Food tour plus flea market in Reykjavik is a smart combo. You’ll taste Icelandic classics while your guide ties the dishes to daily life and local stories, from the old harbor to meat soup at the end. Small group size keeps it conversational, and everything you try is included, so you can travel light and not play meal math.

There is one timing thing to know: the Reykjavik Flea Market (Kolaportið) is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm, so check your day before you count on that stop.

Quick hits

• Max 12 people for a more personal pace and easier questions
• All tastings included, plus beverages (including alcoholic options)
• A classic start near Ingólfstorgur, with an Icelandic shellfish soup stop
• Kolaportið is the flea market highlight, but only runs weekend hours
• The “must-do” classic: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur with its famous lamb hot dog
• Wrap-up at Icelandic Street Food for a big meat soup bowl

Why this tour works for a first weekend in Reykjavik

If you’re visiting Reykjavik for just a couple days, food is one of the fastest ways to understand the place. This tour is built like a walking map of downtown: you start at Ingólfstorgi (Ingolfur Square), work your way toward the old harbor area, and finish in the center again at Lækjargata 8. That matters because you don’t just eat—you also learn where things are, so your next day of exploring feels easier.

The biggest practical win is that you’re not constantly deciding where to go. Tastings, taxes/fees, and beverages are included, so the “What do we eat next?” problem gets solved for you. You can focus on trying the food and absorbing the context instead of building a plan from scratch.

My other favorite part is the format: about 3 hours with a guide, in English, and a maximum of 12 people. In reviews, guides like Óli, Stephan, and Ester E. are singled out for being fun, engaging, and full of stories. That’s not just entertainment—it helps you remember what you tasted and why it shows up on Icelandic menus.

Stop 1: Ingólfstorgur at Your Friend in Reykjavik

Your tour starts at Ingólfstorgi 1 at Ingolfur Square. The key detail here is time: be there 5 minutes early. In a city center like Reykjavik, that early buffer matters because you’ll be lining up with your group and getting oriented before you start walking.

This first stop sets the tone. Your guide typically gives a quick sense of what you’re going to eat and how the places around you fit into Iceland’s everyday food culture. It’s a good moment to ask basics like what’s considered traditional versus what’s more “tourist-famous,” especially if you’re worried about trying unfamiliar items.

If you’re coming off a long flight, this is also a smart “wake-up” activity. Several people note this helped with that stuck-at-the-hotel feeling on arrival day. You get movement, warmth from soup and hot food along the way, and an easy rhythm.

Stop 2: Old harbor area and Icelandic shellfish soup

Next you head toward the old Reykjavik harbor area for an appetizer: Icelandic shellfish soup. This is where the tour starts to feel very Iceland-specific. Iceland’s coastline is part of the food story, and shellfish shows up in lots of ways once you know what to look for.

What I like about this stop for you is that it’s a comfortable entry point. Soup is usually an easier first taste than something raw or heavily spiced, especially if you’re still adjusting to Icelandic flavors and ingredients. It’s also a practical way to warm up if the weather is cold or breezy.

Stop 3: Kolaportið Flea Market stop (weekend-only)

This is the stop many people talk about, and for good reason: a food tour in Reykjavik becomes more fun when you mix in a local market atmosphere. You’ll walk inside Kolaportið Market, the Reykjavik Flea Market, and sample traditional Icelandic foods while you browse.

Here’s the big heads-up: Kolaportið is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. If your tour day doesn’t match those hours, you can’t assume you’ll get the market the way the tour is designed.

Even when the stop is timed well, don’t expect a long shopping mission. This is a stroll and tasting moment, not a full hour of wandering with a shopping cart. If you’re the type who loves browsing, go in with curiosity, not with the plan to buy everything.

Practical note from the walking flow: the market stop works best if you come hungry enough to sample, but not so hungry that you feel stressed about timing. If you tend to overeat early in the day, you might want to plan around that.

Stop 4: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur and the lamb hot dog tradition

Every Iceland food tour worth its salt hits a hot dog. Here, the star is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, described as the original hot dog stand dating to 1937. You’ll try the Icelandic lamb hot dog, and this is where the tour’s “classic Reykjavik” energy kicks in.

One reason this stop gets so much praise is that it’s not just a snack. It’s a cultural reference point. Icelanders have their own version of fast food, and that lamb dog is part of the local identity—simple on the outside, more interesting the longer you think about it.

Two considerations to keep in mind:

• The hot dog stand can involve a line. On some days, that can affect how fast you move through the stop.
• If you’re expecting a huge sit-down meal at this point, adjust your mindset. It’s a tasting stop that fits the overall 3-hour structure.

If you want a personal-level tip: don’t eat a heavy lunch right before this tour. One helpful pro tip I’ve seen is to save room so the tastings feel like a reward instead of a chore.

Stop 5: A local supermarket for snacks and sweets

After the hot dog, the tour changes pace a bit. You’ll stop at a local supermarket to check out unique Icelandic foods, snacks, and candy.

This stop is great because it expands what you think of as “Icelandic food.” You’re not only eating restaurant dishes—you’re seeing what people actually buy for day-to-day snacking. Even if you only buy a couple items, the supermarket moment helps you take the tour home in a very practical way.

It’s also useful if you have dietary limits. While the tour includes fish-forward options like seafood soup and other items along the way, some reviews mention substitutions for allergies working well. If you need swaps, plan to flag it clearly to your guide at the start.

Stop 6: Icelandic Street Food and the big bowl of meat soup

The tour wraps up at Icelandic Street Food on Lækjargata 8, where you get a hearty final dish: a big bowl of meat soup. This one gets called Iceland in a bowl, and it’s a fitting ending because it’s warm, filling, and very “Iceland winter.”

This stop is where the tour earns its weight. After multiple smaller tastings, the soup helps you feel satisfied without turning the day into a long sit-down meal. If you’re trying to plan the rest of your evening, this is also helpful: you’ll be full enough that you can choose a casual dinner later rather than hunting urgently for food.

One small reality check: you’ll likely do some walking and you may deal with stairs inside some places. Reviews mention the walking isn’t strenuous overall, but there can be uphill stretches and stairs that matter if mobility is an issue. If you need step-free options, this is a tour to think through carefully.

The guides: where the fun (and facts) come from

This tour’s success largely depends on the guide. And here’s what I’d take from the strongest feedback: the guides tend to be engaging storytellers, and they connect the food to Iceland’s culture in a way that feels relevant instead of like a lecture.

You might meet guides like:

• Óli, described as calm, kind, and friendly
• Stephan/Stefán, described as entertaining and funny
• Ester E., praised for sharing Iceland history and food stories in a way that lands
• Ólafur, mentioned as easy to talk to and willing to answer questions

Because the group is capped at 12, it’s easier to ask follow-ups without feeling rushed. That’s a big deal on a short 3-hour tour.

Also, expect the tour to run in all weather conditions. Reykjavik weather can change fast, so dress for wind and rain. The tour stays outside between stops, and you don’t want to end up soaked and cranky halfway through soup.

Price and value: does $151.38 make sense?

At $151.38 per person, this isn’t a bargain snack tour. But it can be good value if you treat it as a bundled meal plan plus orientation.

Here’s the value logic:

• You get multiple tastings (not just one small bite).
• You also get beverages, including alcoholic beverages at the end.
• The tour includes a professional guide, plus the time and coordination needed to hit several places in a few hours.
• You don’t pay separately for each stop, which can be a hidden cost when you self-tour and keep adding “just one more place.”

If you’re comparing it to buying food piecemeal while walking downtown in cold weather, the guided version often feels worth it. You’re paying for efficiency, local context, and avoiding the guesswork of what’s worth ordering.

Still, it’s smart to go in with clear expectations: this is a tastings tour, not an all-you-can-eat feast with huge portions at every stop. Some people end feeling full, but not stuffed, because the food is portioned to keep you moving.

Logistics that matter (without making your day complicated)

This is a downtown-focused tour with a clear start and end:

• Start: Ingólfstorgi 1, Reykjavík
• End: Lækjargata 8, Reykjavík at Icelandic Street Food

Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, so you’ll want to plan to reach the meeting point on your own (public transportation is mentioned as nearby). That’s normal for Reykjavik tours, and the upside is you stay flexible after the tour ends downtown.

You’ll also want to watch for day-of variables:

• If you’re booking on a weekend, the flea market timing is a big reason to do so.
• City events can make downtown busier. One review mentions that two citywide events made navigation harder and impacted timing. The tour guide helped, but it’s a reminder that Reykjavik center can get crowded.

Who should book this tour?

This tour is especially good for you if:

• You want an easy first-day plan that helps you get your bearings fast
• You like trying a range of Icelandic foods without doing research for each stop
• You want a guide who connects dishes to culture, not just a list of where to eat
• You’re visiting on a weekend and want the Kolaportið Flea Market feel

It might be less ideal if:

• You’re traveling on a day when the flea market hours don’t line up with your tour schedule
• You have mobility concerns and prefer step-free dining (there can be stairs and some uphill walking)
• You need guaranteed long hot-dog line tolerance. Lines can happen, and on some days that’s a stress point

Should you book this Reykjavik Food Tour with the Flea Market stop?

If your day in Reykjavik includes a Saturday or Sunday, I’d lean toward booking. The mix of Icelandic classics (shellfish soup, lamb hot dog, meat soup) plus the Kolaportið market stop gives you two layers of “local” in one afternoon: food you order and food you browse.

If you hate lines, hate uncertainty, or you’re very sensitive to timing, then be aware that downtown can get busy and some stop formats are quick. For me, that’s the only reason not to book.

My simple decision rule: book it if you want a guided food and culture sampler that also helps you navigate the city afterward. Skip it if you already have your food plan locked and you’re trying to avoid any schedule pressure at all.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Food Tour with the Flea Market stop?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $151.38 per person.

Is the tour in English, and do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour is offered in English and you receive a mobile ticket.

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

You start at Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík and end at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, 101 Reykjavík.

Are food tastings included?

Yes. Food tastings are included, along with beverages, and alcoholic beverages are included at the end.

When is the Kolaportið Flea Market stop available?

Kolaportið is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Do I need hotel pickup or drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You’ll meet at the designated downtown location.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. There’s a maximum of 12 travelers per booking.

FAQ

What kinds of food are included?

You’ll have tastings that include Icelandic shellfish soup, Icelandic lamb hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, traditional foods during the Kolaportið Market stop, snacks and candy from a local supermarket, and a big bowl of meat soup at Icelandic Street Food.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

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

Is the walk strenuous?

The walk isn’t described as strenuous overall, but there can be some uphill walking and stairs in the restaurants, which could be difficult for mobility issues.

Can kids join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult.