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

This is the kind of Reykjavik tour that feels like a shortcut into local life, not just a parade of snacks. You’ll eat Icelandic comfort food while your guide ties it to history and culture, and you’ll even weave through the Reykjavik Flea Market for traditional finds.

I love that it’s built for real conversation, with a maximum of 12 people, so the guide can pace the group and actually answer questions. I also love that you’re not forced to hunt down meals on your own, because the tour covers tastings and beverages from start to finish.

One thing to consider: the flea market side is only open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, and busy city days can make getting around feel hectic. If you’re aiming for every single stop on the schedule, plan to arrive on time and keep your expectations flexible.

Key Highlights Worth Planning Around

• Small group of up to 12 for better pace and more guide attention
• All tastings included, plus drinks at the end so you do not need to think about lunch
• Kolaportið flea market stop for traditional food browsing on weekends
• The lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, described as the original from 1937
• A meat soup finish at Icelandic Street Food in the downtown core
• Operates in all weather, so pack layers and expect some walking

Why This Reykjavik Food Tour Feels Like Local Life, Not Tourist Theater

Reykjavik can hit you fast, especially if it is your first day in Iceland. This tour gives you an on-foot orientation where the route follows the city’s food story, from harbor comfort to downtown classics, and then into a flea market that still feels like it belongs to locals.

What makes it especially smart is how the food choices match what you are seeing outside your window. Shellfish soup near the old harbor is the kind of meal Icelanders would make sense of right away. A lamb hot dog stop grounds you in modern Reykjavik street food culture. And ending with a big bowl of meat soup shifts you from snack mode into proper Icelandic comfort.

You should also like the fact that this is not a long, exhausting day. It is about 3 hours of walking and eating, with short stops that keep the pace moving. Still, you will be on foot in downtown, and some restaurants involve stairs, so wear shoes you trust.

Price and What You’re Really Paying For (About $151.38)

At $151.38 per person, you are paying for more than food. You are paying for the guide, the planning, and the fact that you do not have to figure out which shops to try or when they are open.

Here is what you get that makes the price feel easier to swallow:

• All taxes and included tastings
• Beverages, and the end includes an Icelandic drink (including alcoholic beverages)
• Professional guide time, plus history and culture context
• A route that keeps you in a tight downtown loop

If you were doing this on your own, you would still spend time walking, guessing what is good, and paying full menu prices. Instead, you get a sequence of “try this, then this” that adds up faster than you’d think, especially when you include drinks.

One more value point: it is offered in English and capped at 12 travelers, which helps you get more than a conveyor-belt experience. In a city where time can feel expensive, that small-group format matters.

The 3-Hour Route in Plain English: Walk, Snack, Learn, Repeat

The tour starts in downtown at Ingólfstorgi 1, at the meeting point near Ingolfur Square. You should arrive 5 minutes early so you do not slow the group down. The experience ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, which is also in the center, so you can keep exploring right after.

The route is designed to be easy to follow:

• Start: Ingolfur Square (you begin with a quick check-in)
• Harbor area (first hot spoonful)
• Kolaportið Flea Market (weekend-only browsing)
• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (the lamb hot dog classic)
• A local supermarket stop (snacks and candy)
• Icelandic Street Food (the hearty finish)

You’ll likely feel a mix of strolling and short “quick in, quick out” stops. The pace is not meant to be strenuous, but there can be some uphill walking and steps inside venues.

Stop 1: Ingolfur Square Check-In at Your Friend in Reykjavik

You meet at Ingólfstorgi, and the first stop is basically where the tour clicks into place. This is when you get your bearings, meet the guide, and get ready for the food crawl.

I like this start because it is central and simple. No awkward transfer, no wandering for ages trying to find a storefront. Once you’re together as a group, the tour settles into a rhythm: taste, story, then walk again.

Stop 2: Old Harbor Shellfish Soup, and Why It Works as a First Bite

Near the old harbor area, you get an appetizer of Icelandic shellfish soup. This is a great early stop because it warms you up fast, and it connects directly to Iceland’s coastal food culture.

The practical side: soup is easy to eat while you’re still adjusting to Iceland’s cooler temperatures. The cultural side: shellfish shows up in a lot of Icelandic traditions, and it’s a natural entry point for a guide to explain how geography and climate shape daily food choices.

If you’re picky about seafood, pay attention here. The tour includes tastings, and in at least one real situation, substitutions were offered for a fish allergy. Still, if you have dietary restrictions, it is smart to mention them clearly before the tour begins.

Stop 3: Kolaportið Flea Market Tastings (Saturday-Sunday Only)

This is the big weekend “extra” stop: Kolaportið Market, a flea market with an authentic feel for browsing and sampling traditional foods.

Two timing facts matter a lot:

• Kolaportið is open only Saturdays and Sundays
• It runs 11:00 to 17:00

That means your tour experience depends on the day you book. On the right day, this stop can be a fun reset from set-menu food tasting. You get to walk the market, see what locals are buying and snacking on, and discover items that you might not pick up on your own.

In practical terms, it is also a good way to get over “I don’t know what to order” stress. You’re already in the market mindset, so the guide can point you toward snacks that make sense in Icelandic culture, not just what sounds foreign on a label.

One caution: on busy city days, it can feel like moving through crowds to reach the market. If your schedule is tight, plan for a slower rhythm and keep your best patience hat on.

Stop 4: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur Lamb Hot Dog, the Original From 1937

Next comes one of Reykjavik’s food icons: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, with the lamb hot dog presented as the original from 1937. If you want the classic Icelandic street food moment, this is the stop.

Here is the honest practical angle: this place is famous, so lines happen. In one case, the hot dog stop did not go as planned due to line length, and the group did not end up trying the featured item. That does not mean it will happen to you, but it is a reason to approach the hot dog as a priority and keep expectations realistic if the stall is packed.

My advice: if you care about this stop most, go with an “expect some waiting” mindset. If you hate waiting, this is still worth it, but treat the hot dog as part of the experience, not as a guaranteed fast bite.

Stop 5: A Local Supermarket Stop for Icelandic Snacks and Candy

After the hot dog, the tour shifts into something I find genuinely useful: a local supermarket walkthrough and tasting-style sampling. This is where Icelandic foods and snacks start to feel like things you can actually bring home, not just items you eat once.

This stop also helps you understand what is common in Iceland, including flavors and sweets you may not see elsewhere. It is a smart way to learn what locals reach for when they want a quick treat, especially if you’re doing self-guided sightseeing later.

Think of it as your “how do Icelanders stock a pantry?” moment.

Stop 6: Icelandic Street Food, Ending With a Big Bowl of Meat Soup

The tour finishes at Icelandic Street Food in downtown Reykjavik, with a generous serving of meat soup. This is the part that turns the day from snacks into a full meal, and it is a very Icelandic way to close.

Why this ending works:

• You get a hearty, satisfying dish after walking around
• The stop is in a central area, so it is easy to continue exploring afterward
• It matches the tour’s theme of comfort food as culture

If you do this as your first day, it can also help you beat that jet lag feeling. Several guides and visitors use this as an orientation-style day because you get both food and a map of the city in one go.

Guides, Group Size, and What the Tour Feels Like in Motion

This tour runs with a maximum of 12 people, which is the sweet spot for a food walk. Small enough for real questions, big enough to keep the energy lively.

Based on past departures, guides like Óli, Ester E., Stefán, Stephan, Robyn, Einor, and Bo (Sveinbjörn) have been described as engaging and good at connecting food to Icelandic culture and history. What you can expect is not just facts dumped in a hurry. You’ll typically get stories that make the ingredients feel less random.

Also, the tour operates in all weather conditions, so the guide’s job is partly about keeping things moving when it is windy or cold. Dress for that. Iceland weather loves to change its mind.

Practical Tips So You Get the Best Version of This Tour

A few things will make your experience smoother:

• Do not eat lunch first if you want to enjoy every stop. The food adds up, and the final soup can be a lot in a good way.
• Wear comfortable shoes, especially if you prefer to avoid slipping on wet pavement. Some walking includes uphill segments.
• Expect stairs inside some restaurants. If mobility is an issue, ask how the stops handle stairs before you commit.
• If you have dietary restrictions, communicate them early. There have been cases where substitutions worked well for allergies, but you should not assume.

One more tip: keep your camera ready during the market portion. Kolaportið is not just food, it is a snapshot of what everyday life looks like when locals trade, browse, and snack.

Who Should Book This Food and Flea Market Tour, and Who Might Skip It

Book it if:

• You want an easy first-day orientation to Reykjavik.
• You enjoy street food classics and also want context, not just a taste.
• You like the idea of a weekend flea market stop, especially if you enjoy browsing local food stands.
• You want a small-group format where your guide can tailor the flow.

You might skip it if:

• You want zero waiting time, especially at popular food stalls.
• You are visiting outside Saturday or Sunday and were counting on Kolaportið.
• You dislike walking in cold weather, even though the tour runs in all conditions.

The tour can be ideal for families too, as it has been described as good for all ages. Still, if your group includes kids, bring layers and plan for short bursts of walking between tastings.

Should You Book This Tour?

If you are choosing one organized food experience to kick off a Reykjavik weekend, this one is a strong pick. The value comes from the tight route, included tastings and drinks, and the fact that the weekend Kolaportið flea market stop adds something you cannot easily replicate on your own without lots of trial and error.

I’d book it if your dates line up with Saturday or Sunday hours, and if you are excited to try Icelandic classics like shellfish soup and the lamb hot dog. Go in expecting a fun walk with a few crowd moments, and you’ll likely feel like you ate your way through the city in the most efficient way possible.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik weekend food tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $151.38 per person.

Where do I meet the guide, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík. The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, 101 Reykjavík.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 people per booking.

What is included in the price?

Food tastings are included, along with beverages, taxes and fees, and a professional guide.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Yes. The tour includes alcoholic beverages as part of the ending drink.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

When is the Reykjavik Flea Market (Kolaportið) open?

It is open only Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:00 to 17:00.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.