The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour

Christmas tastes better on foot. The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour turns a cold-weather city walk into a generous sampling of Icelandic holiday food and drink. I like the mix of smoked lamb, gravlax, reindeer paté, and crisp laufabrauð, and I like that guides such as Palli, Paul, Einar, and Pauly add stories and local character along the way.

The main concern is value. At $173 per person, you need to care about the food, drinks, and storytelling, not just the sightseeing. A few portions may be small, and the Christmas market visit can disappoint if you book on Christmas Day, when it is closed. Check which tastings and drinks will be served if those details are central to your plans.

Key things to know before booking

• Five food-focused stops: The three-hour walk includes several regional food tastings, a short final tasting, and plenty of time to hear about Icelandic Christmas customs.
• Classic Icelandic holiday flavors: Expect smoked lamb, laufabrauð, glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, and pickled herring.
• Three festive drinks: Jólaöl, malt and appelsín, and Jólaglögg are included, with hot cocoa available instead of the mulled wine by request.
• Strong guide-led experience: Palli, Paul, Einar, and Pauly all received specific praise for their warmth, stories, and care with the group.
• A walk through central Reykjavik: You move between stops on foot, with walks of about five, ten, or fifteen minutes.
• Dietary requests need advance notice: The company says it can work with allergies and dietary restrictions when informed at booking.

Starting at Hlöllabátar in central Reykjavik

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and the square has benches, tables, and a covered area where you can wait.

The instructions also ask you to be in front of Center Hotels Plaza, not inside it, five minutes before departure. That wording is worth reading carefully. I would use the square, the pillars, and the sandwich shop as your visual markers rather than walking into the hotel to ask for the group.

Your guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. That should make the meeting easier, especially in the darker winter hours when central Reykjavik can feel quiet and dim.

This is a walking tour, not a bus-based food trip. You will cover short stretches between tastings, with walks of around ten minutes at the beginning, middle, and later parts of the route. The final walk is about five minutes. Wear shoes that can handle wet streets and bring clothing suited to Icelandic weather.

The English-speaking guide does more than point out the next eating stop. The tour is built around food, but the stories are a major part of its appeal. You hear about Christmas customs, Icelandic traditions, and some of the darker or more frightening tales tied to the season.

The first taste: Icelandic Christmas food with a city walk

The food arrives in stages rather than as one large meal. That helps you understand each dish and keeps the walk from becoming a long restaurant sitting. It also means you should not expect a single dramatic banquet at the end.

The first three food sections last about thirty minutes each. Between them, you walk for roughly ten minutes. The route gives you time to digest, look at the decorated streets, and ask questions before the next plate or sample appears.

A central theme is the way Icelandic Christmas food balances preservation, smoke, salt, sweetness, and spice. Smoked lamb is one of the key savory tastes. Its strong, smoky flavor makes it a memorable introduction to the holiday table, especially if you have not tried Icelandic lamb prepared this way.

You also get laufabrauð, often called leaf bread because of its delicate cut patterns. The bread is sweet and buttery, then fried until crisp. It is both food and decoration, and the fine patterns give you something to notice beyond the flavor.

The tour is at its best when the guide explains why these foods matter. You are not simply checking off unfamiliar dishes. You are seeing how a small country’s Christmas table brings together preserved meats, fish, bread, and seasonal drinks.

Smoked lamb, Hamborgarhrygg, and reindeer paté

One tasting focuses on special Christmas meats. Along with smoked lamb, you can sample glazed Hamborgarhrygg, a festive Icelandic ham-style dish. The glaze gives it a sweeter profile than the smoked lamb, so the two offer a useful contrast.

The exact serving size matters here. One person described a sample at one stop as extremely small, which is a fair warning for anyone judging the price by quantity alone. You receive food across several stops, and the experience is described as all-inclusive, but not every serving is a full restaurant portion.

Reindeer paté adds another distinctly northern note. It is one of the more unusual items on the route and gives the guide a natural opening to discuss Icelandic Christmas eating beyond the familiar smoked salmon and lamb.

Smoked salmon is also part of the food experience, and it was a favorite for one participant, along with smoked reindeer. If you already enjoy fish and cured meats, you will probably get more from this tour than someone looking for familiar comfort food.

The guide handles the sequence at each eating place, so you do not need to work out what to order or how the included tastings function. Paul was specifically praised for arranging things at the stops, while Palli was praised for managing the group and telling stories. Those details matter because a food tour can become awkward when the practical side is left unclear.

Gravlax and pickled herring for the fish course

The fish offerings bring in two very different textures and flavors. Gravlax is cured salmon, usually prized for its silky texture and gentle seasoning. Pickled herring is sharper, more acidic, and more assertive.

I would treat this part of the tour as a chance to test your own limits. If you enjoy Nordic fish dishes, these are useful examples of Icelandic holiday fare. If you dislike vinegar, cured fish, or strong flavors, the herring may be the hardest sample on the route.

The guide’s explanation can make a big difference. A plain taste of pickled herring is one thing. Hearing where it fits into Christmas food traditions gives it context and makes the sample feel less random.

The itinerary allows another thirty-minute regional food stop after the first walking section. That pacing is comfortable for a three-hour tour, though it is not a fast sightseeing walk. You will spend much of the evening eating, listening, and moving between central locations.

Christmas drinks, from Jólaöl to warm glögg

The drinks help break up the savory food. Jólaöl is a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale, while malt and appelsín is a popular non-alcoholic holiday drink. The combination of malt and orange soda is one of the more distinctive seasonal tastes you will encounter in Reykjavik.

Jólaöl gives you an alcoholic option, while malt and appelsín works for anyone avoiding alcohol. The tour also includes Jólaglögg, Icelandic mulled wine, which adds warmth and spice to a winter walk.

You can request hot cocoa instead of Jólaglögg. That is a useful choice for children, non-drinkers, or anyone who simply prefers a sweeter warm drink.

One important caution comes from the actual operation of the tour. A December 2024 booking reported that neither laufabrauð nor mulled wine was served, despite both appearing in the description. That may have been a one-off substitution, but I would not assume every named item is guaranteed on every date. If leaf bread or hot glögg is a must for you, ask before booking.

The Little Christmas Store on Laugavegur

The tour includes a visit to the Little Christmas Store on Laugavegur, one of central Reykjavik’s main shopping streets. It is a natural fit for a seasonal food walk, giving you a chance to browse decorations, handmade goods, and other Christmas items.

You also receive a locally inspired gift. That small extra gives the outing a physical reminder beyond photographs and food memories.

The store visit is not the same as visiting an outdoor Christmas market. This distinction matters. A booking on December 25, 2024 was disappointing because the person expected a Christmas market, only to find it closed. If the market is your main reason for booking, confirm its opening dates before paying.

The store can still be worthwhile if you want a seasonal shopping stop in central Reykjavik. Just keep your expectations precise: the advertised visit is to the Little Christmas Store, not a guaranteed market visit.

Stories, Yule traditions, and the guide you get

The strongest part of this experience may be the guide rather than any single dish. The tour promises Christmas stories that can be entertaining, strange, and sometimes frightening. That tone suits Iceland well, where winter darkness and old seasonal folklore provide plenty of material.

Palli was praised as a lively storyteller with a strong Viking personality. Paul was described as welcoming and helpful with group photographs among the Christmas decorations. Einar received praise for explaining Icelandic traditions and handling an allergy that had been noted during booking. Pauly was also singled out for kindness, good stories, and a broad introduction to Iceland.

You cannot choose which guide leads your departure, but these details show what the company is aiming for: a personable local host who connects the food to Reykjavik and Icelandic customs.

The group can be around ten people, based on one reported departure. That is small enough for questions and group conversation, though the exact size can change. A smaller group also makes it easier for the guide to help with food needs and keep the stops organized.

Is $173 good value for three hours?

The price is $173 per person. That is a serious cost for a three-hour walking activity, especially in a city where food and drink are already expensive.

The positive case is simple. You are paying for an expert English-speaking guide, several food stops, multiple festive drinks, local stories, a city walk, and a gift. The tour is described as all-inclusive, and one participant said the food was plentiful enough that nobody left hungry.

The less flattering case is also clear. Some servings may be tasting portions rather than plates that could replace dinner. One assessment found the cost high for the amount of food received, with one stop offering only a very small sample.

I would judge the price by your priorities. If you want a standard meal, this is not the safest value. If you want a guided introduction to Icelandic Christmas food, with explanations and seasonal atmosphere included, the calculation looks better.

The activity also benefits from the cost of eating out in Reykjavik. Since restaurant prices are high, several organized tastings can add up quickly. Still, you are paying for the guide’s time and the structure, not only the ingredients.

The best practical approach is to eat a light meal earlier if you are concerned about portions, then treat the tour as a guided tasting evening. That removes pressure from each stop and lets you focus on trying the unfamiliar dishes.

Who will enjoy this Christmas food walk?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy trying local specialties and want more than a standard city stroll. The route suits someone who likes cured fish, smoked meats, unusual spreads, seasonal drinks, and stories that explain why the food appears at Christmas.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to Reykjavik during the holiday period. You get an introduction to central streets, local customs, and foods that may be difficult to identify on your own.

Families can benefit from the flexible drink choice, since hot cocoa can replace mulled wine. But the food itself includes strong flavors, fish, pickled herring, and reindeer, so picky eaters may find the menu less comfortable.

You should also tell the company about allergies or dietary restrictions when booking. Einar’s handling of one declared allergy is encouraging, but the key point is timing. Do not wait until the meeting point.

This may be less suitable for you if you want a market-centered Christmas activity, a large meal, or a short route with little standing and walking. It is also a poor fit if you expect every listed food and drink to appear without possible substitutions.

The tour runs for three hours, so plan your evening around it. You will not be racing from sight to sight, but you will be outside between stops. Icelandic winter weather can change quickly, and warm layers are essential.

Booking advice for Christmas dates

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Reykjavik schedule is still changing.

Before booking, I would confirm three things. First, ask whether the Little Christmas Store will be open on your chosen date. Second, ask if laufabrauð and Jólaglögg are expected to be served. Third, enter all dietary needs and allergies in advance.

The tour operates in English. Start times vary, so you need to check availability for your date.

Arrive five minutes early. Look for the light blue jacket outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg Square, and do not wait inside CenterHotel Plaza.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, story-led introduction to Icelandic Christmas food and you are comfortable paying a premium for several tastings rather than one large meal. The guides appear to be the heart of the experience, and the combination of smoked lamb, fish, festive drinks, laufabrauð, and Christmas folklore gives the evening a clear sense of place.

Skip it if your main goal is a Christmas market, or if $173 feels too high for tasting portions. I would also confirm the seasonal menu before booking, especially after the report of missing leaf bread and mulled wine.

For the right eater, this is a warm way to meet Reykjavik in winter: part meal, part city walk, and part Icelandic fireside story session.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour meet?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right. The instructions also say to wait in front of Center Hotels Plaza, not inside.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What food is included?

The food includes smoked lamb, laufabrauð, glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, pickled herring, smoked salmon, and other Icelandic Christmas specialties. Specific items may be substituted.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes Jólaöl, malt and appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine. You can request hot cocoa instead of Jólaglögg.

Is the Little Christmas Store included?

Yes. The tour visits the Little Christmas Store on Laugavegur, where you can see seasonal decorations, crafts, and other Christmas items. A locally inspired gift is also included.

Can dietary restrictions and allergies be accommodated?

The company says it can accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies when you provide the information before the tour. Include your needs when booking.

What should you wear?

Wear clothing suitable for Icelandic winter weather, since the tour involves walking outside between food stops.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.