, haddock, or wolffish, often simply pan‑fried or oven‑baked with potatoes and vegetables.
– Harðfiskur – dried fish, usually cod or haddock, eaten as a snack with butter. It’s a classic Icelandic staple and a great way to taste the country’s preservation traditions.
– Shellfish – depending on the season, you may find scallops, mussels, or langoustine on local menus.
Staying at The Stykkishólmur Inn with Ourhotels.is means you can walk from your room to the harbor and choose from several places that serve traditional fish dishes with a modern touch. Many restaurants here highlight local ingredients, so you can enjoy classic flavors in a relaxed, coastal setting.
Further north and west, Ísafjörður is one of the best places in Iceland to explore traditional food culture, especially seafood. Ísafjörður Inn is located in the heart of this historic fishing town in the Westfjords, giving you easy access to small, characterful restaurants and cafés. In Ísafjörður and the surrounding villages, look out for:
– Saltfiskur (salted fish) – cod that has been salted and dried, then rehydrated and cooked. It’s a key part of Iceland’s food history and is often served with potatoes and onions.
– Fish soup – rich, creamy, and full of local fish and shellfish. Every place has its own recipe, but it’s almost always warming and satisfying.
– Rúgbrauð – dark, sweet rye bread, sometimes baked in the ground using geothermal heat in other parts of Iceland, but widely enjoyed across the country. In the Westfjords, it’s often served with butter, pickled herring, or smoked fish.
From Ísafjörður Inn, you can also explore nearby villages like Suðureyri or Flateyri, where small eateries and fish producers sometimes offer tastings or tours. The team at Ourhotels.is can help point you toward local experiences where you can learn about traditional fishing, drying, and salting methods that shaped Icelandic cuisine.
While some of the more unusual traditional foods—like fermented shark (hákarl) or sheep’s head (svið)—are more commonly found in specialty spots or during the Þorrablót mid‑winter festival, you can often ask local restaurants if they offer tasting plates or seasonal menus that include them. If you’re curious, the staff at Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, or Ísafjörður Inn can help you find a place to try them in a respectful, authentic way.
To make the most of your culinary journey in West Iceland:
– Use your Ourhotels.is base as a hub and explore nearby towns and villages for small, local restaurants.
– Ask hotel staff for up‑to‑date recommendations; they often know which places are serving the freshest fish or most traditional lamb dishes that week.
– Try both the everyday classics—like lamb soup, fish stew, and skyr—and, if you’re adventurous, some of the more historic preserved foods.
By staying with Ourhotels.is at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, you’re perfectly placed to taste the real flavors of West Iceland. From simple, home‑style dishes to centuries‑old preservation traditions, you’ll experience Icelandic food where it belongs: close to the farms, the fjords, and the people who keep these recipes alive.
