One great meal beats a thousand maps. This private Reykjavík food tour turns the city into an easy walking route, pairing Icelandic flavors with street-level context from stops like Ingólfstorg. I love how the guide ties each tasting to what you’re seeing, and guides such as Einar and Gardar often match the stories to your interests. The one possible drawback: the tour includes fermented shark (hakarl) and strong drinks like Black Death snaps, so if that’s not your thing, you may feel out of sorts.

The food lineup is the real reason to do it. You start with an Icelandic shellfish soup by the harbor, grab a lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, then hit a local supermarket for Icelandic snacks and candy, with Kolaportið Market added on weekend days. I also like the small details that make it feel local, like learning how people actually shop for sweets and everyday treats.

Key moments you’ll care about

• Ingólfstorg stone pillars: meet at a key landmark tied to Reykjavík’s beginnings
• Harbor shellfish soup: a warm starter that sets the tone fast
• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur lamb hot dog: the Iceland classic you’ll hear about for a reason
• Local supermarket snack stop: good for seeing what Icelanders reach for
• Kolaportið Market (weekends): a flea-market-style food stroll when it’s open (11 am to 5 pm)
• Restaurant Dass near Hallgrímskirkja: hakarl plus a drink choice to end the tour

Why This Private Food Walk Works in 3 Hours

This tour is built for the first part of your trip, when Reykjavík still feels like a blur of streets and wind. In about three hours, you get a guided route that’s designed around eating: soup, a famous hot dog stand, local supermarket snacks, and a final tasting at a well-known restaurant by Hallgrímskirkja.

Because it’s private, you’re not stuck with the pacing of a big group. That matters when you want time to ask questions, like kids did on some tours, or when you want the guide to steer the conversation toward history, culture, or Iceland’s food traditions.

Start at Ingólfstorg: Reykjavík’s “Why Here” Moment

You meet at Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorg Square, by the two stone pillars. These are the kind of landmark that instantly tells you you’re in the older center of town, not just a modern stroll loop.

This first stop is short, but it sets up the tour’s logic: Icelandic food isn’t just about flavor. It’s tied to settlement, geography, and what people learned to preserve and eat in challenging conditions. Guides like Einar and Olaf are known for connecting that story to what you’ll taste next, so the tour feels connected instead of random snack-hopping.

Practical tip: Iceland weather can change quickly. The meeting spot has a covered area with benches and tables, which is handy while you wait for your guide in a light blue jacket.

Harbor Shellfish Soup to Lamb Hot Dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

From Ingólfstorg, you walk down toward the Reykjavík harbor for the first real tasting: Icelandic shellfish soup. This is a smart opener because it’s warm, filling, and very Icelandic without requiring you to commit to the boldest options right away.

Then comes the stop most people remember: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. You’ll sample a lamb hot dog at the famous stand. The tour even flags the existence of copycats, which is a subtle reminder that this place has become a local default for a reason.

What I like about this part: it’s not “food trivia.” It’s food in the place where people actually eat it, so you’re not just chasing a checklist of famous items.

The only watch-out here is expectations. If you’re hoping for whales, puffin, or big-ticket wildlife experiences, this route stays in town. It’s about Reykjavík’s everyday food culture and classic snack stops, not day-trip surprises.

The Supermarket Stop That Explains Icelandic Snacking

Next you’ll pause at a local supermarket, where you check out Icelandic foods, snacks, and candy. This is one of the most useful segments on the itinerary because it shows what’s normal, not just what’s exotic.

You’re not only learning what certain products are. You’re also seeing how Icelanders build variety into everyday eating. That helps you understand why certain flavors and textures show up again later in the tour, and why “traditional” can still feel modern.

Guides also tend to adjust here based on your group. Some guides are especially good at Q&A, including when kids are curious about ingredients and history. If you’re the type who asks why one item is common and another is rare, this stop is where you’ll get the most out of it.

Kolaportið Market on Weekends: Real Flea-Market Energy

If your tour happens on Saturday or Sunday, you’ll add a stroll through Kolaportið Market at the Reykjavík Flea Market. The market runs only from 11 am to 5 pm, so day-of timing matters here.

This stop is included and typically lasts about 20 minutes, which is perfect for tasting and browsing without dragging. You’ll discover a range of traditional Icelandic foods that fit the flea-market vibe: more variety per corner, less “sit down and wait.”

One practical consideration: flea-market stops can be busy. If you dislike crowds or strong smells from food stalls, go in with a sense of pacing. The tour keeps it short, which helps.

Restaurant Dass Near Hallgrímskirkja: Hakarl and the Drink Choice

The tour ends at Restaurant Dass near Hallgrímskirkja Church. This is where the experience turns bold, because you’ll have the chance to try several Icelandic delicacies, including fermented shark (hakarl).

Hakarl is the standout for most people, and it’s not a flavor you can ignore. The good news is that the tour is set up for tasting rather than shock. You’ll also get a drink with your meal experience: a non-alcoholic or alcoholic Icelandic drink of your choice.

Options are mentioned as recommendations like a special beer or Black Death (Icelandic snaps). That drink choice matters because it shapes your comfort level with stronger flavors at the end of the tour. If you’re not drinking alcohol, you’re not stuck with it.

If you’re worried about whether you can handle hakarl: you can. But you should also know your limits ahead of time. If fermented shark sounds like a hard pass, you may prefer to focus on the rest of the tasting and treat hakarl as optional.

Price and Value: What $249.23 Per Person Buys You

At $249.23 per person for around three hours, this isn’t a budget snack walk. You’re paying for a private guide, a structured route, and included tastings where admissions are marked as included at key stops.

In plain terms, you’re getting:

• Multiple tastings across several central neighborhoods
• A local context layer so you understand what you’re eating and why
• A final stop that includes hakarl and a drink

Is it worth it? It depends on how you like to travel. If you’re the type who enjoys being shown where to eat and wants a guided explanation, the price can make sense fast. If you’re confident you can find the same items on your own and you don’t care about history or food culture, you might feel the cost more sharply.

Also, expect this to be very central Reykjavík. One critical review pointed out that the stops can feel close to tourist areas if you’ve already explored on your own. That’s a good reminder: do it early in your trip so the route adds something new.

How to Pick the Right Group and Pace

This tour is marked as private, so only your group participates. It’s also offered in English, and pickup can be arranged from hotels/accommodations within a specified radius.

If you’re traveling with a mix of ages, it may suit you well because some guides are reported to be patient and to keep kids engaged. The route is described as manageable for people with limited walking ability, which is useful if you’re dealing with jet lag or winter conditions.

One more consideration: there is at least one outlier report about a guide using extreme political propaganda and disappointing English engagement. That’s not what most guides are praised for, but it’s a real data point. If you’re sensitive to that topic, especially with children, you can ask your tour provider ahead of time to keep the conversation focused on food and local culture.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Food Tour?

Book it if you want a guided tasting route that covers the Iceland classics in a short time window. I’d especially recommend it if you like structure, enjoy learning while you eat, and want the chance to try hakarl with a guide who helps you approach it calmly.

Skip or reconsider if fermented shark and strong snaps sound like a deal-breaker, or if you’d rather wander the central food spots independently and pick your own pacing. Also think about timing: Kolaportið Market only adds something on weekend days between 11 am and 5 pm.

If you’re deciding between doing this now versus later: do it early. It gives you a sense of what Iceland flavors taste like on the street, what people actually buy in shops, and how Reykjavík’s neighborhoods connect to food.

FAQ

How long is the private food walking tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $249.23 per person.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered from hotels/accommodations within the specified radius. If you’re staying outside the downtown area, you’ll be asked to meet elsewhere.

Where do you meet and where does it end?

You start at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, and end at Dass Reykjavik, Vegamótastígur 7, 101 Reykjavík.

What are the included tasting highlights?

The tour includes tastes such as Icelandic shellfish soup, a lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, snacks/candy from a local supermarket, food from Kolaportið Market when it’s open, and Icelandic delicacies at Restaurant Dass including fermented shark.

Do you try fermented shark (hakarl)?

Yes. The final stop at Restaurant Dass includes the opportunity to try fermented shark (hakarl).

When is Kolaportið Market included?

It’s included only on Saturdays and Sundays, and it’s open from 11 am to 5 pm.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What if I need to cancel?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.