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Unless you’re visiting Iceland as a lottery winner, you will need to do your own cooking while here on the island. Cooking, or even just grabbing a few essentials, can be tricky to navigate when the stores are completely foreign to you. Where can you get what? Which Iceland grocery stores offer the best prices? Are there certain local produce that one should try?
We answer all these questions and more in this article and provide you with the ultimate guide to Iceland’s grocery stores so you can tackle that grocery list with confidence. So, without further ado, here’s the lowdown on grocery shopping in Iceland.
The Grocery Stores in Iceland
Below are the big players in the grocery game here on the island and where they fall on the price scale:
The Most Budget-friendly Supermarkets in Iceland
The below grocery stores offer quality items at prices that won’t break the bank:
Kronan
Kronan can be found in 26 locations all across Iceland, especially in Reykjavik and along the south coast. Kronan focuses on providing healthy grocery alternatives at affordable prices. It’s definitely become one of the go-to places for affordable, yet high-quality meat and seafood, and they also have plenty of vegan options. Kronan is one of the stores that offers online food shopping here in Iceland.
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Costco
Yes, that’s right; the American Costco is also found in Iceland (but just once). We add Costco to the list as one of the grocery stores in Reykjavik. But you can truly find anything at this wholesaler – from medication and vehicle accessories to household appliances and clothing. To shop at Costco, you must be a member and present your membership card.
A Costco membership costs between $65 and $130 per year, depending on which membership option you choose. While this may seem like a lot, many swear that the savings one gets are well worth the initial investment. It also helps that the Cosco gas station offers customers some of the cheapest gas prices in the entire country (so double jackpot if you’re planning on road-tripping around the island).
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Bonus
Bonus has 33 stores all across the island (even in some of the more remote areas). Their focus is on providing as much variety as possible but at affordable pricing (made evident by their store mascot, the piggy bank). And if you’re a bit health-conscious, you can rest assured that Bonus has got you covered with a wide variety of organic, vegan, and gluten-free products.
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Netto
Netto is another huge grocery chain here in Iceland, with 19 stores around the country. If you’re one of the unlucky ones not near a Netto, you can go their online shopping route and have your items delivered to you. Netto offers such a wide range of products that you’d really have to be looking for something really obscure not to find it here.
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Mid-range & Speciality Supermarkets in Iceland
The following grocery stores are considered a little more pricey but also a bit more niche:
Hagkaup
Hagkaup is for the more high-end shopper and is much more than just a grocery store. Here, you will find anything from sushi platters to kitchenware and even cosmetics. They have 7 branches in the bigger cities and towns around the island. But don’t worry if you can’t find Hagkaup in a town near you because they also offer customers the option of doing some online shopping.
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Melabudin
Melabudin isn’t one of our larger grocery shopping chains in Iceland, but it’s still worth mentioning. This is one of our famous grocery stores in Reykjavik, offering quite a wide range of products, but it is particularly known for its meat and fish counter. The store is a family-run business that’s been in operation for over 40 years now, so it’s become a bit of an institution in the capital city.
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Convenience Stores in Iceland
Below, you will find the go-to shops here on the island if you ever find yourself in a bit of a bind (honestly, these stores are simply too expensive as a normal everyday go-to when it comes to grocery shopping in Iceland):
10-11
10-11 has three stores here on the island and is also the proud supplier of our infamous hot dogs, Paejarins Beztu Pylsur (if you’re looking for that late-night snack). These stores are open 24/7 and are wonderful if you want to grab a snack on the go, you urgently need something after-hours, or realize you forgot some household essentials.
Krambudin
Krambudin is yet another convenience store where you can get emergency snacks and essentials, only this one has 21 branches scattered across the country, all the way from Reykjahlid in the north down to Reykjavik in the south. But these convenience stores are also not open 24/7, like 10-11, and most (these differ depending on location) are open from around 08:00 in the morning till 23:30 at night.
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Pricing: What to Expect in a Food Shop in Iceland
To give you an idea of how much you’ll spend on groceries here in Iceland, we compiled this easy-to-reference list of daily essentials:
|
Grocery Item |
Price in ISK |
Price in $ |
Price in € |
|
Bread |
399 |
2,92 |
2,67 |
|
Milk |
210 |
1,54 |
1,40 |
|
Coffee (Ground) |
499 |
3,65 |
3,33 |
|
Apples (1kg) |
283 |
2,07 |
1,89 |
|
Potatoes (1kg) |
333 |
2,44 |
2,23 |
|
Tomatoes (1kg) |
500 |
3,66 |
3,34 |
|
Cheese (940g) |
2099 |
15,36 |
14,03 |
|
1 Kg of Rice |
449 |
3,28 |
3,00 |
|
Eggs (12) |
696 |
5,09 |
4,65 |
|
Chicken (950g) |
986 |
7,21 |
6,59 |
|
Beef (1kg) |
2690 |
19,68 |
17,97 |
Helpful Tips on Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck in Icelandic Grocery Stores
If this is going to be your first time doing grocery shopping in Iceland, and you find yourself on a tight budget, the following tips and advice will ensure you get the most bang for your buck:
- Instead of purchasing some of the more common and commercial brands (which are usually more expensive) rather opt for the cheaper store brand, such as at the Bonus grocery stores.
- This may not technically be a grocery food item (although many may argue that it is still a staple) But the only real alcohol you’ll find here on the island is at government-run Vinbodin stores. These can get pretty expensive, so it’s highly recommended that you take advantage of the duty-free shops at the airport.
- When it comes to fresh fruit and veg, a lot has to be imported (we are a small island, after all), so these items tend to be more costly than their frozen counterparts, which can be bought in bulk and have a longer shelf life.
- Pleeeaaase, don’t spend any money buying bottles of water. Iceland has some of the purest water in the world, so you only need to open the tap to stock up on some H2O.
- Do some proper meal planning. Instead of spending more money and time on cooking individual meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, cook bigger meals, such as stews and pasta, that you can then portion out into multiple meals.
Make it a Unique Grocery Experience: Shop Authentic Icelandic Products
You cannot go grocery shopping in Iceland without putting at least a few truly authentic Icelandic products in your cart. Whether you end up eating it yourself or taking it home to friends and family as souvenirs, the following items come highly recommended:
Fresh Fish
Icelanders have had an incredible relationship with the ocean for thousands of years and a thriving fishing industry. For fish, no importing is needed, and you can easily get your hands on a fresh catch. This also makes fish the healthier and cheaper meat option here on the island.
Hakarl
Hakarl is one of the oldest traditional foods here on the island. Granted, it’s the older generation and those with an exceptional palette that still eat and enjoy Hakarl, but it’s a cardinal sin to visit Iceland and not at least give it a try. Hakarl is fermented shark, cut into little cubes, and then eaten using toothpicks.
Brennivin
If you’re planning on giving Hakarl a go, you need to pair the delicacy with Brennivin (Icelandic Aquavit). You’ll need to buy the latter at Vinbodin.
Skyr
Skyr makes an excellent breakfast or snack option. Skyr is a dairy product that most will think resembles yogurt but it’s actually closer to cottage cheese. Skyr is a very healthy option since it’s got a very high protein content and probiotics to keep your energy up and your gut health in check.
Hardfiskur
The contents are literally in the name: “hard fish,” and are essentially what Americans refer to as jerky. Hardfiskur is also an authentically Icelandic product that has a history of thousands of years here on the island.
This dried, salty fish initially came to be out of necessity: it preserved the meat and made it possible to store for longer (especially during our harsher winter months). Today, people enjoy it as a snack, and it also makes for a great pick-me-up during an outdoor activity such as hiking.
Rugbraud
Rugbraud is a very dense and crustless health bread. There are certain places here on the island where you can still buy it after being made in the real and authentically Icelandic way of burying the dough in the ground near a hot spring or volcano where the heat actually bakes the bread instead of a traditional oven. Needless to say, this is not how the majority of Rugbraud in grocery stores are made today. But it’s still a delicious option, especially with some salted butter and Icelandic salmon.
Lamb
This may not sound like a very authentically Icelandic product, but trust us – lamb and Iceland are synonymous with each other. We can guarantee you that you will be left dreaming about our delicious lamb once back home. All our sheep are free-roaming with a high-end organic diet of wild plants and berries and glacial river water.
Kleinur
This is for those with a bit of a sweet tooth. Kleinur is a pastry here in Iceland that is almost like a twisted donut. They are usually sold as a few pieces in a bag, and you can easily polish a few bags of these delectable treats if you’re not careful.
Lava Salt
This is exactly as exotic as it sounds and is indeed infused with the island’s fiery side. This is a product that is usually hand-harvested and made by evaporating seawater in our volcanic regions and then infusing it with activated charcoal and lava rock (which is incredibly mineral-rich).
Iceland’s Grocery Stores Place a High Value on the Environment and Sustainability
One thing you’ll notice when visiting Iceland’s food stores is that they place a very high value on protecting the environment and adhering to sustainable practices. For example:
- Local brands and farmers are prioritized. By accepting their social responsibility and staying community-centered, it creates a sustainable local economy.
- Most grocery stores follow a green policy that includes the UN’s 10 principles and global goals for sustainable development.
- Most grocery stores also try to be as transparent as possible with their sustainability efforts, and they’ll often release reports or statistics regarding their environmental footprint, keeping themselves accountable.
- Plastic bags have become a big no-no here in Iceland. With a goal of becoming completely plastic-free within 25 years, most grocery stores make use of paper or reusable bags. Store brands have also tried to move away from traditional plastic product packaging.
- Most grocery stores recycle, drastically decreasing unnecessary waste.
- Many grocery stores partner with the government and other environmental bodies to try and be carbon neutral. Grocery stores such as Bonus have already succeeded.
- The grocery stores in Iceland are actively fighting food wastage. This is done by not getting caught up in ridiculous standards, such as only having fruit without any blemishes whatsoever (honestly, a small bruise on the peel is not going to kill anybody). They also offer special discounts on items that have reached their sell-by date to ensure that all products sell rather than stubbornly keeping prices the same only to have to throw the food out.
- Even the lighting has become more green, and you’ll notice most stores are using LED lights, decreasing their electricity consumption.
Grocery Shopping Tips for Road Trips
If you’re planning on road-tripping around the country, the following advice will come in handy:
- Always ensure that you stock up on groceries in the bigger cities, such as Reykjavik and Akureyri, since you’re options drastically decrease in the more remote regions.
- Choose food items with a long shelf-life. This way, you can spend more time exploring the island rather than going grocery shopping every couple of days.
- Choose items that can make a LOT of food but take up little space. For example, oats, rice, pasta, lentils, etc.
- Stock up on low-GI snacks to keep you full and energized for longer (especially if you have a lot of driving to do or have a jam-packed trip itinerary filled with outdoor activities). Excellent low-GI snack options include unsalted nuts, unsalted popcorn, multigrain or wholewheat crackers (unsalted and unflavoured), and boiled eggs.
FAQs About Grocery Shopping in Iceland
Below, you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding grocery shopping in Iceland:
Do I Need to Bring My Own Grocery Bag to Iceland?
No, you don’t need to bring your own grocery bag if you’re already cramped for space. But what we recommend is that you pay a little extra for a reusable bag during your first grocery store outing, and then you’re sorted for the rest of your trip!
Are There Online Grocery Shopping Options in Iceland?
Yes, there are plenty of online grocery shopping options here in Iceland. These include Kronan, Netto, and Hagkaup.
What are the Typical Operating Hours for Grocery Stores in Iceland?
Operating hours vary based on the store and its location, but generally, store hours are between 09:00 and 21:00 (unless it’s a convenience store that’s open 24/7, of course).
What are the Most Expensive Grocery Items in Iceland?
The most expensive grocery items here in Iceland are usually our meats and cheeses.
Do I Need to Know Some Icelandic Not to End Up with Products I Don’t Want or Need?
It’s always a good idea to get some basics down when visiting a country that speaks a different language. But here in Iceland, most grocery item names and descriptions are also provided in English.
What Payment Methods are Accepted at the Grocery Stores in Iceland?
Paying for groceries at the grocery store is easy if you use a Mastercard or Visa credit card. You’ll also find some stores that have adopted a few digital payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Iceland’s Grocery Stores: A Journey of Convenience and Unique Flavors
When road-tripping through Iceland, you’ll not only be going on an exploration of incredible natural wonders and historical sites but also a culinary adventure through the grocery stores you find along the way.
Here you’ll find some staple favorites as well as a few new (both strange and delicious) treats to tantalize your tastebuds with or surprise friends and family back home with. If you are going to be renting a car in Iceland, just keep some of our space-saving and grocery-planning tips in mind so you can have the ultimate economical and delectable Icelandic adventure. Happy shopping!
