Sweet tooth time in Reykjavik. This tour is a smart way to taste Iceland without eating your way through guesswork. You’ll move through downtown sweet shops with an expert guide from Your Friend In Reykjavik, picking up stories behind classic treats like kleina, plus insider ideas for where to go next.

Two things I really like: you get a guided mix of pastry, chocolate, and ice cream (so you’re not stuck with just one type of sugar), and you also get practical food guidance you can use after the tour. One thing to consider is that Iceland’s licorice flavor shows up in the mix, though there are alternatives if you’d rather not go all in.

This is built for comfort and variety: it’s a small-group walk (max 12 people) that starts at Ingólfur Square by the two tall stone pillars. And guides like Matthias and Oli have been praised for being personable and fun, with tastings that feel like real Reykjavik life—just with extra sugar.

Key highlights at a glance

• Start at Ingólfur Square by the two stone pillars, with a clear meet-up spot in the city center
• Kleina and other classic pastries are part of the first tasting stop
• Icelandic chocolate with licorice includes familiar brands and flavors like Þristur and Draumur
• Ice cream stops for licorice and possibly skyr flavors at an ice cream parlor in the center
• A final candy shop finish so you leave with ideas for what to buy, not just what to eat

Why Icelandic sweets feel different (and better) with a guide

Icelandic sweets aren’t just desserts here. They’re part food culture, part local ingredients, part old-school comfort. A guided tour matters because Icelandic flavors can be unfamiliar, and you’ll get real context fast: why things taste the way they do, and how locals think about them.

I also like that this tour is built around variety. You’ll sample pastries, chocolate and candy, and ice cream in one smooth 2-hour walk. That gives you an easy introduction to Reykjavik’s sweet scene, plus a shortlist of places you can revisit later with a calmer budget.

Ingólfur Square meet-up: how to find your guide quickly

The tour meets at Ingólfur Square, in the center of Reykjavik, by the two stone pillars that rise to over 3 meters. The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza (Aðalstræti 6), at the beginning of Austurstræti (Austurstræti 1). Your guide is typically wearing a light blue jacket with Your Friend In Reykjavik on the back.

Plan to arrive at least 5 minutes early. This tour is designed as a tight city-center walk, and being late makes it hard for the guide to regroup the group.

If you’re using maps, don’t aim for the statue of Ingólfur Arnarsson or the statue of Jon Sigurdsson at Austurvöllur. Those are nearby landmarks, but they are not the starting point.

The first bakery stop: kleina, snúður, and how to taste with purpose

The tour usually begins at a local bakery where you sample traditional Icelandic pastries. Kleina is the headline here: a deep-fried, doughnut-like pastry that’s a classic for a reason. You’ll also hear about the history and how bakers make these treats.

This is where the tour earns its value. Left on your own, you can end up buying a single pastry and calling it a day. With a guide, you start with the right building blocks—sweet fried dough, cinnamon warmth, and pastry textures—so you notice differences between shops and brands as the tour goes on.

You might also see snúður mentioned as part of the typical tasting lineup. It’s a unique cinnamon roll-style treat that helps you compare flavors without getting stuck in just one lane.

Walking down Laugavegur: quick city context between sweets

After the first tasting, you’ll head through the shopping area with a guided moment and sightseeing. Laugavegur is the main shopping street, and this walk segment helps you connect sweet shops to their neighborhood vibe—where people actually browse and snack.

This portion is also smart pacing. It gives you a brief breather after the bakery stop, so you don’t feel like you’re sprinting shop to shop. Plus, a guided intro keeps you from wasting time trying to figure out which streets matter most.

Licorice chocolate and specialty candy: what to expect at Loo.koo.mas

At the chocolate and specialty candy stop, Iceland’s signature flavors really start to show. You’ll visit a shop focused on Icelandic chocolates and likely encounter notes like licorice, birch sugar, and local wild berries.

One practical detail: Icelandic licorice is often sweet and mild compared to the more aggressive licorice people sometimes picture from other places. Still, it’s licorice. If you strongly dislike the flavor, you can steer the guide toward non-licorice picks and other sweets.

If you do enjoy it, you may get tastes tied to Iceland’s iconic chocolate-and-licorice combinations, including options like Draumur and Þristur (the licorice-and-chocolate combo). This is one of those spots where the guide’s suggestions save you money later, because you’ll learn what combinations are worth buying as souvenirs.

The ice cream parlor moment: licorice and possibly skyr flavors

Then you hit the ice cream stop at Ísbúðin litla Valdís. This is your cooling break, and it also changes the whole texture experience of the tour. Ice cream is creamy, cold, and slow-melting—so it smooths out the sweetness of fried pastries and chocolate.

You can choose from different flavors, and Icelandic favorites can show up, like licorice. You might also run into skyr-based ice cream flavors, since skyr is a big part of Iceland’s dairy identity.

This is a good stop to slow down and actually compare. The guide’s job here isn’t just handing you a cup. It’s helping you understand why Icelandic ingredients create flavors you won’t get in your home country.

Finishing at Taste of Iceland and the final candy shop

The tour typically includes a stop at Taste of Iceland for another tasting. After that, you end at another well-known candy shop for an extra round of Icelandic sweets.

This is the part I like most for practical souvenir shopping. Tastings are fun, but the final candy shop is where you can turn flavor memory into a purchase list. If you loved the pastry texture, you’ll know what to buy. If licorice surprised you (in a good way or a bad way), you’ll get clarity fast.

You’ll also leave with language for what you liked. That makes future visits easier—especially in a place where naming ingredients can feel confusing when you’re hungry.

Small group + 2 hours: the pacing you actually want in Reykjavik

With a maximum of 12 people, this doesn’t feel like a factory tour. You should get enough attention to ask questions about what you’re tasting and where else to go.

The timing is also realistic. Total duration is about 2 hours, with tasting stops spaced out by short guided moments and walking. For Reykjavik, where weather can change quickly, that matters. You want enough structure to stay productive, but not so much you’re stuck in the cold for half a day.

Weather-appropriate clothing is not optional advice here. Reykjavik can be windy and changeable. You’ll be outdoors part of the time, so layer up and keep it simple.

Price and value: is $90 worth it?

At $90 per person for 2 hours, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik. But the value comes from what’s included: an expert guide plus samples of pastry, sweets, and ice cream.

When you add it up, you’re basically paying for:

• multiple shop tastings in one go
• guided explanations of what you’re eating
• help choosing what to revisit or buy later

If you tried to do this solo, you’d still spend money on several snacks. The difference is that you’d be guessing which shops are most worth it. Here, you’re paying to reduce that guesswork and learn while you taste.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This tour fits you if:

• you love trying lots of different sweets in a short time
• you want local guidance beyond just restaurant names
• you enjoy learning small food details like ingredient choices and origins

It may not fit you if:

• you hate licorice flavors and you want zero chance of encountering it
• you’re looking for a deep museum-style history tour (this is focused on food and flavor, not long lectures)

One more note: several guides like Matthias and Oli have been praised for making it fun and social without losing the food focus. If you’re a solo traveler, that’s a real advantage—you can get your bearings fast and leave with a better sense of where to snack next.

FAQ

How much is the Reykjavik Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

It costs $90 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll need to check availability.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik, by the two stone pillars (over 3 meters high). The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6.

How big is the group?

This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 12 people.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes an expert guide and samples of Icelandic pastry, sweets, and ice cream.

Is there a choice if I don’t like licorice?

Yes. The tour notes that there are other options if you don’t like licorice.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible, and is the guide in English?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible, and the live guide speaks English.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing since the tour includes walking outdoors.

Should you book this sweet tooth tour?

If you want a practical Reykjavik win—tasty, guided, and efficient—this is a strong yes. It’s one of the easiest ways to sample Iceland’s sweet identity in a short window, and you’ll leave with both flavor memories and concrete ideas for what to buy again.

If licorice is a hard no for you, still consider it carefully. Icelandic licorice is often described as sweet and mild, and the tour says there are non-licorice options. For most people who are curious (even slightly worried), this kind of small-group tasting walk is exactly the right first step.

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