Other things to eat and drink in Iceland

Hot dogs.

Despite their increasingly sophisticated cuisine, Icelanders still crave fast food, particularly the hot dogs at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. Established in 1937, Reykjavik’s most popular street food shack counts Bill Clinton among past customers. It faces the harbour on the corner of Tryggvagata and Posthusstraeti.

Pronounced ‘‘skeer’’, this low-fat, yoghurt-like treat is the pick of Iceland’s dairy products. Rich in flavour and creamy in texture, it can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dessert, and goes exceedingly well with berries and chocolate.

Icelanders adore chocolate – especially that of Noi Sirius, a familyowned confection company founded in 1920. Liquorice is another favourite. Don’t miss Freyju Rosa Draumur – a bar of liquorice coated in milk chocolate, available in supermarkets and N1 service stations. Be warned: it’s addictive.

Beer was banned in Iceland until 1989, but it’s everywhere now, with Danish-style lagers heavily imbibed, though more craft beers are emerging (including ales flavoured with smoked whales’ testicles). Reykjavik has hip cocktail lounges aplenty. At Apotek (apotekrestaurant.is), a former pharmacy, mixologists (or ‘‘pharmacists’’) serve a variety of ‘‘painkillers’’, ‘‘stimulants’’, and ‘‘tranquilisers’’. Up for a shot? Try Brennivin, a strong liquor schnapps. Icelanders call it Black Death.

Most tourists are surprised by just how decent the coffee is in Iceland. Sample it at Reykjavik’s boho-chic coffee-houses, such as Cafe Haiti (cafehaiti.is) and Reykjavik Roasters (reykjavikroasters.is). In many establishments, you’ll get a glass of cold tap water with your latte (or flat white). Drink it. Icelanders say it’s the best and purest water in the world.

Skyr. Chocolate. Alcohol. Coffee.