Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour – Icelandic Traditional Food

Reykjavik’s food story gets more interesting once you move beyond expensive restaurant dinners. This walking tour takes you from the old harbor to central eateries for shellfish soup, an original Icelandic hot dog, lamb soup, local snacks, and the famous fermented shark. You finish with an Icelandic drink near Hallgrimskirkja.

I like the small group limit of 12, which makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the range of tastes: familiar seafood and soup sit beside chocolate-covered licorice, unusual delicacies, and hakarl, so you get a useful first look at Icelandic eating habits rather than one polished restaurant meal.

The main drawback is value. At about $152.37 per person, you are paying for food, guiding, and local context, but some of the stops are mainstream venues and the portions may feel modest if you arrive very hungry. The exact drink and food lineup can also vary.

Key points to know before booking

• Fermented shark is part of the finale: You can try hakarl at Dass Reykjavik, along with other Icelandic delicacies and a drink.
• The original hot dog stand is included: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur has served Reykjavik since 1937.
• The weekend market adds the most traditional browsing: Kolaportid is included only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The route covers several central food stops: Expect a walking pace between Ingolfur Square, the harbor, downtown eateries, and Hallgrimskirkja.
• Guides add culture beyond the plate: Paul, Bo, Stefan, Robyn, Magnus, Palli, and Oli have all led tours, with stories about Icelandic life, folklore, sagas, and food customs.
• Dietary needs should be raised in advance: The operator tries to accommodate allergies and restrictions, but you should not leave this until the meeting point.

Reykjavik food in one compact walking tour

Icelandic food can seem simple at first glance. Lamb, fish, potatoes, soup, rye bread, dairy, and preserved foods reflect a country where farming, fishing, weather, and long winters shaped what people ate.

This tour helps connect those ingredients to daily life. You are not just handed a bowl of soup and moved along. The guide explains why lamb is so common, how seafood fits Iceland’s coastal culture, and why preservation mattered before modern refrigeration.

The route takes roughly two and a half to three hours. That is long enough for several tastings and stories, but short enough to fit on your first afternoon in Reykjavik. I especially like using it early in a stay, since guides such as Palli and Bo have also given practical suggestions for other places to eat.

The tour begins at Ingolfur Square, near Hlollabatar at Ingolfstorgi 1. Arrive five minutes early. The meeting point is central, but one person had trouble finding it, so I would allow extra time and check the exact location before setting out.

You walk between stops. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and the tour operates in all weather. Reykjavik’s wind and rain can make a short walk feel longer, so wear a proper outer layer and comfortable shoes.

Shellfish soup by the old harbor

The first food stop is Seabaron, down by Reykjavik’s old harbor. Here you receive an Icelandic shellfish soup, described at times as lobster or langoustine soup depending on the serving.

This is a smart opening course. It introduces you to Iceland’s seafood culture in a warm, approachable way, and the harbor setting gives the dish some context. If you have just arrived from the airport, a hot bowl of soup can also be a welcome start.

The stop lasts about 25 minutes. You get time to eat and listen, rather than simply taking a quick bite at a counter. Seafood is one of the safer entries into Icelandic cuisine, so this portion should appeal even if you are unsure about the more unusual tastes later.

Keep expectations sensible. This is a tasting stop, not a full seafood dinner, and the quality of any dish can depend on the day’s service. Still, the soup is one of the more widely praised parts of the route, and it gives the tour a strong start.

Kolaportid Market and the traditional side of Iceland

If your tour runs during the market’s opening hours, you visit Kolaportid, Reykjavik’s flea market. The food market operates only on Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., so this stop is not available on every departure.

That schedule matters. If you want the market portion, check your start time carefully. An evening tour or a weekday outing will follow a different route or skip this part.

Kolaportid adds something the restaurant stops cannot. You can look at traditional Icelandic food in a more everyday setting, with the guide pointing out unusual items and explaining how they fit into local customs. This is likely to be the best stop for seeing food as part of home life rather than as a prepared tasting.

The market can also be the most adventurous part of the walk. You may encounter preserved foods and strong flavors that are easier to understand once the guide explains why they were made and eaten. It is less polished than a restaurant, which is part of its appeal.

The 1937 hot dog stop

No first taste of Reykjavik food feels complete without the lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. The tour visits the original stand, which dates to 1937.

This is street food, not fine dining, and that is exactly why it works. The hot dog gives you a popular local snack between larger tastings. It is familiar enough to reset your palate after seafood or before the stronger foods at the end.

Some people specifically single out the hot dog as a favorite, while others praise the cod served on the route. The food is quick and casual, but the guide uses the stop to explain why this simple item became such a Reykjavik institution.

Do not expect a long sit-down meal here. The stop is listed at about 15 minutes, so you will eat standing or in a quick-service setting. I see that as a benefit, since it keeps the pace moving and lets you sample more places.

Lamb soup at Icelandic Street Food

At Icelandic Street Food, the tour turns to lamb soup and other traditional dishes. Lamb soup is one of the clearest expressions of Icelandic cooking: hearty, warming, and built around ingredients that have long been practical in the country’s climate.

This is the dish that may make Icelandic food feel most familiar. It is not designed as a shock tasting. The soup gives you a filling, home-style reference point before the tour moves to snacks and preserved delicacies.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes, making it one of the longer visits. You may receive other traditional tastes as well, and the total amount of food can add up quickly. Some people describe the portions as generous, while another found the lamb soup and bread disappointing compared with soup elsewhere in Iceland.

That difference is worth keeping in mind. A food tour cannot guarantee that every dish will be your favorite. If you have already sampled lamb soup at several restaurants, this stop may feel less essential. If you are new to Icelandic cooking, it is a useful introduction.

Icelandic candy, snacks, and local delicacies

Taste of Iceland is a local delicacy shop where you look at Icelandic foods, snacks, and candy. This is a shorter stop, about 10 minutes, but it adds variety after the soups and hot dog.

Chocolate-covered licorice is one of the specific tastes associated with this part of the experience. Icelanders have a strong fondness for licorice, and the combination of sweet chocolate with a sharper licorice flavor can catch you off guard.

This stop is also practical. If you find a snack you like, you can identify something to buy for later. It gives the tour a small shopping and browsing element without turning the outing into a retail trip.

The brief timing means you should not expect a full tasting session or a long explanation of every product. Its value is in the contrast: after warm savory food, you get a look at the sweets and packaged flavors people enjoy in Iceland.

Hakarl and the final drink near Hallgrimskirkja

The final stop is Dass Reykjavik, near Hallgrimskirkja church. Here you try several Icelandic delicacies, including hakarl, or fermented shark, and finish with an alcoholic or non-alcoholic Icelandic drink.

Hakarl is the tour’s boldest bite. The flavor is famously strong, and the point is less about finding a new favorite than about understanding one of Iceland’s best-known traditional foods. Trying it with a guide and a group makes the moment more relaxed than ordering it alone with no explanation.

The last stop lasts about 45 minutes, so there is room for stories and conversation. Guides have used this part of the evening to talk about Icelandic customs, folklore, family traditions, and the reasons certain foods were preserved.

The drink deserves a small note of caution. The experience promises an Icelandic drink, but the exact choices may vary. Some people were offered beer, soda, or a moonshine-style drink, while Black Death, the Icelandic schnapps often associated with the tour, was not always available. If that particular spirit matters to you, ask what is being served rather than assuming it is guaranteed.

The guides make the difference

The food is only half of this experience. The guide controls the pace, explains the dishes, and turns a list of tastings into a story about Iceland.

Several guides have received especially warm praise for their approach. Paul, a retired fisherman, has shared both food knowledge and personal stories. Bo has explained Icelandic culture and how dishes are prepared. Stefan has connected ingredients with history and local traditions.

Robyn is described as warm and friendly, while Magnus has been praised for humor and personality. Oli has added enough historical context to explain the food without turning the outing into a formal city lecture. Palli has offered extra dining tips, and some guides have discussed sagas, runes, and folklore along the walk.

Guide assignments are not guaranteed, so book for the route and format rather than for one named person. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: the strongest part of the tour is the human explanation between bites.

This is not a full sightseeing tour of Reykjavik. You will get facts about the city as you walk, but the focus stays on food. If you want major landmarks explained in depth, book a separate city tour.

Is $152.37 a fair price?

The price is about $152.37 per person. That is a serious amount for a three-hour food walk, especially in a city where food already costs more than many visitors expect.

The price includes the tastings, water at all stops, an alcoholic beverage, taxes, fees, and a professional guide. You are also paying for several separate venues and the convenience of trying foods without ordering full meals at each one.

The value improves if you use the tour as an introduction to Reykjavik dining. You can note which places appeal to you and return later. One person went back to a restaurant from the route, which is a good sign that the tour can help you choose where to spend another meal.

The value is weaker if you have already spent ten days in Iceland and tried most of the featured foods. One person in that position felt the portions did not match the cost. I would also avoid booking this expecting a sequence of obscure, family-run restaurants. Much of the route uses established central venues and street food stops.

For many people, the best comparison is not the cost of the food alone. It is the cost of several individual meals, plus a guide who explains the dishes and helps you try foods you might otherwise skip. If you want a cheap lunch, this is not it. If you want a structured cultural introduction, the price can make sense.

Practical details for a smoother outing

The tour accepts mobile tickets and is offered in English. It is limited to 12 people, though the final group can be smaller. One departure had only a handful of people, creating a more personal outing.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but you should be ready to walk between stops and spend time outdoors. The tour runs in all weather, so waterproof clothing and warm layers are more useful than stylish shoes.

Tell the operator about food allergies and dietary restrictions ahead of time. The team tries to accommodate them, and one group had an allergy handled successfully, but Icelandic traditional food often includes meat, seafood, dairy, and preserved ingredients. Clear information before the tour gives the guide the best chance to help.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for low numbers may lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour?

I would book this if you want a first taste of Icelandic food without committing to several expensive restaurant meals. It suits curious eaters, couples, solo visitors, and families with older children who can handle a walking route and unusual flavors.

It is especially useful on your first or second day in Reykjavik. The guide can give you food tips, you can mark places to revisit, and the mix of soup, seafood, street food, sweets, and fermented shark gives you a quick sense of the country’s culinary range.

I would think twice if you want only off-the-path restaurants, detailed cooking demonstrations, or a formal sightseeing tour. Some stops are mainstream, restaurant staff may not explain the preparation themselves, and the tour’s quality depends partly on the guide and the day’s servings.

Still, the format works well. You get the original hot dog, harbor seafood, lamb soup, local candy, market food when the schedule allows, and a chance to face hakarl with a friendly guide nearby. Book it if you value context and variety more than a bargain meal.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour begin?

The tour begins at Hlollabatar, Ingolfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavik, at Ingolfur Square. You should arrive five minutes before the scheduled start time.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the food tour last?

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

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $152.37 per person.

What foods are included?

The planned tastings include Icelandic shellfish soup, an Icelandic lamb hot dog, lamb soup, traditional foods, local snacks and candy, several Icelandic delicacies, and fermented shark. The exact selection can vary.

Is fermented shark included?

Yes. The final stop at Dass Reykjavik includes an opportunity to try fermented shark, also called hakarl.

Is a drink included?

Yes. The tour ends with an Icelandic alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink. The specific choice may vary.

Does the tour visit Kolaportid Market?

It visits Kolaportid only when the tour runs during the market’s opening hours. The market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

The operator tries to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. You should provide those details before the tour.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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 for a refund.