Reykjavik: Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks

Christmas in Reykjavik has a smell.

This guided Christmas food walk mixes classic Icelandic holiday bites with warm drinks, then adds city lights and a festive shop stop, all in about three hours. You’ll get stories tied to what you’re eating, not just a plate set in front of you.

What I really like is the clear focus on holiday-specific flavors. The lineup hits both “must-try” Iceland classics and Christmas favorites, from smoked lamb to laufabrauð, plus a solid menu of drinks.

One thing to consider: it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. If you eat that way, you’ll likely need to pick a different kind of food tour.

Key highlights at a glance

• Smoked lamb and laufabrauð: hearty main flavors plus crispy leaf bread made for the season
• A full holiday sampler: Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, and pickled herring
• Three drink choices: Jólaöl, malt og appelsín (non-alcoholic), and Jólaglögg mulled wine
• Christmas lights walk: you see the decorations while you snack
• Little Christmas Store stop: festive browsing plus a locally inspired gift
• Strong guiding energy: Palli is specifically noted as an entertaining, knowledgeable host

Why Icelandic Christmas tastes different in Reykjavik

If you think of Iceland as cold and wind-heavy, Christmas adds something else. You get comfort food that leans salty, smoky, cured, and rich. This tour is built around that exact idea: holiday flavors you can’t really fake at home, served with context so it makes sense while you’re eating.

The experience feels like a holiday sampler, but it’s not random. You’re guided through a sequence of tastes that follow how Icelanders think about winter food: preservation first, warmth second, and then celebratory treats that show up at the Christmas table.

And because Reykjavik is compact, the timing works. In three hours, you can walk, eat, sip, and see the city’s decorated mood without turning the day into a marathon.

Meeting at Ingólfstorg: where the tour starts and what to wear

Plan to arrive a bit early. The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square. You’ll see two tall stone pillars, with CenterHotel Plaza to your right. There are benches, tables, and a covered ceiling, so waiting is easier than it sounds.

The guide setup is also very visible. Your guide usually wears a light blue jacket with Your Friend In Reykjavik on the back. That matters in Iceland, where matching coats and crowds can turn “meet me here” into a mini scavenger hunt.

What to wear is simple and practical:

• Comfortable shoes for walking on uneven winter sidewalks
• Warm clothing, because the tour runs in all weather
• Expect to be outside for stretches while you’re enjoying the Christmas lights and decorations

One small rule: smoking is not allowed.

First tastings: smoked lamb and the crunch of laufabrauð

The first “wow” moment is how the tour starts with something deeply Icelandic and very Christmas-shaped. You’ll taste smoked lamb, a flavor profile that’s bold and earthy. Smoked meat is common in Icelandic food culture, and during Christmas it becomes part of that cozy, celebratory table you hear about in winter stories.

Then comes laufabrauð, often described as leaf bread. It’s thin, patterned, and fried until it turns crisp. The look is half the fun, because the design isn’t just decoration. The patterns are a big part of the tradition and the work that goes into making it.

Why I like this pairing for a first stop: smoked lamb gives you the savory baseline, and laufabrauð resets your palate. After something smoky and heavy, the crisp bread feels light even though it’s buttery. It also helps you pace yourself before the more strongly flavored cured fish and pickled items later.

Holiday meats and classics: Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, pickled herring

This is where the tour earns its name. Instead of repeating one style of food, it rotates through Iceland’s Christmas staples, including both hot and cold bites.

Here’s the lineup you can expect:

• Glazed Hamborgarhrygg: pork that’s typically sweet-leaning and festive, often served as a Christmas centerpiece
• Reindeer paté: a game-meat flavor that feels different from standard holiday spreads
• Gravlax: cured salmon with a tangy edge
• Pickled herring: sharp, briny, and very Icelandic during the season

The real value here is that you’re not just tasting. You’re learning the cultural significance of each dish and drink. That storytelling part matters because some of these flavors are acquired tastes. If you understand where they come from and how they show up on the Christmas table, you’re more likely to enjoy what you might otherwise find intense.

A balanced note: if you’re sensitive to strong salt, vinegar, or smoke, start slow. The tour moves along at a friendly walking pace, but the flavors can stack. Smoked lamb plus cured fish plus pickling can feel like a lot if you rush.

Christmas drinks to warm you up: Jólaöl, malt og appelsín, and Jólaglögg

Now for the warmth. Iceland winters don’t politely wait for you to get comfortable, so having drinks built into the tour is smart planning.

You’ll sip festive options such as:

• Jólaöl, a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale
• Malt og appelsín, a popular non-alcoholic Christmas drink (malt with orange)
• Jólaglögg, mulled wine served warm and aromatic

This drink mix is also a practical win. It gives you an alcohol option, a non-alcoholic option, and something spiced. So you can match the drink to your day and still keep the holiday vibe.

If you’re new to Icelandic Christmas ale or to mulled glögg, don’t worry about ordering beforehand. The tour handles it for you, and you’ll get guidance while you’re there.

Tip I’d follow in winter: pace the sips. Drinks are part of the tastings, but you still need to walk and keep your footing. Warm drinks help, yet you still want to stay steady.

Walking the Christmas lights and decorations, then shopping at the Little Christmas Store

Eating is the main event, but the tour adds two big atmosphere builders.

First, you get a guided walk around Reykjavik’s Christmas lights and decorations. This is not just background. It’s a way to experience the season while you’re waiting for the next dish, and it keeps the energy moving.

Then you finish with a visit to the Little Christmas Store. Think festive browsing, seasonal finds, and the kind of holiday shopping that feels local rather than generic. You also receive a locally inspired gift, which is a nice touch if you want a small souvenir that matches what you just learned about.

If you like bringing home a token that connects to the experience, this stop makes sense. It’s also a good way to use the last part of the tour, after you’ve sampled enough food and drink to feel satisfied rather than stuffed.

Diet needs, vegetarian reality, and how this tour handles allergies

This part matters. The tour is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. If you follow those diets, you should treat this as a “no,” even if some items might sound adaptable.

That said, the operator says they are happy to accommodate specific dietary needs. The key word is specific. If you have allergies or restrictions, tell the team when booking and ask what they can adjust. Don’t assume a dish is safe just because it sounds close.

Also, this tour is food-heavy. You’ll be tasting multiple dishes, plus drinks. If your needs are about limiting certain ingredients (like gluten, dairy, or allergens), the only safe move is to communicate clearly before you go.

Price and value for a 3-hour holiday food walk

At $173 per person for about three hours, this isn’t a budget snack. But it can still be good value if you compare it to what you’d spend doing the same things alone.

What’s included:

• Local guide
• Food tastings
• Drinks
• Visit to the Little Christmas Store
• Locally inspired gift

So you’re paying for more than a menu. You’re paying for a guide who connects the flavors to stories, plus the convenience of a packed holiday itinerary that covers multiple Icelandic classics in one afternoon.

One more value angle: the timing is efficient. In Iceland, weather can change quickly. A tight tour schedule often beats trying to build a self-guided plan across multiple spots, especially around the holidays.

If you’re the type who hates surprises, you might feel the price is high until you see the full list of tastings and drinks. If you love food with context, this is the kind of tour where the cost starts to make sense.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want Icelandic Christmas flavors rather than general Reykjavik street food
• Enjoy cured fish, pickled items, and smoky meats
• Like your sightseeing mixed with eating, rather than two separate activities
• Appreciate guided explanations about food culture and traditions

It’s not a fit if you:

• Are vegan or vegetarian
• Strongly avoid cured fish, pickling, or smoked foods
• Prefer a lighter tasting style with fewer intense flavors

Group experience also looks good. You can join a standard group, and there’s a private group available option if you want it more tailored.

And one last reason to feel confident: the hosting energy seems consistent. One guide name that stands out is Palli, described as an awesome host with knowledge and entertainment. That kind of guide can make even unfamiliar foods feel approachable.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

I’d book it if you want a real Christmas-focused Reykjavik experience, not just a holiday walk with random snacks. The tour gives you a tight set of tastings, multiple drink options including non-alcoholic, and a Christmas lights component that keeps the vibe festive.

Skip it if your diet excludes meat and fish entirely, since it’s not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. Also skip if the idea of cured fish and pickled herring will stress you out more than it will delight you.

If you’re deciding at the last minute, here’s the quick checklist I’d use:

• Are you okay eating smoked and cured foods?
• Will you dress warmly for a winter walking tour?
• Do you want a guide-driven food lesson tied to Christmas traditions?

If yes, this is a fun use of three hours.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a local guide, food tastings, drinks, a visit to the Little Christmas Store, and a locally inspired gift.

Where do I meet the guide?

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

What types of food and drinks are part of the tastings?

You can expect smoked lamb, laufabrauð, glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, pickled herring, plus Christmas drinks like Jólaöl, malt og appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine.

Is the tour suitable for vegans or vegetarians?

No. The tour is listed as not suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The operator is happy to accommodate specific dietary needs if you inform them when booking.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. It is offered in English, and a private group option is available.