Best markets in Iceland
Iceland does not have Mediterranean-style produce markets — the climate is against it. But there are a handful of weekend food halls, farmers' markets and flea markets worth planning around.
Interior of Kolaportid flea market with food stalls
Kolaportid flea market
Kolaportid is Iceland's only proper weekend market, running Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm in a warehouse on Tryggvagata by the harbour. Half is second-hand clothes and Icelandic wool sweaters ($60-120 for a real lopapeysa), half is food.
The food side is where to try hakarl cubes, dried fish (hardfiskur) with butter, rugbraud rye bread and pickled ram's testicles if you dare. Free samples everywhere. Cash is useful here but cards work on most stalls.
Hlemmur Food Hall
Hlemmur Matholl in the old bus station on Laugavegur is Reykjavik's stylish food hall — 10 stalls, open daily 8am-11pm. Skal! does Nordic small plates ($8-16), Ban Thai has good pad see ew ($18), and Fjarhusid does the best cinnamon buns in the city.
The atmosphere is buzzy in the evenings — a nice alternative to committing to one restaurant.
Grandi Matholl and beyond
Grandi Matholl on Grandagardur out on the harbour peninsula is a smaller food hall — 8 stalls including Kore for Korean, Habibi for Middle Eastern, and Fish Company for cheap fish and chips ($16). Handy if you are already at the whale-watching boats.
In Akureyri, Bruggsmidjan brewery runs a small Saturday market in summer. Vik has a modest weekend produce stall outside Kronan supermarket.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Yes, especially for a rainy Saturday. It is the only real market experience in Iceland and the food samples are free.
Saturday and Sunday only, 11am-5pm. Closed weekdays. Located at Tryggvagata 19 near the Old Harbour.
Kolaportid ($60-90 used) or the Handknitting Association shop on Skolavordustigur for new (from $220).
Not a traditional one. Fisherman shops like Fylgifiskar on Skolavordustigur sell fresh fish over the counter. The Old Harbour also has a handful of retail stalls.
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