Research shows that 50% of travelers chose a destination based on the food. That may be true when you are planning a trip to countries that are globally renowned for their food – Italy, Spain, India, Mexico, Japan and many more. But Greenland may not make it to the list of foodies travels.

It was actually quite a challenge for me to research what I should expect to eat in Greenland before I headed there. A few wiki articles indicated towards the fishing and hunting bounties, warning me that availability of fruits and vegetables would be limited. Surprisingly, Greenland turned out to be a food paradise! Yes, supply is limited as many ingredients are imported from Europe, but there is also an abundance of local products. Greenland actually exports seafood such as shrimp, halibut, cod, redfish, seal. Hunting consists of reindeer and musk ox; and lots of vegetables are now being cultivated in south Greenland.

More on farming in Greenland…coming up.

Here are some of the dishes that you can expect to eat when touring around Greenland. The first of the two-part post focuses on breakfast, which always included lots of freshly baked bread, cheese, homemade jams, tea and coffee. Many different kinds of bread are made with rye, seeds, wheat, poppy seed, etc. Some are quite hearty in flavor.

Greenlandic Breakfast –

Greenlandic pastries for breakfast

Assorted savory pastries at Hotel Arctic

homemade jams served for breakfast

Homemade jams and jellies at Hotel Arctic

fresh cheese with slicer

Fresh slice your own cheese served at every restaurant

breakfast buffet at Hotel Arctic

Buffet breakfast at 4-star hotel

Greenlandic breads for breakfast

Different kinds of bread loves, served self slice style

bed and breakfast

at B&B Hansine

Breakfast at B&B Hansine (private home) in Nuuk

Read part 2 of What will you eat in Greenland?