Everything You Need to Know About Fast Food in Iceland

Iceland isn’t all fermented shark and $40 dinners, contrary to popular belief. While you can certainly sample traditional Icelandic cuisine on your visit, if you’re visiting Reykjavík and want familiar, convenient meals, there are plenty of cost-efficient fast food options that might pique your interest (and whet your appetite).

Let’s take a look at everything you should know about getting fast food in Iceland.

Is Fast Food Popular in Iceland?

Fast food chains in Iceland are growing alongside an increasing number of tourists. Surveys estimate foreign visitors topped 2.3 million in 2024, which has nearly doubled since 2015.

Fast food in Reykjavík is also growing rapidly. Today, there are dozens of local brands, international chains, and plenty of plant-based options to choose from.

Interestingly, eating out was once considered a treat - think birthdays or occasions - in Nordic countries. But the rapid growth of fast and convenient options has made getting a quick bite to eat more widely accepted.

Subway restaurant exterior in Reykjavík, Iceland.

You’ll find plenty of familiar fast food chains in Iceland, from fried chicken and pizzas to burritos and footlongs. But unlike traditional fast food locations, many of their menu items are quirky and gourmet.

For example, you might visit:

KFC: You won’t find mashed potatoes, biscuits, or mac and cheese on the Icelandic menu, but you will find permanent vegan and vegetarian options.
Subway: Subway of Iceland offers plenty of extras to pair with your meal, like unique cheese options, sauces, and specialty cookie choices.
Domino’s: This pizza giant has the highest number of fast food locations in Iceland. There aren’t many menu differences between Iceland and the US, but you might expect the price range to be a little higher.
Taco Bell: You can enjoy all your favorite Mexican-inspired menu items, plus unique entries like Mexican pizza, whip freeze, and breakfast desserts.

Have you noticed the lack of McDonald’s here? That’s because the last store closed in October 2009. McDonald’s needed to import a large portion of ingredients, while other successful chains rely more heavily on Icelandic-produced products.

Icelandic Fast Food Favorites

In the mood for more Icelandic-style fast food? Below is a list of popular chains that are packed with flavor and local flair.

Pssst: if you’re looking for options that might suit the whole family, check out our guide to the Best Family Restaurants in Reykjavík When Traveling with Kids.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

This world-famous hotdog chain uses a unique blend of lamb, pork, and beef to create the unforgettable flavors of the famous Icelandic hotdog. Order one “with the works” to get ketchup, fried and raw onions, mustard, and remoulade — or use the Icelandic phrase, “eina með öllu.”

Address: Tryggvagata 1, 101 Reykjavík (Headquarters)

Hours: Check location hours

Aktu Taktu

Reykjavík visitors describe local hamburger chain Aktu Taktu as similar to McDonald's, but with an Icelandic twist. You can stop by for breakfast for a spot of bagels and coffee, grab a burger for dinner with crispy fries and jalapeno poppers, or enjoy a ‘clown cone’ (ice cream) for dessert.

You can find all of Aktu Taktu’s locations and hours online.

Hlöllabátar

Hlöllabátar (‘sailboats’ in English) is a sandwich shop and local favorite for nightcap snacks. Some visitors describe it as an Icelandic version of street food, offering anything from boat sandwiches and pizza to French fries and BBQ chicken salads. It’s typically open later than other fast food restaurants in the area, so if you find yourself hungry before bed, this might be a tasty joint to try.

Address: Bústaðavegur 20 105, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland

Hours: 11 am - 9 pm daily at most locations

Vegetarian & Vegan Fast Food Options

Iceland offers a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan fast food options.

For example, international chains like Subway and Taco Bell offer vegetarian and vegan options such as salads, sandwiches, and burritos. There are also plenty of fan-favorite local chains with solid options - the franchise Lemon offers a popular vegan sandwich with falafel, red curry, paprika, and pesto.

Where to Find Fast Food in Reykjavík

You’re most likely to find fast food in Reykjavík around central locations and busy street corners. This means it’s much easier to find quick-service restaurants and street food near locations such as:

Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV)
Centre, near the Harpa concert hall and Reykjavík Art Museum
The Smáralind shopping mall
Reykjavík Park and Zoo
Northern attractions such as Whales of Iceland, Lava Show, and FlyOver Iceland

Tips for Eating Fast in Iceland

Before you go ordering fast food in Iceland, be sure you’re considering their operating hours. Many don’t open until later in the morning (think 10 or 11 am) and close earlier than some tourists are accustomed to.

You should also know that drive-thrus aren’t always a given. For example, international fast food chains like KFC may offer drive-thrus, but dine-in and walk-ins are much more common for eateries like Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur.

You should also temper your expectations around pricing. For example, the cost of an “ein með öllu” hotdog is around 820 ISK, or $7 USD. US chains like Subway cost around 2349 ISK for a 12-inch sandwich, which comes out to around $19 USD.

Restaurant wait times heavily depend on the time of day. Some, like Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, may have more tourist demand than others.

You don’t need to worry about speaking Icelandic when ordering, as the vast majority of locals also speak English. That said, it’s good cultural practice to try speaking the native language, even if you’re not entirely confident in your abilities.

Below are some common Icelandic phrases that can help you order fast food quickly:

<table><tbody><tr><td>English</td><td>Icelandic</td><td>Pronunciation</td></tr><tr><td>I would like fries with that</td><td>Ég vil fá franskar með þessu</td><td>yeg vil f-ow frans-kar meth the-suu</td></tr><tr><td>No drink, please</td><td>Engan drykk, takk</td><td>eng-gan drr-ikk, tahk</td></tr><tr><td>What do you recommend?</td><td>Hvað mælir þú með?</td><td>kvath my-leer thoo meth</td></tr><tr><td>I’ll take the combo</td><td>Ég tek tilboðið</td><td>yeg tek til-boe-thith</td></tr><tr><td>Just the burger, please</td><td>Bara borgarann, takk</td><td>ba-ra bor-ga-rann, tahk</td></tr><tr><td>With cheese</td><td>Með osti</td><td>meth oss-ti</td></tr><tr><td>Without onions</td><td>Án lauks</td><td>own lowks</td></tr><tr><td>Can I get extra sauce?</td><td>Get ég aukasósu?</td><td>get yeg oi-ka-soh-soo</td></tr><tr><td>That’s all, thanks!</td><td>Þetta er allt, takk!</td><td>thet-ta er alt, tahk</td></tr><tr><td>It was delicious!</td><td>Þetta var ljúffengt!</td><td>thet-ta var lyuff-fenkt</td></tr></tbody></table>

Explore 10 Common Phrases in Icelandic You Should Learn Before You Visit.

No matter what you’re craving in Reykjavík, there are plenty of fast food restaurants to help scratch the itch. But why not explore every flavor there is to savor? You can hire a car to explore food stops beyond the capital and explore the many tastes of Iceland with your loved ones.