Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour – Icelandic Traditional Food

Reykjavik tastes better with a local guide. This small-group food tour strings together the city’s most important bites, from harbor soup to a hakarl finale, with time to ask questions and learn why each dish fits Iceland life. You get a personal group size (max 12) and a route paced for real eating, not rushing.

What I like most is the mix of iconic stops and hands-on variety. You start with Seabaron’s Icelandic shellfish soup, then you hit Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for the classic lamb hot dog, and you finish at Dass for the fermented shark experience (Hakarl). A second big win is the storytelling, too, with guides such as Einar, Paul (a retired fisherman in one account), Bo, and Palli showing up in feedback as the kind of people who connect food to daily life and history.

The only catch is that this is not a guarantee of avoiding surprises. Hakarl is intense, and if you have shellfish or strong-flavor limits, you’ll want to flag it early. Also, one diner felt the restaurant picks leaned a bit mainstream, so if you are chasing only off-the-beaten-path places, manage your expectations.

Key things to know before you go

• Small groups, max 12, so the pace stays friendly and you can actually chat.
• Food tastings at multiple stops, plus water at each.
• Fermented shark (Hakarl) is part of the finale at Dass, alongside other Icelandic delicacies.
• Weekend-only market stop: the Flea Market stroll at Kolaportið happens Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am to 5 pm.
• Drinks are included at the end, with choices that can include Icelandic beer or schnapps (Black Death may not be offered on every night).
• You walk between downtown spots, so wear weather-ready layers and comfy shoes.

A great Reykjavík walk starts with the right kind of guide

This tour is built for a simple goal: you learn Icelandic food by tasting it in context. You are not just sampling. You are walking city blocks with someone who can connect flavors to tradition, daily routines, and what Icelanders reach for when the weather turns.

I like the format because it feels efficient in a good way. You get several tastings across a compact downtown area, and you do it without having to plan where to eat, what to order, or how to pronounce anything on the menu. If you are short on time in Reykjavík but still want a strong food snapshot, this is a smart move.

There is also a practical comfort to the small group size. With a maximum of 12, the tour does not turn into a herd. The guide can keep an eye on pacing, and you can ask questions when you want.

Price and value: what $152.37 buys you

At $152.37 per person, this is not a bargain snack crawl. But it can be good value because of what is included.

Your ticket covers:

• Food tastings across multiple stops
• Water at all stops
• A professional guide
• Alcoholic beverages at the end of the tour (with non-alcoholic choices available per the drink setup described)
• All taxes, fees, and handling charges

What is not included is hotel pickup and drop-off, so you will plan your own way to the meeting point.

Here is the way I think about value for this kind of tour. In Reykjavík, a few “just one meal” choices can add up fast. This experience bundles several tastings plus at least one included drink. If you are the type who would otherwise buy multiple small plates and a cocktail, the math can work in your favor.

You also get a clear time commitment. Plan on about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. That matters if you are lining up other sights, like church views, museums, or a Northern Lights plan later.

Getting started at Ingólfstorg: arrive ready to walk

The experience meets at Ingólfur Square (Ingólfstorg), at HlöllabátarIngólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík. Show up about 5 minutes early. This is one of those tours where being late can stress everyone out, so treat the start like an actual reservation.

Good news: the meeting point is described as near public transportation, so you do not need a hotel shuttle to make this work. Bring the basics that matter in Iceland: comfortable walking shoes and layers. The tour runs in all weather conditions, so you should dress for rain, wind, and that quick temperature swing that Reykjavík loves.

One small practical note from how it is positioned: this is a food walk, not a grand sightseeing circuit. You get city context as you go, but you should still expect mostly tastings and short hops between eateries.

Stop 2 by the harbor: shellfish soup at Seabaron

The harbor area sets the mood fast. At Seabaron, you start with an appetizer: Icelandic shellfish soup. The time slot is about 25 minutes.

Why this first food stop works:

• It is warm and easy to share with a group.
• Harbor soup is the kind of Iceland dish that feels like it belongs outdoors, not in a fancy dining room.
• It gives you a baseline flavor before you start moving into meat-forward staples.

Consideration: if shellfish is off the table for you, you’ll want to speak up immediately at the start about what you can and cannot eat. The tour says they try to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but it is still smart to be direct early, not five minutes before the first spoonful.

Kolaportið Flea Market: the weekend browsing bonus

If your tour lands on a Saturday or Sunday, you may add a stroll through Kolaportið Market inside the Reykjavik Flea Market. This stop runs about 30 minutes, and it is only open 11 am to 5 pm on weekends.

This is a fun change of pace because it is not just “sit and eat.” You get to wander, notice what Icelanders buy, and sample more traditional foods in a more casual market setting.

What to keep in mind:

• If you are traveling midweek, you should not rely on this market stop happening. The time window is explicitly tied to weekend hours.
• Market foods can be a little more “try and decide” than a seated tasting, so keep an eye on what ingredients are in what you pick.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: the original lamb hot dog

Next up is the kind of stop that turns into a Reykjavík souvenir, the lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. It is described as the original stall from 1937. You get about 15 minutes here.

This is a big reason to book. The hot dog is iconic, and it is also one of the quickest ways to experience Icelandic flavors without overthinking the menu.

A practical expectation: this stop is short. You are getting the hot dog as a specific moment in the tour, not lingering for a long meal. If you love classic street food, you will like the speed. If you want longer sits, plan a separate dinner after the tour.

Lamb soup and street-style tastings: go with the flow

After the hot dog, the tour shifts to Icelandic street food. You have about 40 minutes for lamb soup and other traditional options.

This part of the route is where you get your most “Iceland in a bowl” feeling. Reviews and descriptions around the experience often point to lamb-forward tastings as a main theme, and this stop is the clearest one on the route.

One thing to know for your expectations: not every tasting will taste the same to every person. One diner mentioned that the lamb soup and bread pairing did not hit as well as they hoped. That does not mean the soup is bad. It means you should stay open-minded and treat this as a guided try-many-corners experience.

If you are picky, this is also the moment to ask questions about what is served. You have time here, so you can speak with the guide before you commit to the plate in front of you.

Taste Of Iceland: quick hits of snacks and candy

Then it is on to Taste Of Iceland, a local delicacy store stop. Time here is about 10 minutes, and the focus is on unique Icelandic foods, snacks, and candy.

This is a great stop for two reasons:

• It gives you edible takeaways for later, even if you do not want a packed schedule of dining reservations.
• It helps you compare flavors you just tried. You can spot what you liked most and what you want to replicate on your own.

Because the time is short, do not expect a slow shopping spree. Think of this as a guided tasting-and-scouting moment.

Dass Reykjavík finish: hakarl (fermented shark) and an included drink

You end at Dass Reykjavík, near Hallgrimskirkja church. The finish lasts about 45 minutes and is the highlight for many people because it includes the one item Reykjavík is famous for: fermented shark (Hakarl).

You also get several Icelandic delicacies, plus a drink at the end. The drink portion is described as an Icelandic drink of your choosing, with recommendations such as special beer or Black Death (Icelandic schnapps). The tour also references non-alcoholic options.

Two honest considerations:

• Hakarl is intense. If you are curious, this is the place to try it. If you are not, tell the guide where you draw the line.
• Drink choices can vary. One account noted that Black Death was not offered in the moment, even though it was mentioned as a recommendation. If you care about that specific spirit, it is worth asking what options you have on your night.

This is also where the tour stops being purely food and turns into a shared story moment. You get that group finish vibe, with the guide wrapping the tour with context and you having time to ask follow-up questions.

Guides like Einar, Paul, Bo, and Palli make the difference

Food is the centerpiece here, but the guide shape is what keeps it from feeling like a checklist.

Across the tour accounts, guides such as Einar, Paul (including one mention of his background as a retired fisherman), Bo, Stefan/Stephan, Palli, Pauli, Óli, and Magnús show up as the kind of host who blends food facts with Iceland life.

What that means for you in plain terms:

• You get explanations for what you are tasting, not just descriptions of ingredients.
• You often hear cultural stories and holiday traditions tied to dishes, which makes the flavors stick in your memory.
• You get practical travel tips while walking, including what to try on your own later.

And you feel it in the pacing. People tend to describe the transition between stops as smooth, with a guide who keeps things organized so you are not standing around wondering what comes next.

What you should bring, and what you should plan after

Because this is outdoors walking in all weather conditions, plan to dress like the forecast is lying. Layers help. Rain gear helps. Warm socks help more than you think.

For your day, I suggest:

• Keep dinner flexible. By the end, you have already had multiple tastings and time at Dass.
• If you plan nightlife or an early morning outing, note this is still a fairly short commitment. You should be back at the meeting point when it ends.

Also, the tour is designed for most travelers and asks that children be accompanied by an adult. If you are traveling with kids, ask about what will be served for younger eaters since Icelandic flavors can be bold, and the schedule is compact.

Who should book, and who might not love it

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• Iconic Icelandic dishes in a logical tasting route
• A small-group experience where you can talk to the guide
• A shortcut to trying things you might hesitate to order on your own, including Hakarl
• Included drinks and water, so you spend less time thinking about logistics

You might look at other options if:

• You only want long restaurant meals. This is mostly short stops with guided tastings.
• You have a strong aversion to shellfish or fermented foods. The tour tries to accommodate dietary needs, but the finale is built around Hakarl.
• You are hunting only very obscure, off-the-path places. One person felt the selections were not quite as offbeat as expected, and this route also includes well-known stops.

So, should you book this Reykjavík Food Lovers Tour?

My take: if you want a confident first taste of Reykjavík cuisine, this is a strong book.

The biggest reasons are practical. You get a compact route, multiple tastings, water throughout, a guided context that makes dishes make sense, and an included drink to close the loop. The small group size helps, and the guide reputation is consistently positive, with people highlighting friendly hosting, good stories, and an easy pace.

Book it if you are willing to be adventurous, especially at Dass with Hakarl. Skip it or plan alternatives if your food comfort zone is very narrow.

If you are planning only one guided food experience in Reykjavík, this is one of the easiest ways to make it count.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavík Food Lovers Tour?

It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes all taxes, water at all stops, food tastings, and a professional guide. Alcoholic beverages are included at the end of the tour.

Where does the tour start, and is hotel pickup included?

The tour starts at Ingólfur Square (Ingólfstorg). Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can the tour accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

The tour states that they try their best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, so it is smart to share your needs when booking.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. It operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

What is the cancellation window for a full refund?

Free cancellation is available 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.