Christmas in Reykjavik is edible.

This tour turns the holiday glow of the city into a food-focused walk, with guided stops for Iceland’s seasonal bites and sips as you move between warm places and bright streets. You’ll get to hear Christmas stories that can be funny and a little spooky, too, while you sample specialties from Reykjavik’s holiday table.

I like that the menu goes beyond one dish. You get standout favorites like smoked lamb and laufabrauð (leaf bread), plus a mix of other classics that make it feel like you’re eating across multiple parts of Iceland’s Christmas tradition.

One thing to keep in mind is expectations for consistency and portion size. On certain days, the exact sights and items can be different, so double-check what’s possible—especially if you’re booking on Christmas Day—and plan for tastings rather than full restaurant meals.

Key things you’ll notice right away

• A guided walk with real holiday stories that add context to what you’re eating (and sometimes, what you’re avoiding)
• A menu built around Icelandic Christmas staples, not just generic holiday snacks
• Smoked flavors plus crispy leaf bread: the contrast is the whole point
• Festive drinks with a hot cocoa option, including Jólaöl and Jólaglögg
• Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur for decorations, crafts, and a locally inspired gift
• Dietary needs can be handled if you tell the guide before you start

Christmas in Reykjavik tastes like a tradition

If you’re in Reykjavik during the holidays, you’ll notice the city turns extra bright and extra busy. This tour is one of the best ways to slow down and get meaning out of the season. Instead of just browsing lights, you’re eating the same kinds of foods Icelanders associate with Christmas.

What makes it work is the pairing: warm meals and drinks while you’re also seeing parts of the city on foot. The guide keeps you moving at a comfortable pace, then stops you when it’s time to taste. That rhythm matters in Iceland’s winter, when cold air can sap your energy faster than you expect.

And yes, the stories are part of the show. Expect Christmas tales that range from fascinating to, at times, a little terrifying. That’s not just entertainment; it’s how the guide connects food to place.

Meeting outside Hlöllabátar and getting set for an easy start

You start by meeting outside Hlöllabátar, at the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square. There are two tall stone pillars nearby, and CenterHotel Plaza sits to your right.

This matters because the tour doesn’t start with confusion. You wait in a spot with benches, tables, and a covered ceiling. Your guide usually wears a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, so you can spot them quickly.

Aim to be in front of Center Hotels Plaza, not inside. Showing up early (about five minutes before) helps you settle your coat, check your phone map, and be ready to walk as soon as the group forms.

How the walking pace shapes the food stops

The tour runs about three hours, and you’re mostly on foot between tasting moments. The schedule is built around short walks—think around 5 to 10 minutes—followed by time to eat and drink, sometimes for roughly half an hour at a time.

This pacing is a smart choice for Reykjavik. You’re not stuck in one long restaurant session, and you’re not out in the cold for too long without a break. You also get a bit of city rhythm: you see streets during the holiday season, then you warm up quickly with the next sample.

If you’re wearing layers, you’ll be comfortable. If you come underdressed, you’ll feel it more, because Icelandic winter weather doesn’t negotiate.

The food plan: smoked lamb, leaf bread, and Iceland’s Christmas table

The heart of the tour is the holiday menu, and it’s designed to show variety without making you bounce from place to place forever.

Smoked lamb and the holiday flavors behind it

One of the first things you’re likely to taste is smoked lamb. Icelandic smoked meats have a stronger, more direct flavor than what many visitors expect. When it shows up next to other foods, the smokiness becomes a kind of anchor—you start to understand why certain dishes feel so tied to cold-weather celebrations.

This is also where the guide’s explanation adds value. The guide ties taste to tradition, so you’re not just eating bites; you’re learning what role these foods play at Christmas in Reykjavik.

Laufabrauð (leaf bread): crispy, buttery, and patterned

Then there’s laufabrauð, the famous leaf bread. It’s made with intricate patterns, then fried until crisp. It sounds fancy, but the actual eating experience is simple and addictive: crunchy edges, buttery feel, and a texture that survives the cold-weather vibe.

If you love trying classic local snacks that only show up around certain seasons, this is the one.

More Icelandic Christmas classics you’ll sample

The tasting set also includes other well-known holiday foods, such as:

• Glazed Hamborgarhrygg, a holiday ham preparation
• Reindeer pâté, for a deeper, gamey flavor
• Gravlax, the cured salmon that’s a cornerstone of Nordic feasting
• Pickled herring, tangy and bold, the kind of bite that divides friends into two camps

The tour does a good job balancing “comfort” foods with things that challenge your palate a bit. You’re not stuck eating only mild items, and you’re not thrown into a full buffet of flavors with no guidance.

The drinks: Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg (hot cocoa is possible)

I like that the tour treats drinks as part of the experience, not just a throwaway pairing. You’ll get holiday beverages alongside the food samples, which is the real way to understand how Icelanders build a Christmas meal.

You’ll likely taste:

• Jólaöl, a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale
• Malt & appelsín, a non-alcoholic Christmas drink
• Jólaglögg, mulled wine, warm and aromatic

If you’d rather not have Jólaglögg, the tour can swap it for hot cocoa. That’s a practical option, especially if you’re driving, keeping things light, or just want something cozy on a cold night.

One more small tip: if you’re sensitive to alcohol, pace yourself and start with the non-alcoholic drinks. It’s easy to keep going once you’re warm, and the tour’s samples add up.

Laugavegur’s Little Christmas Store stop

Near the end (after the food tastings), you’ll visit the Little Christmas Store on Laugavegur. This isn’t just a quick photo stop. It’s a chance to see festive decorations, artisanal crafts, and seasonal treasures in a smaller, more curated setting.

You’ll also receive a locally inspired gift connected to the tour experience. It’s the kind of souvenir that feels more personal than a generic snow globe, especially if you’re picking up gifts while you still have a day’s energy left.

If you like browsing, you’ll enjoy this stop. If you’re trying to shop fast and don’t care about holiday decor, you might treat it as a “look and choose one thing” moment rather than an all-out browsing session.

Guides, group mood, and those Christmas stories

The guide is the glue. In past departures, guides such as Palli, Paul, Einar, and Pauly have led groups and brought the Christmas context to life through storytelling.

You can expect lively talk as you walk and taste. The stories include both cultural history and the darker side of Icelandic Christmas folklore—sometimes humorous, sometimes genuinely unsettling. Either way, it keeps the tour from feeling like a simple meal delivery route.

Group size is often on the smaller side. One guest described a group of about 10, which usually makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. It also keeps the tasting flow from turning into a chaotic food line.

Dietary needs: what you should do before you book

The tour says it can accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but you have to tell them ahead of time. That’s the only way they can plan the tasting options without holding the group up.

So when you book, be clear and specific about what you can’t eat. Don’t just say allergy—list the food trigger. If you’re vegetarian, gluten-free, or avoiding alcohol, mention that too. The tour includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and the guide can also offer a hot cocoa alternative for Jólaglögg.

If you have a complex allergy, it’s worth contacting the operator early in your planning so they can confirm what’s possible.

Price and value: is $173 worth it?

At $173 per person for about three hours, you’re paying for more than food. You’re paying for guided pacing, multiple tastings, guided interpretation, and the included store stop with a gift.

Here’s how I judge value on a tour like this:

• You’ll get a set menu style spread across Icelandic holiday staples, not just one restaurant meal.
• The guide adds meaning through stories and context, which turns “tastes” into “understanding.”
• The drinks are included, and they’re Icelandic holiday drinks rather than generic soda.

Still, there are two practical considerations. First, tasting tours are not the same as full dinners; some portions can feel like small samples depending on your appetite. Second, seasonal days can affect what’s available and what storefronts or markets are operating—so if your trip falls exactly on Christmas Day, have a flexible mindset about the exact experience.

If you want a high-quality, structured way to try multiple Icelandic Christmas foods in one evening, this price can make sense. If you’re mostly hunting a big meal at a discount, you may feel the value is uneven.

Who should book this tour (and who should pass)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want to try several Icelandic Christmas foods in one guided outing
• Like walking through Reykjavik with context, not just a checklist
• Appreciate holiday drinks as part of the meal experience
• Prefer a small-group vibe with a talkative guide

You might want to think twice if you:

• Expect restaurant-sized portions at every stop
• Are booking on a day when holiday closures might limit what you see around the city
• Have very strict food needs and didn’t plan ahead with the operator

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

Yes, if you want a guided, holiday-focused tasting walk that blends city sights, Icelandic classics, and Christmas stories. It’s one of the easier ways to learn what people actually eat and drink during the season without building your own route block by block.

Book it especially if you’re excited about smoked meats, laufabrauð, and trying the full set of Christmas flavors—plus warm drinks like Jólaglögg or hot cocoa if you prefer.

Pass or reconsider if you’re arriving with a very fixed wishlist of specific items and you’ll be upset if something shifts on a holiday day. The safer play is to treat this as a tasting experience that prioritizes Icelandic Christmas traditions, not a guarantee of every single element in every situation.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and you’ll wait under benches, tables, and a covered ceiling.

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The tour is all-inclusive with an expert guide plus Christmas food and drink. You should not leave hungry.

What food and drinks can I expect?

You’ll sample Icelandic Christmas specialties such as smoked lamb, laufabrauð (leaf bread), glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring. Drinks may include Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine, with a hot cocoa substitute available.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes, the tour can accommodate dietary needs as long as you tell them before the tour.

What are the key timing tips on the day?

Arrive about 5 minutes early and be in front of Center Hotels Plaza (not inside). Dress for Icelandic weather, since you’ll be walking outdoors between stops.

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