Reykjavik in December has a special pull, and this food tour makes it practical. I love that it’s all-inclusive (you eat and drink your way through Iceland’s holiday favorites), and I also love the storytelling—guides like Palli and Einar bring the season to life with real cultural context and spooky-ish Christmas tales. The one thing to keep in mind is that on days with unusual closures (Christmas Day is the classic example), you might not get every single item exactly as described.

If you want a warm, guided plan instead of wandering hungry in cold weather, this works. You’ll start near Ingólfstorg Square, walk through the lit-up streets in manageable chunks, and stop in places where the guide handles ordering and pacing. Expect a lively evening with a guide in a light blue Your Friend in Reykjavik jacket and a small-group feel in some runs (one review notes a group of about 10).

Key highlights at a glance

• Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur: shop time plus a locally inspired gift
• Smoked lamb and crispy laufabrauð (leaf bread): two holiday hits you’ll actually talk about later
• A full plate of Christmas staples: reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring among the tastings
• Festive drinks included: Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg (with a cocoa swap if you prefer)
• Guides who tell stories, not speeches: you’ll hear why these foods show up at Christmas

Why this 3-hour Reykjavik Christmas food tour works in winter

Reykjavik winter can be gorgeous, but it can also be a lot of hours standing around outside. This tour gives you a time box—just 3 hours—so you get the holiday experience without turning it into a freezing endurance event.

The bigger win is how the format solves two problems at once: food logistics and cultural context. You’re not just eating. You’re learning what each item is, why it belongs at Christmas, and how Icelanders think about the season.

And yes, you’ll walk between stops, but it’s paced. There are short stretches (think about 10 minutes here, another 5 minutes there) plus longer eating windows where you can actually warm up.

Meeting at Hlöllabátar and finding the tour fast

You start outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, right by Ingólfstorg Square. Look for the two tall stone pillars; the meeting spot is facing the square, with CenterHotel Plaza off to your right. There are benches and a covered ceiling there, which matters when the wind starts doing wind things.

Your guide is usually easy to spot: a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. Show up about 5 minutes early and wait outside (not inside the hotel or shop).

This kind of clear meetup helps a lot in a city where winter daylight is limited. It also cuts stress, which is half the battle on a holiday trip.

Walking the lit streets: how the stroll fits the tasting

This tour is designed like a holiday evening in steps. You begin with a short walk (around 10 minutes), then you settle into a longer food segment. Later you move again on foot (another short stretch), and the same pattern repeats.

That rhythm is smart for winter. Short movement keeps you from getting too cold, while the longer tasting blocks let you actually enjoy the food instead of rushing between places.

You’ll also get to see Reykjavik’s Christmas lights as you go—enough to feel festive, without spending your whole night outside.

The big hits: smoked lamb and crispy laufabrauð

The first foods you’ll remember are usually the ones that feel most “Iceland” when you taste them. Smoked lamb is one of those. Icelanders know how to make smoke work, and this is typically served in a way that highlights its deep, sturdy flavor instead of trying to hide it.

Then comes laufabrauð, the leaf-patterned Christmas bread that’s fried until crisp. This is one of those foods that sounds simple until you see it and eat it. The intricate pattern isn’t decoration for decoration’s sake; it’s tied to the tradition of making something detailed and shared during the holiday season.

In practice, this stop is about more than taste. It’s also about learning how Iceland’s Christmas food leans toward hearty, preserved, and celebratory items—things that make sense in a northern winter.

The Christmas menu on foot: reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring

After the bread-and-meat moment, the tour spreads out into the classic lineup of Icelandic Christmas flavors.

You can expect tastings like:

• Glazed Hamborgarhrygg (Christmas ham-style pork)
• Reindeer pâté (a holiday staple with a strong, distinctive taste)
• Gravlax (cured salmon)
• Pickled herring (tangy, salty, and very Icelandic)

If you’re worried about “will I like everything?”—good news. These tastings are broken into portions that let you sample a range. You can decide what hits your taste buds without committing to a full plate of something you’re not sure about.

This variety is also where the tour becomes more valuable than a standard meal. It’s one of the few ways to try multiple Christmas icons in one night, with someone who can explain what you’re tasting and how it fits the season.

Festive drinks included: Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg

Food is one side of Iceland’s Christmas tradition. The other side is drinks—warm, spiced, and seasonal.

The tour includes Christmas drink options such as:

• Jólaöl, a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale
• Malt & appelsín, a non-alcoholic Christmas beverage (sweet, orange-leaning, and easy to sip)
• Jólaglögg, mulled wine served warm

And if you’d rather skip the wine, the tour can swap Jólaglögg for hot cocoa. That’s a nice option when you want warmth without alcohol.

The smart move here is to pace yourself. With multiple tastings, you’ll taste more than one thing in each stop, so you don’t want your drink to steal the show—unless you enjoy that kind of chaos.

The Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur, plus a take-home gift

One of the best parts of this tour is that it’s not only food. You also get a stop at the Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur.

What this means for you: you’ll have time to browse festive decorations and seasonal crafts without the stress of figuring out where to go. In addition, you receive a locally inspired gift connected to the experience. It’s the kind of souvenir that feels less like a fridge magnet and more like a memory you can hold.

This store stop also balances the night. After you’ve eaten and sipped your way through Icelandic Christmas classics, it’s good to switch gears and do something hands-on.

Your guide matters: Palli, Einar, and the storytelling style

This tour lives or dies by the guide, and the quality shown in the names is real. I saw guides like Palli praised for being funny and story-forward—complete with a Viking vibe and entertaining tales. Einar gets credit for giving a lot of information and keeping the group engaged.

Even when the focus is food, the best guides turn tastings into something you understand, not just something you consume. That’s what makes the walking portions feel like part of the experience instead of time between meals.

If your guide takes photos with the Christmas decor (a clever little touch mentioned in one experience), it’s worth leaning into. You’ll go home with something more than a vague blur of winter lights.

Price and value: what $173 buys you (and what to watch)

Let’s talk numbers honestly. At $173 per person for 3 hours, this isn’t a bargain-basement snack tour.

Here’s the value case: it’s all-inclusive, with an expert guide, multiple food tastings, and included drinks. You’re also getting at least one dedicated shop stop plus a locally inspired gift. When you add that up, you’re paying for convenience and guided structure, not just food.

Now the caution. One experience flagged that on Christmas Day, some expected items (like leaf bread and mulled wine) weren’t available, and the Christmas market was closed. Another experience felt the portions were small at one stop and questioned overall value.

So my practical advice:

• If you’re going on a normal December day, you can plan confidently around the listed menu.
• If you’re going specifically on Christmas Day, keep expectations flexible. You’ll still likely get a fun guided evening, but your exact tasting mix may vary.

Dietary needs: how to make sure you get a safe, satisfying night

The tour says they can accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, as long as you tell them during booking. That’s the key detail.

So if you’re gluten-free, avoiding alcohol, vegetarian, or have allergies, don’t treat dietary requests as optional. Send the info up front so your guide and the restaurants can plan substitutions.

In one experience, an allergy request was handled well, which is a good sign. Still, keep it clear and specific when you book, and give yourself extra confidence by arriving on time and double-checking your needs with your guide at the start.

Weather, timing, and what to wear so you’re comfortable

You’re outdoors part of the time, and in Reykjavik winter that matters. Bring weather-appropriate clothing. Think layers, a warm outer shell, and something that protects your legs from cold and wind.

Also plan for low light and quick temperature swings. The tour’s timing helps, but you’ll want to be comfortable before the first walk begins—especially since meeting is outside at Hlöllabátar.

If you tend to get cold fast, consider mittens or gloves even if you’re not a “glove person.” You’ll be happier when you’re holding your drink and focusing on the food instead of warming up your fingers every ten minutes.

Who should book this tour, and who might want a different plan

This tour is a great match if:

• you want a guided Christmas food sampler in a short window
• you like stories and context, not just eating
• you’d rather pay for convenience than figure out where to go on your own in winter

You might skip it (or at least be cautious) if:

• you’re extremely price-sensitive and expect large portions everywhere
• you’re visiting on Christmas Day and you need specific items guaranteed
• you prefer a purely free-form walking night with zero structure

For most people, though, this is an efficient way to taste Icelandic Christmas traditions without turning your trip into a logistics project.

Should you book this Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

I’d book it if you want the holiday version of a “local best-of” night: the recognizable Icelandic foods, the festive drinks, and a guide who makes it feel like more than eating for the sake of eating. It’s also a smart choice if you’re short on time and want to cover a lot in just 3 hours.

Book with flexibility if you’re going on Christmas Day. You might not get every planned item exactly as listed, but the overall experience—good company, guided tastings, and a festive stroll—should still land well.

If you want a smooth first evening in Reykjavik during the holidays, this one gives you a plan, warmth, and a few flavors you won’t forget.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

Where do we meet for the tour?

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

What language is the tour in?

The live guide speaks English.

Is the tour all-inclusive?

Yes. The tour is described as all-inclusive with an expert guide, Christmas food, and Christmas drink, so you won’t leave hungry.

What foods and drinks are included?

The tasting includes items such as smoked lamb and laufabrauð, plus samples like glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring. Drinks include Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg, with the option to substitute Jólaglögg with hot cocoa.

Can they accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes, they say they can try to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but you need to let them know when booking.

Do we visit the Little Christmas Store?

Yes, the tour includes a stop at the Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur, where you can browse festive decorations, crafts, and seasonal treasures. You also receive a locally inspired gift.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can reserve now and pay later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What should I bring?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing, since you’ll be walking around during the tour.