The Flavors That Tell the Story of Iceland
Iceland is a land of contrasts. Black volcanic beaches meet icy blue waters. Green valleys stretch beneath rugged mountains. Steam rises from geothermal landscapes, while glaciers and waterfalls transform the scenery at every turn.
The food tells a story of its own. For centuries, Icelanders have made the most of what the island provides—fresh seafood from the surrounding waters, lamb raised on open pasture, dairy products, and, more recently, locally grown produce made possible through innovative greenhouse farming.
At Photo Workshop Adventures, our focus is always on photography, but on many of our photo tours, we also love to devour some great foods of the region. It’s another way to experience a destination, connect with its culture, and share the journey with fellow photographers.
So, while this isn’t a food tour, food is part of the experience. Between photographing Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, exploring its southern coast and highlands, and enjoying time together as a group, there are plenty of opportunities to discover some of the flavors that make Iceland unique.
From the North Atlantic to the Table
You don’t have to travel far in Iceland to be reminded that the sea is an essential part of life here.
The North Atlantic surrounds the island, and seafood has long been a cornerstone of Icelandic cooking. Cod is perhaps the most familiar, but Arctic char, trout, haddock, salmon, and other fish also feature prominently in Icelandic cuisine.
As we travel along Iceland’s southern coast, seafood is naturally part of the culinary experience. After a morning spent photographing waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, or the powerful waves of the Atlantic, a meal featuring fresh local ingredients is a welcome way to slow down and take in the day.
There is a satisfying connection between the landscape outside the window and what is served on the plate.
Iceland’s Pastures and Its Lamb
Iceland’s landscapes are not only dramatic; they are also home to sheep that have been part of the country’s agricultural traditions for centuries.
Icelandic lamb is known for its distinctive flavor, with the animals traditionally spending much of the year grazing outdoors. Lamb remains an important part of Icelandic cuisine and appears in everything from traditional home cooking to contemporary restaurant dishes.
During our adventure, meals at local restaurants and hotels give us the opportunity to sample Icelandic cooking as we move through the country. And after a day spent photographing the rugged terrain, there is something particularly fitting about sitting down to a hearty meal inspired by the land around you.
Skyr: A Simple Icelandic Staple
Some Icelandic foods are deeply traditional without being complicated. Skyr is a perfect example. Thick, creamy, and high in protein, skyr has been part of Icelandic food culture for centuries. It is often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack, and you may also find it incorporated into desserts and other dishes.
For travelers, it is one of those everyday foods that offers a small glimpse into local life. Enjoying skyr in the morning before heading out with your camera is not a grand culinary experience—and that is exactly what makes it interesting. It is a simple part of everyday Iceland, experienced naturally as part of the adventure.
A Greenhouse in the Land of Fire and Ice
One of the most unexpected food experiences on our Iceland itinerary takes place at Friðheimar. Iceland may not immediately bring farming to mind, but geothermal energy has made it possible to grow tomatoes and other produce in greenhouses despite the country’s challenging climate.
At Friðheimar, we step inside one of these greenhouses for lunch. Surrounded by rows of tomato plants, we can enjoy dishes made with the farm’s own produce, including its well-known tomato soup and homemade bread. It is a very different atmosphere from the windswept landscapes and volcanic scenery we have been photographing outside.
And that contrast is what makes the stop memorable. Friðheimar offers a glimpse into the creativity and resourcefulness that have allowed Icelanders to produce food in an environment where traditional agriculture can be challenging.
Eating Our Way Through the Adventure
Food is never far away as we make our way through Iceland. Our route takes us from Reykjavík into the southern countryside and toward some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. We photograph Reynisfjara, Vík, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, glaciers, Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón, and Vestrahorn before continuing through other remarkable landscapes.
Along the way, included lunches and dinners at local restaurants and hotels give us opportunities to experience Icelandic food without taking us away from the adventure.
Some meals may be quick and casual. Others give us more time to sit together and enjoy the setting. That variety is part of traveling. Not every memorable meal needs to be an elaborate affair. Sometimes it is simply a warm lunch after a chilly morning outdoors or dinner and conversation after a long day with the cameras.
Lunch in the Highlands
The Icelandic highlands bring yet another perspective. Far from the more populated areas, the Fjallabak Nature Reserve feels almost otherworldly. Rhyolite mountains, volcanic landscapes, geothermal features, and vast stretches of wilderness create an extraordinary setting for photography.
Here, our lunch is a picnic. There is no restaurant competing with the scenery. Instead, we take a break outdoors, surrounded by the landscapes we have come to photograph.
It is a simple experience, but perhaps one of the most fitting meals of the trip. There is something wonderful about sitting down with fellow photographers in the middle of Iceland’s wilderness, looking across a landscape that feels untouched and impossibly vast.
The Flavors We Remember
Travel has a funny way of attaching memories to things we might not expect. Years from now, you may remember the light falling across a glacier, the sound of a waterfall, or the first glimpse of a black sand beach. But you may also remember the warm meal afterward.
You may remember discovering skyr at breakfast, sharing stories around a restaurant table, enjoying tomato soup surrounded by greenhouse plants, or eating a picnic lunch in the highlands with mountains stretching in every direction. These moments may not be the reason we travel to Iceland, but they become part of the story.
Because a photo tour is about more than filling memory cards. It is about seeing a place, experiencing its culture, meeting its people, and sharing the journey with others who are just as excited to explore it.
Ready to Experience Iceland Through Your Lens?
Iceland offers an extraordinary range of photographic opportunities, from Reykjavík and the southern coast to glaciers, black sand beaches, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, geothermal areas, and the remote beauty of the highlands. And between those photographic moments, there is time to experience another side of the country—one found around the table.
Join us on our Iceland Photo Tour and discover a country where dramatic landscapes, local culture, good food, and shared experiences come together to create an unforgettable photographic adventure.
