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

Food plus stories equals a great first day. This 3-hour small-group walk turns Reykjavik into a living menu, with included tastings from the old harbor all the way to Icelandic Street Food. I especially like the focus on real local stops (including the Kolaportið Flea Market) and the fact that all tastings and drinks are included, so you can travel light. One thing to keep in mind, the route can get crowded on busy city event days, and you’ll want a little flexibility with timing so you do not feel rushed.

With a maximum of 12 people, you get more back-and-forth with your guide. In past groups, I saw names like Óli, Ester E., and Stephan pop up, and the common thread was clear, friendly storytelling that links the food to Icelandic history and culture. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for wind and rain, and expect some walking plus steps inside food spots.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Small group size (max 12) means the guide can keep an eye on pacing and questions.
• All tastings included, plus beverages, helps you avoid decision fatigue and keeps the day simple.
• Kolaportið Flea Market stop only works on Saturdays and Sundays (11 am to 5 pm), so your weekend timing matters.
• Old Reykjavik harbor seafood start gives you an immediate taste of Iceland without a long detour.
• The lamb hot dog stop is at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, described as the original stand from 1937.
• A warm meat soup finish at Icelandic Street Food is a practical end point in downtown.

Why This Tour Makes Sense for a First Weekend in Reykjavik

Reykjavik can feel like a lot at once. You land, you see colors and design and harbor views, then you realize you still need a baseline for what you are looking at. This tour solves that with food plus context, so you learn the why behind what you are eating.

I like the way the day is built around short stops that feel manageable. You sample several dishes, rather than committing to one big meal. That matters in Iceland, where you may want hot food to warm you up, but you still want variety, especially if you are jet-lagged.

The value is not just the price tag. It is that tastings, beverages, and even an Icelandic drink at the end are included. At $151.38 per person for about 3 hours, you are paying for a guided sequence that would be more expensive and harder to coordinate on your own. You also avoid the common Reykjavik problem of figuring out what to try, where to go, and how much cash to carry for snacks and drinks.

A balanced note on expectations

In this sort of city-center food walk, timing is everything. On days when Reykjavik has extra foot traffic, crowds can slow down stop-to-stop movement. Also, the most famous stand on the route can have lines. Keep your day flexible, and do not schedule another must-do immediately after the tour ends.

Meeting at Ingolfur Square and How the 3-Hour Pace Works

Your Friend In Reykjavik starts at Ingolfur Square, with the meeting point listed as Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1. Plan to arrive 5 minutes early. The start location is in the center of town, which is a big deal if you are mixing this with walking around before or after.

The tour lasts about 3 hours, and the structure is a sequence of short tastings plus a stroll. You are not doing a long hike, but you are moving through multiple venues. One recurring practical point from guests: the route is mostly easy walking, with some uphill segments and stairs inside restaurants. If you have mobility limits, it is worth thinking ahead about those indoor steps.

Because the group is capped at 12, you are less likely to get “herded.” In one reported case, a very small group still got the tour run as scheduled, which is a nice reassurance that you are not always stuck waiting if the group is tiny.

Old Reykjavik Harbor Shellfish Soup: Your Fast Start Into Icelandic Seafood

The first real taste is down by the old Reykjavik harbor, where you begin with an Icelandic shellfish soup. This is a smart opening choice. It gets you eating quickly, before you have had time to overthink flavors, and it ties you to the history of the coast and fishing culture that shaped Icelandic food.

Shellfish soup also does a good job with Iceland’s weather. It is warming, filling, and not as complicated as some raw seafood experiences. Even if you are cautious, soup is often the easiest gateway.

Practical tip: pace yourself at the first tasting. It sounds obvious, but when you know you will have multiple tastings later, your goal is to stay comfortably hungry. A lot of people learn this the fun way, and then wish they had saved room.

Kolaportið Flea Market: The Weekend Window You Must Not Miss

One of the best parts of the day is the stroll through Kolaportið Market inside the Reykjavik Flea Market. This is where you get more than just food. You see how Icelanders shop, browse, and snack in a setting that feels local and lived-in.

There is one crucial timing constraint: Kolaportið is open Saturdays and Sundays only, from 11 am to 5 pm. So if you are booking for a weekend, this tour can be a perfect match. If your travel dates are weekdays, you might miss the flea market component that makes this itinerary special.

What you can expect here is traditional Icelandic foods laid out for sampling. The vibe is casual and exploratory, not a formal tasting room. Expect to walk through and try items that you might not see in typical convenience stores or mainstream menus.

What to do if the market stop gets crowded

City events can change how long it takes to get from one downtown spot to the next. A guest described having a tougher navigation day and almost missing the flea market highlight. Your best defense is to not build a tight schedule around this tour, and to bring a calm, flexible mindset if the streets feel packed.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur Lamb Hot Dog from 1937

No Reykjavik food tour is complete without the Icelandic lamb hot dog, and this one targets Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, called the original stand from 1937. That is not just trivia. It signals why this stop matters: you are tasting an institution, not just a food item.

This is also one of the places where you should have the right expectation. The stand can have a line. In at least one case, a group felt disappointed because the line was too long and they did not get what was emphasized in the tour description. That does not mean the stop is bad, it means you should be mentally ready for wait time.

If you are the type who needs to know how long something will take, consider this your sign to stay flexible. If you really want that hot dog, go with the attitude of being in the moment. Even if you have to wait, this is part of what makes an iconic food stand feel iconic.

The Local Supermarket Stop: Snacks, Candy, and the Real Stuff

Between the market and the grand finale, the tour includes a stop at a local supermarket to check out unique Icelandic foods, snacks, and candy. This is a small piece of the puzzle, but it is genuinely useful.

When you leave Reykjavik, you can re-create the experience by buying a few items you now understand. A supermarket stop helps you learn what to look for, what might be more local than tourist-friendly, and what flavor types Icelanders like.

Also, supermarket browsing is how you get variety without committing to a sit-down meal. It is a practical way to sample more styles of food in a limited amount of time.

Bring a couple of practical questions for your guide here, like what you should buy for a cold day and what not to overpay for. If your guide is someone like Óli or Ester E. (both mentioned in past groups for being friendly and story focused), you will probably get more than just product suggestions.

Icelandic Street Food Finale: Meat Soup, Warm and Filling

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food in downtown Reykjavik, with a big bowl of meat soup. This finale is smart for two reasons.

First, soup is a reliable finishing move when the weather is chilly. Second, the last stop gives you something more substantial than a snack, so you leave feeling satisfied rather than still hungry and searching for dinner.

You also get an Icelandic drink at the end. Alcohol is included in the tour, so if you prefer not to drink, you can plan ahead with your own boundaries. At minimum, it is nice to know that you are not just walking and tasting random bites, you are closing the loop with a proper local meal style.

Practical Value: What You Really Get for $151.38

Let’s talk money in plain terms. For $151.38, you are not only paying for walking and talking. You are paying for:

• Food tastings along the way
• Beverages throughout
• An end drink
• A professional guide
• Taxes and fees included in the total

That package can be hard to match if you try to DIY it, because Iceland food costs can add up fast, and getting the “right” stops without wasting time is the hard part.

The other value is orientation. Several guides in past groups were praised for helping people get their bearings, especially when it was their first day. Even if you do not become a Reykjavik food expert overnight, you will know what to look for on future days and how different Icelandic flavors connect to geography and history.

Things that can affect your experience

A few issues show up in the balance sheet:

• Some days can be busier due to citywide events, making navigation and stop timing slower.
• The hot dog stand can have long lines, which can change how quickly your group eats.
• Indoor steps may be a problem for mobility, since some restaurant stops involve stairs.

None of these are deal breakers, but they are real enough that you should plan like an adult with a schedule: give yourself breathing room.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Plan)

This tour is ideal if you:

• Want a first-day plan that mixes food with quick cultural context
• Like trying several Icelandic dishes without picking restaurants
• Enjoy small-group interaction, not a crowded bus-style tour
• Are traveling light and want included tastings so you are not constantly hunting food

You might want a different plan if you:

• Have trouble with stairs or mobility constraints, since multiple stops include steps
• Need very strict timing for the rest of your day, because downtown events and lines can shift pacing
• Are extremely picky about specific foods, because not every dish will match your preferences, even if substitutions are handled well when possible

For families: kids must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour is described as most travelers can participate. It can also work well for group members who want an activity that keeps everyone busy without requiring serious fitness.

Should You Book This Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with the Flea Market Stop?

I would book this if your dates are on a Saturday or Sunday and you want Kolaportið to be part of the experience. The market stop, the classic 1937 lamb hot dog angle, and the soup-and-supper finish make for a strong “taste of Iceland in a few hours” format.

Book it early if you can, because it is commonly reserved about 55 days in advance. And if you are the type who hates surprises, pick your tour day and then keep the rest of your schedule forgiving. This is a food walk in a city center, with the usual possibility of crowds.

If you do book, come ready for multiple small servings. Eat lightly beforehand so you do not miss the later stops. And if you have allergy needs, flag them clearly in advance so the guide can plan substitutions.

Overall, for a weekend in Reykjavik, this tour is one of the most straightforward ways to turn first impressions into something you can taste and remember.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik food tour?

The tour is about 3 hours.

How many people are in each tour group?

There is a maximum of 12 travelers per booking.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Ingolfur Square, listed at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1. It ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8 in downtown Reykjavik.

Is the Kolaportið Flea Market stop included on all days?

The Reykjavik Flea Market, including Kolaportið, is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. The flea market stop works best on a weekend.

What is included in the price?

Food tasting, beverages, and an Icelandic drink at the end are included. Alcoholic beverages are also included. Taxes, fees, and handling charges are included as well, and you also get a professional guide.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.