Reykjavik: Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks

Christmas tastes tell Iceland’s story. This three-hour walk through Reykjavik pairs smoked lamb, laufabrauð, gravlax, and reindeer paté with seasonal drinks, Christmas lights, and a stop at the Little Christmas Store. I like the mix of food and local stories, and I like that the route adds a small locally inspired gift rather than ending with one last plate.

The main drawback is the $173 price, which is high for a three-hour food walk. You should also know that the menu is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, even though the operator can discuss certain dietary restrictions and allergies before booking.

The tour meets outside Hlöllabátar Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square. Look for a guide in a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik. Palli received especially warm praise for being entertaining and well informed, which matters on a food tour where the stories should be as satisfying as the samples.

Key points to know before booking

• Christmas classics in one walk: Taste smoked lamb, glazed Hamborgarhrygg, laufabrauð, reindeer paté, gravlax, and pickled herring.
• Three festive drinks included: Try Jólaöl, malt and appelsín, and warm Jólaglögg mulled wine.
• Reykjavik lights add atmosphere: The food stops are paired with a guided look at Christmas decorations around the city.
• The Little Christmas Store is part of the route: Browse seasonal decorations and crafts, then take home a locally inspired gift.
• Palli made a strong impression: His lively style and extra stories helped make the tour better than expected for one recent booking.
• Warm clothing is essential: The tour runs in all weather, and you will be outside on foot for three hours.

Starting beside Ingólfstorg Square

The tour begins outside Hlöllabátar Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is on your right, and benches, tables, and a covered ceiling give you a practical place to wait.

This is a useful meeting point in central Reykjavik, but you should still allow time to find it. The tour does not include hotel pickup, so you are responsible for reaching the square. Look for the light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back.

The guide sets the tone from the start. This is not simply a line of tastings with no explanation. You will hear about the stories, customs, and meaning connected with the food, which helps turn unfamiliar dishes into part of Iceland’s Christmas culture.

The tour lasts three hours. That is long enough for several stops without taking up an entire day, but it also means you need comfortable shoes and a coat that can handle Icelandic weather. Smoking is not allowed during the experience.

Smoked lamb and the taste of an Icelandic Christmas

Smoked lamb is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. It has a firm, smoky flavor and gives you an immediate sense of how different Icelandic Christmas food can be from the usual holiday meal at home.

The dish is often served in thin slices, though the exact presentation can vary. The useful part here is the context: your guide explains why this food belongs on a Christmas table and how it fits into local seasonal traditions.

I like starting with a dish that has such a clear identity. You are not being offered a generic meat sample dressed up for tourists. The smoked flavor is direct and memorable, and it gives the meal a solid savory center.

This is also where the tour may be less comfortable for picky eaters. Much of the menu is meat, fish, or dairy based. If you have allergies or a specific restriction, tell the operator when booking. The tour is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, so plant-based visitors should choose a different activity.

Laufabrauð, the crisp bread with a pattern

Laufabrauð means leaf bread, and it is one of the most distinctive items on the menu. The thin, buttery bread is cut with decorative patterns before it is fried until crisp.

This is a small food with a lot of visual appeal. You do not just taste laufabrauð. You notice the careful pattern work and the contrast between its delicate look and its crunchy texture.

I would pay attention when the guide explains how it connects to Christmas preparations. Food traditions often make more sense when you learn how they are made and shared, and laufabrauð gives this tour one of its most recognizable cultural details.

The bread also provides a welcome change from the heavier meat and fish dishes. Its buttery flavor and crisp texture break up the tasting sequence, especially if you prefer small portions of several different foods rather than one large meal.

Hamborgarhrygg and reindeer paté

The tour continues with glazed Hamborgarhrygg, a special Christmas preparation that adds a sweet coating to a substantial pork dish. The glaze gives it a festive feel, while the meat keeps the meal grounded and filling.

You may find this to be one of the more familiar tastes on the route, but the Christmas setting makes the difference. This is food connected with the holiday table, not simply a standard restaurant order.

Reindeer paté is more unusual. Its flavor is savory and distinctive, and it gives you a chance to try a product associated with Icelandic seasonal menus. I like this kind of stop because it moves beyond the safest possible choices and lets you sample something you might not order on your own.

The portions are described as tastings, not full meals. That matters at this price. You are paying for a guided sequence of dishes, drinks, and explanation rather than a three-course dinner. If you arrive hungry, you should still expect small samples spread across the walk.

Gravlax and pickled herring bring the sea to Christmas

Gravlax adds a cool, seasoned fish course to the route. Its clean texture and fresh flavor contrast with the smoked lamb and glazed pork.

Pickled herring brings a sharper note. It is tangy, salty, and more assertive than the other samples. I would not recommend booking this tour if you dislike fish or strong preserved flavors, since the menu includes several traditional items with pronounced tastes.

That range is one of the tour’s strengths. You move from smoky meat to buttery bread, from sweet-glazed pork to paté, then to cured and pickled fish. The food shows that Icelandic Christmas cooking is not one single style. It includes preservation, rich holiday dishes, seafood, and small treats built around the season.

Your guide also explains the cultural meaning behind the dishes. That information makes the less familiar samples easier to appreciate, even if one or two are not your favorites.

Jólaöl, malt and appelsín, and Jólaglögg

The drinks are not an afterthought. Jólaöl is a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale, while malt and appelsín is a beloved non-alcoholic combination made from malt and orange soda.

Malt and appelsín is especially useful for anyone who wants a festive drink without alcohol. It is sweet, unusual, and closely tied to Icelandic Christmas celebrations.

Jólaglögg, the mulled wine, brings warmth and spice to the outdoor walk. This is likely to be the most comforting drink on a cold evening, particularly when Reykjavik’s lights are glowing and the temperature drops.

The combination gives you three different parts of the holiday drinking tradition: beer, a non-alcoholic soft drink, and mulled wine. If you have alcohol restrictions, tell the operator in advance so you know how the tastings can be handled.

Christmas lights turn the walk into an evening outing

The food is the main reason to book, but the lights and decorations give the tour a pleasant seasonal setting. You will walk through Reykjavik while the city is dressed for Christmas, with the guide pointing out the festive atmosphere along the way.

I like this combination because it avoids locking you inside a restaurant for the full three hours. The city becomes part of the experience, and the walking helps separate one tasting from the next.

The tradeoff is weather. The tour operates in all conditions, so you need to dress for cold, wind, rain, or whatever Reykjavik brings that day. Wear shoes made for walking and bring warm layers. A stylish but thin coat will not be much help if you spend three hours outdoors.

The pace should suit you if you enjoy a guided city walk with frequent stops. It may feel less appealing if you want to sit down for a long meal or move quickly from one attraction to another.

The Little Christmas Store and the take-home gift

A visit to the Little Christmas Store gives the tour a final shopping stop. You can browse Christmas decorations, artisanal crafts, and seasonal items in a setting focused on the holiday rather than standard souvenir shopping.

This stop is useful if you want to buy a small Iceland-related gift without spending time searching through shops on your own. The locally inspired gift included with the tour adds a pleasant personal touch and gives you something to connect with the evening later.

Do not expect a major shopping excursion. The store is part of a food and culture walk, not the central attraction. Still, the stop rounds out the experience well. You have tasted the food, heard the stories, seen the decorations, and leave with a small reminder of the tour.

What the $173 price really covers

At $173 per person, this is an expensive three-hour activity. One recent booking described the food and guide as excellent but still felt the price was somewhat high. That is a fair concern.

The value depends on what you want from a food tour. You are paying for a guided route, several traditional food tastings, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Christmas lights, the Little Christmas Store, and a locally inspired gift. You are also paying for interpretation, which can make unfamiliar dishes more meaningful.

I would consider the price reasonable for someone who wants a planned seasonal activity and likes trying many small portions. It is less attractive if you mainly want a cheap meal, since you could spend less at a restaurant and receive more food.

The strong point is variety. You get meat, bread, paté, fish, preserved food, beer, soft drink, and mulled wine in one organized outing. The weak point is that three hours and several tastings do not equal a full dinner for every person.

The guide can make or break the evening

The guide matters a great deal here. Palli was praised for being entertaining, adding interesting details, and making the experience better than expected. That is important because the tour relies on conversation as much as food.

A good guide helps you understand why a dish appears at Christmas, not just what it tastes like. The best moments will likely come from the short stories between stops, especially if you ask questions about local traditions and ingredients.

The tour is conducted in English. A private group is available, which may suit families, friends, or couples who prefer a more personal pace. The supplied information does not specify a standard group size, so ask about the group arrangement if that affects your decision.

Wheelchair access is available, but this remains a walking tour with outdoor sections. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns, confirm the practical route details before booking.

Who should book this Reykjavik food tour?

I would recommend it to visitors in Reykjavik during the Christmas season who want food, city lights, and local customs in one compact experience. It suits first-time visitors particularly well because you get an introduction to several Icelandic dishes without having to research restaurants or identify unfamiliar menu items yourself.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy tasting strong flavors. Smoked lamb, reindeer paté, gravlax, and pickled herring are not bland choices. You should be open to preserved foods and seafood.

Families and private groups may appreciate the option of booking privately. The included gift also makes the tour a nice choice if you want a seasonal souvenir without adding another shopping stop to your schedule.

I would skip it if you are vegan or vegetarian, if you dislike walking outdoors in winter, or if $173 feels too high for tasting portions. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a long sit-down dinner.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a guided introduction to Icelandic Christmas food and prefer an evening with movement, stories, lights, and small tastings. The food range is broad, the drinks add real seasonal character, and the Little Christmas Store gives the outing a tidy finish.

Think carefully about the cost and menu before committing. Tell the operator about allergies or dietary restrictions when booking, dress warmly, and arrive at the Hlöllabátar meeting point with comfortable shoes. If those conditions suit you, this is a festive and focused way to understand how Reykjavik celebrates Christmas.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour last?

The tour lasts three hours.

What food is included?

Tastings include smoked lamb, laufabrauð, glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer paté, gravlax, and pickled herring.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes Jólaöl Christmas ale, malt and appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to the right.

How can I identify the guide?

Guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back.

Is the tour suitable for vegans and vegetarians?

No. The tour is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. You should inform the operator about other dietary restrictions or allergies when booking.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.