Reykjavik: Icelandic Food Tour

Reykjavik eats its way through Icelandic history. In this small-group food tour, you taste classic island flavors and hear why they became the backbone of everyday life. Expect standout bites like lamb soup and the daring fermented shark, plus a proper Reykjavik hot dog.

I really like how the tour is built for real talk and real food. I love the way guides such as Anna, Magnus, Oli, Einar, and Stefan connect what you’re eating to local stories, so it stops feeling like a checklist. I also like the practical payoff: water at every stop, then a final drink at the end like beer, coffee or tea, soda, or a shot of the local spirit Brennivin.

One heads-up before you book: this is traditional Icelandic cuisine, meaning the core is meat, fish, and dairy. If you’re not into strong flavors, the fermented shark moment is still part of the experience, though the team can accommodate many dietary restrictions.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Small-group limit of 12 keeps it friendly, not cafeteria-style
• Water at every stop plus a drink at the end (beer, soda, coffee or tea, or Brennivin)
• At least ten traditional food items means real variety, not just two bites and photos
• Old Reykjavik orientation walks help you map the center fast on day one or two
• Food accommodations are taken seriously, including gluten and lactose intolerance and vegetarian needs

Where the tour starts, and why that location matters

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square. You’ll spot the two tall stone pillars, and CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, with benches and a covered waiting area so you can stay sane if the weather shifts.

This is a smart starting point because Ingólfstorg Square puts you right in the middle of Reykjavik’s main pedestrian zone. After tasting, you get short guided walks through the older city center, so you’re not just eating in place. You also leave with an easier sense of direction, which is useful when you’re planning the rest of your trip.

A practical note: guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, so it’s not a scavenger hunt to find your group.

The first restaurant stop, and the comfort-food effect

The tour kicks off with a longer tasting block at a local restaurant, about one hour. This is where the tour leans into what many people find most comforting about Icelandic food: warm, filling dishes that make sense in a cold climate.

You’ll want to come hungry, because the experience is designed around multiple stops, not one big meal. The highlight you should mentally prepare for is the lamb soup moment, which is often the kind of warm, belly-friendly dish that changes how you think about Icelandic cuisine. If you’ve only heard stereotypes, this part helps reality catch up.

The drawback of comfort food? It can be hard to pace yourself. Since you’ll keep eating across several restaurants, I recommend slowing down a bit and letting each taste settle before the next one hits.

Short city walks in between tastings: why you get sightseeing too

After that first tasting, you’ll enjoy a guided walk and sightseeing segment, then repeat that pattern later in the tour. These city chunks are relatively brief, around 20 minutes and again around 15 minutes, but they serve two useful purposes.

First, you get an on-foot sense of Reykjavik’s center without spending your evening staring at your phone. Second, it breaks up the eating. Icelandic food can be salty, funky, or both, depending on what’s on the menu, so a bit of walking helps you stay comfortable and ready for the next stop.

If you’re visiting in colder or wetter months, dress for walking outdoors. The tour stays fairly compact, but you still want weather-appropriate clothing so the stroll feels like part of the fun instead of a cold penalty.

The Reykjavik classics: hot dog, fish flavors, and the fermented-shark test

One of the best parts of this tour is that it mixes hearty traditional food with the kind of Reykjavik street-food vibe that locals actually enjoy. You’ll have another restaurant tasting block (about 45 minutes), and this is where the tour’s variety really starts to click.

You should expect the Icelandic hot dog highlight here, the kind of local specialty that feels simple at first, then surprisingly satisfying once you’ve tasted it in the right context. The tour also leans into Iceland’s seafood identity, so even if you’re not a hardcore fish person, you’ll usually find something that makes sense in small bites.

Then comes the moment most people remember: fermented shark. You’re not pushed to panic, but you are invited to be brave. Guides often explain the traditional way to eat it, and that makes a difference. In a couple of the experiences I read about, guides emphasized pairing it with other flavors, and one described how it ends with a cleaner fish taste before the night’s final drink.

A realistic consideration: fermented shark is tiny, but it’s intensely flavored. If you hate strong salty tastes, this is the one stop where your “I’ll try one bite” attitude matters.

The last restaurant stop: beer, Brennivin, and a nightcap moment

The final tasting block runs about one hour and includes the drink service. This is where the tour transitions from food adventure into a more relaxed finish.

At the last stop, you can get beer, soda, coffee or tea, or a shot of the local spirit Brennivin. The alcohol minimum age is 20 in Iceland, so plan accordingly if you’re traveling with younger guests.

I like that this isn’t just a random bar stop. It’s paired with the food so the flavors feel intentional. And if you choose Brennivin, you’re getting a true Icelandic taste marker, which fits the tour’s overall approach: eat what locals actually grew up with, not a tourist version.

Some guides also add Icelandic sweet treats, and at least one experience included an Icelandic candy stop tied to the shark tasting. So keep an open mind, even if you think you’re done after the last hot bite.

Guides, stories, and why this feels more personal than a food crawl

This is where the tour wins beyond the menu. All guides are experts trained through the Tour guide school of Iceland, and the better part is that they combine entertaining storytelling with practical answers.

The vibe can be very conversational. In the experiences shared, guides were praised for being warm and funny, but also for making food history understandable. You might hear how Iceland’s geography and weather shaped what people preserve, ferment, and eat. You may also get a taste of Icelandic folklore, including stories such as the Christmas Cat and troll legends, and at least one guide even sang during the night.

If you like asking questions, this tour tends to work. If you prefer silence, you might find it a bit talk-heavy in the moments between courses. But the group size helps, because a max of 12 people makes it easier for your guide to keep things human.

Price and value for a 3-hour Reykjavik food tour

At $148 per person for about 3 hours, the price is not cheap, but it’s also not just “pay for someone to lead you to five snacks.” You’re paying for multiple restaurant tastings, an expert guide, and drinks.

Here’s how the value math works for most people:

• Food tastings add up fast when you’re sampling at several places
• Water is included at every stop, which matters in a country where you’ll otherwise be buying beverages constantly
• The tour covers an actual Icelandic food spread, including lamb soup, fermented shark, and the Icelandic hot dog, plus other traditional items
• A final drink at the last stop adds to the full experience, not just the early part

Is it worth it if you already planned to eat at those same restaurants on your own? Maybe, but the point here is context. You’re buying guidance, pacing, and story tied to what you’re tasting.

Who this tour suits best, and who should think twice

This tour is ideal if you:

• Want a first-night or second-day activity in Reykjavik to get your bearings and taste the basics
• Like hands-on learning, where food history is explained with what’s on the table
• Are curious about Iceland’s bolder flavors, especially fermented foods

Think twice if you:

• Are very sensitive to strong salty flavors and aren’t willing to do at least one bite of fermented shark
• Need wheelchair access, because it’s not suitable for wheelchair users based on the tour’s setup

Good news: the company says it can accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including gluten and lactose intolerance, and vegetarian needs. That means you’re not stuck with only one safe option. You still should expect the tour’s center of gravity to remain meat, fish, and dairy, even when substitutions happen.

Should you book the Reykjavik Icelandic Food Tour?

I’d book it if you want your Iceland trip to start with a guided food crash course that’s genuinely local, not performative. The small-group size, multiple tastings, and the chance to try both comfort food and fearless favorites like fermented shark make it the kind of evening you’ll talk about later.

I would not book it if you’re looking for a light, easy meal with zero surprises. This tour asks you to try things you might never order alone, and it’s better when you lean into that.

If you’re on the fence, my advice is simple: if you can handle one small bite of fermented shark, you’re going to love the way the guide connects flavor to place, and you’ll leave Reykjavik with a real sense of how locals eat.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Icelandic Food Tour?

It lasts 3 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $148 per person.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

What food is included in the tour?

You’ll sample a selection of traditional Icelandic foods. The tour includes highlights like lamb soup, fermented shark, and an Icelandic hot dog, and you can expect at least ten traditional food items.

Is water included?

Yes. Water is included at all stops, and there is also a drink included at the last stop.

What drink options are included at the end?

At the last stop, the included drink can be beer, soda, coffee or tea, or a shot of the local spirit Brennivin. Alcohol has a minimum age of 20 in Iceland.

How big is the group?

It’s a small-group tour limited to 12 people. A private group is also available.

Can the tour accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes. The tour can accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including gluten and lactose intolerance, and vegetarians.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel or pay later?

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