REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour – Icelandic Traditional Food
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Hungry in Reykjavík? This tour keeps it simple. In about three hours, you’ll walk between top eats with a small group of up to 12 people, sampling classic Icelandic seafood, lamb, and the kind of foods you’d never order by name.
I love the variety of stops, from shellfish soup by the old harbor to the original Bæjarins Beztu pylsur hot dog stand, plus snacks at a local delicacy shop. I also love the guide stories—people like Paul (a retired fisherman) and Einar bring the dishes to life with culture, food traditions, and what to look for in Icelandic eating.
One possible drawback: the finale includes Hakarl, fermented shark. If that’s a hard no for you, plan around that, because it’s a big part of the experience.
In This Review
- Quick hits: what makes this Reykjavik food walk work
- Starting at Ingólfstorgur: why the meet-up spot matters
- The food tour philosophy: how you eat Iceland, stop by stop
- Seabaron at the old harbor: shellfish soup and the salt-air intro
- Kolaportið market time: what you can do depends on the day
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: the lamb hot dog legend
- Icelandic Street Food: lamb soup, big comfort, and the “bowl of Iceland” idea
- Taste Of Iceland: snacks, candy, and the sweet side of tradition
- Dass Reykjavik near Hallgrimskirkja: Hakarl and the drink choice finale
- Group size, pace, and why the walking route feels manageable
- Price and value: what $152.37 buys you in real terms
- Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)
- Should you book Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour?
- What is the price per person?
- Where does the tour start?
- What is the tour end point?
- Does the tour include food and drinks?
- What foods are featured?
- Is Kolaportið Market included every day?
- Does the tour run in bad weather?
- What’s the group size?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Can I cancel and get a refund?
Quick hits: what makes this Reykjavik food walk work

- Small group (max 12) keeps it chatty and easy to move at a good pace
- Classic-to-weird menu flow: seafood soup → pylsur hot dog → lamb soup → sweets/snacks → Hakarl finale
- Water included at all stops, so you can pace yourself while tasting
- Alcoholic drink included at the end (also said you can choose alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
- Weekend-only market time at Kolaportið (Reykjavik Flea Market opens Sat/Sun 11:00–17:00)
- Short stops, fast transitions—you’ll taste a lot without feeling stuck
Starting at Ingólfstorgur: why the meet-up spot matters

Your tour starts at Ingólfstorgi / Ingólfstorgur, meeting at the area listed as Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1. This is a smart spot if you’re staying central, because you’re already in the zone where Reykjavik food is concentrated and where the walk makes sense.
The timing is built for a guided loop: you’re asked to arrive about 5 minutes early, then you’ll move between stops without long downtime. That matters in Iceland, where weather can turn on you fast. The tour notes it runs in all weather, so bring the layers and waterproof shoes you’d use anywhere in Reykjavik’s shifting conditions.
I also like that the whole thing is designed as a true food route, not a city sightseeing tour. You’ll get short context along the way, but the main event is eating—multiple tastings across several places—so you don’t waste an evening on speeches instead of bites.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
The food tour philosophy: how you eat Iceland, stop by stop

This tour is paced like a sampler menu: you try a bit at each location, then move on. That’s why it’s about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours instead of a long meal. The big win is variety. Icelandic food isn’t one flavor; it’s seafood and lamb, soups and small portions, plus some signature experiments like fermentation.
Also, the tour includes food tastings and water at every stop, and it ends with an Icelandic drink you choose (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Translation: you’re not just paying for access—you’re paying for tasting structure.
One more practical point: the group max is 12, so if you have questions about dishes or ingredients, you’ll likely get answers without waiting for a “hold your questions” moment.
Seabaron at the old harbor: shellfish soup and the salt-air intro

Stop one after meeting is Seabaron, down by the old Reykjavik harbor. You start with an appetizer: Icelandic shellfish soup. This is a good opener because it sets expectations. Icelandic seafood here isn’t just a garnish; it’s a main character, and soup is one of the easiest ways to taste it while staying warm.
You’ll get about 25 minutes at this stop, which is enough time to eat, ask a couple questions, and reset before the next walk. If you’re sensitive to strong flavors, shellfish soup is a solid “middle ground” start—tasting-focused, not a huge commitment. If you love seafood, this is also a great first “I’m in Iceland” moment.
Kolaportið market time: what you can do depends on the day

Next comes Kolaportið Market, also known as the Reykjavik Flea Market. Here’s the key detail: it’s only open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. So if you’re on a weekday, you’ll want to be mentally ready for the tour to be more about standard storefront tasting than market browsing.
When it is open, this stop adds a different texture to the tour. Instead of sitting and ordering, you get a small stroll through a more local food market setting, where you can spot traditional Icelandic foods and snack-like treats.
The time is about 30 minutes. That usually feels “just right” for a market stop: enough to see, taste, and move on without turning it into a shopping marathon.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: the lamb hot dog legend

No Reykjavik food walk is complete without stopping at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the original hot dog stall from 1937. The signature here is the Icelandic lamb hot dog—simple on paper, but this is one of those foods that tells you how Reykjavik does comfort eating.
This stop is only about 15 minutes, so the goal isn’t lingering. It’s a quick hit that gives you that iconic pylsur experience while keeping the tour moving.
What makes this stop valuable: it helps you understand Icelandic everyday food. You’re not just tasting fine-dining interpretations of lamb—you’re tasting what people grab when they want something filling, fast, and distinctly Icelandic.
Icelandic Street Food: lamb soup, big comfort, and the “bowl of Iceland” idea

The next stop is Icelandic Street Food, and the centerpiece tasting is lamb soup. It’s described as being like Iceland in a bowl, and that matches how Icelandic comfort food tends to work: warm, hearty, and built for cold weather.
You’ll have about 40 minutes here, which is notably longer than the hot dog stop. That extra time helps because soup is slower than a sandwich-type bite. You can take your time tasting, and you’re also more likely to get into conversation about ingredients and what makes Icelandic lamb dishes so central to local meals.
A small caution: soup is filling. Even with a tasting pace, by this point you may start to feel full if you don’t plan your appetite. My advice is to treat each stop like a sampler, not like a replacement for dinner.
Taste Of Iceland: snacks, candy, and the sweet side of tradition

Stop six is Taste Of Iceland, a local delicacy store with Icelandic snacks and candy. The time here is about 10 minutes, so think of it as the “quick taste and grab a few favorites” stop rather than a shopping spree.
This is where you’ll likely round out the flavor range with something sweet or snacky, which matters because the earlier stops lean savory and hearty: seafood soup, lamb-based dishes, and hot dogs.
If you’re the type who likes to bring edible souvenirs home, this is the place to do it. You’ll have a chance to try before you buy, which is exactly what you want when you’re dealing with unfamiliar Icelandic sweets.
Dass Reykjavik near Hallgrimskirkja: Hakarl and the drink choice finale

The tour ends at Dass Reykjavik, by Hallgrimskirkja church, with about 45 minutes at the restaurant. This is the big finale stop, and it’s where you’ll see why this tour is called a food lovers experience.
Here you’ll get to try several Icelandic delicacies, with the headline item being fermented shark (Hakarl). This is the stop where you decide how adventurous you want your night to be.
The drink element is also part of the ending: you’ll celebrate with an Icelandic drink that can be non-alcoholic or alcoholic, and the tour recommends choices like a special beer or Black Death (an Icelandic schnapps). That said, one review called out that the selection offered at the table may be more like soda, beer, or moonshine instead of Black Death. Translation for you: don’t assume one exact brand will be the default on every night.
Why the finale is worth the trip even if you skip Hakarl: Dass is also a chance to see Icelandic flavors in a more “food table” setting rather than just handheld tasting bites. You’ll finish feeling like you ate a range of what Reykjavik is about.
Group size, pace, and why the walking route feels manageable
With max 12 people, the walking pace tends to feel human. This is one reason people rate the tour so highly: it’s not a chaotic line of strangers shuffling between stops.
The route is designed around central Reykjavik, and it ends back at the meeting point. Since it’s listed as near public transportation, you can pair it easily with other plans—especially if you’re spending your first days in town and want an easy way to get oriented.
What about timing across the city? Expect the tour to be active but not exhausting. Each stop is short enough that you’re never stuck waiting forever, and the durations add up to a night that still gives you energy for dinner after (if you want it).
Price and value: what $152.37 buys you in real terms
At $152.37 per person, this isn’t a cheap impulse buy—but it can be good value because you’re not just paying for “a few bites.” Your ticket includes:
- Food tastings across multiple stops
- Water at all stops
- A professional guide
- Alcoholic beverages with the end drink (with the note that you can choose alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
When alcohol is included, value depends on what you planned to drink anyway. If you like Icelandic beer or schnapps, this price can feel more reasonable because you’re getting that drink bundled into the experience.
Also, the small group size makes the guide time more useful. People mention guides such as Paul (retired fisherman), Bo, Robyn, Magnus, Óli, and Palli/Pauli as being friendly and story-driven, and that context is part of the “why” behind the food—not just the “what.”
The only price-related concern I’d flag is that portions are tastings, not full restaurant dinners. If your strategy is to eat enough for a whole meal in one sitting, you might find yourself looking for more later.
Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)
This fits you if:
- You want a guided way to try classic Reykjavik foods without researching each place
- You like learning the story behind dishes as you eat (guides often share cultural context and food preparation details)
- You’re open to Icelandic flavors like lamb, seafood soup, and fermented foods
It might not fit you if:
- You strongly avoid fermented items and specifically don’t want Hakarl
- You want a long sit-down meal with multiple full courses
- You dislike the idea of alcohol being part of the finale (though you can choose non-alcoholic)
If you’re traveling with kids, note that children must be accompanied by an adult. If you have allergies or dietary needs, the tour says they try to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, so it’s worth communicating clearly when booking.
Should you book Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour?
Book it if you want a high-effort, low-planning evening: multiple Icelandic tastings, a small group, and a guide who makes the food feel connected to Icelandic life. The Bæjarins Beztu pylsur stop and the Dass finale are big drawcards, and the walk keeps it moving.
Skip or choose another format if Hakarl is a dealbreaker for you, or if you prefer slower meals over bite-sized sampling. For most first-time Reykjavik visitors who want a real taste of the city, this tour is a smart way to get food-focused value in a compact time window.
FAQ
How long is the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour?
It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.
What is the price per person?
The price is $152.37 per person.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is listed as Hlöllabátar (Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland).
What is the tour end point?
The tour ends back at the same meeting point.
Does the tour include food and drinks?
Yes. It includes food tastings, water at all stops, and an Icelandic drink at the end. Alcoholic beverages are included, with the option of choosing an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.
What foods are featured?
You can expect tastings that include things like Icelandic shellfish soup, the lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (since 1937), lamb soup, snacks/candy at a local store, and the fermented shark Hakarl at the final stop.
Is Kolaportið Market included every day?
Kolaportið (Reykjavik Flea Market) is only open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Yes. It operates in all weather conditions, and you’re advised to dress appropriately.
What’s the group size?
The tour has a maximum group size of 12 travelers.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
The policy provided says you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. Changes within 24 hours aren’t accepted.

























