The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour

Reykjavik’s Christmas food is far more than cookies and hot drinks. On this three-hour walking tour, you sample smoked lamb, reindeer paté, gravlax, pickled herring, leaf bread, and several Icelandic Christmas beverages while your guide explains the customs behind them. The food comes in several stops around central Reykjavik, so you get a meal and a city walk in one.

I like the mix of traditional dishes and local stories, including the sometimes frightening tales tied to Icelandic Christmas. I also like the personal touch: guides such as Palli, Paul, Pauly, and Einar have taken groups through the lights and decorations, with one guide even arranging group photos. The main caution is value. At $173 per person, you are paying for guidance, several tastings, and the festive setting, not just a large restaurant meal, and portions at one stop may be quite small.

Key points to know before booking

• You sample several Icelandic Christmas specialties, including smoked lamb, Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, pickled herring, and laufabrauð.
• The tour is on foot in central Reykjavik, with walks of about 5 to 10 minutes between food stops.
• You hear Christmas folklore as you eat, including stories that can be spooky rather than purely cheerful.
• Christmas drinks are part of the price, with Jólaöl, malt and appelsín, and Jólaglögg or hot cocoa.
• The route finishes at the Little Christmas Store, where you receive a locally inspired gift.
• Dietary needs can be accommodated if you report them at booking, and the tour is conducted in English.

A Christmas meal that doubles as a Reykjavik walk

The appeal here is simple: you get a guided introduction to Icelandic holiday food without spending an evening choosing restaurants on your own. The route moves through central Reykjavik, using short walks to connect tasting stops, so the city itself becomes part of the meal.

You should allow three hours and dress for Icelandic winter weather. This is not a bus tour or a seated dinner. You will be outside between stops, and the short walks can feel chilly, especially if wind or rain moves in.

The group meets outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is on your right, with benches, tables, and a covered ceiling nearby. Arrive five minutes early, and look for a guide in a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

The route begins with a short walk of about 10 minutes. From there, the food stops are spaced through Reykjavik, with three more walks of roughly 10 minutes and one final walk of about five minutes. That pacing gives you time to talk, look at the holiday lights, and let the food settle.

The first bites: smoked lamb and leaf bread

Smoked lamb is one of the key Icelandic Christmas foods, and it gives you an immediate sense of how local holiday cooking differs from the usual European Christmas spread. The flavor is firm and smoky, with the lamb’s strong character left intact rather than hidden under a heavy sauce.

You also get laufabrauð, or leaf bread. This thin, buttery bread is cut into delicate patterns before it is fried until crisp. It looks decorative, but it is meant to be eaten, and its brittle texture makes a good contrast to the smoked meat.

This first part is useful for setting the tone. You are not simply sampling generic Nordic food. The guide explains why these items belong on an Icelandic Christmas table and how the food fits into local celebrations.

Because the tour uses tastings rather than one large plate, the size of each serving can vary in how satisfying it feels. You will get several foods over the full three hours, but do not judge the value by the first small portion alone.

Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, and Icelandic seafood

The next stops broaden the meal. Special glazed Hamborgarhrygg brings a sweeter, richer style of Christmas food. The name can be confusing if you associate it with hamburgers, but here it refers to a traditional holiday pork dish.

Reindeer paté is one of the more distinctive tastings. It is a chance to try a northern ingredient in a prepared form, rather than as a simple grilled or roasted portion. If you prefer familiar flavors, the smoked salmon and gravlax may be easier starting points. If you want something unusual, the reindeer is likely to be one of the more memorable bites.

Gravlax gives you a gentler, seasoned fish flavor, while pickled herring adds a sharp, tangy note. These dishes are not all designed to please the same palate. The benefit of sampling them with a guide is that you can place each one in the wider pattern of Icelandic holiday eating, rather than treating an unfamiliar taste as a random oddity.

One stop may provide only a very small sample, so expectations matter. This is a tasting walk with many items, not a series of full restaurant courses. If you want a generous sit-down dinner, the price may feel high. If you want variety and explanation, the format makes more sense.

Jólaöl, malt and appelsín, and warm holiday drinks

The drinks add a useful part of the Icelandic Christmas picture. Jólaöl is a traditional Christmas ale, while malt and appelsín is a well-known non-alcoholic combination. The latter is especially helpful if you do not want alcohol but still want to try a distinctly Icelandic holiday drink.

You can also have Jólaglögg, a warm mulled wine with aromatic spices. If you prefer a non-alcoholic warm drink, the mulled wine can be replaced with hot cocoa. Tell the company when booking if that is your preference.

These drinks are not just add-ons. They help explain how Icelanders mark the season, and they give you something warm during the outdoor portions of the route. Still, the exact serving experience can depend on the stop and the day, so you should confirm any must-have item when booking.

One point deserves special care: the Christmas market may be closed on Christmas Day. The tour can still operate, but a market visit should not be the sole reason you book it. The planned visit is to the Little Christmas Store, which is a separate festive stop.

A small shop with a useful final stop

The Little Christmas Store on Laugavegur is the last major highlight. You can look at decorations, handmade goods, and seasonal items, then take home a locally inspired gift included with the tour.

This stop works well at the end because it shifts the focus from eating to browsing. Laugavegur is one of the central streets in Reykjavik, and the shop gives you a chance to see a more commercial side of the holiday season after hearing about traditional foods.

Do not expect a large Christmas market experience from this part of the tour. It is a shop visit, and its appeal will depend on your interest in decorations and small crafts. If you book on December 25, check what will be open before you go, since holiday opening hours can affect what you see.

The guides make the difference

A food walk needs a guide who can keep the group moving while making each stop feel connected. The named guides associated with this experience include Palli, Paul, Pauly, and Einar.

Palli has been described as a strong storyteller with a Viking-like presence, which suits a tour that includes dark and sometimes scary Christmas tales. Paul has also taken photos of groups among Reykjavik’s Christmas decorations, an extra bit of care that can make the evening feel more personal.

Einar has handled dietary needs and explained Icelandic customs along the way. Those details matter because the food is only half the point. You are paying for someone to explain what you are tasting, handle the restaurant arrangements, and connect the dishes to the season.

The guide also manages the practical side of the evening. At the restaurants, the guide arranges the food and keeps the group on schedule. That is useful in a city where dining out can be expensive and where unfamiliar dishes may be hard to order on your own.

The tour is in English. If you want a quiet, private meal, this is not the right format. If you enjoy asking questions, hearing local stories, and eating with a small group, it should suit you better. One reported group had 10 people, though the size may vary by departure.

What the $173 price really covers

The price is $173 per person. That is a serious amount for a three-hour walk, especially if you compare it with the cost of buying a snack or two independently.

The value comes from the package: an expert local guide, several Christmas foods, multiple drinks, restaurant arrangements, storytelling, the Little Christmas Store visit, and a small gift. You also avoid the work of finding places that serve traditional seasonal foods during a busy holiday period.

I would book this for the experience, not for maximum calories per dollar. You are likely to leave full because the tastings are spread across several stops, but the meal is made up of samples. One stop has been described as offering only a tiny spoonful, so the amount on the plate is not always generous.

The price makes more sense if you are visiting Reykjavik for a short stay and want one organized evening that covers food and local culture. It makes less sense if you already have restaurant reservations, want full portions, or are mainly interested in a Christmas market.

Dietary needs and winter comfort

Specific dietary restrictions and allergies can be accommodated, but you must provide the information before the tour. Do not wait until the first restaurant. The company needs notice to adjust the food.

The supplied details do not list every possible substitute, so be clear about your needs at booking. This is especially important on a tour built around smoked meats, fish, dairy, bread, and alcoholic drinks.

Wear weather-appropriate clothing. The route includes several walks of five to 10 minutes, and the meeting point is outdoors rather than inside the hotel. Warm layers, a waterproof outer layer, and comfortable shoes are sensible choices for Reykjavik in December.

The walking distance is not described as strenuous, but winter pavement and weather can affect comfort. You should be happy walking between stops and standing outside for short periods.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a friendly introduction to Icelandic food without spending days researching restaurants. It also suits people who enjoy folklore, city walks, and trying foods they might not order alone.

Families and non-drinkers can benefit from the drink choices, especially malt and appelsín or hot cocoa in place of Jólaglögg. Anyone with allergies should contact the company in advance rather than relying on last-minute changes.

This is also a good option for a Christmas-season evening when you want an activity with a clear plan. The lights, shop decorations, food, and stories create a festive rhythm that a normal restaurant meal may not provide.

I would hesitate if your main goal is the Christmas market. A market can be closed on December 25, and the tour’s included shop visit is not the same thing. I would also think twice if $173 feels high for a tasting menu with some small portions.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Iceland plans are still changing, though it does not alter the basic value question.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

Book this tour if you want stories and variety, not simply a big dinner. The strongest parts are the range of Icelandic Christmas foods, the chance to try reindeer and laufabrauð, the local drinks, and the guide’s role in explaining customs and keeping the evening easy.

Skip it if you are booking mainly for a Christmas market, need large portions, or already know you do not enjoy smoked fish, pickled foods, or unusual meats. Before paying, confirm your dietary requirements and remember that the Little Christmas Store is not a market.

For the right person, this is a cheerful and slightly spooky way to spend three hours in central Reykjavik. You eat the season, hear the stories behind it, and leave with a small reminder of Icelandic Christmas.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $173 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

How early should I arrive?

You should be in front of CenterHotel Plaza, not inside, five minutes before the walking tour begins.

What food is included?

The tastings include smoked lamb, laufabrauð, glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, and pickled herring.

What drinks are included?

You may sample Jólaöl, malt and appelsín, and Jólaglögg. Jólaglögg can be replaced with hot cocoa if you request it.

Can dietary restrictions and allergies be accommodated?

Yes, the company tries to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. You need to provide that information before the tour when booking.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.