Reykjavik on a budget – best places to buy cheap food

As with most Arctic countries, the cost of living in Reykjavik, Iceland, is high. It’s a challenge to find cheap food in Reykjavik.

So, where are the best places to buy cheap food in Reykjavik? Where can you get a cheap meal?

Reykjavik on a budget – best places to buy cheap food has the answers.

To get cheap food in Reykjavik and keep food costs low, visit any of the local supermarkets. Supermarkets can really reduce your food bill. So what are the cheaper supermarkets in Reykjavik?

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Best supermarkets

Here is a list of the cheapest supermarkets in Reykjavik.

Bonus

This no-frills discount supermarket has the cheapest prices in Reykjavik. It’s a smallish supermarket with a limited range of products, but it will satisfy your basic food needs.

You can find cold meat, fruits, bread, dairy, breakfast and staple foods, ready-made meals and snack foods. Shopping here is good for your budget.

There are quite a few Bonus supermarkets in Reykjavik and Iceland, so you’ll find one close by. Just look out for the pink pig.

Kronan is like Bonus because it is a budget-friendly supermarket. It’s larger and has a bigger collection of products, making it more like a Lidl discount supermarket.

If you suffer from food allergies, this store should be on your must-visit list. Being an allergy sufferer, I was happy to find lactose-and gluten-free food brands here.

Netto is a fierce competitor to Kronan. It’s small with a more limited variety, but it is jam-packed with all the food you need, like fruit, vegetables, meat, pantry and dry goods, bakery and baked food, and ready to cook meal options.

There are a few Netto supermarkets in Reykjavik.

Pris is the up and coming supermarket that is trying to dethrone Bonus and Kronan in Iceland. This supermarket has been reported to be up to 5-10% cheaper on selected food items.

Its store layout is very spacious and has only self-service checkouts. You’ll find the usual food staples here, such as bread, groceries and ready-made meals.

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There are some things to be aware of when visiting supermarkets in Reykjavik.

Most supermarkets in Reykjavik open at 10am and close at 9pm. This can vary depending on the supermarket chain you’re visiting, and some like Netto are open 24 hours a day.

Iceland is the most cashless society in the world. Most Reykjavik supermarkets accept credit cards and mobile payments only.

Reykjavik supermarkets will not provide free plastic bags. If you need a bag, it will be paper and come at an extra cost. To save money, bring your own.

After you have finished your shopping, you’ll need to scan your supermarket receipt at the exit barrier at a lot of the self-service supermarkets.

What if you are after a hot meal instead of eating supermarket food? Where do you go to buy a cheap one?

Reykjavik has a wide range of dining options catering to everyone’s budget.

Restaurant meals can be on the pricey side, but there are ways to bring down the cost.

To get an enjoyable meal at a fraction of the cost, head to the major shopping street of Reykjavik – Laugavegur. There are many restaurants and cafes here that offer a wide variety of delicious cuisines such as Asian, European, and takeout food.

Also head to where the locals are going for a meal. This will usually be where the best and cheapest meals are.

And a visit to Iceland is not complete without tasting one of their famous hotdogs. They make the hotdogs from Icelandic lamb, beef, and pork, sauteed onions, tomato sauce, and mustard! A yummy meal and a cheap one!

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Do you have any other tips for eating cheap in Reykjavik? Comment below.

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