Christmas and food in Reykjavik is a smart combo. This 3-hour guided tour strings together classic flavors and festive city sights, so you’re not left hunting for treats on your own. I like that you get a real guide-led storytelling angle, including cultural meaning behind what you’re eating and drinking, and I also like the steady mix of savory Icelandic Christmas dishes plus warming holiday drinks.

One thing to consider: at $173 per person, it’s not a budget add-on, so you’ll want to decide if guided tastings and the store stop feel worth it for you.

The tour is run by Your Friend in Reykjavik, and the guide I’m most excited about is Palli, described as an entertaining host with lots of knowledge. If you’re the type who likes food with context (and not just a quick bite), this format fits well. The biggest drawback? It’s listed as not suitable for vegans and vegetarians, so you’ll need to check carefully if your diet is plant-based.

Key Things I’d Mark on Your Mental Map

• A focused 3-hour route that mixes tastings with a festive lights walk
• Classic Icelandic Christmas starters like smoked lamb and laufabrauð (leaf bread)
• Holiday proteins and preserves such as reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring
• A real drink lineup including Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine
• Little Christmas Store visit plus a locally inspired gift to take home

Why a Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour Fits the Season

Reykjavik in December is all about short days, long nights, and a city that leans into the lights. This tour is designed for that rhythm. You get a guided flow through the festive part of town while sampling foods and drinks that feel tied to the season, not random “holiday snacks.”

What I like is the way it keeps things practical. You’re not touring multiple venues across the city for hours. Instead, you walk, taste, sip, and get explanations along the way, so each stop actually connects to what Icelandic Christmas means.

Meeting Outside Hlöllabátar: The Easiest Start in Town

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and there are benches, tables, and a covered ceiling if you’re early or the weather turns.

This matters more than it sounds in Iceland. The tour runs in all weather, so you’ll appreciate a meeting spot that’s not just out in the open with nowhere to wait. You’ll also be able to spot your guide: they usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

Quick tip: wear comfortable walking shoes and bring warm layers. Even if you love winter, that first stretch between tastings can feel sharper than you expect.

Smoked Lamb and Laufabrauð: The First Bite of Christmas

The early tastings set the tone: rich, hearty, and very Icelandic. The tour includes smoked lamb, which is known for a robust flavor. In practice, that means you’re eating something that holds up well against winter chill, not a delicate starter that gets lost.

Then comes laufabrauð, the leaf bread. It’s described as intricately patterned and fried until crispy. This is one of those Icelandic Christmas foods that’s as much about tradition and technique as it is about taste. The patterns aren’t just decorative; they’re part of the cultural identity of the holiday baking and frying.

Why this pairing works: smoked lamb gives you the savory backbone early. Leaf bread adds crunch and sweetness-like satisfaction (even though it’s not exactly a dessert). Together they make it easy to keep your appetite going for the next stops without feeling stuffed too fast.

Reindeer Pâté, Gravlax, and Pickled Herring: What Iceland Keeps Telling You

After you’ve gotten your head around the fried-and-smoked start, the tour moves into classic Christmas-preserve flavors.

You’ll try:

• Reindeer pâté: a holiday-style staple that leans into Iceland’s tradition of using local ingredients.
• Gravlax: cured salmon with a distinct, tangy profile.
• Pickled herring: bright and tangy, and definitely not shy.

Each of these foods carries history and regional logic. You’re not just tasting random items; you’re learning why they show up around Christmas and how preservation traditions shaped what Icelanders cook in winter.

A practical note: these flavors are bold. If you’re sensitive to strong tang, pickled herring especially can hit hard. The good news is you’re in a guided setting, where the pacing and explanations help you make sense of what you’re tasting instead of just hoping you like it.

Hamborgarhrygg and the Holiday Drink Lineup

No Icelandic Christmas food tour feels complete without something warm to drink. This one includes a set of holiday beverages designed to match the flavors you’re eating.

On the food side, you get special glazed Hamborgarhrygg. That’s a Christmas ham-style dish with a sweet-salty glaze vibe, so it balances the sharper cured items like gravlax and pickled herring.

On the drink side, you’ll sip:

• Jólaöl, a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale
• malt & appelsín, a popular non-alcoholic Christmas beverage
• Jólaglögg, mulled wine

This lineup is smart for two reasons. First, it covers different taste preferences: beer, non-alcoholic spiced soda-style flavor, and mulled wine. Second, the warmth matters. Iceland winters are cold enough that warm drinks aren’t just tasty; they help your whole body recover between tastings and street walking.

If you’re driving or avoiding alcohol, you can still enjoy the festive spirit through malt & appelsín and the overall pacing of the tour.

Christmas Lights and the Little Christmas Store Stop

Between tastings, the tour includes a guided walk to see Christmas lights and decorations. This is where the tour shifts from “food lesson” into “winter city experience.” You’re not just eating indoors; you’re getting the feel of Reykjavik when the streets are dressed up.

Then you head to the Little Christmas Store. You’ll get a visit to a shop that sells festive decorations, artisanal crafts, and seasonal treasures, and you also receive a locally inspired gift to remember the day.

That store stop is a nice value add. Food tours can be hit-or-miss on what you actually take home, beyond the memory. Here, you get a tangible souvenir that’s tied to the holiday atmosphere of Iceland rather than generic merch.

Price and Value: What $173 Buys You

At $173 per person for a 3-hour tour, you’re paying for more than bites and sips. You’re paying for:

• a local guide
• guided tastings with drinks
• a Christmas lights walk
• the Little Christmas Store visit
• a locally inspired gift
• storytelling about history and cultural significance behind the dishes and drinks

Is that expensive? It can be. One reviewer specifically said they found the price a bit high but still felt it was a great Christmas tour in the end. That lines up with what I think you should expect: the value comes from the combination, not any single dish.

If you’re the type who enjoys tours that connect food to place and you want someone to handle the pacing and explanations, the cost starts to make sense. If you just want to eat casually and browse shops on your own, you may decide this is more structure than you need.

Dietary Needs: How to Plan Without Surprises

The tour operator says they’re happy to accommodate specific dietary needs if you tell them when booking. That’s helpful, especially if you have allergies or preferences that require adjustments.

But the important caveat is that it’s listed as not suitable for vegans and vegetarians. So if that describes you, don’t assume the accommodation will make the tour fully plant-based. Your best move is to contact the operator early and get clear confirmation for your exact situation.

Also plan for the basics: the tour includes meat and fish items in the tasting list (like smoked lamb, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring). If those ingredients are deal-breakers, look for another style of tour.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a good fit if:

• you want Christmas foods in one guided session
• you like learning the meaning behind what you eat
• you enjoy festive winter street atmosphere like Christmas lights and decorations
• you’d rather spend 3 hours tasting with guidance than hunting down a dozen stops

It may not be the best fit if:

• you’re strictly vegan or vegetarian
• you dislike strong cured and pickled flavors
• you want a DIY experience where you pick your own foods and pace

Should You Book the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

I’d book it if you want a Christmas day in Reykjavik that feels structured, tasty, and culturally grounded. The strongest part is the guide-led approach: Palli is called out as entertaining and full of knowledge, and you can tell the format is built around story, not just sampling. Add in the lights walk and the Little Christmas Store with a locally inspired gift, and it becomes more than a food stop.

I’d think twice if budget matters most or if your diet doesn’t match what’s on the tasting list. In that case, you’ll get more satisfaction by choosing an option that fits your food needs from the start.

If this sounds like your kind of winter afternoon, this is the sort of tour that turns the season into something you can actually taste.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

Where do I 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’s included in the price?

Included are a local guide, food tasting, drinks, a visit to the Little Christmas Store, and a locally inspired gift.

Does the tour include Christmas lights?

Yes. The experience includes a guided walk to see the city’s Christmas lights and decorations.

Is the tour suitable for vegans or vegetarians?

No. It’s listed as not suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

What should I bring, and does the tour run in bad weather?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately.

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