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

Taste your way through Reykjavik. This three-hour walking tour links Icelandic food with local stories, beginning near the old harbor and ending over a bowl of meat soup. I like the small groups of up to 12 and the way the route mixes famous bites with everyday Icelandic foods.

I also like the central start and finish, since you can reach both on foot or by public transport. The main caution is that the flea market and hot dog stop can be affected by opening hours, crowds, and city events, so the exact flow may not always match the plan.

The tour costs $151.38 per person, with food, drinks, taxes, and an Icelandic alcoholic drink included. That is not cheap, but it can make sense if you want a filling introduction to Reykjavik and prefer a guide to explain what you are eating. With a 4.8 rating from 47 reviews and 94 percent recommending it, this is a strong choice for a first day in Iceland.

Key points to know before booking

• The weekend flea market is time-sensitive: Kolaportið opens Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The food is substantial: Soup, seafood, a lamb hot dog, supermarket treats, and meat soup add up quickly.
• A guide makes the unfamiliar easier: Icelandic food customs, ingredients, and local history are explained along the walk.
• The group is capped at 12 people: You get more room to ask questions than on a large bus tour.
• The walk is gentle but not flat: Expect some uphill sections, stairs, and movement between stops.
• The hot dog stop needs flexibility: Long lines or citywide events have occasionally made this part difficult.

Why this Reykjavik food tour works well on a first day

I like food tours early in a trip because they give you a working map of a city. This one starts at Ingólfur Square, close to the center, then moves toward the harbor, the flea market, a famous hot dog stand, a supermarket, and a downtown restaurant.

That route gives you more than restaurant meals. You see how Icelandic food appears in daily life: seafood near the harbor, unusual traditional items at Kolaportið, quick street food, packaged sweets in a supermarket, and a home-style bowl of soup at the end.

The tour also helps with jet lag. Several people used it on their arrival day and found that the walking, conversation, and food kept them from retreating to bed in the afternoon. I think that is one of the best uses of the tour, especially if you land early and want a gentle introduction before a busy Iceland itinerary begins.

Your guide is an important part of the value. Guides including Óli, Ester, Stefán, Ólafur, Robyn, Einor, and Bo have been praised for their warmth, humor, stories, and ability to answer questions. The tone seems more conversational than formal, although one experience felt less talkative and required extra questions.

Starting at Ingólfur Square

You meet at the Hlöllabátar location at Ingólfstorgi 1, beside Ingólfur Square. Arrive five minutes early. This is a sensible meeting point in central Reykjavik, and the tour does not include hotel pickup, so plan to reach the square on your own.

The opening minutes are brief, but they set up the route. From here, you head toward the old harbor. The walking is not described as strenuous, yet it is not entirely level. One account specifically noted some uphill walking, and another mentioned stairs inside restaurants.

I would wear waterproof shoes with a good sole. Reykjavik weather can change quickly, and the tour runs in all conditions. A warm, waterproof outer layer matters more than dressing stylishly. You will be outside between food stops, even though much of the eating takes place indoors.

Harbor seafood soup and Icelandic fishing culture

The first proper tasting takes place near the old Reykjavik harbor: Icelandic shellfish soup. Some descriptions and experiences refer to it as lobster soup, but the planned tasting is described as shellfish soup, so the exact recipe may vary.

This is a smart opening dish. Seafood is central to Icelandic food culture, and a warm soup gives you a quick sense of the local cooking style. It also gives your guide a natural starting point for discussing the country’s relationship with the sea and the practical limits of farming in a cold, volcanic country.

The portion is one part of a long tasting menu, not a full restaurant meal. That distinction matters. The complete tour is filling, but each early sample may be small. One person felt the total food amount was more like a substantial tasting than lunch, while others found the food educational and filling.

If you have a fish or shellfish allergy, contact the provider before booking and tell your guide at the start. The tour has handled substitutions successfully for some people with fish allergies, but you should never rely on an unconfirmed replacement.

Kolaportið, Reykjavik’s weekend flea market

Kolaportið is the most distinctive stop on the route. This indoor market combines flea market browsing with a small food market where you can see traditional Icelandic products in one place.

The market is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. That schedule is the reason this experience operates as a weekend tour. Check the tour time against those opening hours before paying, especially if your plans are tight.

The food here is more about seeing and understanding than sitting down to eat. You might encounter dried cod, frozen sheep’s head, and other traditional foods that can look startling if you are not used to Icelandic culinary customs. Some experiences also included unusual tastes such as shark and whale meat, while another mentioned rye bread ice cream. Treat these as possible parts of the food conversation or tasting rather than guaranteed items for every departure.

I like this stop because it takes you beyond polished restaurants. You see foods that locals recognize and that reflect older preservation methods. Dried fish, for example, makes more sense when you understand the need to preserve food in a place with a short growing season and difficult weather.

Allow some flexibility here. The market can be crowded, and one experience had only a quick walk through. Another person enjoyed it so much that the family returned afterward and revisited two of the food stops. If the market is a major reason for booking, confirm that your chosen departure falls during its opening hours.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur and the famous lamb hot dog

No Reykjavik food walk would feel complete without a stop at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the hot dog stall founded in 1937. The Icelandic hot dog is made with lamb, and the stall is one of the city’s best-known quick-food institutions.

The appeal is partly culinary and partly cultural. You are not just eating a hot dog. You are trying a simple, affordable local staple at the original stand, in the middle of downtown Reykjavik.

Still, keep expectations sensible. The hot dog is not a gourmet dish, and taste is personal. One person found it unremarkable compared with a Chicago-style hot dog, while another considered it one of the tour’s highlights and wanted to return for another. I would approach it as a fun local bite, not as the single reason to pay for the tour.

Lines are the bigger concern. A long queue has caused one group to miss the tasting, and citywide events have also disrupted the route. If the stand is overwhelmed, ask your guide what alternative is available and do not assume a later voucher will automatically arrive.

Supermarket snacks and the food Icelanders buy every day

The supermarket stop may sound less exciting than the market or hot dog stand, but I think it adds useful balance. Restaurants show you what Iceland serves visitors. A supermarket shows you what people can pick up for an ordinary snack.

You look at Icelandic candy, packaged treats, and unusual local foods. This is also one of the easiest parts of the tour to repeat later. If you find a favorite sweet, you can return to a shop and buy it as a small souvenir.

The stop lasts about ten minutes, so it is not a long shopping session. Think of it as a guided introduction to products you might otherwise walk past. It is especially useful if you want edible souvenirs but are unsure what is distinctive, portable, or easy to find.

Finishing with meat soup at Icelandic Street Food

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food on Lækjargata 8. This is in the heart of downtown, making it easy to continue sightseeing or return to your accommodation afterward.

The final tasting is a large bowl of traditional meat soup, described affectionately as Iceland in a bowl. After several smaller samples and a walk through the city, this is the dish that turns the tour into a proper meal.

The end point is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You finish indoors, in a central location, with hot food and an included drink. The package also includes beverages and an Icelandic alcoholic drink, though you should tell the guide if you do not drink alcohol.

The soup is a good final course because it reflects Iceland’s straightforward, warming cooking. It may not suit every diet, so ask about ingredients if you avoid meat or have allergies. The supplied information confirms that some substitutions have been arranged for allergies, but it does not promise a particular menu for every dietary need.

How much food do you actually get?

The route includes shellfish soup, market tastings, a lamb hot dog, supermarket treats, meat soup, beverages, and an Icelandic drink. That is a broad range, and several people found the tour filling.

Still, this is not a three-hour all-you-can-eat event. Portions are tasting-sized at some stops. One person described receiving two small bowls of soup, a small piece of cod, and a small dessert, and felt satisfied but not full. Another gave the useful advice to skip lunch before the tour because the overall amount adds up.

My practical advice is simple: eat a light breakfast, then do not schedule a large meal immediately afterward. You can expect a good amount of food, but the exact balance depends on what is available and how busy each stop is.

Guide quality and group size

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough for a guide to hear your questions and adjust the pace, while still giving you the social feel of a shared food walk.

The strongest praise has gone to the guides. Óli was described as calm, kind, friendly, and full of food knowledge. Ester received particularly warm approval for her explanations of Icelandic history, food origins, and the effect of volcanic ground and weather on what can be produced. Stefán was often singled out for humor and clear explanations.

Ólafur was praised for storytelling, patience, and answering questions even when the conversation wandered. That matters on a food tour, since the best moments often come from asking why a dish exists rather than simply tasting it.

There is some variation. One person found the guide less talkative and had to prompt him with questions. Another praised a guide for not rushing the group during a difficult day. Your experience will depend partly on the individual guide, but the overall pattern favors friendly, engaging hosts.

Walking, weather, and timing

The tour lasts about three hours, though one account said it ran longer than expected. Do not book a tight activity immediately afterward. Reykjavik is easy to explore on foot, but city events, queues, and restaurant delays can stretch the schedule.

The walk is manageable for most people, but you should be comfortable walking between central stops. Some uphill sections and stairs inside restaurants may be difficult if you have mobility concerns. The provider says most people can participate, but this is not a fully step-free experience.

The tour operates in all weather. Icelandic rain and wind can make a short outdoor walk feel longer, so bring proper outerwear. Events such as Culture Day, marathons, and other citywide gatherings have caused major congestion, last-minute meeting point changes, and missed stops.

That risk is unusual but important. The tour is strongest on a normal weekend, when the market is open and the hot dog queue is manageable. On a major event day, the city itself can become the unpredictable part of the excursion.

Is $151.38 a fair price?

At $151.38 per person, this is a premium walking food tour. You are paying for more than the cost of the food. The price includes a professional English-speaking guide, all tastings, beverages, an Icelandic alcoholic drink, taxes, and handling charges.

The value depends on how you travel. If you would otherwise spend money on several separate meals and want help understanding Icelandic food, the package is reasonable. The guide also saves you from guessing what to order and gives the meal stops a cultural frame.

If you mainly want a cheap hot dog and a bowl of soup, you can spend far less on your own. The tour makes more sense for your first day, for curious eaters, and for people who value stories and orientation as much as the food itself.

The small group helps justify the cost. A cap of 12 is not private-tour pricing, but it is far more personal than a large coach outing. The strongest value comes when your guide is as engaging as Óli, Ester, Stefán, or Ólafur and the group enjoys asking questions.

Who should book this food walk?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first taste of Reykjavik without planning several restaurants yourself. It suits couples, families with adult children, solo visitors who like meeting people, and anyone who wants an easy way to shake off jet lag.

It is also a good fit for adventurous eaters. Shark, dried fish, sheep’s head, whale meat, unusual candy, and rye bread ice cream have all appeared in the food experiences associated with this route, though not every item should be expected on every outing.

You may want another option if you need a guaranteed hot dog, a fixed menu, a fully accessible route, or a precise finish time. The tour is also less appealing if you dislike seafood, meat, or unfamiliar traditional foods. Ask about substitutions before booking rather than waiting until the meeting point.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within that final 24-hour window are not accepted, and the provider may offer another date or a full refund if the minimum group size is not reached.

Final call: book it for food, stories, and orientation

I would book this tour for the first afternoon of a Reykjavik stay, especially if Kolaportið is high on your list and your schedule falls on Saturday or Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Its best qualities are the range of food, the central route, the friendly guides, and the chance to see Icelandic eating habits beyond the usual tourist menu. Its weak points are the price, possible queues, stairs, and the fact that city events can disrupt the market or hot dog stop.

Book it if you want context with your lunch. Skip it if you want a guaranteed, tightly timed meal with no surprises.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik food tour start?

It starts at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, beside Ingólfur Square. You should arrive five minutes before the scheduled start time.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, 101 Reykjavík. This is in central downtown Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. It can sometimes run longer, so avoid scheduling another activity immediately afterward.

Is the Reykjavik Flea Market open every day?

No. Kolaportið, the Reykjavik Flea Market, is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What food is included?

The planned tastings include Icelandic shellfish soup, traditional foods at Kolaportið, an Icelandic lamb hot dog, Icelandic supermarket snacks and candy, and meat soup at Icelandic Street Food. Beverages and an Icelandic alcoholic drink are also included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Ingólfur Square.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum is 12 people per booking and 12 people on the activity.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Most people can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.