Reykjavik: Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks

Reykjavik’s Christmas table is a mix of smoky lamb, crisp patterned bread, pickled fish, and warming holiday drinks. This three-hour walking tour brings those seasonal tastes together with the city’s Christmas lights, offering a useful introduction to Icelandic traditions as well as a meal-sized set of samples.

I like two things in particular: you get to try several dishes that rarely appear together on a standard restaurant menu, and your guide explains why they belong to Christmas in Iceland. The stop at the Little Christmas Store adds a small, festive finish, with a locally inspired gift to take away.

The main consideration is the price: at $173 per person, this is a costly way to eat, especially if you already know Icelandic food or prefer a full meal over tastings. It is also not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, so tell the operator about dietary needs before booking and confirm what can be accommodated.

• Smoked lamb and leaf bread give you a taste of classic Icelandic Christmas food, from robust meat to delicate, crisp pastry.
• The tasting menu ranges widely, including glazed ham, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring.
• Three festive drinks are included: Icelandic Christmas ale, malt and appelsín, and mulled wine.
• Christmas lights are part of the walk, so the food comes with a look at Reykjavik’s seasonal streets and decorations.
• A visit to the Little Christmas Store adds time for festive decorations and crafts, plus a small locally inspired gift.
• The tour runs in all weather, and warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes are essential.

A Christmas menu made for tasting, not ordering

The food is the main reason to book. Instead of choosing one dish at a restaurant, you sample a spread of Icelandic Christmas foods and hear how each fits into the holiday table. That makes the tour especially helpful if you want context alongside the flavors, rather than a quick list of unfamiliar dishes.

Smoked lamb is one of the more substantial samples. Its robust, smoky flavor gives you a clear sense of the meat-centered side of a traditional Christmas meal. You also try laufabrauð, or leaf bread, a thin bread decorated with fine cut patterns and fried until crisp. Its careful design makes it as much a festive craft as something to eat.

The menu then moves across other seasonal favorites. Hamborgarhrygg, a special glazed ham, brings a sweet-savory note; reindeer pâté offers a more unusual taste; and gravlax and pickled herring add the sharp, briny flavors of preserved fish. These are small samples, not a promise of full portions, so think of the tour as a guided tasting rather than dinner with several courses.

That variety is part of the value. You get to compare foods with different textures and tastes, while the guide supplies the cultural and historical background that can be hard to pick up from a menu. If you’re cautious about strong or unfamiliar flavors, the fish and pâté may be less comfortable choices than the bread or lamb. You can ask the operator about dietary restrictions in advance, but the tour is explicitly not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

Christmas drinks, from malt and appelsín to mulled wine

The drinks help make this feel like a seasonal outing rather than a standard food walk. Jólaöl is a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale, while malt and appelsín is a beloved non-alcoholic combination. You’ll also sample Jólaglögg, a warm, aromatic mulled wine.

Having both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options gives the tasting a broader appeal, though the tour does not provide details about serving sizes or substitutions. If you avoid alcohol, malt and appelsín is the clearly identified non-alcoholic drink. If you have allergies or other dietary restrictions, share them when booking rather than assuming every sample can be changed.

The drinks also offer a practical way to compare local holiday customs with the food. Ask your guide about how each is served and what place it holds in Christmas celebrations. The tour is designed for conversation, so it’s a good chance to ask questions as you go instead of trying to remember them for later.

Following the lights through central Reykjavik

Between food stops, you walk through streets dressed for Christmas, with lights and decorations forming part of the route. The seasonal setting is a real part of the appeal: you’re not simply moving between tasting counters, but seeing Reykjavik in its holiday mood while your guide ties the sights to local traditions.

The exact route and individual street stops are not specified, so don’t book expecting a fixed sightseeing circuit or particular landmark visits beyond the meeting point and Christmas store. The focus is food, drinks, and festive atmosphere, with the walk connecting those elements.

Weather matters. The tour runs in all conditions, and Icelandic winter weather can make a short outdoor stretch feel longer than it sounds. Wear warm layers and comfortable walking shoes. The supplied details say the activity is wheelchair accessible, but it’s sensible to contact the operator if you need specific route or access information.

The Little Christmas Store and a small take-home gift

The visit to the Little Christmas Store is a gentle change of pace after sampling food and drinks. It sells festive decorations, artisanal crafts, and seasonal items, giving you a chance to browse objects tied to the holiday mood you’ve been learning about.

You also receive a locally inspired gift. No exact item is specified, so treat it as a small keepsake rather than a guaranteed particular souvenir. Still, this personal touch gives the tour a more satisfying ending than simply finishing the last bite and heading off.

If you’re shopping for a Christmas ornament or a locally made memento, the store may be useful. But it is a brief stop within a three-hour food tour, not a dedicated shopping visit. Keep your expectations in proportion and enjoy it as part of the route.

Meeting near Ingólfstorg Square

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right. Benches, tables, and a covered ceiling make the spot more comfortable while you wait, a small but welcome detail in winter weather.

Look for a guide in a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. Arrive with enough time to find the shop and get settled, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the square. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to reach the meeting point on your own.

The tour is in English and lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. Private groups are available, which may suit families or friends who want a more personal outing, though the cost and arrangements for a private booking are not specified here.

What the price buys, and where the value lies

At $173 per person, this is not a budget food tour. You’re paying for several tastings and drinks, a local guide, a Christmas-themed walk, the store visit, and the gift. The cost makes more sense if you value explanation and local context as much as the food itself.

A recent booking on Christmas Day praised guide Palli for combining entertaining stories with useful information, and described the food as better than expected. Another visitor felt the price was high even while calling the Christmas outing a good one. That tension is worth taking seriously: the guide and the range of samples can make the tour feel worthwhile, but the price may be hard to justify if you mainly want a filling meal.

I’d compare the cost with what you want from the evening. If you’re curious about seasonal Icelandic dishes and enjoy tasting many things in small portions, the tour offers a convenient way to try them with a guide. If your priority is the lowest-cost dinner, you’ll likely get better value by choosing a restaurant and ordering one or two dishes.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik food walk

This tour suits curious eaters who want to understand Icelandic Christmas food without planning several restaurant stops themselves. It’s also a good fit if you’re visiting in December or around the holiday season and want to see the city’s lights while learning about customs tied to the table.

It may be less appealing if you’re vegetarian or vegan, since the tour is listed as unsuitable for both. People with allergies or other dietary needs should contact the operator before booking. The operator says specific needs can be accommodated, but that is not the same as a guaranteed replacement for every dish.

Families and private groups can consider the private option, though no age guidance is provided. Anyone joining should be ready to walk outdoors for three hours in changing weather. Dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes, and don’t rely on the covered meeting point to protect you along the whole route.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want more than a meal: you want to taste Icelandic Christmas specialties, hear their stories, and see Reykjavik’s holiday decorations with a local guide. The unusual mix of smoked lamb, leaf bread, reindeer pâté, gravlax, pickled herring, and seasonal drinks gives you a broad first taste of the cuisine.

Skip it if the price feels steep for small servings, if you need a vegetarian or vegan menu, or if you’d rather explore food at your own pace. For an interested omnivore who values a good guide and seasonal atmosphere, it can be a memorable way to spend three hours. Just dress for the weather and make your dietary questions clear before you pay.

FAQ

How long is the Christmas food tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $173 per person.

What foods are included in the tastings?

Samples include smoked lamb, laufabrauð leaf bread, glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring.

What drinks will I taste?

The drinks include Jólaöl, Icelandic Christmas ale; malt and appelsín, a non-alcoholic Christmas drink; and Jólaglögg mulled wine.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

No. The tour is listed as unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians. Contact the operator before booking if you have other dietary restrictions or allergies.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.