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Foodie travelers already know that the best way to explore a new place is through the local cuisine. For some reason, Iceland gets a bad reputation, and most people expect it to be boring potatoes and fish. Which sure… sometimes it can be like that.
But there are also some excellent food spots, that you don’t want to miss.
In this short guide, I’ll review the most popular food tour in Reykjavik, which I did in March 2026 after multiple visits to the country.
I hope you add this food tour to your things to do in Reykjavik list and book it as soon as you have a flight, as it fills up fast.
🥳 TESTED TOP PICKS FOR ICELAND
- 📲 Best eSIM: Ubigi eSIM (my top pick for convenience and stability) 10GB for 7 days for $11 – Also get 10% your plan with discount code BACHELORTRAVEL
🏨 Best hotel in Reykjavik: KEX HOSTEL – awesome location, great prices for private and shared rooms
🚌 Airport transfer: Keflavík Airport → Reykjavík Bus (Flybus) — cheapest and most straightforward way to get into the city after landing
🍽️ Food experience: Reykjavík Food Walk (guided foodie walking tour) — if you only do one tour in Reykjavik choose this one!
The Best Food Tour in Reykjavik
In tourism and travel, we often hear that something is the best or “most popular,” but this is one experience that actually lives up to the hype.
The food tour from Wake Up Reykjavik has been running since 2014, and is still the top-rated food tour in the country, with thousands of glowing reviews.
I also love that the team and guides are all local, meaning you get a lot of that extra local flavor and information. I did my tour with Lenny, who was full of energy and enthusiasm to show us the city.
It is my strong recommendation that you book this tour for the lunch timeslot (which books up the fastest, obviously). You’ll save some money by having breakfast at the hotel and then a big long lunch.
This also makes the price point a bit more palatable, as at $143 per person it is a pricey activity. With that said, the cost of travel in Iceland is very high in general, so it’s not like the food tour is overpriced at all.
About the tour
I started my day inside Harpa Concert Hall, a lovely place that you can also visit on your own when you have more time. In the next 3 hours, we would visit 5 of the city’s best foodie spots, including both well-known cult-following places and lesser-known locations.
How was the food?
As a self-described food-obsessed person, I always worry whether the food will be enough on these tours.
There is nothing more disappointing than expecting a feast and getting just snacks.
On the Reykjavik food tour, we sampled a total of 6 dishes, including dessert and drinks.
The biggest portion is at Messinn, which is probably also one of my favorite spots to eat in Reykjavik in general.
The atmosphere and setting are perfect, and they have a range of fish pans full of tender fish and usually a combination of cream, butter, cheese, and lime, as well as the expected potatoes.
They also use locally grown ingredients like cherry tomatoes that are grown in greenhouses.
At Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which is up next, you get to pick how you want your hot dog. This place is world famous, having served all sorts of celebrities and famous visitors who have traveled to Iceland. Their standard offering is the lamb hot dog with raw onions, fried onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade (which is a mix of mayo and relish).
I know a lot of people don’t like lamb, but you probably wouldn’t even notice if you didn’t know.
The next stop was the classic Íslenski Barinn, which feels like a mix between a pub and a restaurant. This is where you get to try the classic lamb soup, a comfort food that is perfect for cold days and requires a hearty amount of bread and butter.
You’ll also be given the option to try fermented shark. Yep! Hákarl has become a sort of viral food trend for anybody visiting Iceland.
I will say that the version at Íslenski Barinn is slightly toned down, or tourist-coded. It doesn’t have the extreme smell or taste that I’ve experienced in other places, which I count as a positive.
You might as well try it here then! You’ll also be given instructions on how to eat it (there is apparently a process), and if you drink alcohol I recommend opting for the extra shot of Brennivín (a type of schnapps or raki). You will also get suggestions for beers to order, which helps clear the palate even further after the shark.
Info tip: I think moments like these also open interesting conversations around the ethics of different foods and cultural habits. Icelanders have different opinions on whether restaurants should still serve fermented shark, and I really like this article on the topic.
Another stop on the tour is Sjávargrillið where, from memory, you get to pick between the langoustine or lamb tacos. This was actually the first stop of the tour when I did it, and since I was starving and the tacos were delicious, I wish I could have eaten another four.
The final stop, from what I’ve seen, is always Cafe Loki, near the iconic Hallgrímskirkja.
This place is a bit hit or miss for me, as I’ve been here multiple times with large groups. But on the food tour, you’ll get to try their dessert rather than their fish dishes. Cafe Loki also does a plate with fermented shark, by the way.
The ice cream is 100% worth it. So even if you don’t want to come here for dinner, you can always stop by just to try it.
The ice cream is made with traditional toasted rye bread and served with whipped cream and caramel. I’ve had it a few times and for some reason I keep thinking it has alcohol in it, there is a definite punch. Also some coffee-like flavors that come through as well.
How expensive is food in Iceland?
Food in Iceland is quite expensive.
If you come from London or San Fransisco you might find it normal.
If you come from anywhere else, you’ll notice it straight away.
Even casual meals like pizza and burger can easily go above $40+ per person, just by adding a soft drink.
Alcohol also tends to be more expensive than people realize – however, I don’t really drink and I’m usually in the country for work, so I’ve never been bothered by it. This is one more reason why I recommend the food tour. You get a to try a bit of everything an get information on the city.
If you want more recommendations on what and where to eat in Iceland, I’ve written about it here.
More info
As someone that works in travel and tourism and has done a ton of food tours with different providers, as well as experienced the process that different guides follow, I really appreciate and applaud the way the guides here go above and beyond for visitors.
Lenny made sure to provide each one of us with a personalized list of his favorite food spots around the city, as well as more information and activities to do in Iceland.
For that reason, I recommend booking the tour for your first day in the city (especially if it’s your first time visiting). You’ll get an introduction to the city, a walking tour, lunch, and a ton of helpful advice for other places to visit, all in one.
What to bring and how to prepare
- This tour includes a fair bit of walking within a 3-hour window, so comfortable shoes are probably best. If you are stressing about how to pack for Iceland, you should also browse this packing list.
- Come hungry and time it right. If you plan to eat breakfast at the hotel and dinner at a restaurant, then book the late evening slot so all your meals for the day are covered.
- Pace yourself and drink plenty of water.
FAQ for Reykjavik Food Tour
⭐ Is the Reykjavik food tour worth it?
Honestly, yes. Iceland is expensive in general, so while the price of the tour might seem high at first, you are getting a full meal, multiple restaurant visits, a walking tour of Reykjavik, and local insight from Icelandic guides. If it’s your first time in the city, I think it’s one of the best introductory activities you can book.
⭐ How much food do you get on the tour?
A lot more than I expected. This is definitely not one of those tours where you get tiny samples and leave hungry afterwards. Between the fish dishes, tacos, soup, hot dogs, dessert and drinks, I was completely full by the end.
⭐ Do you try fermented shark on the tour?
Yes! One of the stops includes the chance to try Hákarl (fermented shark), which is probably Iceland’s most famous controversial food.
The good news is that the version served on the tour felt a bit toned down compared to other places I’ve tried it. You are also usually given Brennivín alongside it, which definitely helps.
⭐ Is this tour good for picky eaters?
It depends how picky you are.
If you absolutely hate seafood, lamb or trying unfamiliar foods, you might struggle with certain parts of the experience. But honestly, most of the dishes are approachable and comforting rather than extreme. Even people in my group that were nervous about Icelandic food ended up enjoying most of it.
⭐ How long is the Reykjavik food tour?
The tour lasts around 3 hours and includes walking between restaurants in downtown Reykjavik. The city center is compact, so none of the walking sections are very intense.
⭐ Should I book the lunch or early morning tour?
I personally recommend the lunch timeslot.
You can save money by eating breakfast at your hotel, then treating the tour as a very large lunch. It also leaves your evening free for bars, northern lights tours or exploring Reykjavik afterwards.
⭐ Do you need to book the Reykjavik food tour in advance?
Definitely.
This is one of the most popular tours in Iceland and spaces fill up quickly, especially in summer and around holidays. If you already know your travel dates, I would book it as early as possible.
⭐ What about vegetarians?
From what I observed and saw, you can join even if you’re vegetarian or have allergies.
The guides are very accommodating, and ask about dietary restrictions in the beginning (just to double check.
However, this tour is heavily focused on traditional Icelandic cuisine, which naturally includes a lot of fish, lamb and dairy products.
Ready to book? Top Iceland recommendations
📲 Best eSIM for Iceland: Easiest option is Ubigi — reliable across the country and super easy to set up before landing. Check full review here.
🚌 Airport transfer: Book the Keflavík Airport → Reykjavík bus (Flybus) — cheapest and easiest way into the city after landing. Here are all the options and why I chose this one.
🏨 City hotel option: I’d stay somewhere central in Reykjavík for the first day or 2-3 days if you want to see everything. I love KEX Hostel out of all the hotels I’ve tried. Super interesting design, social space, amazing location.
🎟️ Top Iceland activities:
There are so many good activities and tours to do in Iceland. Here are some of my favorites:
- From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour
- Reykjavik: Guided Foodie Walking Tour with 6 Tastings
- Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
- Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour (I have had this tour cancelled on me a few times due to weather, but I will get it next time.)
🚗 Car rental: If you’re doing the Ring Road, compare prices on DiscoverCars — this is what gives you the most flexibility
🗺️ Must-have apps: Download/bookmark road.is and Vedur (Iceland weather) before your trip — you’ll use them daily. Also download all these apps as well.
👚Packing list: Iceland is much more enjoyable with the right gear. Here is what you need to pack and bring.
