Skip to content
©mylasa
Home News Lifestyle Iceland: The Country Without McDonald's

Iceland: The Country Without McDonald's

News

More than 15 years after the last Big Mac was served, Iceland remains one of the few countries in the world without a McDonald's – and locals aren't complaining.

The Editors,
09.07.2026

The End of an Era

Iceland's last three McDonald's restaurants closed in October 2009 after the country's financial crisis made importing ingredients too expensive. Rather than compromising on quality, the franchise operator decided to shut down all locations.

A Burger with a Story

Today, local burger restaurants have filled the gap, becoming favourites among Icelanders and visitors alike. Meanwhile, the country's final McDonald's meal has achieved cult status: a Big Mac and fries bought on the last day of business are still on display in Reykjavík, where they continue to attract curious travellers from around the world.

The Editors
More by The Editors
Find out more
1 / 12

The best

Café Guide: The top 10 cafés in Vorarlberg Café Guide: The top 10 Cafés in Lower Austria The Best Wineries in Valais The Best Restaurants in Bregenz "Sunday Opening" Restaurants in Canton Bern
Syrah: The Best Wines of the Vintage 2018 from Lower Austria »Kremstal DAC Cup 2022«: Wines from Kremstal Best Wines of the Vintage 2021 from Canton of Neuchâtel Gamay: The Best Wines from Valais »Leithaberg DAC – White and Red Elegance«: Wines from Leithaberg
The Best Restaurants in 13100 Aix-en-Provence "Italian Cuisine" Restaurants in Lazio The Best of »Falstaff Online International 2024« in Florence "German Cuisine" Restaurants in Saxony-Anhalt "E-charging station" Restaurants in Bavaria
The Best Wineries in Center-Val de Loire "Delivery Service" Street Food Restaurants in Vorarlberg The Best Wineries in Campania Homemade Pastries Cafés in Czech Republic The Best Bars in Baden-Wuerttemberg