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

Come hungry, leave with a better map of Iceland.

This three-hour walk combines Icelandic food, local stories, and a useful introduction to central Reykjavík. I like the small groups of up to 12 people, which allow guides such as Óli, Ester, Stefán, and Ólafur to answer questions and adjust the pace. I also like that the tastings, drinks, and taxes are included, so you can focus on the food instead of counting every extra charge.

The main point to consider is the weekend schedule. The flea market stop depends on Kolaportið being open, which means Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Busy city events, long queues, or a last-minute meeting-point change can also affect the route. The advertised hot dog and market are important parts of the appeal, so confirm the day and allow some flexibility.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• You sample several Icelandic staples: Expect shellfish soup, lamb hot dogs, supermarket treats, meat soup, and other traditional foods. Some departures have also included dried cod, fermented shark, whale meat, rye bread ice cream, and an Icelandic drink.
• Kolaportið is a real local market stop: The indoor flea market offers a quick look at traditional foods such as dried fish and frozen sheep’s head, but it is open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The walk begins and ends downtown: Meet at Ingólfur Square, near Hlöllabátar, and finish at Icelandic Street Food on Lækjargata.
• The food adds up to a filling afternoon: The tour ends with a large bowl of meat soup, but one person found the smaller tastings less substantial than a full lunch.
• It is a good first-day activity: The combination of walking, conversation, and food can help you stay awake after a flight and get your bearings in Reykjavík.
• Book with weather and crowds in mind: The tour runs in all weather, and the walking includes some hills, stairs, and movement between food stops.

Why This Tour Works Well on Your First Day

Reykjavík is compact enough to explore on foot, but a food tour gives your first walk a clear purpose. Instead of simply passing the harbor, market streets, and downtown shops, you learn how each place connects to Icelandic daily life.

I especially like the way this route uses ordinary food as a starting point. Seafood reflects Iceland’s island setting. The lamb hot dog points to a beloved modern snack. Supermarket sweets show what people actually buy, while meat soup brings the experience back to an old, practical Icelandic meal.

The guide also adds the local context that is hard to pick up alone. Ester has been praised for explaining how Iceland’s volcanic ground and cold weather shaped what people could grow, raise, preserve, and eat. Other guides, including Óli and Stefán, have been praised for their humor and easy conversation.

The route lasts about three hours, so it is not a rushed tasting crawl. You have time to walk between stops and hear stories. That said, the tour can run longer than expected if a stop is busy or a guide takes time with questions. I would avoid scheduling an important activity immediately afterward.

Meeting at Ingólfur Square

The tour begins at Ingólfur Square, at or near Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorg 1. You should arrive five minutes early.

This is a practical central meeting point, close to public transportation and downtown sights. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way there. Since the tour is on foot, comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing matter more than anything fancy.

Reykjavík weather can shift quickly, and this experience operates in all conditions. Bring a waterproof outer layer and wear shoes that handle wet pavement. The route is not described as strenuous, but it includes some uphill walking and stairs in restaurants, which may be tiring or awkward if you have mobility concerns.

Shellfish Soup Beside the Old Harbor

The first proper tasting takes place down by Reykjavík’s old harbor, where you begin with Icelandic shellfish soup. This is a smart opening dish because seafood is one of the clearest ways to connect the meal with the country around you.

The soup is more than a warm starter. It introduces Iceland as a fishing nation and gives your guide a natural chance to talk about local food traditions. For many people, this is one of the strongest stops because it feels tied to the harbor rather than dropped into a tour simply because it is easy to serve.

If you have a fish or shellfish allergy, tell the operator before booking or as early as possible. The tour has provided successful substitutions for people with fish allergies, but the exact alternative is not specified, so you should not rely on a particular dish being available.

Kolaportið Market and Icelandic Food Culture

The stop at Kolaportið Market is one of the most distinctive parts of the experience. This indoor flea market is not a polished food hall. You walk through a small, authentic market area and look at traditional Icelandic foods gathered in one place.

You might see dried cod and frozen sheep’s head, along with other foods that are unusual to many visitors. Some tour departures have included samples such as fermented shark and whale meat. The shark is a challenge for many palates, while one person described the whale as tasting more like steak. You can treat this stop as a chance to learn, not a test of bravery.

There is an important catch: Kolaportið is open only Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the market is central to your decision, check that your chosen tour time falls inside those hours. One departure missed the market because citywide events caused serious traffic and crowd problems, and another version of the food tour visited a local shop instead.

Even when the stop happens as planned, it may be a fairly quick walk-through rather than a long shopping session. If you enjoy the market, you can return after the tour, as the experience finishes downtown rather than far outside the city.

The Original Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur Hot Dog

No Reykjavík food walk would feel complete without a stop at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the famous hot dog stand operating since 1937. The usual tasting is an Icelandic lamb hot dog, and this is one of the foods most closely tied to Reykjavík’s casual street-food culture.

I like this stop because it is simple and local. You are not sitting down to a formal meal. You are trying a quick snack at a long-established city institution, then moving on.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. A hot dog is a hot dog, and not everyone will be impressed by the flavor. One person preferred the style of a Chicago hot dog, while others specifically called the lamb hot dog a highlight.

The bigger concern is the queue. One person missed the tasting because the line was too long, and the promised voucher for returning later never arrived. That appears to be an occasional operational problem rather than the normal plan, but it is worth knowing. If this stop is the main reason you are booking, ask what happens if the stand is too busy.

A Reykjavík Supermarket Stop

The supermarket visit may sound less exciting than the harbor or market, but I think it serves a useful purpose. You get to look at Icelandic snacks, candy, and unusual everyday foods in the place where local shoppers buy them.

This is also a good stop for deciding what to bring home. Rather than buying only expensive souvenirs, you can see which sweets and packaged foods appeal to you. The tasting selection can vary, and the stop lasts about ten minutes, so think of it as a short cultural window rather than a full shopping trip.

For families, this part may be especially easy to enjoy. Children can identify familiar categories such as candy and snacks while still seeing products they will not find at home.

Finishing With Meat Soup at Icelandic Street Food

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, in the heart of downtown Reykjavík. Here you receive a large bowl of meat soup, a traditional dish the company affectionately describes as Iceland in a bowl.

This final stop gives the tour a proper meal at the end rather than leaving you with only small samples. Several people described the food as filling, and one family was advised not to eat lunch beforehand. That is good advice if you want to enjoy every tasting.

The portions may not satisfy everyone in the same way. One person felt that the soup bowls and other samples were not quite enough to count as lunch, although they were not left hungry. I would plan this as a substantial food experience, not a guaranteed replacement for a full restaurant meal.

The tour also includes beverages and ends with an Icelandic alcoholic drink. If you do not drink alcohol, ask about alternatives before the tour begins.

Guide Quality and Group Size

The guide can make or break a food tour, and this experience has received strong praise for its hosts. Óli has been described as calm, kind, and friendly. Stefán is known for humor and lively delivery, while Ester has been praised for detailed stories about Icelandic food, history, and natural limits.

Ólafur has also been praised for answering questions, telling stories, and keeping the group comfortable without rushing. Another guide, Einor, was described as gracious and easy to talk with. These details matter because three hours is a long time to spend with a guide who gives only basic facts.

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough for questions and conversation, though the actual number may be much lower. One booking became a private tour for two people, and the operator still ran it. Smaller groups can make the experience feel more personal, but you should not assume every departure will be private.

The one clear warning is inconsistency. One person found a guide too quiet and had to keep asking questions. That is a reminder that guide style can vary. If you want a fast, joke-filled tour, say so through your questions and interaction. If you prefer a slower walk with time for conversation, this format should suit you well.

Food Allergies, Families, and Mobility

The tour has accommodated food allergies with substitutions, including a fish allergy. You should provide details in advance and remind the guide at the meeting point. The exact substitutions are not guaranteed in the tour information, so ask what can be arranged before paying.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can take part. The route includes walking, some uphill sections, and stairs inside restaurants. If stairs or uneven walking are a concern, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the full route will be easy.

Food preferences are a different matter from allergies. The advertised menu centers on seafood, lamb, meat soup, and traditional Icelandic foods, so picky eaters should review the stops carefully. Some substitutions may be possible, but they are not promised for every preference.

Is the $151.38 Price Fair?

At $151.38 per person, this is not a cheap way to grab lunch. The value comes from the combination of food, guiding, history, beverages, and a walking orientation around central Reykjavík.

You are paying for more than the cost of the dishes. The guide takes you between several locations, explains the food, handles the group, and includes taxes, fees, tastings, beverages, and an alcoholic drink. You also avoid ordering several unfamiliar dishes on your own, where individual restaurant prices can add up quickly.

I think the price is easier to justify if you are new to Iceland, want a broad introduction, and value conversation with a local guide. It is less appealing if you mainly want a large meal or already have a detailed food plan for Reykjavík.

The tour is often booked about 55 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your schedule is fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and the tour requires a minimum number of participants.

Who Should Book This Reykjavík Food Tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors, curious eaters, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a useful first walk through downtown. It is particularly good on your arrival day because the activity keeps you moving and gives you an introduction to Reykjavík without requiring a full day outdoors.

It also suits people who want to try foods they might not order alone. Fermented shark, dried cod, lamb hot dogs, shellfish soup, and unusual supermarket treats give you a wider look at Icelandic eating than a single restaurant meal.

I would be more cautious if your plans cannot bend around delays, city events, or queues. I would also think twice if the flea market and hot dog are your only priorities. Both are important parts of the advertised route, but conditions can affect them.

Should You Book It?

Yes, if you want a friendly, story-filled introduction to Icelandic food and central Reykjavík. The strongest reasons to book are the small group, included tastings, capable guides, and the mix of everyday snacks with traditional dishes.

Before you reserve, check that your date is a Saturday or Sunday during Kolaportið’s opening hours if the flea market matters to you. Arrive early, skip lunch beforehand, dress for wet weather, and leave extra time afterward. With those expectations, this food walk offers a useful and tasty start to an Iceland trip.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavík food tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, though one departure continued longer than expected. Allow some flexibility after the scheduled end time.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at Ingólfur Square, at or near Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík. You should arrive five minutes before the start time.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, 101 Reykjavík, in central Reykjavík.

Is the flea market open every day?

No. Kolaportið Market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the market is important to you, choose a departure that fits those hours.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Food tastings, beverages, an Icelandic alcoholic drink, taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can people with food allergies join?

Most people can participate, and substitutions have been provided for fish allergies. You should notify the operator about your allergy in advance because the exact replacement foods are not specified.