Reykjavik food can be fearless. This small-group tour threads classic bites with real Icelandic details, then ends with the famous fermented shark. You also get a focused walk through downtown so you spend less time guessing, more time eating.

I love the limited group size and the way your guide keeps things personal, with room to ask questions as you move. I also love how the tastings are anchored in specific Reykjavik institutions, from the original 1937 lamb hot dog stop to the Hakarl finale that turns a meal into a story you will remember.

One drawback to consider: if you expect only off-the-beaten-path restaurants, this route includes well-known stops, so a couple choices may feel mainstream rather than adventurous.

Key highlights to look forward to

• Max 12 people, so the guide can actually talk to your group instead of blasting info to a crowd
• Seven tasting moments over roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, built for trying more than one meal’s worth of Icelandic food
• Weekend Flea Market stop (Kolaportið), with the market open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog counter, the original spot from 1937
• Restaurant Dass finale by Hallgrimskirkja, where you can try fermented shark (Hakarl)
• A proper end drink, with non-alcoholic or alcoholic options of your choosing

Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour: the fast way to taste Iceland

This is the kind of Reykjavik experience that helps you get your bearings quickly. You are walking between neighborhood food stops, guided by a local who connects what you are eating to how Icelanders live and celebrate. Even if you only have an afternoon, you come away with a clear sense of what Icelandic comfort food tastes like.

The big win is the pace. It is long enough to try a real mix, but short enough that you are not stuck indoors when the weather turns. And because your group is capped at 12, you tend to get those little context details, the ones that make Icelandic food feel less foreign and more logical.

Guides on this tour range from friendly story-tellers like Einar and Paul to knowledgeable hosts like Bo, Stefan, Magnus, Robyn, and Palli. If you like a mix of food talk and local history, you are in the right place.

Start at Ingólfstorg Square, then get walking

You meet at Ingólfstorg (Ingolfur Square) and the tour starts with a simple handoff: be there about 5 minutes early. That early buffer matters, because you want to start as a group and not spend your first minutes fumbling with the meeting spot.

From there, you ease into downtown on foot. This matters more than it sounds. Reykjavik’s weather can shift fast, and having the walking portion guided means you spend less time debating directions with cold hands.

Because the tour ends back at the same meeting point, you are not stuck planning transit home mid-feast. You can also plan a proper dinner afterward since you are not just grabbing one snack and calling it a day.

Seabaron harbor stop: shellfish soup to begin

The first true taste is down by the old Reykjavik harbor. At Seabaron, you start with an Icelandic shellfish soup, which is a smart opener if you want seafood on your first bite in town. It sets the tone: hearty, simple, and built around what is local.

This stop is short, around 25 minutes. That is enough time to eat without dragging the whole tour into a long sit-down meal. It also keeps you moving while you are still fresh, before the “Icelandic full stomach” phase kicks in.

Practical note: even if you are not a lifelong seafood person, this is a gentle start compared to the finale. You get to test the water with soup before you face the fermented shark at the end.

Kolaportið Flea Market: your best weekend snack mission

Next up is Kolaportið Market, part of Reykjavik Flea Market culture. This stop is special because it is not just a restaurant tasting. You get a fun stroll in an authentic small food market setting, with traditional Icelandic foods you might not find on a standard menu.

There is one key timing detail. Kolaportið is only open on Saturday and Sundays, from 11 am to 5 pm. So if you are traveling midweek and hoping for this market moment, you will want to double-check the specific day you are booking for.

Even when your tastes run “safe,” you will probably enjoy this segment because it is exploratory by nature. It is also a good chance to spot Icelandic specialties and snacks that you can look for later, either the next day or as gifts.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: the original 1937 lamb hot dog

No Reykjavik food tour feels complete without the lamb hot dog. Here you go to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the original one from 1937. That date matters because it means you are not tasting a trend, you are tasting a long-running Reykjavik habit.

This stop is about 15 minutes, which again supports that “tasting tour” style. You get a quick, focused moment, not a long queue-to-meal marathon. For many people, this is the iconic bite that turns the whole experience from interesting to truly memorable.

You should also know what this choice signals. Icelandic food here is not trying to be fancy. It is built to be eaten, shared, and enjoyed fast, even in cool weather. If you like street-style comfort food, you will feel at home.

Icelandic street food and lamb soup: food in a bowl

Then comes the “street food” phase, with a chance to try Icelandic lamb soup. The tour frames it like Iceland in a bowl, and the point is simple: warm, filling, and built for real cold.

This stop lasts about 40 minutes, which gives you a little more time to slow down. It is also where the tour often becomes the most satisfying, because soup hits that sweet spot of comfort.

If you want a practical strategy, do not treat this as your first test bite of the day. This is usually where you decide if Icelandic lamb flavors are for you. Go in ready to taste beyond the obvious, because the tour is designed to show variety, not just repeat one safe dish.

Taste of Iceland store: snacks, candy, and local flavors

At “Taste Of Iceland,” you get a local delicacy store stop. This is a quick 10-minute moment, but it can be one of the most useful parts of the tour.

Why? Because it lets you sample Icelandic foods in a compact setting. You can taste unique snacks and candy without needing to hunt for specialty shops on your own. And if you find something you want again, you have a direction for what to buy later.

Because this segment is short, you will likely want to pay attention as you sample. Think of it as your on-the-ground shortcut to what Icelandic sweet or snack items are worth taking home.

Restaurant Dass finale by Hallgrimskirkja: Hakarl and a finishing drink

The tour ends at Restaurant Dass, near Hallgrimskirkja church. This is where the experience earns its reputation, because you get the chance to try fermented shark, Hakarl.

Hakarl is the headline dish for a reason, and the guide usually gives enough context to make it feel like part of Icelandic food culture rather than a random dare. If you are curious but cautious, this finale is still a good place to try a small taste and decide from there.

The finale also includes time to celebrate your food journey. You can choose a non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink of your choice, with recommendations commonly pointing toward a special beer or Black Death Icelandic schnapps. The key detail is that you end with a drink, so the experience lands as something social and satisfying, not just a checklist of bites.

This last segment lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to linger. It is also a good moment to ask your guide what you should do next in Reykjavik based on what you liked.

Price and value: what $152.37 really covers

At $152.37 per person, you are paying for more than food. You are buying guided pacing, multiple tastings, and the guide’s knowledge that helps each bite make sense.

Here is what your money covers:

• A professional guide
• Food tasting
• Water at all stops
• All taxes, fees, and handling charges
• Alcoholic beverages at the end, with a drink choice (including non-alcoholic)

You are also not paying separate admission fees at the listed stops, since tickets are free on the tour’s schedule. You should still factor that this is a walking, tastings-heavy format, so you are getting several small meals instead of one sit-down dinner.

In Reykjavik, buying multiple individual tastings and snacks can add up fast. This tour bundles the experience, and it helps you avoid the time cost of researching which places are worth it in winter weather.

Alcohol, choices, and Hakarl nerves

The drink portion is built in, but you do have options. The tour ends with an Icelandic drink you can choose, and it specifically notes non-alcoholic or alcoholic choices.

For Hakarl, you should treat it as the ultimate curiosity test. If you are the type who enjoys doing the iconic thing once, you will likely love this ending. If you are not into trying fermented foods, you can still enjoy the tour and culture context, and decide how far you want to go with the taste itself.

A practical tip: if you are sensitive to alcohol, plan on choosing non-alcoholic for the finale. You still get the social send-off, and you keep yourself fresh for your next Reykjavik stop.

Timing, weather, and what to wear for this walking format

This tour operates in all weather conditions. Iceland weather does not follow your itinerary, so dress like it is going to change every hour. Since you are walking between several areas of downtown, you will feel every bit of wind and rain if you are underprepared.

I recommend layers, a warm outer shell, and waterproof shoes or boots. Even if the tastings keep you warm from the inside, the walk segments are real. The tour also advises dressing appropriately, which is understated but accurate.

Also plan for the fact that the Kolaportið flea market stop only happens on weekends between 11 am and 5 pm. If your trip days do not match, do not panic. You will still get plenty of tastings, but that specific market window is the one schedule-dependent element.

Who this Reykjavik food tour fits best

This tour fits you if you want Icelandic traditional food without doing the research. It is also ideal if you like meeting other people, since you are moving as a small group and sharing a few common moments, like the hot dog stop and the Hakarl finale.

It is especially good for first-time visitors to Reykjavik. You get a concentrated tour of what matters in Icelandic flavors, from harbor seafood to lamb-based comfort food to iconic street-style bites.

It might not be your best choice if you want a long sit-down dining experience or if you expect strictly unknown hole-in-the-wall places every stop. The route includes famous institutions like Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, so the goal is authenticity and iconic variety, not total obscurity.

Should you book Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour?

If you want a high-value, small-group way to taste Icelandic staples in a single afternoon, this is an easy yes. The combination of multiple tastings, water included, and a guide who connects dishes to local culture is a strong deal for $152.37, especially in a place where time and weather both matter.

Book it if Hakarl and lamb-based comfort foods are on your radar, and if you are comfortable with a walking format. If you prefer a calmer pace or you dislike fermented foods, you can still enjoy the stories and most of the meal, but you may want to set your expectations about the finale.

In short, it is one of those Reykjavik experiences that helps you understand the food fast, with enough character and iconic stops to make it worth your money.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour?

It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.

What is the group size for this tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 12 travelers.

What food and drink are included?

Food tasting is included at multiple stops, water is included at all stops, and the tour ends with an Icelandic drink. Alcoholic beverages are included as part of the end drink, with non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink options available.

Do you visit Kolaportið Market every day?

Kolaportið Flea Market is only open Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm, so that market stop is tied to weekend timing.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Ingólfstorg (HlöllabátarIngólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík) and ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour run in all weather conditions?

Yes. It operates in all weather conditions, and you are advised to dress appropriately.

Is a child allowed to join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

If I cancel, how late can I get a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.