Reykjavik Food Walking Tour: An Honest Review

Thinking about taking a food tour while you’re in Reykjavik? Very good plan! Let me tell you all about my experience on a Reykjavik food walking tour, like what I ate, what I learned, and whether or not I think that it’s actually worth the cash. So, are you all set to eat your way through Iceland’s food scene? Then keep reading for my full, rather candid review.

Why Take a Food Tour in Reykjavik?

Okay, so why a food tour, you ask? Isn’t that a little touristy? And could you not just explore places all by yourself? The answer is, yes, you surely could! Yet I believe there are a lot of really sound arguments in favor of taking a guided food tour, mostly if you are visiting a spot for just a short while.

Firstly, a local guide offers something that Yelp, for example, can’t: first-hand knowledge plus a story to go along with it. Think of it like having a well-informed foodie by your side to reveal not only top-notch eateries but that that one fascinating detail that takes the eating experience to another level. That kind of insight is very nice to have, is that not right?

Then, food tours usually offer a taste of a little bit of everything, really letting you try a few different spots in a few hours. It really is the perfect intro to Icelandic cooking. And as an extra bonus, many tours also factor in historic places, thus sprinkling in cultural info along with the culinary yumminess. I think that’s just the right sort of multi-tasking, don’t you?

I was by myself on this trip, too, so that a group setting turned out to be a neat chance to meet other travelers and share tales. Is it a little cliché? Oh definitely. Is it still something that really adds to the experience? Certainly!

Booking My Tour: Which One Did I Pick?

There are lots of food tour alternatives in Reykjavik, so, to pick the right one, I relied on review sites and blogs. Eventually, I picked the “Reykjavik Food Walk” provided by Wake Up Reykjavik. Very catchy name, too it’s almost got that wake you up out of bed kinda pep, right?

A couple of things made this stand out. They advertise visits to over five or more restaurants, which seems fairly awesome. The ratings seemed very high. The menu options looked rather promising, actually hitting both local tastes and a little bit of that “something unusual” that you always seek on vacation. The price point was additionally quite competitive; actually, I believe I snagged it at about $120 USD.

I booked my spot a couple of weeks in advance via their website, and the process was totally easy. So, for those curious, there are tours most days, and I selected the afternoon slot to keep my morning clear for other sightseeing plans.

My Reykjavik Food Walk: The Experience

Meeting Up and Setting the Stage

The tour starts in the middle of Reykjavik, very easy to reach by foot from the vast majority of hotels. You just show up about fifteen minutes before your tour is scheduled. Actually, our guide, Dagur, met us with an abundance of enthusiasm and started by telling us what the plan was for the day.

Apparently, this specific food walk had eight stops scheduled. Dagur then did that “getting to know you” exercise, just asking where everyone came from. Right away it set the stage for that cozy social dynamic. Very, very welcoming vibe, you know?

Stop 1: Icelandic Street Food

The tour’s very first tasting? Icelandic Street Food! Like its name sounds, this restaurant specializes in that traditional Icelandic fare served fast. Apparently, the space itself is cozy, rustic. You have wooden tables plus a friendly feel the second you walk through that door.

On the menu that day were two classic soups: Kjotsupa (meat soup) and Fisherman’s Favorite. The Kjotsupa was flavorful and warming; just what you might hope for. The Fisherman’s Favorite, that one creamy fish stew, it really was the real showstopper! So comforting. Very Icelandic. Plus, we actually got free refills on each, but that’s quite useful because Reykjavik may be pricey, no?

Stop 2: Brauð & Co

Brauð & Co is that super trendy bakery with many shops, so you’re very likely to spot it somewhere around town. Its vibrant exterior with striking colors. It does catch the eye from a mile away. As you approach, that wonderful aroma of baking bread, that pulls you inside, really.

There we taste their renowned cinnamon roll. Forget whatever image springs to mind whenever you hear the phrase “cinnamon roll.” This actually had a flaky, buttery, croissant-like consistency. The cardamom just kicks things up a bit! It’s anything but your everyday Cinnabon. Apparently, I will point out, it paired quite nicely with Reykjavik’s cold weather and hot coffee.

Stop 3: The Icelandic Bar

Now, “The Icelandic Bar,” it is more of a sit-down type location as opposed to a restaurant. I would say this is the ideal spot for some classic Icelandic dishes in a casual place.

Here, we were handed the mashed fish with rye bread. Don’t let the simplicity fool you! It tasted both fresh and nourishing. According to Dagur, this mash is like a comfort food to many Icelanders, is that so hard to believe?

Stop 4: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

So, let’s now discuss the hot dog stand! That one you hear about any time you’re searching on the net or elsewhere regarding the most effective stuff to check out in Reykjavik. No fooling, this is often thought to be not only Reykjavik’s but Europe’s greatest hot dog stand. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur has been selling hot dogs since 1938!

Very humble cart. Yet there’s always some type of line snaking from it, really a testament to the cult following these dogs boast. These aren’t simply your ordinary beef franks! They actually use lamb, pork, and beef, so it’s the blend which makes the taste something very special. Add the crispy fried onions, that sweet mustard, plus the remoulade. So the result’s both an amazing texture along with a zing.

Stop 5: Forréttabarinn

Forréttabarinn means “The Appetizer Bar.” They give you a unique strategy by serving Icelandic food in little tapas-style servings, rather letting guests sample plenty of various items. The interior looks slick and trendy, with dark wood. Also cool lighting. Yet you would still feel completely relaxed at this location.

We tried that cured whale along with the dried fish, which would certainly make an impact. Apparently, these things are very polarising! Some within the group enjoyed those daring tastes. But some of the others… let’s just say they might not be ordering those items once again at any time soon.

Stop 6: Apotek Restaurant

Apotek Restaurant has some dramatic looks. That’s because it was actually once a pharmacy, thus the name. Its interior design manages to fuse modern stylishness while yet honoring that heritage.

We were handled a sample of lamb. Lamb, obviously, being a major staple in Iceland! Now this lamb just melted in the mouth; tender! Full of flavor! Clearly cooked very expertly. Many claimed it absolutely was their preferred dish of that day.

Stop 7: Íslenski Bærinn – The Icelandic Restaurant

Íslenski Bærinn translates to the “Icelandic Restaurant”. A rustic and comfy ambience can easily be seen through their decorations. Just full of wooden furniture.

This is when we tried the rye bread ice cream! That’s definitely very intriguing to those people that don’t have a lot of exposure. That bread gives an interesting sweet flavor to an unusual, delicious experience.

Stop 8: Gaeta Gelato

Lastly, Gaeta Gelato gives you the most genuine Italian gelato right at Iceland! Each gelato served is created from scratch! Their gelato utilizes local Icelandic ingredients. This provides it with that unique Icelandic-Italian Fusion.

Now the Gelato really offers a superb means of washing down each Icelandic Flavor we got to try this day. That’s what provides this experience just one big circle, is it not?

Was the Reykjavik Food Tour Worth It? My Final Thoughts

So, summing everything up, did I like the Reykjavik Food Walk? Completely, yes! That eight-stop lineup really delivered on that diversity that they promised, and each spot really offered a taste of something distinct. Dagur made that tour what it was, obviously mixing Icelandic stories with great personal attention. The walking was easy-going, too; you do not need to stress a thing relating to this tiring you.

If there actually were any disadvantages? This is, of course, more expensive. Yet if you factor in just how much you would spend eating separately at possibly mediocre tourist places, it kind of equals itself out.

Thus, should you think of taking a food tour in Reykjavik? When you want a handy strategy to test the city’s food, I would recommend doing this. Don’t forget to reserve the tour just a little bit ahead of time because of the fact that slots can sometimes fill up quickly. You’re able to book from the tour company’s official website so you’re able to get the simplest pricing, you know?

Enjoy exploring Reykjavik, and have fun exploring Icelandic tastes. Hopefully, you like that food walking tour nearly just as much as I actually did! Bon appetit, everyone!