The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour

Dessert missions are serious in Reykjavik. This 2-hour, small-group walk turns classic landmarks into a full-on tasting route with included bites and local stories.

What I like most is the way the tour keeps the pace gentle while you learn the city through food. You also get a tight lineup of stops, from Icelandic pastry at BakaBaka to skyr focused treats like the cake at Dass Reykjavik.

The main thing to watch is that it is not strictly sugar-only. You will run into dairy-based items like ice cream, and if you are lactose intolerant, this one is not a good match.

Quick takeaways before you book

• Max 12 people means more time talking with your guide and less standing around.
• All bites and samples included keeps the tour simple, and lets you focus on tasting.
• Skyr shows up in multiple forms, so you get beyond one bland “try a yogurt” moment.
• You walk key downtown streets, starting at Ingólfstorg and moving into the Laugavegur area.
• Expect Icelandic flavor twists, including famous regional tastes like fermented shark.
• Book early if you want a 2:00 pm slot, since this tour is commonly reserved well ahead.

Enter Ingólfstorg, then follow the sweet route

I love tours that start with a real sense of place, not a vague meeting spot. This one gathers you at Ingólfstorg by the two tall stone pillars, over 3 meters high, right in central Reykjavik. It is easy to find, and you get oriented fast, with the guide typically wearing a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

From there, the tour flows on foot, so you do not feel like you are spending the trip staring at a map. You begin near the Center Hotels Plaza area and walk toward the heart of downtown. The feel is relaxed, which matters because you are going to eat.

Also, the company keeps things straightforward. You get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. That may sound basic, but when you are hopping between small shops, fewer hassles makes the tasting route more fun.

Laugavegur stroll: easy walking with real local stories

After the meeting-point intro, you move into the Laugavegur area for an easy-paced downtown stroll. The point is not just to pass by famous streets. Your guide weaves in stories and everyday context about Reykjavik, so the city feels less like a postcard and more like a place people actually live.

This is one of the smartest parts of the whole tour. Laugavegur is where you feel Reykjavik’s pulse, and it also gives you a breather between tasting stops. If you have limited time in town, you get two kinds of value: short walks that show you where things are, plus guide narration that helps you connect the food to the place.

If you like asking questions, this is the time to do it. With a maximum of 12 travelers, you are not competing for attention in a big crowd.

BakaBaka stop: real Icelandic pastries, not just sugar

The first proper tasting moment is BakaBaka, a cozy stop devoted to Icelandic baked goods. You spend about 20 minutes here, and that matters because pastries are not just something you “grab and go.” You get time to try what they are known for and get a sense of the local baking style.

What stands out is the focus on time-honored recipes and tradition. Even if you are not a pastry expert, you can tell the difference between something that is mass-made elsewhere and something built for local tastes. This stop is the one I point to if you want the tour to feel authentically Icelandic right away.

Possible drawback to note: this is still a guided tasting, so portion sizes are designed for a schedule. If you are the type who wants to linger and order a full pastry plate for yourself, you may want to plan a second stop after the tour ends.

Taste of Iceland: skyr, fermented shark, and brave flavor choices

Next comes Taste of Iceland, another 20-minute stop that leans into Iceland’s signature flavors. This is where the tour gets more interesting, because you are not only sampling sweet treats. You are also tasting local favorites like skyr and famous polarizing items such as fermented shark.

Fermented shark is the “are you daring?” moment. Some people love it, some people decide they have tried enough after a small taste. Either way, the tour format helps. You are not stuck committing to a full serving. You can sample, react, learn why it matters locally, then move on.

This stop is also good for understanding Icelandic eating culture. Skyr is often described like it is just yogurt, but it is a bigger deal than that, and you can see why after you taste it alongside other Icelandic treats. It gives you a better picture of why desserts here often feel a little different from what you may expect.

One other practical note: if you were hoping for a tour that is only candy and cake, this may feel like a surprise. Iceland’s food culture includes savory traditions too, and the tour includes at least one taste that some people consider more “snack-like” than strictly sweet. If that would bother you, decide whether you are okay with a mixed tasting approach.

Ísbúðin litla Valdís: ice cream even when it feels cold

Then you hit Ísbúðin litla Valdís (Valdis), where the tour leans into Icelandic ice cream culture. You spend about 15 minutes here, and the guiding point is simple: you can eat ice cream in any weather. Reykjavik winters can be chilly, but ice cream is not treated like a summer-only food, and the guide will put that attitude into context.

I like this stop because it is the most straightforward crowd-pleaser. You get multiple ice cream flavors to try, and it is an easy way to satisfy a sweet tooth without overthinking it. It also helps break up the more narrative-driven parts of the route.

Big consideration: the tour is not recommended for lactose intolerant because of the ice cream. If that is your situation, do not gamble on “maybe I can handle a little.” The schedule centers on dairy-based tastings.

Dass Reykjavik: a skyr cake finish that feels like closure

The final tasting stop is Dass Reykjavik, about 25 minutes long, where you try a cake made with skyr. This is a clever ending because it ties the tour back to the Icelandic ingredient that keeps showing up in meaningful ways.

A good tour ends with a payoff, and skyr cake does that. It also provides variety from ice cream and pastries, so your taste buds get a final reset before you head back.

It is also a good “bring-your-appetite” cue. By the time you get here, you are already into multiple tastings, so the cake works best if you arrived hungry on purpose.

Price and what makes it good value

The price is $109.04 per person for about 2 hours, and the main value is not just that you get sweets. It is that you get included bites and samples, plus guided storytelling from a local guide, plus a structured route through central Reykjavik.

Here is how I think about value with tours like this:

• If you DIY it, you pay shop by shop, and you also lose the “why” behind what you are eating.
• If you do a generic walking tour, you might get sights, but you miss the food context.
• This one tries to blend both, and the timing helps. Each stop is long enough to actually taste and talk, but short enough that you still feel like you are walking through the city, not waiting in lines.

Also, with a maximum of 12 travelers, the experience tends to feel personal. That is not a small detail. It changes how much you can ask and how much you get out of the guide’s explanations.

A side note for planning: this tour is often booked about 67 days in advance. If you have your heart set on the 2:00 pm slot, I would not wait until the last minute.

Group size, guides, and the “friend in Reykjavik” feel

One reason people rate this tour so highly is the guide experience. In the guides you may meet, names like Paul, Thor, Oli, Ester E, Páll, Gudjon, Arnr, Bo (Sveinbjörn), and Einar come up often. The consistent theme is that guides mix food knowledge with everyday Iceland context, so you feel like you are spending time with someone who lives there.

You also get a structured meeting point and a clear route rhythm. The tour returns to the same meeting spot, so you are not stuck trying to navigate your way back after your last sweet.

If you care about photos, it is worth knowing that some guides take pictures during the walk, and you may get images shared after. Bring your best “dessert face,” and consider asking your guide whether they do photo sharing for the group.

Who should book this dessert tour?

This is a great fit if you:

• want an afternoon activity that is about food and city context, not just sightseeing
• enjoy trying Icelandic flavors like skyr and other regional treats
• like small groups and a guide who talks, not one who just points

This is not the best fit if:

• you are lactose intolerant, since ice cream is part of the tour
• you want strictly sweet desserts only, with zero “regional flavor” surprises

If you are traveling with kids, it can also work well because the stops are approachable and the guides tend to keep the energy up. Still, it is a tasting route, so bring the expectation that kids will snack a lot.

Practical tips so you do not end up regretting the last stop

• Go in hungry, but not starving. Several tastings stack up fast, and you will likely feel full by the end.
• If you already had a big lunch, scale it back. A heavy meal right before the tour can turn the last stops into “forced dessert.”
• Dress for walking. The tour is on foot, and Iceland weather can shift quickly. Layers beat one thick coat.
• If fermented shark sounds scary, remind yourself you are tasting, not eating a full plate. You can decide after the first sample.
• If dairy is an issue for you, choose another activity. This tour is not recommended for lactose intolerance due to the ice cream stop.

Should you book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

I think this is a strong booking if your goal is a fun, guided afternoon in central Reykjavik that mixes sweets, local ingredients, and stories. The included tastings, the small group size, and the route built around real places make it feel efficient without feeling rushed.

My decision rule is simple: book it if you are open to Icelandic flavor culture and you like tasting your way through neighborhoods. Skip it if dairy intolerance is a problem, or if you only want desserts with zero surprises.

If you do book, aim for a light meal before the tour and plan a relaxed dinner afterward. You will have earned it.

FAQ

How long is the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Where do you meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Ingólfstorgi Square by the two stone pillars in central Reykjavik, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What food is included in the price?

All bites and samples are included. Stops include Icelandic pastries at BakaBaka, tastings at Taste of Iceland (including skyr and fermented shark), ice cream at Ísbúðin litla Valdís, and skyr cake at Dass Reykjavik.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is it suitable if I am lactose intolerant?

It is not recommended for lactose intolerant travelers because the ice cream stop is part of the tour.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.