Reykjavik: The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour

Reykjavik’s Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour turns the city center into a dessert trail, with stops for kleina, snúður, chocolate, candy, and ice cream. I like the small maximum of 12 people, which makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions, and I like that the tour gives you useful food tips for the rest of your stay. The possible drawback is that the exact pastries and sweets change with the season, day, and time, so you cannot count on one fixed tasting menu.

I also like the mix of classic Icelandic flavors and ordinary local shops rather than one staged tasting room. Guides such as Matthias and Oli have led sessions with warmth and humor, and the tour can help a solo visitor get oriented quickly. Licorice appears often, though alternatives are available if that flavor is not for you.

At a glance

• Kleina and snúður: Try two familiar Icelandic pastries and hear how they fit into everyday food culture.
• Small-group format: A maximum of 12 people keeps the walk personal and manageable.
• Downtown route: Visit Baka Baka, Loo.koo.mas, Ísbúðin litla Valdís, and Taste of Iceland.
• More than sugar: Tastings may include dried fish, chocolate, licorice, skyr-style ice cream, and local berries.
• Useful food advice: Your guide shares tips on places to eat and drink after the tour.
• Easy planning: The walk lasts two hours, starts and ends at Ingólfur Square, and is wheelchair accessible.

A sweet way to meet Reykjavik

I find food walks most useful at the start of a city break. They give you a feel for local habits, show you where people actually buy treats, and leave you with a few addresses to revisit later. This tour does that in a compact two-hour route through central Reykjavik.

The focus is firmly on sweets, so do not book it expecting a full Icelandic meal. You will sample several small portions instead. That makes the tour a good fit if you want a light activity between sightseeing stops, or if you need a pleasant break before heading out for a full day of museums, swimming pools, or countryside excursions.

The guide supplies the cultural context. You learn why Icelandic bakeries sell certain pastries, how local candy combines chocolate and licorice, and how unusual ingredients such as birch sugar and wild berries enter the mix. You also get practical recommendations for eating and drinking in Reykjavik, which may be just as useful as the tastings.

The tour runs in English and the provider keeps the group to 12 people. That is small enough for a real conversation, but large enough that the experience does not feel like a private food tour. The exact guide varies, though Matthias and Oli are among the guides who have led this experience.

Meeting your guide at Ingólfur Square

The starting point is Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik, beside two stone pillars that are more than three meters high. The guide normally wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

This detail matters because central Reykjavik has several statues and squares that can confuse first-time visitors. Do not head to the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson or the statue of Jón Sigurðsson at Austurvöllur. Your meeting point is in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6, near the beginning of Austurstræti.

If you are walking down Laugavegur, continue straight until the street leads you to the square. I would use Google Maps and arrive at least five minutes early. Once the tour has started, it is difficult for the guide to stop and direct late arrivals to the group.

The walk begins and ends at the same place. That is handy if you want to continue shopping, find lunch, or return to your hotel without learning another pickup point.

Baka Baka and the first pastry stop

The first tasting stop is usually Baka Baka, where you can expect bakery items and something to drink or sample, including cocoa according to the available tasting details. This is where the tour settles into its rhythm: walk a little, stop for food, then listen as the guide explains what you are eating.

A likely pastry is kleina, a deep-fried, doughnut-like treat that is common in Iceland. It is not simply a generic sweet pastry. The guide explains the tradition and how bakers prepare it, giving you a better sense of why it belongs in Icelandic food culture.

You may also try snúður, a local cinnamon roll, or a Danish-style pastry. The Danish pastry has been a particular favorite on some tours, but the selection changes. That flexibility is useful for the bakeries, since it lets them serve what is fresh, but it means you should think of the tour as a tasting route rather than a guaranteed checklist.

I like beginning with pastries because they are approachable. If licorice feels intimidating, kleina or cinnamon pastry gives you an easy first bite. The bakery stop also shows a normal part of Reykjavik life: picking up something sweet with coffee instead of treating every food experience as a formal restaurant event.

Walking along Laugavegur with local food tips

From the bakery, the route continues along Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. The sightseeing section takes about 20 minutes, so this is not a long historical walk. The point is to connect the food stops and give you a look at the central shopping area while your guide explains where to eat and drink.

I value this part because food recommendations are more useful when they come from someone who knows the city’s central streets. You can ask about restaurants, cafes, and places for a later snack. The advice is especially useful if this is your first day in Reykjavik and you are still working out the difference between a quick bakery stop and a sit-down meal.

The walk is outdoors, so Icelandic weather matters. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, even if the forecast looks calm when you leave. Rain and wind can make a short city walk feel much longer, and you will enjoy the tastings more if you are comfortable between stops.

Loo.koo.mas and Icelandic candy culture

The next stop is Loo.koo.mas, listed as a shopping stop lasting about 15 minutes. Here the emphasis shifts from bakery food to packaged sweets and specialty products.

This is a good place to ask questions about Icelandic candy, including the local affection for licorice. Icelandic licorice is often milder and sweeter than the strongly salty versions some people know from Scandinavia. Even so, the taste can be a surprise if you usually avoid licorice.

Chocolate and licorice often appear together in Icelandic sweets. Þristur is one example, combining chocolate with licorice. Draumur, a well-known chocolate bar, may also appear during the route. You may not receive every named item, since the tasting changes, but these examples show the style of candy you are likely to encounter.

The tour does not force licorice on you. Other choices are available. Still, I would encourage you to try a small taste if offered. The combination can work better than expected, especially when chocolate softens the stronger flavor. If it remains a no, you will still have pastries, chocolate, ice cream, and other candy to enjoy.

Icelandic ice cream at Ísbúðin litla Valdís

The stop at Ísbúðin litla Valdís gives the tour a cold and creamy change of pace. You have about 20 minutes for the tasting, which should give you time to choose from the available flavors and hear more about Icelandic ice cream habits.

Possible flavors include licorice and skyr. Skyr is a traditional Icelandic dairy product with a thick texture and a tangy taste. In ice cream, it can offer a sharper contrast to very sweet chocolate or candy.

The exact choices depend on the day, so I would not book this tour solely because you want one specific flavor. Think of the ice cream stop as a chance to try something local in a familiar form. It is also a welcome pause after pastries and candy, though you should remember that the entire activity is built around sweet food.

For families and mixed groups, an ice cream shop can be one of the easiest stops. People who are cautious about unusual flavors can choose something familiar, while adventurous eaters can try licorice or a skyr-based option.

Taste of Iceland and the final round of samples

The final food stop is Taste of Iceland, with another 20-minute tasting period. This is where the route can bring several strands together: local candy, chocolate, and possibly something less sweet, such as dried fish.

Dried fish may sound out of place on a dessert walk, but it adds useful contrast. Icelandic food is not only pastries and candy, and a small savory bite helps explain the broader local pantry. One session included dried fish along with cocoa, sweets, and ice cream, which made the tasting selection feel less predictable.

You may also sample more Icelandic candy, including chocolate and licorice combinations. If you have already tried Þristur or another similar sweet earlier, this stop gives you a chance to compare flavors. If you dislike licorice, the guide can point you toward other options.

After the final tasting, you walk back to Ingólfur Square. Since the tour ends where it began, you can easily continue onto Laugavegur, return to the Old Harbour area, or use the guide’s food suggestions for dinner.

What the $90 price really buys you

At $90 per person, this is not a cheap way to buy pastries and candy. You could certainly spend less by visiting a bakery and candy shop on your own. The price is easier to justify if you value the explanation, several organized tastings, and the chance to compare places without planning the route yourself.

You are paying for an expert English-speaking guide, samples at several stops, and a small group. The guide’s recommendations also have value if you use them later in your trip. A solo visitor may find the social side useful, while a couple or family may prefer the ease of having someone handle the route.

The tour lasts two hours, so the cost works best as part of a larger Reykjavik day rather than as your only activity. You get a focused food experience, not a full city tour. If you want history, architecture, or major sights, pair it with another walk or museum visit.

The tasting portions are also important. You receive samples of pastries, sweets, and ice cream, but this is not designed to replace lunch. Schedule a proper meal before or after it, depending on your appetite.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time Reykjavik visitors who want help finding central food shops.
• Solo visitors who like a small-group activity and an easy way to get their bearings.
• Families and mixed-age groups who prefer short walks with regular food stops.
• Anyone curious about Icelandic candy, especially chocolate and licorice combinations.
• Pastry and ice cream fans who want several small tastings rather than one large meal.
• People with limited time who need a compact activity in the city center.

It is less suitable if you dislike sweet foods, want a substantial meal, or prefer to choose every dish yourself. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a fixed menu. The route changes with the season, day, and time, and the shops may offer different products from one session to the next.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, though it remains an outdoor walking tour through central streets. Wear suitable clothing and arrive early at the correct square.

How to get the most from the two hours

Start with an open mind about licorice, but do not worry if it is not your thing. The tour includes other choices, and the guide can help you find something more suitable.

Eat lightly beforehand. You do not need to arrive hungry enough for a meal, but a full lunch immediately before the tour may make the steady stream of samples less comfortable.

Bring a phone with a map app and save the meeting point. Ingólfur Square is central, but the nearby statues and streets can cause confusion. Look for the two tall stone pillars and the guide’s light blue jacket.

Use the walk as a planning session for the rest of your stay. Ask about cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and drinks. The food stops are the main event, but the local suggestions may help you avoid spending every meal in the most obvious tourist spots.

Finally, expect variety rather than certainty. You are likely to encounter pastries, candy, chocolate, and ice cream, with possible tastes such as kleina, snúður, skyr, licorice, and dried fish. The precise mix is part of the experience.

Should you book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact introduction to Reykjavik’s everyday sweet culture and like the idea of tasting several local specialties in one outing. The small group, central route, guide recommendations, and mix of bakery food, candy, chocolate, and ice cream make the $90 easier to defend than a simple shop-to-shop snack run.

Skip it if you want a full meal, a fixed tasting menu, or a broader sightseeing tour. For everyone else, especially solo visitors and first-time arrivals, it is a pleasant way to get oriented, try Icelandic flavors without committing to full portions, and leave with a few ideas for what to eat next.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking.

FAQ

Where does the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour start?

It starts at Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik, beside the two stone pillars. The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6, near the start of Austurstræti.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Ingólfur Square, the same place where it begins.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. The available starting times depend on the date you choose.

What food is included?

Samples include Icelandic pastries, sweets, and ice cream. Possible foods include kleina, snúður, chocolate, licorice, skyr-based ice cream, and Icelandic candy. The exact selection changes with the season, day, and time.

Is licorice required?

No. Licorice is a common Icelandic flavor and may appear in chocolate or candy, but other options are available if you do not like it.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should also wear weather-appropriate clothing because the tour includes walking outdoors.