Christmas in Reykjavik hits different on foot. This 3-hour walk with Your Friend In Reykjavik mixes city lights, hearty holiday plates, and guide-led Christmas stories you’ll remember. I especially like the focus on smoked lamb and the crunchy, buttery laufabrauð (leaf bread) that shows up as a true Icelandic holiday tradition, not just a snack.

I’ll also flag one possible drawback: on major dates like Christmas Day, what’s open and what’s served can vary, so the tastings and even the market stop may not match the usual lineup. If you’re paying $173 mainly for specific items, plan with a little flexibility.

Key Highlights

• Smoked lamb + crispy laufabrauð leaf bread: classic Christmas flavors, presented for easy tasting
• A festive drink lineup: Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine (hot cocoa swap available)
• Christmas stories from your guide: fun, and sometimes terrifying, with plenty of cultural context
• Multiple savory Icelandic plates: Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring
• Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur: decorations, crafts, seasonal finds, plus a locally inspired gift
• Dietary needs handled with advance notice: tell the team when booking so you get a safer version

Meet Outside Hlöllabátar and Get Your Storyteller On

This tour starts in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, at the Sandwich Shop Hlöllabátar, right outside, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. If you’re looking at the square, CenterHotel Plaza is to your right. You’ll wait under benches, tables, and a covered ceiling, which is handy in Iceland weather.

The guide is usually easy to spot: they wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend In Reykjavik on the back. You’ll want to be in front of CenterHotel Plaza, not inside, and arrive about 5 minutes early so you don’t miss the group walk.

From there, you’re on foot—short stretches between tasting stops. The walking time is broken into several chunks (about 10 minutes a couple times, plus a shorter 5-minute leg). That matters in winter. You don’t feel like you’re trudging for hours in the cold, but you still get the advantage of seeing the Christmas decorations as you go.

What You’ll Eat: Reykjavik Christmas Plates You’ll Actually Want More Of

This tour is all-inclusive: the guide, Christmas food, and drink are part of the price. And yes, they mean it when they say you won’t leave hungry—multiple tastings are built into the full 3 hours.

Here’s the holiday spread you should expect to sample across the tour:

Smoked lamb, the main character of the savory course

Icelandic Christmas is bold on purpose, and smoked lamb is a great example. It’s rich, salty, and smoky, with flavors that don’t get lost against other holiday tastes. If you like your food with a little drama, this is one of the bites that makes the tour feel worth it fast.

Laufabrauð leaf bread: crispy, buttery, and unmistakably Icelandic

Leaf bread (laufabrauð) is patterned and fried until crisp, then eaten as a holiday tradition. What I like about including it on a food tour is that you’re not just tasting fried bread—you’re learning how it fits Iceland’s Christmas rhythm. It’s the kind of snack that’s best when served fresh, so you’ll likely understand why locals eat it beyond the first bite.

Hamborgarhrygg glaze, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring

The tour also includes a range of Iceland’s Christmas staples:

• Hamborgarhrygg (a special glazed cut) for that sweet-savory holiday flavor
• Reindeer pâté for something distinctly Icelandic and a little surprising
• Gravlax for a cured fish option with a clean, salty character
• Pickled herring for tang and punch, which is a classic in many Nordic holiday spreads

If you’re someone who thinks Christmas food is always heavy, these choices help you see the balance Iceland strikes—smoky, cured, tangy, and sweet all in one evening.

Christmas Drinks: Hot, Spiced, and Non-Alcoholic Options Too

Food is only half the story here. The other half is the drink list, and it’s designed to match the cold outdoors.

You should expect to sip:

• Jólaöl, a traditional Icelandic Christmas ale
• malt & appelsín, a well-loved non-alcoholic Christmas drink
• Jólaglögg, mulled wine that brings warmth and spice to the table

And if you don’t want the mulled wine, the tour can swap Jólaglögg for hot cocoa. That’s a smart option when it’s bitter cold and you want comfort without changing the vibe of the tasting.

One practical tip: if you choose alcohol, pace yourself. You’ll be walking between stops, and Iceland weather can make it easy to get chilled fast. A slower sip rate helps you enjoy the flavors without feeling rushed.

The Real Value: Stories That Give Meaning to Every Bite

I like tours where the food isn’t just a checklist. This one comes with guide storytelling—interesting and sometimes terrifying Christmas stories tied to what you’re eating.

This is where the personality of the guide matters. In past departures, guides such as Palli, Paul, Einar, and Pauly have led groups, and the common thread is style: welcoming energy plus real explanation of Christmas traditions. One guide even turned the Christmas decor into a photo moment, snapping group pictures so you leave with something more than just food memories.

Expect the stories to connect:

• why certain foods show up at Christmas
• how traditions have carried through the years
• why some flavors feel normal to locals but unusual to visitors

If you like your travel simple—taste food, learn why it matters—you’ll probably find this format satisfying. You’re not decoding a museum. You’re understanding a holiday through what people eat.

The Little Christmas Store Stop in Laugavegur (Plus a Gift)

Near the end, you’ll visit the Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur. This is a fun change of pace from the eating-and-walking rhythm. The store focuses on festive decorations, artisanal crafts, and seasonal treasures. It’s also where you can turn your holiday-food experience into a real souvenir.

You’ll also receive a locally inspired gift at the end. That matters if you’re traveling light or you don’t want to spend your time hunting for gifts in shops that blend together.

If you’re hoping for a specific kind of decoration, this stop is a good place to browse without pressure. You’ll already be in the Christmas mindset by then.

Price and Logistics: Is $173 Worth It for 3 Hours?

Let’s talk money plainly. At $173 per person for 3 hours, you’re paying for:

• multiple tastings and drinks
• a guide who explains what you’re eating
• a small-group style experience at least on some departures (one group was about 10 people)

The value can be excellent if you enjoy holiday food variety and you like learning the meaning behind it. The tour is structured so you’re not just sampling one tiny plate at a random counter—you’re moving through a sequence of food stops, with enough tasting volume that you feel satisfied.

That said, one fair caution: the tasting portion size can feel smaller on some days or at some locations. One review flagged that the food received seemed light for the price, with at least one stop offering only small samples. Also, the lineup you see can depend on what’s actually operating on the date you go.

So here’s how to decide:

• If you want a guided food walk with context and a drink pairing, the price can feel justified.
• If you only care about a handful of items and you’re counting on big portions, you might want to mentally adjust expectations and treat the tour as tastings, not a full sit-down feast.

Dietary Needs: How to Get a Safer, Better Version of the Tour

One of the most practical strengths of this tour is that it’s willing to accommodate. The key is communication before you arrive.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, tell them when you book. The tour notes they’ll do their best to accommodate, but they need to know in advance. One guide handled an allergy successfully in a prior group, which is reassuring if you’ve ever had to gamble with food while traveling.

What you can do right away:

• set your dietary needs clearly during booking
• bring weather-appropriate clothing so you aren’t dealing with extra stress mid-walk
• be ready for drink adjustments too (like swapping mulled wine for hot cocoa)

If your diet is complicated, send details and ask for clarification. The more specific you are, the easier it is for the team to build a version of the tasting that’s safe and still festive.

Christmas Day Reality Check: When Opening Hours Change

This is the one timing issue you should take seriously. One review on Christmas Day pointed out that something important to the usual experience may not be available—specifically, the Christmas market being closed, and items like leaf bread or mulled wine not matching the usual description.

That doesn’t mean the tour is bad on Christmas Day. It means you should expect fewer options and a different flow depending on what’s open. If your travel dates are flexible, you’ll usually get the most consistent lineup on a normal December evening.

If your dates are locked to December 24 or 25, go in with the right mindset:

• think of it as Christmas flavors plus guide stories
• expect some substitutions
• treat the market/store side as date-dependent

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• want a guided way to try Icelandic Christmas foods without planning stops yourself
• like learning cultural context alongside tasting
• enjoy festive winter walking and want a clear 3-hour plan
• want both alcohol and non-alcohol drink options

It may be less ideal if you:

• want only one or two specific foods and you’re chasing big portions
• are very sensitive to itinerary changes on holiday dates
• dislike being outdoors even for short walks (though the walking segments are broken up)

Should You Book the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

I think this is a smart booking for most first-time visitors in Reykjavik during the holiday season—especially if you like eating your way through a tradition. You get a structured, all-in plan with food and drink, plus a store stop in Laugavegur and a guide who turns Christmas history into something you can taste.

But book with clear expectations. It’s tastings, not a full banquet, and holiday openings can change what’s available. If your goal is to experience Reykjavik’s Christmas food culture in one well-guided evening, this is a good value bet. If you’re chasing a very specific item list on Christmas Day, stay flexible.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

Where does the tour meet?

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

Is the tour price all-inclusive?

Yes. The tour includes an expert guide plus Christmas food and drink.

What foods and drinks are included?

You can expect Icelandic Christmas specialties such as smoked lamb and laufabrauð, plus samples like glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring. Drinks include Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine, with hot cocoa available as a substitute.

Can you accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?

Yes, they try to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but you need to tell them when booking.

Do you visit the Little Christmas Store?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to the Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur, and you also receive a locally inspired gift.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I wear and when should I arrive?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing. Be in front of Center Hotels Plaza (not inside) about 5 minutes before the start time.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

Where does the tour meet?

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

Is the tour price all-inclusive?

Yes. The tour includes an expert guide plus Christmas food and drink.

What foods and drinks are included?

You can expect Icelandic Christmas specialties such as smoked lamb and laufabrauð, plus samples like glazed Hamborgarhrygg, reindeer pâté, gravlax, and pickled herring. Drinks include Jólaöl, malt & appelsín, and Jólaglögg mulled wine, with hot cocoa available as a substitute.

Can you accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?

Yes, they try to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but you need to tell them when booking.

Do you visit the Little Christmas Store?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to the Little Christmas Store in Laugavegur, and you also receive a locally inspired gift.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I wear and when should I arrive?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing. Be in front of Center Hotels Plaza (not inside) about 5 minutes before the start time.