Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market

Reykjavik’s best food stories often come in small portions: a bowl of shellfish soup near the harbor, a lamb hot dog at the city’s famous old stand, and an odd-looking Icelandic snack at Kolaportið. This three-hour walking tour strings those tastes together while your guide explains how weather, fishing, farming, and volcanic soil shaped Icelandic cooking.

I like two things especially. First, the route gives you a useful downtown orientation, from Ingólfur Square to the harbor and the old market. Second, every tasting and drink is included, so you can try foods without stopping to count króna. Guides such as Óli, Ester, Stefán, and Ólafur have been praised for their humor, stories, and willingness to answer questions.

The main caution is that the experience can change when queues, festivals, or city events get in the way. The flea market is open only on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the hot dog stop may be shortened or missed if the line is too long. Dress for Icelandic weather, and leave room in your schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Taste six very different parts of Icelandic food culture, from seafood soup and lamb hot dogs to supermarket candy and meat soup.
• Walk through central Reykjavik, beginning at Ingólfur Square and finishing near Lækjargata.
• Visit Kolaportið flea market, but only if your timing matches its weekend opening hours.
• Expect a maximum of 12 people, with the possibility of a much smaller group.
• Plan for more than a snack stop, since the food adds up, though some portions may feel light if you expect a full lunch.
• Use the tour as a first-day activity, especially if you want to stay awake after arriving and get your bearings in town.

A smart first taste of Reykjavik

At $151.38 per person, this is not a cheap lunch. It is priced as a guided city walk, a food sampler, and a cultural introduction in one. You are paying for several tastings, drinks, a professional guide, and the convenience of moving from stop to stop without planning each restaurant yourself.

The value depends on how you use it. If you want a large restaurant meal, this may not satisfy you on its own. If you want to understand what you are eating and find a few places to return to later, the cost makes more sense.

The tour lasts about three hours and begins at Hlöllabátar on Ingólfstorg, usually called Ingólfur Square. Arrive five minutes early. You finish at Icelandic Street Food on Lækjargata, right in the center of town, so you can continue sightseeing or return to your hotel afterward.

I would book it early in a Reykjavik stay, ideally on your first full afternoon. Several people have found the walking, conversation, and food useful for pushing through jet lag. You also learn the layout of central Reykjavik before exploring it on your own.

Starting at Ingólfur Square

Ingólfur Square is a practical meeting point. It is central, easy to reach by public transport, and close to several of the stops that follow. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there.

The group size is capped at 12. That matters on a food tour. A guide can explain an unfamiliar dish, answer a question, or adjust the pace more easily with a small group than with a busload of people.

The guides vary. Óli has been praised for a calm, friendly manner and a good grasp of Icelandic food and culture. Ester is known for detailed stories about Icelandic history and the limits that weather and volcanic ground place on farming. Stefán has been described as funny and clear, while Ólafur is a patient storyteller who welcomes questions.

That variation is worth keeping in mind. Much of the tour’s quality rests on the person leading it. Most of the named guides have made a strong impression, but one account describes a quieter guide who needed prompting. If you enjoy asking questions, this is a good setting to do so.

Shellfish soup beside the old harbor

The first major tasting is Icelandic shellfish soup near the old Reykjavik harbor. It is a sensible opening dish: warm, local, and tied to the country’s long connection with the sea.

You get a quick lesson in why seafood is central to Icelandic cooking. Iceland has a small population and a demanding climate, so the sea has long supplied food that the land could not always provide easily. Starting with soup also gives you a gentle introduction before the more unusual samples later in the walk.

The stop lasts about 25 minutes. That leaves time to eat and listen without turning the meal into a long restaurant visit. If you have a fish allergy, tell the operator ahead of time. Substitutions have been made successfully for some people with allergies, but you should not rely on a last-minute adjustment.

This is one of the strongest food stops for anyone who wants something familiar enough to enjoy while still tasting a clear part of Icelandic cooking.

Kolaportið and the weekend market window

Kolaportið is the most distinctive stop on the route. It is an indoor food market inside Reykjavik’s flea market, where you look at traditional Icelandic foods alongside other local goods.

The market gives context that a polished restaurant cannot. You might see dried fish, frozen sheep’s head, and other foods that show how Icelanders preserved and used what was available. Some of these items are more interesting to look at than to eat, and that is part of the point. Food here is connected to thrift, storage, fishing, farming, and a climate that rewards practical habits.

The flea market is open only Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tour is built around a weekend visit, but you should still check the exact departure time when booking. The market can also be crowded during city events, which may make the stop feel like a quick walk-through rather than a leisurely browse.

I would plan to return on your own if you enjoy markets. One afternoon is not always enough to inspect everything, and the tour’s half-hour stop is designed for introduction rather than serious shopping.

There is one important expectation to set. The market is not a grand food hall with a long series of plated tastings. It is an authentic local market, and the value is in seeing the products, hearing the stories, and trying selected items. If you want a slow market visit, save extra time after the tour.

The famous lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

No Reykjavik food walk can ignore Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. The stand dates to 1937 and is associated with Icelandic lamb hot dogs, a quick meal that has become one of the city’s best-known food stops.

The hot dog itself is a useful lesson in Icelandic eating: simple, portable, and built around local meat. It is also a good reminder that fame does not guarantee a life-changing bite. Some people love the stop, while others find the hot dog ordinary compared with the reputation.

The larger issue is the queue. The tour may not be able to wait if the line is too long, especially during a busy festival day. One person was promised a return voucher that never arrived, so I would not count on a backup arrangement unless the guide confirms it clearly.

If the hot dog is your main reason for booking, ask about the current plan before you pay. If it is one item in a wider food tour, a missed stop is disappointing but does not ruin the whole outing.

Icelandic snacks at a local supermarket

The supermarket stop may sound less exciting than a harbor restaurant or a famous food stall. I think it is one of the more useful parts of the route.

A supermarket shows you what people actually buy for ordinary snacks, treats, and quick meals. You look at Icelandic candy and other local foods that may not appear on a restaurant menu. This is also where you can find ideas for edible souvenirs without paying restaurant prices.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so it is brief. You will not have time for a full shopping trip. Instead, your guide points out distinctive Icelandic items and explains what makes them local or unusual.

This is a good place to ask about foods you want to find later. The tour gives you a starting point, but you may need to return to the shop or another supermarket if you want to buy gifts.

Finishing with meat soup at Icelandic Street Food

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food on Lækjargata. Here you receive a large bowl of meat soup, a traditional comfort dish the guides call Iceland in a bowl.

This final stop gives the walk a warm finish. After several samples, soup provides something more substantial and familiar. It is also the point at which the food usually feels most like a meal rather than a series of bites.

The end point is central and convenient. You can continue along Lækjargata, walk toward the harbor, or use the nearby public transport network. Since the tour does not return you to a hotel, this central finish is more useful than it might seem.

Portion size is worth discussing. One person found the overall food amount too small to call lunch, while others described the tour as filling. The difference may come from appetite, substitutions, and how much you eat at each stop. I would have a light breakfast or early meal, but I would not arrive starving or assume this replaces dinner.

The included Icelandic drink adds a pleasant final touch. Alcoholic beverages are listed among the inclusions, though the exact drink can vary.

How much walking and effort to expect

This is a walking tour through downtown Reykjavik, not a strenuous hike. Still, you should expect time on your feet and some uphill walking. One account also notes stairs inside some restaurants, which can be difficult if you have mobility concerns.

Wear shoes that handle wet pavement and a coat that works in changing weather. The tour operates in all conditions. Reykjavik rain and wind can make a short walk feel longer, especially when you are waiting outside a food stop.

The route is central, but city events can complicate it. Cultural celebrations, marathons, and other gatherings may create detours, crowds, or delays. One event day caused a meeting point change and pushed the start back by almost an hour. If your tour falls on a major festival day, keep your afternoon flexible.

Food allergies and adventurous eaters

Icelandic cuisine includes plenty of approachable food, but the market can introduce strong or unfamiliar items. Shark, dried cod, and whale meat have appeared among the foods discussed or tasted on versions of this tour. You do not have to enjoy every sample for the experience to work.

Some people find the shark memorable for its unusual taste. Whale meat has been compared to steak by one person. These foods are part of the cultural conversation, but you should decide your own comfort level.

Fish allergies require extra care because shellfish soup and other seafood can be part of the route. Substitutions have worked well in at least some cases, but notify the operator when booking and remind the guide at the start.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but stairs, weather, and walking time make this less suitable for anyone who needs a fully step-free or indoor experience.

Why the small group matters

A group of up to 12 is small enough for conversation but large enough to create a social outing. Some departures may be much smaller. One tour went ahead with only two people, giving them a near-private experience.

Small groups also help when a stop changes. A guide can explain why a queue is too long, adjust the order, or suggest another option more easily than a large coach group can.

The best guides turn the food into a series of stories. Ester has explained how Iceland’s ground and weather affect what can be grown. Óli has answered questions about food and daily life. Stefán brings humor, and Ólafur has been willing to follow the group’s questions even when they lead away from the planned route.

I would take an active part. Ask about preservation, fishing, farming, supermarket products, and the history behind each stop. You will get more from the tour than someone who simply waits for the next sample.

Who should book this Reykjavik food walk?

This suits you if you want a first look at Reykjavik, enjoy trying unfamiliar foods, and prefer a guide who adds cultural context. It is particularly useful for first-time visitors, families with older children, and couples who want a social activity that does not require an evening reservation.

It also works well for people who normally struggle with jet lag. The walking and conversation give you a reason to stay awake after landing.

I would be more cautious if you want a formal gourmet meal, dislike seafood, need precise timing, or are visiting outside the flea market’s weekend hours. The route is flexible enough to handle some changes, but it cannot guarantee every stop if the city is crowded or a queue becomes unworkable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a broad introduction to Icelandic food rather than a single long meal. The shellfish soup, market visit, lamb hot dog, supermarket snacks, meat soup, and Icelandic drink give you a useful range in three hours.

Go in with realistic expectations. The market may be brief, the hot dog may be delayed, and the total food may not satisfy a large appetite. But with a strong guide, the route gives you stories, orientation, and several foods you might not choose on your own.

At $151.38, I see the best value for a first day in Reykjavik, especially when you count the included tastings, drinks, and guide. Book at least 24 hours ahead if your plans might change, since cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik food tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, though one account notes that it can run longer than expected. Keep extra time free after the scheduled finish.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, in Ingólfur Square, central Reykjavik. You should arrive five minutes before the start time.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, in the heart of downtown Reykjavik.

Is the flea market open every day?

No. Kolaportið and the Reykjavik Flea Market are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What food is included?

The route includes Icelandic shellfish soup, traditional foods at Kolaportið, an Icelandic lamb hot dog, local supermarket foods and candy, meat soup, beverages, and an Icelandic drink. The exact samples can vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the central meeting point yourself.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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 are not accepted for a refund.