In this article we’ll help you get to grips with Reykjavik’s lively culinary scene. Our insider’s guide features must-try dishes, both traditional and modern, as well as some of our favorite under the radar foodie stops in the capital. If you’re a first-time visitor, we’ll showcase some of our food and drink themed walking tours and demonstrate how easy it is to combine them with other sightseeing. In this way you’ll see just how useful Reykjavik Excursions’ curated city experiences and Reykjavik food tours [J1] can be in helping you to structure this part of your Iceland itinerary.

What are some of the must-try traditional dishes in Reykjavik?

Traditional Icelandic food takes many forms, but we’ll begin by suggesting some of the most iconic. Lambs graze freely all over the Icelandic countryside and it’s this meat combined with root vegetables that forms the basis for flavoursome kjötsúpa. Even hot dogs are different in Iceland thanks to the inclusion of lamb as an ingredient alongside the more traditional pork and beef components. Icelandic lobster is also a big deal, sautéed with butter and garlic or liquidised to create a tasty soup. Fresh fish is another staple and the Icelandic catch of the day finds its way to many of the capital’s kitchens. Hákarl (rotted Greenland shark that’s served up dried, cubed and with a shot of Brennivin to help it slip down) is a challenge; harðfiskur, a more palatable dried fish snack, is another food you’ll want to say you’ve tried. Dairy produce also features prominently on menus. Skyr, a protein-rich yoghurt-like product, is commonly encountered as a breakfast staple or dessert later in the day. Fresh blueberries make the ideal accompaniment. Ice cream is heavily consumed despite the country’s unpredictable weather, and a sundae with all the toppings – especially liquorice – is pretty much a rite of passage for every first-time visitor. Reykjavik’s bakery shelves also heave with goodies, not least yummy pastries such as cinnamon buns and deep-fried kleinur – Iceland’s answer to doughnuts. You might wish to try specialities like happy marriage cake, in which rhubarb shines as a star ingredient. Don’t pass up the chance to sample breads such as rúgbrauð (dense but delicious rye bread) and in the run up to Christmas, delicate laufabrauð.

Which are the best places to encounter modern twists on classic Icelandic cuisine?

Within downtown Reykjavik, there are a number of excellent restaurants which showcase classic Icelandic cuisine yet give it a modern twist. Focusing on flavour, sustainability and atmosphere, these places truly are a joy. From Michelin-starred establishments to humble street food carts, there’s something for every budget. Upscale Reykjavik dining experiences include Óx, where those lucky enough to secure a booking eat in an intimate setting that’s styled to resemble the chef’s grandma’s living room. Dishes are prepared in front of diners and it’s this immersiveness coupled with the intense flavours and exquisite presentation that makes this Michelin-star restaurant such an exciting prospect for serious foodies.Another Michelin-star restaurant that is worth every single króna is Dill, an exquisite dining experience carefully curated by master chef Gunnar Karl. Matur og Drykkur is another stellar eatery that’s built its reputation on traditional Icelandic cuisine. Easily combined with a trip to the Saga Museum – they’re neighbours – or the visitor attractions of the Old Harbour, this is a pricey but highly recommended restaurant which uses seasonal local ingredients to work its magic on traditional Icelandic recipes.
A more affordable option for travellers on a budget is Icelandic Street Food. It’s conveniently located on Lækjargata and lures diners with an enticing menu of soups (whether you opt for lamb, seafood or tomato, choose to have it in a bread bowl) and hearty dishes such as plokkfiskur. The star of the Reykjavik street food scene is of course the hot dog and the most famous truck of all is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Beloved not only by tourists but also boasting a celebrity clientele that includes former US President Bill Clinton, the Kardashians, actor Charlie Sheen and comedian Ricky Gervais. It’s been around since 1937 and its popularity shows no sign of waning.

What Reykjavik food tours can give you a true flavour of Icelandic cuisine?

Reykjavik Food Lovers’ Tour

If you’re keen to learn more about authentic Icelandic cuisine and try some of its most representative dishes for yourself, then this is the tour for you. The Reykjavik Food Lovers’ Tour focuses on local food. Over the course of three splendid hours, you’ll take a stroll through downtown Reykjavik to uncover some traditional foods. The dishes you’ll be presented with are mostly centred on meat, fish and dairy-based as that’s the Icelandic way, so expect to try foods such as our unique hot dogs, lobster soup and skyr. The tastings are varied, but you’ll also appreciate the fun lesson on Iceland’s culture and history that’s delivered alongside them.

The Reykjavik Food Walk

Successful eateries litter downtown but when it comes to where to eat in Reykjavik, too much choice can be as frustrating as too little. Sift out the best on the Reykjavik Food Walk, sure to satisfy anyone keen to explore Icelandic cuisine in the places that matter. Book this tour and the carefully curated stops offer a mix of famous eateries, family-run businesses and unexpected local haunts. Your guide will recount the stories behind these eateries: the people that turned their passion for food into a restaurant and the timeless traditions that live on through the dishes on their menus. If you’re curious about Icelandic cuisine, this is a good place to start on your food journey while you’re in the capital.

What are the advantages of booking a spot on a Reykjavik food tour?

You’ll save money on dining out

Many sightseeing tours require you to purchase food as an add-on to the overall cost of the activity. While it’s not compulsory, depending on where you stop for a meal it can be difficult to opt out. However, a Reykjavik food tour is different: this is the kind of activity that can replace a meal, especially if you have an adventurous palate and are happy to try even the more unusual dishes.

It’s an easy way of finding out whether you like a dish or not

Dining out in Iceland doesn’t come cheap so you might be wary of ordering a dish you’ve never tried before in case it’s not to your liking. After all, no one likes to waste food – or money for that matter. On a Reykjavik food tour, you’ll have numerous opportunities to try Icelandic cuisine, but as portions are taster size, you won’t feel bad if one isn’t your dish of the day.

Many food tours are the kind of activity you can enjoy year-round

In winter, some outdoor activities may have to be cancelled because conditions aren’t right – such as Northern Lights tours, for example. In booking a Reykjavik food tour, it’s good to know that it will go ahead in pretty much any weather, though be sure to dress appropriately for the parts where you’re moving between eateries.

Commentary on a food tour provides context for the history or provenance of the dish

One of the most compelling reasons to take a food tour while you’re in Iceland is for the chance to learn about the country’s unique landscapes, history and cultural heritage, and specifically how these things influence food. It’s interesting to learn how some dishes came about or how they are distinctive when compared to the produce you might be more used to back home. As you’ll be accompanied by a guide, it’s also a useful opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the country’s signature serves.

What about vegetarians, vegans and those with dietary requirements?

When you reserve a place on our Reykjavik Food Walk, there’s a space for comments on the booking page where you can communicate any specific dietary requirements and allergies. For our Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour, a similar box will appear when you click on your cart further along the booking process. We’ll try our best to accommodate such requests; however, some foods are by their very nature unsuitable. Nevertheless, you’ll still be able to learn about their importance to Iceland’s cultural heritage even if you choose not to try them. You’re also welcome to discuss whether the tour is a good fit for you before you make your reservation.

Tips for travellers planning a Reykjavik food tour

● Plan your food tours alongside regular meals

This is probably the most important piece of advice we can give you, for it’s surprising how full you get when you graze on tasting plates during one of our guided food tours in Reykjavik. To make the most of the opportunity to try lots of different dishes, plan not to have eaten a large meal in the hours leading up to your activity.

● Book in advance

In summer, Iceland can get busy, so it’s a good idea to lock in the tours and activities that matter ahead of time. By making a reservation for your Reykjavik food tour in advance, you can fit other aspects of your stay in the Icelandic capital around it and know that you won’t miss out on a thing.

● Make use of the Reykjavik Hop On, Hop Off bus to combine your sightseeing

Getting around Reykjavik before and after your food tour is really straightforward if you use the Hop On, Hop Off bus. The service is a great timesaver when it comes to scheduling your sightseeing; the Lækjargata stop is just a four minute stroll through downtown to the meeting point of our Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour.

● Bring the whole family

A food tour is a great way to introduce younger members of your family to dishes that they haven’t tried before. On our Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour, children aged 7 to 12 get a significant discount while the littlest go free. Similarly, kids aged 4 to 12 on our Reykjavik Food Walk won’t have to pay full price either.

● Follow up your tour with a visit to a food hall

Over recent years, many of the capital’s most historic yet redundant buildings have been repurposed as food halls. From former fish processing warehouses to the old Post Office, these places now resonate with the sound of clinking cutlery and chattering voices. Apply the knowledge you gained during your food tour, pay one of them a visit and delve a little further into Icelandic cuisine.

If this Reykjavik foodie guide has you salivating, then there’s a good chance you’ll already be figuring out where to slot a Reykjavik food tour into your itinerary. Whether you opt for the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour or the Reykjavik Food Walk, come with an open mind and you’ll leave with a full belly. There’s no better way to get acquainted with those must-try Icelandic dishes you’ve read about.