The revival of the culinary heritage of Iceland
Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the world, so no wonder its cuisine was always considered as not very diverse and rich due to the fact that the land is not too fertile and the climate is unfavorable. However, it has recently became very attractive for culinary gourmets from all over the world. The city now is the main destination for those who want to try the new Nordic cuisine thanks to local seafood, meat and game. In almost every restaurant you can order mussels, grilled lobster or local fish.
For lunch we have chosen the famous Grillmarkaðurinn (The other name is The Grillmarket) in the city center which is known for the magical fusion of traditional and modern cuisine. The restaurant offers unusual dishes that are made from local Icelandic products. A close working collaboration of the restaurant with dedicated local farmers gives the very best in local produce and allows to taste the best from the island. Just some of the local products that feature on the menu and we’ve tried are lamb, beef, trout, quail, skyr and honey. We highly recommend to try the Tasting menu that the chef ́s have put together and that consists of a selection of dishes from the menu. It changes season to season, but you can be sure you will get the best of the best from the seasonal local products.
The most curious gourmands can try here a steak from shark or petrel, as well as mini hamburgers with venison. However the most unusual traditional dish which you can try if you are brave enough is hakarl. It’s a rotten shark meat with a specific smell, which decomposes in dome in some certain way in the sand for six months. Another interesting element of Icelandic kitchen is volcanic bread. They bake it in those places where active volcanoes heat the upper layers of the soil. The dough is placed in a metal mold and left in the ground for 12 hours. Yummy and unusual! Our favorite traditional snack that we recommend to try is the Icelandic rye treat, it’s a fermented milk product resembling yogurt
The interior of the restaurant consists of the typical rocks and waters of Iceland, creating a modern, but at the same time very comfortable environment. In the lounge area guests can try a wide selection of exciting cocktails and wines, which they can enjoy in relaxed atmosphere. The bar on the lower floor is open from 17:00 until closing time. No reservations are needed for the bar, however, it is recommended that you reserve a table for dining. Reservations are available either by phone or on Grillmarkadurinn’s website.
We encourage you to make a reservation and enjoy a famous Icelandic meal in a stylish environment!
