What to Eat in Reykjavik: Food Tour Guide + How to Stay Connected
Wake Up Reykjavik food tour: Arctic char, fish stew, famous hot dog, fermented shark, rye ice cream. Holafly Iceland eSIM for data. Code STEPHANDPETE saves 5%.
What to Eat in Reykjavik: Food Tour Guide + How to Stay Connected
We joined the Wake Up Reykjavik food tour to try traditional Icelandic cuisine, and it was one of the highlights of our Iceland trip. From fermented shark to rye ice cream to the famous hot dog stand where Bill Clinton ate, here's what we tried, whether it's worth it, and how to stay connected while exploring Reykjavik's food scene.
🍴 Book the Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour
Try traditional Icelandic food with a local guide: Arctic char, fish stew, the famous Bill Clinton hot dog, fermented shark, and rye ice cream. Tour lasts 3+ hours, includes 5-6 restaurant stops, ~$140 per person.
Book on GetYourGuideWatch Our Reykjavik Food Tour Experience
Staying Connected in Reykjavik (You'll Need This)
Before we get into the food (and trust me, there's a lot to cover), let's talk about staying connected in Iceland. Reykjavik is expensive, and the last thing you want is a massive roaming bill or struggling to find WiFi when you're trying to navigate between restaurants.
We used Holafly's Iceland eSIM for our trip, and it was seamless. Installation took about two minutes at home before we left, and we had reliable unlimited data the entire time we were in Reykjavik.
Quick setup for Iceland connectivity
- Go to stephandpete.co/holafly
- Select Iceland and choose your duration (7-30 days)
- Enter code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off
- Install the eSIM before your flight
- Land in Reykjavik with unlimited data ready to go
Why you need data in Reykjavik:
- Google Maps navigation: Reykjavik's downtown streets can be confusing, plus you'll want directions to restaurants and attractions
- Restaurant reservations: Many popular spots require advance booking through their websites or apps
- Food tour communication: Coordinating meeting points, getting updates from your guide
- Sharing your experience: Iceland is incredibly photogenic - you'll want to upload photos in real-time
- Day trip bookings: Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, South Coast tours often need mobile tickets
Pro tip: If you're exploring beyond Reykjavik and visiting other European countries, Holafly's Europe regional plan covers Iceland plus 40+ other countries with one eSIM. Perfect for Nordic multi-country trips.
Our Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour Experience
We booked the Wake Up Reykjavik food tour through GetYourGuide, and it was absolutely worth it. The tour lasts a few hours and takes you to several local spots around downtown Reykjavik, giving you a real taste of traditional Icelandic food and culture.
Book the Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour here
Our guide, Hilde, was fantastic - knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely passionate about Icelandic food culture. She struck the perfect balance between informative and entertaining, which made the whole experience feel more like exploring with a local friend than a typical tourist tour.
The Wake Up Reykjavik team clearly cares about the experience they're providing. Everything felt well-organized, the pacing was perfect, and we left with both full stomachs and a much deeper understanding of Icelandic cuisine.
What We Ate: Traditional Icelandic Food
1. Arctic Char
We started with Arctic char, a beautiful cold-water fish that's incredibly fresh in Iceland. The preparation was simple but flavorful - pan-seared with fresh vegetables, potatoes, and a light sauce that let the fish shine.
If you're a seafood lover, Arctic char is a must-try in Iceland. The fish is sustainably farmed in Iceland's pure glacial water, which gives it a clean, delicate flavor that's different from salmon or trout.
2. Plokkfiskur (Traditional Icelandic Fish Stew)
We tried plokkfiskur, a traditional Icelandic fish stew made with cod, potatoes, onions, and béchamel sauce. It's classic Icelandic comfort food - rich, hearty, and warming.
The fish was flaky and tender, mixed with perfectly cooked potatoes in a creamy sauce. Plokkfiskur is one of those dishes that represents Iceland's fishing heritage - cod has been a staple of Icelandic cuisine for centuries, and this stew is how generations of Icelanders have enjoyed it.
3. The Famous Icelandic Hot Dog
This is the one everyone asks about. We went to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur - THE hot dog stand where Bill Clinton famously declared he'd found his favorite hot dog. And honestly? We completely understand the hype.
What makes it special is the sausage itself - it's made primarily from Icelandic lamb (with some pork and beef), which gives it a unique flavor you won't find in a typical American hot dog. The texture is snappy, and paired with all those toppings, it's legitimately delicious.
4. Fermented Shark (Hákarl)
This is the one everyone's curious (and nervous) about. Fermented shark - hákarl - is Iceland's most infamous traditional food. It's Greenland shark that's been fermented and dried for several months, and yes, it has a very strong ammonia smell and taste.
What made it worthwhile was Hilde's explanation of the historical context - why Icelanders developed this preservation method, how it was essential for survival during harsh winters, and why it remains culturally significant today. That context made the experience more interesting than just "eating weird food for shock value."
5. Rye Ice Cream
This was hands-down the surprise hit of the entire tour. Rye ice cream doesn't sound particularly appealing on paper, but trust us - it's absolutely delicious.
Honestly, we went back and got more rye ice cream on our own later in the trip. It's that good. If you only try one "unusual" Icelandic food, make it this one - it's accessible, delicious, and uniquely Icelandic.
6. Local Icelandic Beer
We also sampled some local Icelandic beer throughout the tour, which was refreshing and well-crafted. Iceland's beer scene has exploded over the past few decades (beer was actually illegal in Iceland until 1989!), and there are now some excellent local breweries worth exploring.
The beer paired perfectly with the savory dishes, especially the lamb stew and hot dog.
Is Iceland Food Expensive? Is This Tour Worth It?
Let's address the elephant in the room: Iceland is not cheap. Restaurant meals in Reykjavik can easily run $30-50 USD per person for a decent meal. A beer at a bar might cost $10-12. It's consistently one of the more expensive destinations in Europe.
However, the quality is consistently high. Ingredients are fresh, locally sourced when possible, and portions are generous. You're paying for quality, sustainability, and often for the unique Icelandic experience.
The food tour itself is priced around $140 USD per person. At first glance, that might seem steep. But when you break down what you're getting, it's actually solid value:
- Multiple restaurant stops (5-6 different locations)
- Substantial tastings at each stop (not tiny samples - actual portions)
- Traditional foods you might not order on your own
- Cultural context and stories from a knowledgeable local guide
- A guided walking tour of downtown Reykjavik
- 3+ hours of your time well-spent
If you tried to visit all these restaurants independently, you'd spend more money and miss the cultural insights that made each dish meaningful. The tour also takes you to spots you might walk right past without knowing they're worth trying.
💡 Our verdict on value
For first-time visitors to Iceland, this tour is absolutely worth the investment. You get an efficient overview of Icelandic cuisine, learn what you like, and can revisit favorites on your own later in the trip. We left with restaurant recommendations and a much better understanding of what to order.
Why We Recommend the Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour
Food tours aren't always worth it - we've done plenty that felt like tourist traps or wasted time. But this one genuinely enhanced our Iceland experience. Here's why we'd recommend it:
- You try foods you might not order on your own: Would we have ordered fermented shark at a restaurant? Probably not. But experiencing it with context and a group made it fun rather than intimidating.
- Local insights you can't Google: Hilde shared stories about Icelandic food culture, sustainability practices, and cultural traditions that added meaning to every dish.
- Efficient sampling: We covered 5-6 restaurants in a few hours, which would have taken days to do independently (and we probably wouldn't have found half of them).
- Cultural understanding: You learn why Icelanders eat what they eat, not just what it tastes like. The historical context matters.
- Great for first-timers: If it's your first time in Reykjavik, this gives you a solid overview of the food scene and helps you plan the rest of your meals.
- Small group size: Our tour had about 8-10 people, which felt intimate and allowed for questions and conversation.
Book the Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour through GetYourGuide
(We book through GetYourGuide because we earn valuable vouchers that we can use for future travel bookings, which helps support our content creation.)
Practical Tips for Your Reykjavik Food Tour
Before You Go
- Get your eSIM sorted: Install your Holafly Iceland eSIM before you leave home. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off.
- Book in advance: Popular tour times fill up, especially during summer months.
- Come hungry: Seriously, don't eat beforehand. The portions are generous and you'll want to try everything.
- Check dietary restrictions: Contact Wake Up Reykjavik in advance if you have allergies or dietary requirements. They're usually accommodating but need advance notice.
What to Wear
- Dress in layers: Even in summer, Reykjavik can be cool and windy. You'll be walking between locations.
- Comfortable walking shoes: Essential. You'll be on your feet for 3+ hours.
- Windproof jacket: Iceland's weather can change quickly. A good windproof layer is more useful than a heavy coat.
During the Tour
- Ask questions: Your guide knows their stuff. Take advantage of their knowledge about Icelandic culture, food sourcing, and restaurant recommendations for the rest of your trip.
- Pace yourself: It's tempting to finish every portion, but you have multiple stops. Save room.
- Take photos: The food is photogenic, and you'll want to remember what you tried.
- Get restaurant recommendations: Ask your guide about other places to try during your stay.
Other Things to Eat in Reykjavik (On Your Own)
After the food tour, we felt confident exploring Reykjavik's restaurant scene on our own. Here are some other Icelandic foods worth seeking out:
- Skyr: Iceland's famous yogurt-like dairy product. It's high in protein, low in fat, and available everywhere. Try it for breakfast.
- Icelandic lamb: If you want to try Iceland's famous lamb, order kjötsúpa (lamb soup) or grilled lamb at a restaurant. The quality is exceptional.
- Kleinur: Icelandic twisted donuts, often spiced with cardamom. Perfect with coffee.
- Harðfiskur: Dried fish (usually haddock or cod) eaten as a snack with butter. Acquired taste but very Icelandic.
- Brennivín: Iceland's signature schnapps, often called "Black Death." Pairs with fermented shark (allegedly helps with the taste).
The food tour gives you the confidence to order these items on your own because you understand the context and cultural significance.
Don't Forget: Staying Connected in Iceland
Throughout your Iceland trip, reliable data makes everything easier. Beyond the food tour, you'll want connectivity for:
- Blue Lagoon reservations: Book in advance, use mobile tickets
- Golden Circle navigation: Self-driving requires Google Maps
- Weather checking: Iceland's weather changes fast - you need real-time updates
- Accommodation check-ins: Many Icelandic guesthouses use keyless entry with mobile codes
- Restaurant reservations: Popular spots in Reykjavik book up weeks in advance
- Sharing your experience: Iceland is one of the most photogenic countries on earth
Get connected before you fly
Visit stephandpete.co/holafly to get your Iceland eSIM. Choose your duration (we recommend at least 7 days for a Reykjavik + day trips itinerary), enter code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off, and install before your flight. Land in Iceland with unlimited data ready to go.
Get Holafly Iceland eSIMIf you're visiting Iceland as part of a larger European trip, consider Holafly's Europe regional plan. It covers Iceland plus 40+ other European countries with one eSIM, so you're not swapping SIMs at borders or managing multiple plans.
Final Thoughts: Is the Reykjavik Food Tour Worth It?
Iceland's food scene surprised us in the best way. Beyond the novelty items like fermented shark, there's genuinely excellent cuisine rooted in fresh, quality ingredients and centuries of tradition adapted for harsh climate survival.
The Wake Up Reykjavik food tour was money well spent. It gave us cultural context, introduced us to foods we wouldn't have tried otherwise, helped us understand Icelandic food culture, and set us up with recommendations and confidence for the rest of our trip.
Bottom line: If you're visiting Reykjavik, especially for the first time, make time for this experience. Budget around $140 per person, come hungry, dress warmly, and be open to trying new things. You'll leave with a full stomach, great photos, and a much deeper appreciation for Icelandic cuisine.
And don't forget to sort your connectivity before you go - being connected makes everything from navigation to restaurant reservations to sharing your incredible Iceland photos so much easier.
Book the food tour: Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour on GetYourGuide
Get connected: Holafly Iceland eSIM with code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you purchase Holafly using our link or code STEPHANDPETE, or if you book the Wake Up Reykjavik tour through our GetYourGuide link, at no extra cost to you. We use Holafly on our own travels and only book tours we genuinely enjoy and would recommend to friends.