Matseðlinn

Matseðlinn is the Icelandic term for the list of dishes offered by a restaurant, presented to diners to help them choose their meals. It is typically printed or displayed digitally and may include dish names, descriptions, and prices. In Icelandic, the definite form matseðlinn refers to the menu as a specific item within a restaurant context.

The word is formed from mat, meaning food, and seðill, meaning a form or document, reflecting its function as a written record of available dishes.

Common formats include à la carte menus, fixed (set) menus, and tasting menus. In Icelandic dining as elsewhere, the matseðlinn may be presented in print or online and is often offered in more than one language for visitors.

A typical matseðlinn lists each dish with its name, key ingredients, and price, and may include allergen information, dietary labels, and brief descriptions or suggestions.

Historically, menus appeared in European restaurants in the 18th and 19th centuries and subsequently became standard worldwide. In Iceland, the matseðlinn evolved with restaurant culture and often highlights local ingredients such as seafood, lamb, and dairy products.

Today menus are frequently updated seasonally, and many establishments use digital formats accessible via QR codes. The matseðlinn thus serves both practical and marketing purposes, guiding choices while conveying the restaurant’s style and regional offerings.