Three hours in Reykjavik beats food guesswork. This small-group tour strings together Iceland’s flavors, from old-harbor seafood to the Kolaportið flea market, with tastings included along the way. It’s a fast way to understand local food culture and get your bearings in downtown.

One thing to double-check before you book: the flea market at Kolaportið is only open Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, so your day matters.

Key tour takeaways before you go

• Small group size (max 12): more time for questions, less crowd pressure
• Downtown meeting point at Ingólfstorgi: easy to find and centered for walking
• Old harbor start with shellfish soup: a warm, classic Icelandic welcome
• Kolaportið flea market stop: only works if your tour date is Saturday or Sunday
• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog tradition from 1937: a must-try stop, even if you dislike lines
• Finish with Icelandic Street Food meat soup: big, filling comfort food to end strong

Why this Reykjavik food tour is a smart first-day plan

If you only have one good shot to get oriented, this kind of tour fits perfectly. You start in central Reykjavik, then move through the places that most first-timers miss: the old harbor area, the flea market, and the local food counters you’d never stumble into on your own.

What I like about this format is the pacing. In about 3 hours, you get multiple bites instead of one long meal, which is ideal if you’re dealing with jet lag or want to keep exploring after.

It also helps that the tastings are built in. The tour is designed so you don’t have to lug a shopping list around town. You eat, you snack, you drink, then you go back out into the city with a better sense of what Iceland tastes like.

Ingólfstorgi start: easy to find, easy to time

The meeting point is Ingólfstorgi (Ingólfur Square), right in central Reykjavik. You’re instructed to arrive 5 minutes early, and you’ll start your tour from there with your guide.

A practical plus: the tour uses a mobile ticket, which cuts down on fumbling for paper. It’s also near public transportation, so you’re not stuck trying to get a taxi in the middle of a busy downtown moment.

The simple takeaway for your schedule: plan for a short walk from your lodging. Since the tour ends downtown too, you’ll likely be able to continue sightseeing right after without a travel detour.

Old harbor shellfish soup: the Iceland welcome bite

Your first real food stop happens down near the old Reykjavik harbor. The tasting here is an Icelandic shellfish soup, served as an appetizer-style introduction.

Why this works: it sets your expectations. Icelandic seafood is a big deal, and shellfish soup gives you a warm entry point before you start chasing more variety. It’s also a smart choice early in the walk because you’re not already full from a big lunch.

Timing-wise, this is one of the longer early stops (about 25 minutes). That gives you room to slow down, ask questions, and settle into what your guide is telling you about food and place—without feeling rushed.

Kolaportið flea market: what you can expect, and the one big catch

This is the part many people book specifically for: Kolaportið, the Reykjavik flea market. You’ll do a stroll inside the market, sampling and learning about traditional Icelandic foods.

Here’s the key detail: Kolaportið is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. If your dates don’t match, you may miss this stop entirely or see a substitution depending on the run.

What to expect in practice:

• A market walk that’s fun even if you don’t buy anything
• Lots of small tastes rather than a sit-down meal
• A chance to see Icelandic food culture up close, not just on a restaurant plate

It’s also worth knowing that market-type spots can be quicker or slower depending on crowding and timing. So if you’re the type who likes a strict plan, keep the rest of your afternoon flexible.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur lamb hot dog from 1937

No Reykjavik food tour hits the classics without stopping at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. This tour goes to the famous lamb hot dog stall, specifically noted as the original from 1937.

The real value here isn’t only the taste. It’s the story. Lamb is central to Icelandic food culture, and this stand is the kind of place locals treat like a landmark. Ordering one in person connects you to that tradition.

A practical consideration: these places can have lines. If you hit it at the wrong moment, the wait can affect how smooth the stop feels. Once, a tour run didn’t get everyone through the line as expected, so if you really care about this bite, don’t schedule anything tight right after.

Also, food preferences are personal. One person loved the meat focus, while another didn’t think the hot dog itself was special. If you’re a strict hot-dog fan, you may need to judge it as Icelandic street food rather than a Chicago-style benchmark.

The local supermarket stop: Icelandic snacks and take-home candy

After the hot dog stop, you go to a local supermarket for more bite-sized Icelandic picks—snacks, candies, and unique foods you might not spot otherwise. This stop is short (about 10 minutes), so it’s more about selection than browsing.

What you’ll benefit from here:

• Learning what locals actually buy and snack on
• Finding packaged items that are easy to carry
• Getting ideas for later when you’re wandering on your own

This is also the part that helps if your group has different tastes. Even in a short supermarket stop, you can usually find something you’ll want to try back home.

Icelandic Street Food and the bowl of meat soup

You end at Icelandic Street Food in downtown Reykjavik, at Lækjargata 8. The finale is a big bowl of meat soup, described in a very Icelandic way: Iceland in a bowl.

This stop lasts about 45 minutes, which means you finish with a real meal feeling, not just a final taste. It’s also the kind of food that works well at any point in the day, because soup is universally helpful when the weather is doing its unpredictable thing.

The biggest practical win is comfort. By the end of the tour you’ve sampled seafood, market food, street food, and snacks. This final dish is grounding, filling, and an easy way to recharge before your next Reykjavik plan.

Value check: what you really get for about $151.38

At $151.38 per person, this tour isn’t a budget snack crawl. But it may still be good value because the price is set up like an all-in food experience.

Here’s what’s included:

• Food tastings throughout
• Beverages, and alcoholic beverages as part of the ending
• Your guide, plus taxes and fees
• Everything designed around a short downtown walking route (and not hotel pickup)

For you, the money question is simple: how much would you spend if you tried to replicate this on your own? A few separate restaurant appetizers plus drinks plus guide time usually adds up fast. Even with a few stops that are more about street-food experiences than full meals, the included tastings keep the cost predictable.

One more value angle: this tour can help you avoid wrong turns. Icelandic menus can be intimidating if you don’t know what’s local. A guided structure helps you spend less time wondering and more time eating.

Guide-led culture: the stories that make the food stick

Food tours can get stuck in trivia. This one aims for something more useful: connecting what you eat to how Iceland works.

You’ll hear about Icelandic history and culture while you’re eating. That matters because it changes how you taste things. A warm soup isn’t just soup; it’s shaped by island geography, weather, and what’s available. The tour also builds an understanding of why certain foods show up again and again.

The guide experience also seems to be a real strength. Names mentioned in past tours include Óli, Stephan, Ester E., Ólafur, Robyn, and Einor. Across those different guides, the consistent theme is that they tell food stories in a way that helps the tour feel personal, not generic.

If you’re the type who asks questions, this format helps. Small groups mean you’re not waiting for your turn while the guide talks to someone else’s timeline.

Walking, stairs, and weather: plan like Reykjavik is weather-first

The tour runs in all weather conditions, so dressing matters. Bring layers and something water-resistant. Even if it’s not raining hard, Reykjavik can still feel cold fast with wind off the water.

About movement: the walk isn’t described as strenuous, but there’s some uphill time and stairs inside restaurants. One person noted stairs could be a difficulty for mobility. So if your legs or knees are your limitation, you’ll want to choose supportive shoes and be ready for indoor steps between tastings.

Good rule: treat this as a downtown stroll with food stops, not a seated restaurant tour. You’ll be on your feet enough that comfy shoes are non-negotiable.

Food allergies and picky preferences: where this tour helps

One of the best surprises from this tour’s format is how it can handle different needs. There are examples of fish allergy substitutions that still kept the tour enjoyable and local.

That doesn’t mean you’ll get identical items at every stop. But it does mean you can still participate without sitting out completely.

Also, don’t assume every Icelandic item will hit your taste buds the same way. In one case, someone wasn’t a fan of shark. Another person found surprise flavors in less common meats. Your best move: go in expecting variety, and tell your guide what you won’t eat.

Should you book this Reykjavik food tour with the flea market stop?

If you want an easy win for your first day in town, I’d book it—especially if you enjoy street food, seafood, and learning why local food exists in the first place. The included tastings, central meeting point, and short total duration are the combination that makes this work.

Book it with extra care if:

• Your dates are not Saturday or Sunday, since Kolaportið only runs 11 am to 5 pm
• You’re very sensitive to lines at popular street-food stops
• You need to plan around stairs or uphill walking

Overall, this is a solid choice when you want Reykjavik food plus context, not just a single restaurant meal. If that’s your goal, you’ll likely leave with full stomach energy and a better sense of where to go next.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Weekend Food Tour?

It runs about 3 hours (approx.).

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

You meet at Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (Ingolfur Square) and end at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

What is the price per person?

The price is $151.38 per person.

What days can I expect the Reykjavik Flea Market (Kolaportið) stop?

Kolaportið is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers per booking.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour include hotel pickup or drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. It operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

Are drinks included, and is alcohol included?

Beverages are included, and the tour includes alcoholic beverages with the ending drink.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, free cancellation is available. 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.