Christmas food in Reykjavik comes with a story. I like the way this tour layers traditional Icelandic flavors with a guided explanation, and I really love the pairings (especially Jólaglögg mulled wine) as you move around the city. One consideration: at about $173 per person, you’re paying for a guided experience, not just a quick snack.

I’d describe the vibe as festive and practical: you start at a clear meeting spot by Ingólfstorg Square, you walk in comfortable chunks, and you warm up with drinks as the holiday lights take over the streets. The guide experience matters here too, and you’ll want a good host for the food-and-stories format; Palli, for example, has been praised for being both entertaining and knowledgeable. Dress for cold weather, because the tour runs in all weather conditions and you’ll be on your feet for the full 3 hours.

Key Things That Make This Christmas Food Tour Worth It

• Smoked lamb plus laufabrauð right at the start, so the tour hits full flavor immediately
• A focused mix of classic dishes: reindeer paté, gravlax, pickled herring, and Hamborgarhrygg
• Christmas drinks with choices, including a non-alcoholic option and warm mulled wine
• A Reykjavik holiday lights walk that makes the food taste like it belongs in December
• Little Christmas Store stop, plus a locally inspired gift to bring home

Meeting Outside Hlöllabátar by Ingólfstorg Square

The tour’s starting point is easy to find once you know what to look for. You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square, with the two tall stone pillars nearby. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and there are benches and tables under a covered ceiling, which is handy when Reykjavik weather decides to be… Reykjavik weather.

This matters because it reduces the stress factor. If you’re visiting in winter, you don’t want to be sprinting around looking for your group in the dark. The meeting spot is designed for a quick regroup and a calm start, so you can get your bearings fast and step into the holiday mood.

One more practical note: your guide is usually wearing a light blue jacket with Your Friend In Reykjavik on the back, so you can spot them without playing guessing games. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable shoes and warm layers. Even though it’s “only” 3 hours, December walking adds up.

Smoked Lamb and Laufabrauð: The Tour Starts With Big Christmas Flavors

In a good food tour, the first stop sets the tone. Here, you start tasting straight away with smoked lamb and laufabrauð leaf bread, which is basically Icelandic Christmas comfort food with crunch.

Smoked lamb is rich and robust, the kind of flavor that makes you understand why people keep serving it year after year. You get a chance to taste it in a Christmas context, not as some random menu item. Then comes laufabrauð, a leaf-like patterned bread that’s fried until crispy. It’s delicate, shattery, and weirdly satisfying. One of the best parts is that it’s not just about eating; you’re also learning why foods like this show up at Christmas in Icelandic households—where tradition meets practical winter cooking.

What I like about kicking things off this way is that you don’t spend the first half of the tour trying to figure out what Icelandic Christmas food even tastes like. You’re tasting recognizable classics early, so the rest of the tour becomes easier to enjoy and follow.

A small drawback: if you’re sensitive to fried or smoky flavors, this opener is intense. You’ll still have options across the tasting lineup, but the start is bold.

The Classic Christmas Lineup: Hamborgarhrygg, Reindeer Paté, Gravlax, Pickled Herring

After you’ve got the crispy-and-smoky foundation, the tour moves into a lineup that feels like a best-of playlist for December in Iceland.

You’ll sample glazed Hamborgarhrygg, which is essentially a festive ham-style dish served with a sweet glaze. It’s comforting and aromatic, and it balances the tour by adding warmth and sweetness right after the savory hits.

Then you’ll try iconic reindeer pâté. This one can be a flavor shock if you expect only familiar holiday tastes. But that’s also why it works on a guided tour: you’re not just tasting something different, you’re getting the cultural meaning behind why reindeer shows up in Icelandic food traditions around the holidays. It helps turn a “strange food” moment into an “oh, that makes sense” moment.

Next up: gravlax and pickled herring. Gravlax brings a salty-cured brightness, while pickled herring is tangy and briny—very Icelandic Christmas energy. Both help you understand the strong role preservation plays in winter cuisine. These aren’t ingredients people used because they had to; they’re ingredients people kept because they taste good and fit the season.

Here’s the value angle: by the time you reach the later tastings, you’ll be able to connect flavors. You’ll notice how smoky, sweet, cured, and tangy flavors form a rhythm. That makes the entire 3 hours feel more like a guided meal than a random collection of bites.

Christmas Drinks That Actually Fit the Weather: Jólaöl, Malt & Appelsín, Jólaglögg

If you want to stay comfortable in the cold, the drink section is where the tour earns its keep.

You’ll sip Jólaöl, a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale. It’s a seasonal drink, meant to feel like Christmas, not just like any beer. If you’re the type who likes to pair food and drink, this is a natural match with the savory tastings earlier on.

For a non-alcoholic option, you’ll also have malt & appelsín, a beloved Christmas beverage that keeps the holiday feel without alcohol. It’s especially useful if you want to taste Icelandic seasonal drinks but still keep the night easy.

And for warmth, there’s Jólaglögg, mulled wine. This is the classic comfort in a cup: aromatic, cozy, and exactly what you want when the air is cold and the streets are dark. One review singled out how the overall tour was better than expected, and the drink pacing is part of why—warm drinks help you enjoy the walk segments instead of rushing through them.

Practical tip: if you’re sensitive to alcohol or spice, pace yourself and switch to the non-alcoholic drink when you need to reset. You’ll be walking as you go, so take it slow.

Reykjavik Christmas Lights and Decorations: A Walk That Complements the Food

This tour isn’t only about eating. You also get a guided walk focused on the city’s Christmas lights and decorations.

That might sound like fluff until you connect it to what you’ve been tasting. When you step outside with smoked lamb flavors still fresh in your head, you notice the holiday details differently. The lights aren’t just photo props here; they set the seasonal mood that makes the dishes feel relevant.

Also, walking matters in winter. A food tour that stays indoors can feel cramped. Here, you get fresh air breaks while still staying on schedule with the group. You’ll want warm clothing because you are outdoors during the lights part, and the tour runs in all weather conditions.

This is also the portion where you can ask questions. If you’re the type who likes context—why a dish is eaten at Christmas, or what a specific tradition means—this is the moment when the guide’s storytelling style helps you see the city as part of the meal.

The Little Christmas Store Stop and Your Locally Inspired Gift

The tour ends with a stop at the Little Christmas Store, a charming retail break that fits the season. Think decorations, artisanal crafts, and seasonal treasures. It’s not just time to browse; it’s time to connect the food you tasted to the broader holiday culture you’re seeing in Reykjavik.

You’ll also receive a locally inspired gift. That turns the tour from a one-time meal into something you can take home. And practically, it saves you from the decision fatigue of finding a holiday keepsake on your own in the cold.

One reason this stop works well: it’s compact. You’re not sent off for free roaming while your guide moves on. You’re guided through a specific shopping moment that matches the tour theme, so you keep your energy and timing.

If you like thoughtful souvenirs, this is a nice feature. If you only want to eat and never shop, it might feel like an extra stop—but the gift is included, so you’re not paying extra just to be dragged into a store.

Price and Value: Is $173 for a 3-Hour Tour Fair?

At $173 per person, this isn’t a budget food crawl. The big question is what you’re buying: food quantity, drink variety, guidance, and a store stop, all wrapped into 3 hours.

Here’s how the value math works in real life:

• You get a local guide and a structured tasting sequence, not self-guided guessing.
• You’re tasting multiple dishes that cover different flavor families: smoked, fried/crispy, sweet-glazed, cured, and pickled/tangy.
• You get drinks across alcohol and non-alcohol options, including Jólaöl and malt & appelsín, plus mulled wine.
• You also get the Christmas lights walk and the Little Christmas Store visit, with a locally inspired gift included.

If your goal is simply to try one or two Icelandic items, you can probably do it cheaper on your own. But if your goal is to understand what you’re eating and why it belongs in Christmas, this price starts to make more sense.

One review did flag that the price felt high, even while calling the tour excellent. That lines up with how I’d frame it: this is a guided seasonal experience, not a bargain. If you’re willing to pay for direction, stories, and a set tasting plan, it’s likely worth it. If you’re price-sensitive, you may feel it.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• want an easy, guided way to try several Icelandic Christmas classics in one go
• like learning stories behind food, not just eating
• enjoy holiday atmosphere and want a lights-focused walk
• want a host who keeps the tone fun, not stiff

It’s also a good choice for short Reykjavik stays. With only 3 hours, you get a concentrated “December snapshot” without needing a big time block.

However, it’s not suitable for everyone. It’s specifically not suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Also, since it includes multiple meat and fish items (like smoked lamb, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring), you should be honest with your needs.

The operator says they’re happy to accommodate specific dietary needs if you let them know when booking. That’s helpful, but if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, plan on skipping this one. If you have allergies, tell them before you go and ask what changes they can make to the tasting menu.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

If you’re in Reykjavik around Christmas and you want a guided, seasonal way to taste Iceland, I think this tour is a strong pick. The combination of classic tastings, Christmas drinks (including non-alcoholic), a lights walk, and a Little Christmas Store stop with a gift makes it feel like more than just food.

Book it if you enjoy structured experiences and you want context for what you’re eating. Skip it if $173 feels too steep, or if vegan/vegetarian preferences are non-negotiable.

My practical final advice: wear warm layers, bring comfortable shoes, and go with a mindset of tasting broadly rather than hunting your favorite dish. You’ll get the most out of it when you let the guide’s pacing take you through Icelandic Christmas flavors step by step.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and there are benches and tables with a covered ceiling to wait.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

What foods and drinks are included?

You’ll taste smoked lamb, laufabrauð (leaf bread), glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring. Drinks include Jólaöl, malt & appelsín (non-alcoholic), and Jólaglögg mulled wine.

Is the tour suitable for vegans or vegetarians?

No. The tour is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.

Can the guide accommodate dietary restrictions?

The operator says they’re happy to accommodate specific dietary needs if you tell them when booking. If you have allergies or specific restrictions, inform them in advance.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Since the tour operates in all weather conditions, dress for cold and wind.

Is the tour in English and wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The guide is English-speaking, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.