Iceland by campervan: food and supermarkets
Where to buy food in Iceland, which supermarkets to use, opening hours and practical tips for eating on the road. What to know before you go.
Published 18 September 2026Last checked 19 September 2026
Currency
Icelandic króna
ISK, not the euro. 139.40 kr to €1 on 18 September 2026
Language
Icelandic
English is spoken almost everywhere
Driving
Right
90 km/h paved, 80 gravel, 50 in town
Power
230V, type F
Same two-pin plug as most of the continent
Tap water
Safe to drink
Cold is excellent. Hot smells of sulphur
Emergency
112
Backup 599 0112. Road service 1777
Food and shops
Food and shops
Cook in the van. Eurostat put Icelandic restaurants and hotels at 167.3 against an EU average of 100 in 2024, and eating out daily is what turns an expensive trip into a painful one. The chains worth planning around are Bónus, Krónan and Nettó, the three discounters, with Hagkaup for range and Kjörbúðin and Krambúð as the small shops that turn up in a village and charge for the privilege. Bónus publishes general hours of 11:00 to 19:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00 to 19:00 at the weekend.
Where to shop
- Best value: Bónus or Krónan.
- Full range: Hagkaup.
- Camper access: Use suburban Reykjavík or Akureyri branches with large open car parks.
Supermarkets, and what each one is for
| Chain | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bónus | The cheapest big shop, and the one everyone plans around. A narrow range, priced low. | General hours 11:00 to 19:00 weekdays, 10:00 to 19:00 at weekends. Larger branches run longer |
| Krónan | The other main discounter, with better fresh produce than Bónus. | Longer hours than Bónus in most towns |
| Nettó | Reaches into smaller places the other two do not. Some branches open very long hours. | The one you find on the way round the ring road |
| Hagkaup | The widest range and the one open latest. More expensive. | Capital area and a handful of towns |
| Kjörbúðin and Krambúð | Small shops, higher prices, and frequently the only shop for an hour's drive. | Village and fjord Iceland. Treat as a top up, not a shop |
Buying alcohol without wasting a day
- Áfengislög, the alcohol act, defines alcohol as any drinkable liquid over 2.25 percent by volume. That is why supermarket beer is weak rather than cheap.
- Vínbúðin holds the exclusive retail licence. There is no second option and no late shop.
Stocking the campervan
- Shop in a town, not on the road. The gaps in the Westfjords, the eastern fjords and the north east are long and the village shop prices reflect it.
- Buy fish, lamb, skyr and rye bread here. Buy almost everything else before you arrive if you can.
