Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour – Icelandic Traditional Food

Reykjavík’s traditional food is not shy. This walking tour takes you from the old harbor to Hallgrímskirkja for shellfish soup, lamb soup, the city’s famous hot dog, local sweets, and a small taste of fermented shark. The final drink may be beer, schnapps, or another Icelandic choice.

I like the small group limit of 12, which makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the way the food comes with stories about Icelandic life, folklore, sagas, family traditions, and the reasons certain dishes survived in a country with a tough climate.

The main drawback is that the stops are mostly well-known downtown eateries, not secret kitchens or long chef-led tastings. You should also come hungry, dress for changing weather, and treat the advertised drink choices as a guide rather than a guarantee.

Key points to know before you book

• Fermented shark is part of the finale: You can try hákarl at Dass Reykjavík near Hallgrímskirkja, along with an Icelandic drink.
• The original hot dog stand is included: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur has served Reykjavík hot dogs since 1937.
• The group is capped at 12: This gives the walk a more personal feel than a large food outing.
• Kolaportið depends on the day: The flea market stop is available only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Expect a full meal, not just nibbles: Portions vary, but several people found the tastings generous enough to replace a meal.
• Guides shape the experience: Páll, Bo, Óli, Robyn, Stefán, Einar, and Magnús have all been praised for humor, local stories, and food knowledge.

What this Reykjavík food walk is really about

This is a three-hour introduction to Iceland through its food. You walk between central Reykjavík stops while your guide explains what is on the plate and how it connects to local life.

The route begins at Ingólfstorg, also called Ingólfur Square, and ends near Hallgrímskirkja. The activity is listed at about two and a half to three hours, so you should keep your schedule open rather than planning a tight museum visit right afterward.

The focus is not a formal city sightseeing tour. You will hear useful facts about Reykjavík, Icelandic culture, sagas, runes, holiday customs, and daily life, but the food sets the pace. If you want a detailed tour of churches, architecture, or city history, book a separate walking tour. If you want help deciding what Icelandic food to order later, this is a better fit.

Starting at Ingólfstorg

Meet at Ingólfstorg five minutes before your start time. The listed meeting point is Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorgi 1, in central Reykjavík, and the activity returns to the same general meeting point at the end.

Allow yourself time to find the square. One person had trouble locating the start, and the instructions supplied through the booking platform did not always match the actual meeting details. I would save the address on your phone and arrive early rather than trying to find it at the last minute.

The tour operates in all weather. Reykjavík rain and wind can arrive without much warning, so wear a waterproof outer layer and comfortable shoes. You are walking between food stops, and the weather can affect how pleasant those short stretches feel.

Shellfish soup beside the old harbor

The first tasting takes place at Seabaron, down by Reykjavík’s old harbor. You begin with Icelandic shellfish soup, described in some experiences as lobster or langoustine soup.

This is a smart first stop. Seafood is one of Iceland’s most important food traditions, and soup gives you a warm start on a cool day. It also offers a gentler introduction than fermented shark. The soup has been one of the most praised dishes on the route, and some people returned to a stop later in their trip.

The harbor setting adds useful context without turning the meal into a history lecture. Your guide may explain Iceland’s fishing culture and the role of seafood in local cooking. The stop lasts about 25 minutes, enough time to taste and hear the story without lingering over a full restaurant meal.

Kolaportið Market on weekends

If your tour runs during the right weekend hours, you walk through Kolaportið, Reykjavík’s flea market. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., so this stop is not part of every departure.

The market offers a look at traditional Icelandic foods in a less polished setting. You might see unusual snacks and preserved foods that do not appear on a standard restaurant menu. The guide helps explain what you are looking at, which is useful if you want to try local products later on your own.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the route, but it is also the least dependable because it depends on both the day and the time. If the market matters to you, choose a weekend departure that falls within its opening hours. Do not assume every tour includes it.

The lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

No first visit to Reykjavík feels complete without trying an Icelandic hot dog. This stop takes you to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the famous stand dating from 1937.

The hot dog is made with lamb as part of the traditional Icelandic style. It is quick, inexpensive by Reykjavík standards, and much less intimidating than hákarl. The stop takes about 15 minutes, so you get the experience without losing much time.

I like this part of the route because it shows that traditional food is not always old-fashioned or formal. A hot dog from a street stand can be as central to Reykjavík’s food identity as a bowl of lamb soup. Several people singled it out as one of the tastiest stops.

Do not expect a long explanation from the stand itself. The cultural background comes mainly from your guide, not from a staff presentation. That distinction matters if you are looking for chef interaction at every venue.

Lamb soup and classic comfort food

At Icelandic Street Food, you sample lamb soup and other traditional items. Lamb soup is often described as Iceland in a bowl: hearty, simple, and suited to a cold climate.

This is likely to be one of the more filling stops. The portions across the tour vary, but the total amount of food can add up quickly. Come hungry, especially if you have skipped lunch, but do not assume you will receive a full serving at every venue.

The food is served in a straightforward setting rather than as a theatrical tasting menu. That can be a plus. You are sampling dishes people actually eat, not a chef’s modern reinterpretation of Iceland. Still, one person found the lamb soup here less impressive than soup served elsewhere in Iceland, and found the bread disappointing. Your experience may depend on the day’s preparation and your own taste.

Icelandic sweets at Taste of Iceland

The stop at Taste of Iceland is short, about 10 minutes, but it changes the rhythm of the walk. Here you look at local delicacies, snacks, and candy.

Chocolate-covered licorice is one example of the sweet and salty flavor combinations you may encounter. Icelandic licorice can be stronger than the candy many people know at home, so this is a good place to sample rather than buy a large bag on impulse.

This stop is also practical. Your guide can point out foods worth taking home, and you can ask about flavors you later see in Reykjavík shops. It is a small stop, but it helps show that Icelandic food culture is not only about lamb, fish, and preserved foods.

The final challenge at Dass Reykjavík

The final venue is Dass Reykjavík near Hallgrímskirkja. Here you try several Icelandic delicacies, including fermented shark, or hákarl.

Hákarl is made from fermented shark and is famous for its strong smell and sharp taste. You do not need to love it. The point is to try a small portion and understand why it occupies such a firm place in Icelandic food culture. Many people treat it as a memorable challenge, and it can become the story you tell long after the soup and hot dog are gone.

The ending also includes an Icelandic drink. The description allows for an alcoholic or non-alcoholic choice and mentions beer and Black Death, the local schnapps. In practice, the available choices may vary. One person expected Black Death but was offered soda, beer, or moonshine instead, so do not book this solely for a specific spirit.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes, making it the longest venue on the route. It gives you time to compare the delicacies, ask questions, and finish the walk without rushing. The nearby church also gives you an easy landmark for orienting yourself afterward, though the food tour is not a guided visit to Hallgrímskirkja.

The guides make the difference

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. Names attached to particularly positive experiences include Einar, Páll, Bo, Stefán, Robyn, Óli, Magnús, Palli, and Pauli. The exact guide depends on your departure, but the pattern is clear: the best moments come from the person leading the walk.

Einar was praised for warmth and stories about Icelandic life. Páll, described as a retired fisherman in one account, brought funny stories and local insight. Bo explained both the culture and the way foods are prepared, while Óli gave enough history to place the dishes in context without turning the outing into a lecture.

Robyn was noted for making people feel comfortable, and Magnús was described as personable and funny. Stefán connected ingredients and traditions to Icelandic history. These details matter because fermented shark and unfamiliar preserved foods are easier to face when your guide explains them with humor and care.

You may also receive restaurant suggestions for later in your stay. Some people followed their guide’s advice and returned to one of the stops or chose a recommended restaurant for dinner. That is useful value, especially early in a Reykjavík visit.

How much food do you get for $152.37?

At $152.37 per person, this is not a cheap lunch. Reykjavík itself is expensive, and a series of restaurant orders, drinks, and guided tastings can quickly cost more than expected. The tour includes food, water at all stops, taxes, fees, and an alcoholic drink at the end.

The value depends on how you use it. You are paying for several samples, a guide, the convenience of moving between established food stops, and a chance to try dishes you might hesitate to order alone. You also avoid paying for a full portion of every unusual item.

Portions are not perfectly consistent. Some people found them generous, while others felt the amount was modest for the price, especially after having already tried many of the foods during a longer Iceland trip. I would treat the tour as a substantial food walk, but not promise yourself that it replaces dinner for everyone.

It offers better value if you are new to Icelandic cuisine and want a guided first taste. It offers less value if you already know the main dishes, have visited the featured eateries, or want small independent restaurants far from the central tourist area.

Dietary needs and practical comfort

The company tries to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. You should provide those details when booking and remind the guide at the start. Do not assume every dish can be changed, since the route includes traditional specialties and fixed food stops.

Children can participate but must be accompanied by an adult. The tour is near public transportation, and most people can take part. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way to Ingólfstorg and leave from the meeting point at the end.

A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. A wide range of start times is available, which helps you fit it around a lagoon visit, museum stop, or evening meal. Because the tour is commonly booked well ahead, around 47 days in advance on average, I would reserve it early if your dates are fixed.

Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted. The activity also needs a minimum number of people to run, so a cancellation for that reason results in a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this food tour?

I would choose this tour for your first or second day in Reykjavík. It gives you a useful food map, introduces several classic dishes, and lets you ask a local guide what to try next.

It suits curious eaters who want to try hákarl, lamb soup, seafood, candy, and the famous hot dog without ordering full portions everywhere. It also works well for couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting a small group from different places.

I would hesitate if you want a fine-dining experience, detailed instruction from restaurant chefs, or truly obscure neighborhood places. The route uses popular central venues, and the restaurants usually do not give long explanations themselves. I would also think twice if you dislike lamb, seafood, strong flavors, or the idea of fermented foods.

Should you book the Reykjavík Food Lovers Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, social introduction to Icelandic food and value a lively guide more than restaurant exclusivity. The strongest reasons are the small group, the broad range of tastings, the hot dog stop, the weekend market option, and the chance to try fermented shark with some cultural context.

Skip it if you already know Reykjavík’s main food stops or expect a quiet meal at independent local restaurants. At $152.37, the price asks you to value guidance and variety. For most first-time visitors with an appetite and an open mind, that combination makes the tour a useful start to eating your way through Iceland.

FAQ

Where does the food tour start?

It starts at Ingólfstorg, with the listed meeting point at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two and a half to three hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How large is the group?

The group has a maximum of 12 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is the Reykjavík Flea Market included on every tour?

No. The Kolaportið stop is available on Saturdays and Sundays when the market is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What food can I expect to try?

The route includes Icelandic shellfish soup, lamb hot dog, lamb soup, traditional foods, local snacks and candy, several delicacies, and fermented shark. Specific servings can vary.

Is a drink included?

Yes. The experience includes an Icelandic alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink at the final stop. The exact options may vary.

Can dietary restrictions and allergies be accommodated?

The company tries to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Share your needs when booking and remind the guide before the tastings begin.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.