Your first day in Reykjavik should taste like this. This 3-hour Reykjavik food tour strings together classic Icelandic bites with culture facts you can actually use while you explore on foot. I like the small group setup, which keeps things conversational and not rushed.

I also like that all tastings are included, so you’re not doing mental math every stop. You’ll get beverages along the way, and the tour ends with an Icelandic drink to wrap it up downtown.

One thing to think about before you book: the Kolaportið Flea Market stop depends on the market being open. It runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00, so timing matters if you’re chasing that highlight.

Key moments you’ll care about

• Small group (max 12) so you can ask questions instead of watching a slideshow
• All tastings included plus beverages, ending with an Icelandic drink
• Kolaportið Flea Market timing (Sat/Sun 11:00–17:00) for that authentic snack-shopping feel
• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for the original 1937 lamb hot dog
• Big finale bowl of meat soup at Icelandic Street Food, right in the center
• All-weather operation, so plan for wind, rain, or shine

A Downtown Food Crawl That Explains Iceland While You Eat

This tour works because it doesn’t treat food like an afterthought. You’re eating Icelandic staples while your guide explains how geography, history, and daily life shaped what ends up on the plate. In a city where menus can look similar at first glance, this kind of guided ordering saves you from guessing.

You’re also walking around places that are already part of Reykjavik’s rhythm. You start near Ingólfstorgur (Ingolfur Square), cruise toward the old harbor area, and end deep in downtown at Icelandic Street Food. That means the tour doubles as a quick orientation route, not just a meal sprint.

The “3 hours” also feels right for jet lag. It’s long enough to taste a real spread, but not so long that your day collapses. Several guides on this route are described as engaging and funny, and that matters more than you might think on a chilly morning.

A final reason I like the setup: the tour includes food, drinks, and a professional guide. With that package, you can keep your day simple and still eat like you’re doing a proper sit-down lunch—without actually booking one.

Meeting at Ingólfstorgur: Easy Start, Phone Ticket, Central Route

You meet at Ingolfur Square, at the address listed for the tour: Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1 (101 Reykjavík). Arrive about 5 minutes early. It sounds minor, but Reykjavik weather and sidewalks can change your timing quickly.

This is offered in English, and you get a mobile ticket, which is handy for a city where it’s easy to shuffle between stops with your phone already out. The tour notes that it’s near public transportation, so you don’t have to build your whole day around a taxi.

Group size is capped at 12 people, which is the practical difference between a “tour” and a “conversation.” In the small-group format, your guide can notice if someone needs a translation, a slower pace, or an allergy-friendly swap.

Do wear real walking shoes. While this isn’t a mountain trek, you will be on foot and moving through restaurant spaces. One review mentioned a bit of uphill time and lots of up-and-down in some places, plus stairs in dining spots, so build that into your expectations if mobility is an issue.

Old Harbor Shellfish Soup: Where Reykjavik’s Sea Stories Start

Right after you meet, you head down toward the old harbor area for the first real taste: an Icelandic shellfish soup. That stop is short, but it sets the tone. Icelandic food often makes more sense when you connect it to the sea—weather, fishing, and survival all play roles.

You’re not just eating; you’re getting the background that turns “seafood soup” into an Iceland story. Shellfish and seafood are central here, and this tour pushes you to try them early, not later when you’ve already settled into tourist-safe habits.

This stop is also a good time to loosen up. Your guide’s introductions often cover how Reykjavik developed, how ingredients are seasonal, and what locals reach for when they want comfort food. When the guide is especially strong at storytelling, you’ll feel like you’re learning the city’s logic while you’re eating.

What to watch for: shellfish doesn’t work for everyone. If seafood is a problem for you, tell the guide ahead of time. In at least one case, the tour handled a fish allergy with substitutions, but you still shouldn’t rely on luck when you’re making decisions about your health.

Kolaportið Flea Market: The Real Stuff Isn’t Behind Glass

The Kolaportið stop is the one most people picture when they hear “Reykjavik Flea Market.” The tour includes a stroll through the market’s food area, with traditional Icelandic foods to sample and learn about. Think of it as street-level tasting plus a cultural walk.

Here’s the key detail you should plan around: Kolaportið is open Saturdays and Sundays only, from 11:00 to 17:00. If you’re booking for a weekday, you’ll want to confirm what the operator plans for your date. The market itself is the point of this stop, so day-of-week matters.

Inside, the vibe is part market chaos, part scavenger hunt. One review described seeing things like dried cod and even a frozen sheep head, which tells you how un-sanitized and real the experience can feel. You’re not just tasting; you’re witnessing how Icelanders buy food in a no-frills way.

This is also where the tour often changes what you eat. Depending on what’s available, you might run into more unusual seafood items or other traditional products. One person highlighted trying shark as a memorable tasting, and another mentioned whale meat tasting like steak. Those aren’t guaranteed for every group, but they show the range the flea-market setting can produce.

Practical tip: the tour includes multiple tastings, so don’t plan on being full from a big lunch beforehand. At least one family who did this tour said they wished they had waited, because the tastings stack up fast.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: The Original 1937 Lamb Hot Dog Moment

No Iceland food tour feels complete without the hot dog icon: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. This is the stall tied to the original lamb hot dog from 1937, and the tour makes a point of going here, not to a random-looking stand.

The hot dog stop is about 15 minutes, but it can feel longer because the line can move at its own pace. In one case, a party reported the line was too long and they didn’t get the lamb hot dog they expected. Another person basically declared it worth coming back for.

So treat this as the one moment in your day that can be a little “weather and crowd dependent,” even with a guide. If you care deeply about getting that exact hot dog, have a flexible mindset about timing.

Also, if you have dietary limits, let your guide know early. Meat hot dogs are straightforward, but sauces and sides can still cause problems for some people. The tour has shown it can handle at least some allergy situations, but the best chance of a smooth outcome starts with clear communication.

When it works, this stop is pure Iceland flavor in a handheld form: savory, salty, and weirdly satisfying after a day of cold air and walking.

Supermarket Snacks: The Icelandic Convenience Store Culture

After the hot dog, you swing to a local supermarket for a quick peek at what Icelanders buy for snacks and candy. This is a smart stop even if you don’t plan to do shopping, because it helps you understand the “everyday” food culture beyond famous landmarks.

The tour timing here is short, about 10 minutes. You’re not trying to do a full grocery run. Instead, it’s a guided scan: you get ideas of what tastes local, what might be surprising, and what you can look for if you want to buy something similar later.

This stop also helps you later in Reykjavik. After you’ve seen how Icelandic shelves are organized, you’ll find it easier to navigate menus and choose items that fit what you already tried earlier in the tour.

One practical note: this is a good time to ask your guide what tastes best for your preferences. If you love seafood, ask what to look for. If you prefer meat-heavy comfort food, ask what Icelanders snack on when they want warmth.

Icelandic Street Food Meat Soup Finale: Iceland in a Bowl

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food (Lækjargata 8), with a big bowl of meat soup. This is the stop that earns the nickname “Iceland in a bowl,” and it’s easy to see why. It’s filling food after a few hours of walking and tasting.

This finale lasts about 45 minutes, which gives you time to sit, warm up, and digest (literally) what you’ve eaten. One review called out the tour as educational and filling, and the structure here is a big reason: you finish with comfort food, not something light and forgettable.

If you’re picky about flavors, ask the guide what to try first at the restaurant. The soup is the anchor, but the extras and sides can change the experience. If you didn’t love one tasting earlier, this end stop often redeems the whole meal.

One last thing: some people who dislike seafood mentioned not caring for certain fish-based items, but still enjoyed the tour overall. That’s another reason the meat soup ending matters. It helps balance the menu.

Price and Value: Why $151.38 Can Be a Deal

The price is $151.38 per person for about 3 hours. On paper, it can look steep for just “some food.” In practice, the value comes from three things you get together:

• All taxes and handling charges are included
• Food tastings and beverages are included
• You also pay for a professional guide and a structured route through multiple stops

In Reykjavik, you’ll quickly learn that meals and drinks add up. This tour wraps several tastings plus drinks into one paid experience, so you don’t end up spending again and again on small purchases.

It’s also booked fairly in advance on average, around 55 days. That usually means demand is real. If you want a specific day, pick it earlier rather than waiting for a last-minute change of plans.

Is it perfect value for everyone? Not if you hate walking, if you have strict dietary needs you haven’t communicated, or if you’re expecting a long sit-down dining meal. But if you want a guided way to eat your way through classic Icelandic flavors, it’s built for that.

Guides, Pace, and What to Expect on Foot

Guides vary in style, but the names that show up again and again in this tour’s experience include Óli, Ester E., Robyn, Beau (Sveinbjörn), Paul, and Einor. In many stories, the guides are praised for being fun, friendly, and story-driven. That matters because you’re not just sampling food; you’re listening to how it connects to Iceland.

The pace is generally calm. One comment specifically said the guide didn’t rush. Another pointed out the walk isn’t strenuous but includes some hill time and stairs in restaurants. So yes, plan for walking and steps.

The tour also runs in all weather conditions. That means you should pack the usual Reykjavik essentials: waterproof layers, warm hat, and shoes that won’t slip when the pavement gets slick.

A small-group format helps when the city throws you curveballs. Still, Reykjavik sometimes has citywide events and road disruptions. One unhappy experience described timing issues and a missed flea market moment. That’s rare, but it’s a reminder to keep your schedule flexible on your tour day.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Food and Flea Market Tour?

Book it if you want:

• A smart first-day meal that also teaches you the city
• A guided crawl of recognizable Icelandic hits, including the 1937 lamb hot dog
• The chance to pair food with the Kolaportið Flea Market on the correct weekend

Consider a different option if:

• You’re traveling on a weekday and the flea market is your main reason
• You have mobility concerns related to stairs and uneven movement between restaurant stops
• You expect a long, sit-down lunch. This is tastings plus a warm finale bowl, not a multi-course restaurant marathon

My practical call: this tour is at its best when you treat it like an orientation and a tasting lesson. If you show up hungry, wear decent walking shoes, and keep an eye on the flea market’s Saturday/Sunday hours, you’re set up for a very memorable Reykjavík day.

FAQ

How long is the Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Where do I meet the tour, and where does it end?

You meet at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1 (near Ingolfur Square). The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8.

What’s the group size limit?

The maximum is 12 people per booking.

Is the Flea Market (Kolaportið) stop only on certain days?

Yes. Kolaportið Market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00.

What’s included in the price?

Food tastings are included, along with beverages. Alcoholic beverages are also included, and the tour ends with an Icelandic drink.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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