The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour

Reykjavik’s sweetest sights are not grand monuments. They are flaky pastries, hot chocolate, skyr cake, candy, and a scoop of ice cream eaten while the wind does its best to rearrange your plans. This two-hour walk turns downtown into a tasting route, with guides such as Óli, Þór, Bo, and Ester adding local stories between stops.

I like the small group limit of 12, which gives the guide room to answer questions and adjust the conversation. I also like that the food is included, so you can sample several Icelandic specialties without guessing what to order. The main drawback is value: at $109.04 per person, you need to arrive hungry, and one stop may include savory dried haddock on a tour called Sweet Tooth.

Key points at a glance

• Four named food stops: Baka Baka, Taste of Iceland, Valdis, and Dass bring pastries, local specialties, ice cream, and skyr cake into one walk.
• A maximum of 12 people: The group size keeps the outing personal and makes it easier to speak with the guide.
• Guides shape the experience: Óli, Þór, Bo, Ester, Gudjon, Thor, Stefan, and others have been praised for stories, humor, and practical Reykjavik advice.
• Plan to eat plenty: The samples can add up to a full meal for some people, so a large lunch beforehand is not wise.
• A useful first-day activity: The central route and local recommendations can help you get your bearings in Reykjavik.
• Dairy matters: Ice cream and skyr are part of the experience, so this is not a good fit for anyone who is lactose intolerant.

Starting beneath Reykjavik’s tall stone pillars

Meet at 2 p.m. in Ingólfstorg, the central square by the two stone pillars, each more than three meters high. The meeting point is in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6, near the beginning of Austurstræti.

Your guide should be wearing a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. That detail matters in a busy city center, especially if several walking groups gather nearby. The listed starting point is Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, and the activity finishes back at the meeting point.

The opening is not just a roll call. The guide may use the square and the pillars to introduce Reykjavik’s early stories and Nordic gods before the food begins. For children, this gives the tour a bit of drama. One family’s guide held two eight-year-olds’ attention with this kind of storytelling, then kept them engaged through pastries, hot chocolate, candy, ice cream, and yogurt.

A gentle walk along Laugavegur

The route continues through Laugavegur, the main downtown street. This is easy-paced city walking rather than a strenuous hike, and the stroll links the tasting stops with stories about Reykjavik, Icelandic people, and daily life.

That balance is important. Without the walking, the experience would be a row of bakery visits. With it, you get a sense of how the shops fit into the center of town. Guides have also used the time to discuss current events, local customs, childhood memories, and the background of the foods you are about to try.

The tour lasts about two hours, so do not expect a full city sightseeing program. You will not cover Reykjavik’s major landmarks in depth. Think of the walk as a food-centered introduction to downtown, with the city itself providing the setting.

Baka Baka and the case for Icelandic pastries

Baka Baka is the first named food stop. This is where the sweet focus becomes clear, with traditional Icelandic pastries and, according to the descriptions of the experience, hot chocolate.

The pastries are a major reason to book. Several of the tastings focus on flaky baked goods, and the Happy Marriage pastry has become a favorite for some participants. The name alone makes it a fine piece of Icelandic food culture to ask about, and the guide can explain how the pastry fits into local baking traditions.

This stop works best when you let the guide do more than hand you a sample. Ask about the bakery, the recipes, and what Icelanders eat at home. The strongest guides, including Óli and Þór, have been praised for tying each bite to the city and its people.

The portion sizes are not described in exact terms, so do not assume you are receiving a full pastry at every stop. Even small samples add up across the route. If you eat a large lunch before meeting the group, you may find yourself struggling before the ice cream arrives.

Taste of Iceland brings the broader menu

The Taste of Iceland stop expands the range beyond sweets. You may try skyr, fermented shark, and other Icelandic treats associated with local food traditions.

Fermented shark is not a dessert, and it is not everyone’s favorite taste. Still, this is one of the more useful parts of the experience because it gives you a chance to try a famous Icelandic food in a controlled setting. You can make your own decision instead of buying a full portion on a whim.

Here is the value question. The stop may include only a small piece of dried haddock or another modest savory sample, while other items on the menu are not part of the tour. If you expect an all-dessert menu or a broad sampling of every specialty in the shop, the $109.04 price may feel high.

I would treat Taste of Iceland as a cultural tasting stop, not a dessert counter. The guide’s explanation is part of what you are paying for. If you only want the food, you can visit cafes and shops independently for less.

Valdis proves Icelanders eat ice cream in cold weather

At Ísbúðin litla Valdís, the tour returns to a clear crowd-pleaser: ice cream. The shop is associated with Icelandic ice cream culture, and your guide chooses flavors for the group.

The practical advice is simple: save room. Many people assume an Icelandic afternoon requires warm drinks, but locals eat ice cream in all kinds of weather. You may be standing outside in chilly air with a melting scoop in hand, which is a very Reykjavik sort of experience.

Valdis also gives the group a lighter, more playful break after the more unusual tasting at Taste of Iceland. Children tend to enjoy this part, though adults may be just as interested in the flavor choices.

The dairy warning is real. Ice cream is a planned part of the tour, not an optional extra. If you are lactose intolerant, this activity is specifically not recommended. The available information does not promise substitutions, so you should not book expecting a dairy-free version.

Skyr cake at Dass makes the final stop local

The final named stop is Dass Reykjavik, where you try cake made with skyr. Skyr is a local specialty, and using it in cake shows how Icelandic food traditions appear in modern desserts rather than only in plain yogurt-style servings.

This is a fitting finish because it brings together the main themes of the outing: local ingredients, familiar baked goods, and a sweet ending. It also gives you one more chance to ask how skyr differs from the yogurt you may know at home.

The route information names Baka Baka, Taste of Iceland, Valdis, and Dass. Some descriptions of the experience refer to five tasting stops, so the exact number or presentation of samples may depend on the current route. If the precise lineup matters to you, confirm it at booking.

Why the guides matter more than the sugar

The food gets you through the door, but the guide determines how much you take away. The strongest guide feedback centers on personal conversation, local history, and the ability to answer questions without turning the walk into a lecture.

Óli has been praised for making the tour feel personal and for offering useful Reykjavik recommendations. Þór, also referred to as Bjarni Þór, has been noted for his stories and understanding of Icelandic history and culture. Bo, Sveinbjörn, Ester, Gudjon, Stefan, Einar, Mathias, and Arnr are also named among the guides who have led this experience.

The tone appears informal. In smaller departures, the group has sometimes consisted of only one couple or one family. That can turn a scheduled group walk into something close to a private outing, with more time for questions and photos.

Photos are another nice touch reported in the experience details. Some guides have taken pictures during the walk and shared them afterward. This is not the core reason to book, and it may depend on the guide, but it can be a welcome keepsake.

Family travelers should pay attention here. The tour is not simply a sugar run for children. A patient guide can use the food and the city stories to keep young minds involved. One family even stopped to feed swans during the walk, an unscheduled moment that shows how the outing can feel relaxed rather than tightly scripted.

Is $109.04 a fair price?

At $109.04 per person, this is not a cheap bakery crawl. You could visit Reykjavik cafes on your own and pay less, especially if you choose one pastry and one drink rather than several tastings.

The price includes all listed bites and samples, which removes the worry of paying at every stop. It also covers the guide, the storytelling, and the small-group format. That matters if you want help choosing Icelandic foods or prefer an organized route over making several decisions in an unfamiliar city.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Reykjavik and a guided explanation of local food. It is weaker for anyone who has already visited most of the named shops, knows exactly what they want to eat, or is mainly looking for a large quantity of dessert.

The portion count also matters. You will probably eat more than you expect, but the experience is made of samples rather than a sit-down meal. Several people have found themselves full by the end, so plan a late dinner or a light evening meal.

Who should book this sweet afternoon?

I would recommend the tour to you if you enjoy learning the story behind food. It suits first-time Reykjavik visitors, families with children, couples who want a relaxed afternoon, and anyone who likes trying unfamiliar specialties with a guide nearby.

It is especially useful on your first day in Iceland. The central route helps you get your bearings, and a friendly guide can point you toward other places to eat or visit. The 2 p.m. start also makes it a practical afternoon activity after a morning arrival or a slow first day.

I would hesitate if you are lactose intolerant, dislike walking between stops, or want only desserts. I would also think twice if you have already visited Baka Baka, Valdis, Taste of Iceland, and Dass. The tour’s appeal comes from combining those places with conversation and context, not from access to secret kitchens or exclusive menus.

The activity is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. No special fitness level is stated, but you should be comfortable walking through central Reykjavik for roughly two hours.

Booking timing and cancellation

This experience is often booked about 67 days ahead, which suggests that popular dates can fill well before arrival. The group is capped at 12 people, and the small size is one of its best features, so booking early makes sense if your schedule is fixed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the 2 p.m. start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met and the tour is canceled, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

Book it if you want a guided food introduction to Reykjavik, not simply a cheap list of bakeries. The best parts are the relaxed walk, the chance to try several Icelandic flavors, and the guides’ ability to connect pastries and skyr with local life.

Skip it if you have already explored the same shops or if $109.04 feels too high for samples. For most first-time visitors with a sweet tooth, a curious appetite, and room for ice cream after hot chocolate, it is a friendly and useful way to spend two hours.

FAQ

Where does the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour start?

It starts at Ingólfstorg in central Reykjavik, by the two stone pillars. The listed meeting location is Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, near Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 2 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Ingólfstorg.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 participants.

What food is included?

The route includes pastries at Baka Baka, local specialties at Taste of Iceland, ice cream at Valdis, and cake made with skyr at Dass Reykjavik. The experience also includes other samples described as candy, hot chocolate, and Icelandic treats.

Is ice cream part of the tour?

Yes. Ice cream at Valdis is one of the planned stops.

Is the tour suitable for someone who is lactose intolerant?

It is not recommended for people who are lactose intolerant because ice cream is included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.