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Christmas in Iceland is a season of light, warmth and togetherness. Across the country, families, friends and coworkers gather for jólamatur — holiday meals in Iceland that are generous, comforting and deeply rooted in tradition. At Hotel Rangá, we celebrate this joyful season with our annual Christmas Buffet, a beloved tradition that brings guests and locals together for a feast of Icelandic flavors. Laden with classic dishes, homemade treats and festive surprises, our Christmas Buffet is the perfect way to welcome the holiday spirit in the Icelandic countryside.
The Hotel Rangá Christmas Buffet is served on Friday and Saturday during the last two weekends of November and the first two weekends in December. Whether you join us after a day exploring Iceland’s winter landscape or plan a special outing with loved ones, we invite you to relax, raise a glass and enjoy a true Icelandic Christmas celebration.
A Taste of Tradition: Pre-Drink and Bread Table
Your experience begins with a warm cup of jólaglögg, Icelandic mulled wine infused with spices and holiday cheer. This cozy welcome drink sets the tone for the evening: comforting, fragrant and festive.
Next, wander to the bread table — a central feature of any Icelandic Christmas spread. Our chefs prepare a selection that celebrates both tradition and craftsmanship, from dark, dense rúgbrauð to crisp, delicate laufabrauð. You will also find flatkökur, sourdough bread, and our very own Rangá bread, all served with whipped butter and garlicky hvítlaukssmjör. It’s a simple but essential start: the flavors of Icelandic home baking, shared around the table.
Herring and Salmon: Classics of the Icelandic Christmas Buffet
In Iceland, no Christmas buffet is complete without a celebration of seafood. Our herring selection includes Christmas herring and curry herring — two classic specialties with roots in Iceland’s fishing heritage. The flavors are bold, creamy and nostalgic, offering a delicious glimpse into Icelandic food culture.
Next comes a generous array of cured and smoked fish. In Iceland, gravlax – or cured salmon – is a traditional Christmas specialty that is usually served with a creamy sauce. This year’s buffet includes smoked salmon, smoked arctic char, beetroot cured salmon, citrus cured salmon, dill cured salmon, and even coffee cured salmon.
Each preparation highlights a different facet of Iceland’s salmon tradition — smoky, sweet, earthy or citrusy. Paired with fresh bread, dill sauce or a spoonful of pickled vegetables, these bites are always among the most beloved on the buffet.
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Cold Delights: Goose, Duck and Hangikjöt
The cold table features some of Iceland’s most treasured holiday flavors. Begin with cured goose with a delicate depth of flavor, followed by smoked duck breast that melts on the tongue. Icelanders have enjoyed smoked meats for centuries, especially during the long winter months, and our chefs take great care to preserve these traditional flavors.
We also serve tvíreykt hangikjöt, the iconic Icelandic smoked lamb that appears on nearly every Christmas table in the country. Thinly sliced and deeply aromatic, it carries the unmistakable taste of Icelandic holiday cooking. These dishes are joined by cured beef, beef tongue, Christmas ham and house-made reindeer and mixed patés — a rich, flavorful lineup that honors Iceland’s heritage.
Hot Christmas Favorites: From Crispy Pork to Confit Duck
The heart of the buffet lies in the hot dishes, inspired by traditional Icelandic Christmas dinners. Our crispy pork belly is always a guest favorite with its crackling skin and tender meat. Guests can also enjoy marinated leg of lamb, glazed ham and turkey breast. For those who prefer something richer, we offer beef fillet cooked to perfection and confit duck leg that falls effortlessly from the bone. This year, our chefs have also created flavorful reindeer meatballs, a festive nod to Iceland’s northern nature.
Side Dishes: Comfort in Every Bite
No Christmas feast is complete without the comforting side dishes that bring everything together. From caramelized potatoes gleaming with butter and sugar to creamy red cabbage and roasted root vegetables, every bite adds color, texture and hearty warmth to your plate. These traditional Icelandic sides are simple, satisfying and deeply tied to the joy of Christmas meals shared with family and friends.
Vegetarian Christmas Favorites
Our chefs have also created a delicious selection of vegetarian dishes so every guest can enjoy the festive feast. The vegetarian offerings include mushroom paté, eggplant roulade, beetroot steak and nut steak, served with a rich vegetable demi-glaze. These dishes are full of flavor and festive flair, ensuring a hearty Christmas experience for all.
The Dessert Table: Sweet Icelandic Christmas Traditions
It wouldn’t be Christmas at Hotel Rangá without a generous dessert spread. After savoring the savory dishes, guests can indulge in a beautiful selection of Icelandic sweets and international favorites. The riz à l’amande is always a highlight: a creamy rice pudding folded into whipped cream and almonds, served with warm sauces that bring comfort and nostalgia. From rich chocolate mousse to spiced gingerbread cookies, the dessert table offers something for every sweet tooth.
The Best Hotel to Celebrate Christmas in Iceland
We firmly believe that Hotel Rangá is the best hotel to celebrate Christmas in Iceland. Come December 1st, you will find our luxury property decorated with garlands, ornaments and other Christmas decorations. By day, our guests can explore Iceland’s majestic landscape. The winter season offers plenty of exciting outdoor adventures including ATV adventures, snowmobiling, horseback riding and even super jeep tours.
After a day of adventures, return to your home base to relax and indulge. Hotel Rangá is a cozy oasis of comfort and cheer located in the middle of the beautiful Icelandic countryside. Guests can soak in our geothermal hot tubs that feature excellent views of the lovely Rangá River. Next, enjoy handcrafted cocktails at the Rangá Bar and our delicious Christmas Buffet in the Rangá Restaurant. If the conditions are right, you can even do a bit of stargazing after dinner. The dark, Icelandic winter is the perfect time to look for the magical northern lights.
The Icelandic Yule Lads
We love to share Icelandic Christmas traditions with our guests. Have you ever heard about Iceland’s Yule Lads? In Iceland, we have more than one Santa – we have 13 of them! These mischievous lads come down from the mountains one by one in the days before Christmas. They are known for playing silly tricks with names that reflect their special interests.
For example, Þvörusleikir, or Spoon Licker, arrives on the night before December 15th. Tall, thin and hungry, Spoon Licker creeps around the house looking for unwashed spoons to lick. Gáttaþefur, or Door Sniffer, has an extremely long nose that he uses to sniff out the best treats. Hurðaskellir, or Door Slammer, tiptoes around the house searching for open doors that he can slam shut.
Iceland’s Yule Lads at Hotel Rangá
But the Yule Lads don’t just play jokes and steal food. During the 13 days before Christmas, Icelandic children leave a shoe on their windowsill before they go to bed. While children are sleeping, the Yule Lads leave a present in their shoe. If you are staying at Hotel Rangá during the weeks leading up to Christmas, you can get a taste of this Christmas tradition. Yes, that’s right – the Yule Lads have been known to visit Hotel Rangá! To learn more about the Yule Lads, check out our blog post: All About Iceland’s Yule Lads.
Celebrate Christmas at Hotel Rangá
There is no better way to enjoy the holidays than sharing time with loved ones over a delicious feast. Book a stay at Hotel Rangá during the Christmas season and experience our famous Icelandic Christmas Buffet. We look forward to welcoming you to our luxury property and sharing our Icelandic Christmas traditions.
