Reykjavik: Food & Beer Walking Tour with Funky Icelandic Tastes

Summary

Reykjavik walking tour with local foods, craft beers and stories

You’ll wander Reykjavík with a local guide, tasting dried fish, lamb soup, and even fermented shark (if you dare). Along the way you’ll sip craft beers brewed right here in Iceland and hear stories that make each stop feel personal. It’s casual, fun—and you’ll leave knowing more than just what’s on your plate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Reykjavik history and food tasting walk

• Meet at Hallgrímskirkja landmark
• Learn about Hallgrímskirkja history
• Visit Einar Jónsson's Sculpture Garden
• See Reykjavik City Hall
• View Alþingi Parliament House
• Taste 8 traditional Icelandic dishes
• Sample 4 local craft beers

Top questions

How many food tastings are included on this Reykjavik food & beer tour?

The tour includes tastings of at least 8 traditional Icelandic dishes at 5 different stops.

Are drinks included on the Reykjavik walking food tour?

Yes, you get to sample 4 locally brewed craft beers during the tour.

Where does the Reykjavik food & beer walk start?

The meeting point is in front of Hallgrímskirkja church in central Reykjavik.

Is this Reykjavik walking tour suitable for kids or families?

Yes, all fitness levels are welcome and infants or small children can join in a stroller.

Does this Reykjavik food tour include lunch?

The tastings include substantial foods like lamb soup and hot dogs but not a full sit-down lunch.

How big is each group on this Reykjavik food & beer tour?

The group size is kept small—no more than 8 people per tour.

Will there be vegetarian options on this Reykjavik food walk?

The focus is on traditional Icelandic foods which are mostly meat or fish based; vegetarian options may be limited.

Are public transportation options nearby the starting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Hallgrímskirkja.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes guided walks through central Reykjavik with stops for nine local foods—including dried fish, lamb soup, hot dogs—and four locally brewed craft beers. All tasting fees and taxes are covered so you can just focus on trying everything (even if you’re nervous about that shark). No need to worry about logistics—just show up hungry at Hallgrímskirkja and let your guide handle the rest.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget the look on Jón’s face when I asked if people here actually eat fermented shark or if it’s just for tourists. He grinned, shrugged, and said, “We do… sometimes. But you’ll see.” We’d just met outside Hallgrímskirkja—the church is even taller in person—and the wind had that salty bite I’m starting to associate with Iceland. Our group was small, which made it easy to chat (and hide behind each other when the first dish arrived).

The first real taste was dried fish—tougher than I expected, but somehow sweet with a bit of butter. Jón explained how people used to survive winters on this stuff. Someone tried to pronounce its name in Icelandic; we all laughed, including Jón. Then came the famous hot dog stand (Icelanders are obsessed), and honestly? I get it now. The mustard here is different—tangy-sweet—and there was this guy in line ahead of us who winked at our guide and said something about “the secret sauce.”

I didn’t expect to enjoy the craft beer as much as I did—one was brewed with Arctic thyme, which sounds fancy but tasted like summer fields after rain. The lamb soup warmed my hands and my mood; Reykjavík can be cold even when the sun’s out. We wandered past Einar Jónsson’s sculptures and stopped near City Hall for another round of tastes. There was always a story: how families would gather around these dishes after long days, how food traditions survived volcanic winters.

The fermented shark? Yeah, it’s… memorable. Jón told us to chase it with a shot of local spirit (“trust me”), so we did. I still think about that moment—half pride, half regret! By the time we reached Alþingi Parliament House, I felt like I’d eaten my way through Reykjavík’s history book. The tour ended but some of us lingered outside chatting about what we’d actually try again (hot dogs: yes; shark: maybe not). Funny how food makes strangers into friends for an afternoon.