Cafe and restaurant in Icelandic
A table, the menu, what you cannot eat, and a compliment to the kitchen. Play the ten Icelandic words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Icelandic phrases in this lesson
- Borð fyrir tvo, vinsamlegastborth FIR-ir tvoh, VIN-sam-leh-gast
- A table for two
- Matseðilinn, vinsamlegastMAT-seth-il-in, VIN-sam-leh-gast
- The menu, please
- Hvað mælir þú með?kvath MYE-lir thoo meth
- What do you recommend?
- Ég borða ekki...yekh BOR-tha EK-ee
- I don't eat...
- Ég er með ofnæmi fyrir...yekh er meth OV-nai-mi FIR-ir
- I'm allergic to...
- Kjötkyuht
- Meat
- KjúklingurKYOOK-ling-ur
- Chicken
- FiskurFIS-kur
- Fish
- Þetta er ljúffengtTHET-tah er LYOOF-fenkt
- It's delicious
- Skál!skowl
- Cheers
The standard opener on arriving at a restaurant. Borð means table. Reservations are advisable in Reykjavík on weekends, especially during the summer tourist season.
Matseðill literally means "food list." Many restaurants have English menus available, but asking in Icelandic first is always appreciated and may earn you a warmer welcome.
A great phrase for tapping into local knowledge. Icelanders are proud of lamb, Arctic char, and skyr-based desserts. Staff will happily guide you toward the best dish of the day.
Icelandic lamb grazes free all summer and is the national meat.
Cod and haddock are everywhere and always fresh.
A genuine compliment to offer staff or a host. Ljúffengt means delightful or delicious. Icelanders do not expect elaborate praise but will be genuinely pleased to hear it.
The Icelandic toast, pronounced like the English word "scowl." Crucially, make eye contact with everyone you clink glasses with. Skipping eye contact is considered bad form and bad luck.