KLAKSVIK, Faroe Islands — In the American imagination, a European breakfast looks something like a dainty espresso cup at a sidewalk cafe with, perhaps, a few bites of a croissant on a similarly dainty plate. For their part, Europeans picture standard morning fare in the United States like a Waffle House home-run breakfast: half a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk, a few pancakes for good measure. There are elements of truth in both cases.
I’ve had my fair share of both sidewalk cortados and classic diner plates. In our effort to traverse the entirety of the Faroese archipelago in a matter of days, however, we resorted to eating breakfast at the gas station. It’s not as bad as it sounds. The Faroese equivalent of a Shell off of I-95 in America, for instance, will be equipped with a high-quality espresso machine that can churn out a cafe-level cappuccino in a minute or less. Snacks like granola and even pastries are also readily available.
After a morning of hiking, however, we decided to use Klaksvik—the second-largest town in the Faroes—as a chance to find something a little heartier. “Let’s try this place,” I suggested, confident in my ability to choose a good spot. I pride myself on finding authentic and affordable restaurants when traveling, though it’s a risky business: one bad pick and your credibility is shot for the rest of the trip, often longer.
The breakfast joint was packed, which is always a good sign. After lingering in the foyer for a few minutes, we snagged a spacious window table and sat down to get to work. When the plates arrived, I knew I could rest on my laurels for the foreseeable future: a classic European array of cheese, nuts, and fruit (plus a croissant for good measure) captured our eyes and hearts, while a selection of eggs, bacon, and bread held down the American end of the bargain. Cultural diplomacy in real time.
I used my success to my advantage, subtly pointing us toward the bars and restaurants I’d marked before the trip as places I wanted to try. Any time I encountered the winds of pushback, I countered, “Remember breakfast?”
🇫🇴 Read more from the Faroe Islands.