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South Iceland Culinary Treasures

The South Coast area is rich with diverse ingredients, whether from sea or land. The geographical location of the country largely shapes Iceland's food production.

The South Coast area is rich with diverse ingredients, whether from sea or land. The geographical location of the country largely shapes Iceland's food production. The South Coast has a temperate humid sea climate, and there is a remarkable difference in daylight depending on the seasons. Soil fertility varies by region, for example, due to weather, distance from the sea, and access to the lowlands, making each area unique in both diet and food production. History also plays a significant role in this.

The south coast is divided into three areas, the Golden Circle area, Katla Geopark, Vestmannaeyjar, and the Vatnajökull region.

In the Golden Circle area, agriculture is practiced extensively as there is an excellent tradition for milk production, vegetable growing where geothermal energy is used, meat production, sea-fishing from Þorlákshöfn town, and fishing in rivers and lakes.

In Katla Geopark and Westman Islands, there is a tradition for agriculture of various kinds, for example, grain cultivation, growing root vegetables, and fishing. The main characteristics of the area are birds and collecting eggs.

The Vatnajökull region has always been an agricultural district. It was a relatively poor area in the early days, but after 1980 the cultivation increased, especially on the sands. The municipality of Hornafjörður and the fishing village of Höfn have a large selection of food from the district, produced by farmers and caught by the area's fishermen. Höfn is a proper fishing village where one of the primary industries is fishing, and lobster is a specialty of the people of Hornfjörður.

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The culinary experience in the South is varied, and you can enjoy eating anything from locally produced food in the environment that it grows to a gourmet restaurant. There are many restaurants, many of which specialize in local ingredients, from rye bread baked in hot springs to delicious tomato dishes and drinks.

Apart from all that, the South of Iceland can proudly offer restaurants with a great emphasis on a professional and varied menu: Food & drinks