The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour

Christmas food in Reykjavik has a secret trail. This guided 3-hour walking tour turns holiday snacks into a city route, with local guides who explain what each bite means and where the traditions came from. It is also a chance to see Reykjavik dressed up for the season while you eat at a relaxed pace.

My two favorite parts are the smoked lamb and the crisp, patterned laufabrauð leaf bread. You get a real sampler of Icelandic Christmas flavors, not just one sweet stop. Guides like Palli, Paul, Einar, and Pauly are known for keeping the energy up with lively stories between tastings.

One consideration: availability can shift on major holiday dates, so if you care about a specific item, double-check what will be served for your exact departure. Also, some servings can feel more like tastings than full plates, which matters when you are comparing value at $173.

Key things to know before you go

• A guided, all-inclusive tasting walk in central Reykjavik, built around multiple food stops and festive drinks
• Icelandic Christmas staples on the menu, including smoked lamb and laufabrauð leaf bread
• A savory spread that goes beyond one dish, with options like reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring
• Festive drinks to warm you up, from Jólaöl and malt & appelsín to Jólaglögg mulled wine (cocoa swap is possible)
• A visit to the Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur, plus a locally inspired gift

A 3-hour tasting walk built around Icelandic Christmas comfort food

The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour is for you if you want holiday flavors fast, without guessing what to try. Instead of hunting down menu after menu, you get a guided route where each stop adds another piece of the Icelandic Christmas table.

I like that the tour treats food as culture. You are not only tasting; you are hearing the stories behind the dishes, including the kind that can get a little spooky. It makes the evening feel like a holiday walk through a living tradition, not a checklist.

The pacing is also realistic for winter. You walk between stops, but most of the time is spent eating and drinking, so your night stays warm and social.

Where you meet: Hlöllabátar and the CenterHotel Plaza landmark

You start outside Hlöllabátar, the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square with the two tall stone pillars. It is easy to spot once you know what you are looking at.

A key detail: you should be in front of CenterHotel Plaza (not inside) about five minutes before your start time. The guides typically wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, which helps you find the group quickly.

Since Reykjavik weather can change fast, I recommend arriving early enough to get comfortable outdoors. Bring layers you can move in, plus something warm for your ears and hands if you run cold.

The route: short walks, multiple restaurant stops, and one shop moment

You spend roughly the first part of the tour getting oriented in central Reykjavik, then move into a series of food moments. Expect short walks of around 5 to 10 minutes between dining stops, so the cold does not dominate your evening.

The tour includes several rounds of regional food sampling, which is where the value shows. At $173 per person, you are paying for an organized sampler, not just a single meal.

Near the end, you will also stop at the Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur. This is not just shopping as an add-on. It is a chance to pick up festive décor or small artisanal items that fit the season, and you also receive a locally inspired gift tied to the experience.

What you will eat: smoked lamb, leaf bread, and the rest of the Christmas spread

The headline flavors make it clear this is Icelandic Christmas food, not generic holiday fare. You should expect a mix of savory and sweet, with several items meant to be compared side by side.

Here is what the tour includes in the tasting lineup:

• Smoked lamb, known for bold, robust flavor
• Laufabrauð, the leaf bread that is intricately patterned and fried until crispy
• Glazed Hamborgarhrygg (a Christmas ham-style dish)
• Reindeer pâté
• Gravlax
• Pickled herring

What I like about this selection is the balance. You get smoky, cured, fried, and pickled flavors in one night. It is also a smart way to learn what Iceland does best at Christmas, because each dish represents a different method of preserving and preparing food.

Also, laufabrauð is one of those foods you almost never stumble into by accident. Seeing the leaf-like patterns and hearing how it is made for the season helps it click, even if you normally do not eat much fried bread.

What you will drink: Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg (hot cocoa swap)

Winter in Reykjavik is cold enough that drink matters. This tour builds in multiple festive options so you can warm up between tastings.

You will sample:

• Jólaöl, a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale
• Malt & appelsín, a popular non-alcoholic Christmas drink
• Jólaglögg, mulled wine with warm aromatic spices

If you prefer not to drink alcohol, there is a straightforward option. You can substitute the Jólaglögg for hot cocoa.

Practical tip: if you plan to keep your evening light, alternate a non-alcoholic drink with the alcohol option when offered. That keeps you enjoying the food instead of feeling tired early in the night.

The stories between bites: why the guide experience matters

A food tour lives or dies by the guide. Here, the guides bring the night to life with the history and cultural significance behind each dish and drink, plus interesting Christmas stories. Some of those stories are even described as sometimes terrifying, which is a fun angle when you want holiday energy with a little drama.

I also like that the tour treats these as conversations. It is not just a lecture while everyone stands in a line. You have the chance to ask questions in the middle of the evening, which helps you connect the food to real Icelandic life.

Guides associated with past groups include Palli, Paul, Einar, and Pauly. If one of them is on your departure, you can expect a lively pace and strong storytelling.

Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur: what it adds to the tour

The Little Christmas Store stop is one of those moments that changes the feel of the evening. After tasting savory and sweet items, you shift into browsing festive decorations and seasonal crafts.

This is also where the tour provides a locally inspired gift. That is a small detail, but it is useful because it gives you a take-home souvenir that fits the theme of the night, not a generic postcard kind of thing.

If you enjoy shopping that is related to what you are actually learning, this stop lands well. If you hate shopping, you may still find value here because it is short, purposeful, and connected to the season you just tasted.

Dietary needs and allergies: tell them upfront

If you have dietary restrictions, this is one of the stronger parts of the experience. The tour explicitly says they try their best to accommodate dietary needs and allergies, as long as you tell them when booking.

That means you should not wait. Add your requirements during reservation so the guide can plan the right options and keep the tasting flow moving.

Based on what the tour offers, it is especially helpful for people who want to enjoy a Christmas menu without having to order around in Icelandic restaurants on the fly.

Value at $173: who gets the best deal

At $173 per person, you should look at this tour as an all-inclusive sampler, not a bargain snack route. You pay for the guide, the multi-stop food and drink, and the time advantage of having everything planned.

This tour is best value if you:

• Want to try multiple Icelandic Christmas foods in one night
• Like learning the why behind the dishes
• Prefer structured planning in winter
• Appreciate guided restaurant stops instead of making ten decisions yourself

It may be less satisfying if your main goal is only one or two tastes, because the night is built on variety. Also, in some cases, a stop can feel more like a small tasting than a full portion, so go in with tasting expectations, not meal expectations.

If you are choosing between this and independent dining, think about what you would do. If you would end up sampling just a couple items, the tour price can feel steep. If you want a guided, stacked menu, the math usually works better.

Timing and winter comfort: what to wear and how to pace yourself

This is a walking tour, so you need warm gear. Bring weather-appropriate clothing, and dress for standing outside between short indoor stops.

A few practical tips that help in Reykjavik winter:

• Wear layers you can adjust once you sit down
• Keep gloves or mittens handy, because you will likely hold your phone outdoors
• Stay a bit cautious with heavy drinks if you plan to keep going after the tour

Since the duration is about 3 hours, it fits nicely as an early evening plan. It can also work well on days when you want a cultural activity that does not require museums or long public transit rides.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

I would book it if you want an easy win: Icelandic Christmas food, multiple tasting styles, festive drinks, and a guide who makes the whole thing feel like a story you can walk through.

Skip it or at least double-check your priorities if you are going on a major holiday date and you are counting on specific items or storefront hours. On big days, availability can change, so it is smart to confirm what will be served for your exact departure.

If you love smoked flavors, pickled tang, fried crisp textures, and warm holiday beverages, you will probably enjoy the way the tour strings it all together in one evening. For $173, the key is to come hungry for variety, not just for one signature dish.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

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

What time should I arrive before the tour starts?

Please be in front of Center Hotels Plaza (not inside) about 5 minutes before the starting time of the walking tour.

What is included in the price?

The tour is all-inclusive with an expert guide, Christmas food, and Christmas drinks, so you will not leave hungry.

What kinds of food and drinks are included?

You will taste Icelandic Christmas specialties such as smoked lamb, laufabrauð (leaf bread), glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring. Drinks can include Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine.

Can I substitute Jólaglögg for something non-alcoholic?

Yes. The tour can substitute Jólaglögg for hot cocoa if you want.

Do they accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

They try to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but you need to tell them when you book.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes, the tour has a live guide in English.

Is the tour refundable if my plans change?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.