Taste of the town
street food Reykjavík
Only a few years ago there was no such thing as a street food scene in Reykjavík, but in recent years, months and weeks that’s all been changing. by Nanna Gunnars Photos: Gunnlaugur Rögnvaldsson
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oday it’s hard to keep up with all the latest street food markets and pop-up stands! It seems that every week there is a new arrival on the scene and by summertime the number of pop-up shops and markets will surely have doubled.
This goes hand in hand with more restaurants and cafés opening up in the city and never before has Reykjavík had such a variety of food and from all corners of the world. Street food has the advantage of being quick and affordable, or as affordable as food can get in Iceland, so it is the perfect option for those who are in a hurry or those tourists that want to try many different kinds of food on their trip. So, if you’d like to find some of the best juicy, greasy, healthy, vegan or experimental street food there is to find in Reykjavík, get ready! STREET FOOD STANDS
So, if you’d like to find some of the best juicy, greasy, healthy, vegan or experimental street food there is to find in Reykjavík, get ready!
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Street food trucks or stands in Reykjavík are still few and far between, and mainly pop up during the summertime (in increased numbers). The weather is just too cold and uninviting for most outdoor trucks to handle it in winter. However, there’s one type of street food stand that has survived for decades, and that one sells Icelandic hot dogs. Usually found outside swimming pools (as the perfect post-swim snack), the most famous hot dog stand is situated in the center of Reykjavík, right by the city’s flea market Kolaportið. This hot dog stand has served the likes of Bill Clinton and Kim Kardashian, as well as thousands of locals that order “one with everything.” One With Everything is a hot dog served in a soft bun with raw onion, fried crunchy onion, ketchup, mustard, and a local mayonnaise-and-onion based sauce called remoulade. Of course you can then omit one or more condiments from the hot dog, but it’s a local recommendation to have it all. Trust me. This is also the cheapest meal you’ll find in the country. Other common street food stands are seen around downtown during weekends, or by the popular tourist spot of Hallgrímskirkja Church, mostly selling sweet treats such as waffles, donuts, cinnamon buns or the Icelandic pastry “kleina.” And if you head towards the Grandi fish packing area, you’ll be sure to find the best fish & chips food truck in the city, labeled with the passive aggressive message “British tradition, Icelandic quality.” For another fishy treat, check out the lobster truck that sells sandwiches filled with langoustine tails.
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