The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour

Reykjavik’s sweetest sights arrive in small portions on this two-hour walk. You move from Ingólfstorg and Laugavegur to bakeries, dessert shops, an ice cream counter, and a spot serving Icelandic tastes such as skyr and fermented shark. The food gives you a tasty way to meet Icelandic customs without sitting through a formal meal.

I like the small group limit of 12, which gives guides room for questions and personal conversation. I also like that guides such as Óli, Þór, Bo, and Ester add city stories to the food, rather than simply handing you a pastry at each stop. The main drawback is value: at $109.04, you need to enjoy several samples and the storytelling to make the price worthwhile. It is also a poor fit for anyone who cannot have dairy.

Key points to know before you book

• Five main food stops, plus a central Reykjavik walk: Expect pastries, candy, skyr-based treats, ice cream, and other Icelandic tastes.
• A 2:00 pm start: The timing works well for an afternoon snack tour, but you may want a lighter lunch first.
• Guides make the difference: Óli, Þór, Bo, Einar, Mathias, Stefan, Gudjon, and Ester are among the guides praised for friendly conversation and local stories.
• All samples are included: You do not need to budget extra for the listed tastings.
• Family-friendly pacing: Children have enjoyed the food, questions, and playful stories, including an introduction to Nordic gods.
• Dairy is central: Ice cream and skyr feature prominently, so this is not recommended if you are lactose intolerant.

A sweet way to get your bearings in Reykjavik

The tour begins at 2:00 pm at Ingólfstorg, the square beside Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6. Look for the two stone pillars, each more than three meters high. Your Friend in Reykjavik guides usually wear a light blue jacket with the company name on the back, which makes the meeting point easier to spot.

From there, you walk through central Reykjavik at an easy pace. The route includes Laugavegur, the city’s main shopping street, and nearby downtown lanes. This is not a long-distance walking tour. The food stops break up the stroll, and the guide keeps the focus on stories, conversation, and tasting.

I like starting here because the tour gives you more than a sugar rush. A guide may talk about Icelandic culture, local customs, childhood memories, or the background of a particular food. Guides have also answered questions about current Icelandic life and offered suggestions for the rest of your stay.

The group size matters. With no more than 12 people, you have a better chance of hearing the guide and asking about something that catches your interest. Some departures may be much smaller, even turning into a private-feeling walk for a couple or a family.

Baka Baka and the pleasures of Icelandic baking

Baka Baka is the first major food stop. The emphasis here is on traditional Icelandic pastries, often served with a hot drink or another small sweet. One pastry that deserves your attention is the Happy Marriage, which has become a favorite for several people taking this tour.

The point of this stop is not simply to eat something flaky. Your guide explains how bakery traditions fit into everyday Icelandic life and why certain pastries matter. You get a sense of the warmth and comfort attached to baking in a country where a café break is an easy part of the day.

The portion sizes are not presented as a full meal, but the samples add up quickly. If you arrive after a large lunch, you may find yourself full before the final stop. I would eat lightly beforehand, especially since the tour starts in the middle of the afternoon and ends with more dessert.

Baka Baka is also a useful stop for visitors who want something they can return to later on their own. Pay attention to the pastries you like best and note the shop’s location. The tour introduces you to places you can revisit without paying for another guided walk.

Taste of Iceland brings savory surprises

Taste of Iceland changes the rhythm. The name suggests sweets, but the tasting can include more than sugar. Expect local items such as skyr, fermented shark, dried fish, candy, or other Icelandic specialties.

Fermented shark is not included because it is universally easy to love. It is a famous Icelandic food, and trying a small piece lets you decide what you think without ordering a larger serving. Dried haddock may also appear, which creates one of the tour’s clearest points of tension: some people appreciate the wider look at Icelandic food, while others feel that fish does not belong on a sweet-focused tour.

That distinction is worth considering before booking. If you want only cakes, ice cream, and candy, the savory samples may feel off-theme. If you like learning how a country eats beyond its postcard dishes, this stop adds useful contrast.

The shop also gives the guide a chance to explain quality, tradition, and Icelandic taste. The best way to approach this stop is with curiosity, not the expectation that every bite will become a favorite.

Valdís proves that Icelanders eat ice cream in any weather

At Ísbúðin litla Valdís, the tour turns fully toward dessert. Valdís is known for creamy ice cream and a broad choice of flavors. Your guide selects or recommends flavors, giving you a chance to try something you might not have chosen alone.

The shop is part of Reykjavik’s ice cream culture, and the tour points out a local habit that surprises many visitors: Icelanders eat ice cream even when the weather is cold. You may be walking in chilly air, but that does not make the cone feel out of place.

This is one of the most popular portions of the tour for families. Children have enjoyed choosing flavors, while adults tend to appreciate the relaxed stop after the more unusual Icelandic foods. It is also a reminder that Icelandic food culture is not limited to dramatic specialties. Everyday pleasures matter too.

The practical warning is simple. Ice cream is a central part of the route, not a minor extra. If you are lactose intolerant, the tour is specifically not recommended. The listed information does not promise dairy-free substitutions, so you should not assume that a suitable alternative will be available.

Dass Reykjavik finishes with skyr cake

The final food stop is Dass Reykjavik, where you try a cake made with skyr. Skyr is one of Iceland’s best-known dairy foods. It has a thick texture and a mild, tangy taste, and it appears in both everyday eating and dessert.

The skyr cake gives the tour a fitting finish. It connects the familiar idea of cake with a distinctly Icelandic ingredient. If you have already tried plain skyr during your visit, this dessert lets you see how it works in a sweeter form.

The route description gives Dass Reykjavik 25 minutes, while other descriptions of the tour refer to five main food stops. Timing and the exact selection can change, so think of this as a food walk with a flexible tasting sequence rather than a fixed restaurant menu. The important point is that pastries, ice cream, skyr, candy, and local specialties are part of the expected food mix.

The guides are a major part of the value

Food tours live or die by the person holding the umbrella, and this one depends heavily on its guide. Names associated with this experience include Óli, Bjarni Þór, Bo, Einar, Mathias, Stefan, Gudjon, Ester, and Arnr.

The strongest guide style here is conversational. Óli has been praised for making the first day in Iceland more useful by offering recommendations. Þór has been noted for connecting each treat with Reykjavik and Icelandic history. Bo has combined city stories with the tasting stops, while Ester has brought a calm, personal tone to the afternoon.

You may also get photographs taken along the way and shared after the tour. That is not the central reason to book, but it is a thoughtful extra when available. Families have especially valued guides who stay patient with children and welcome a steady stream of questions.

The guides also make room for small, unscheduled moments. One family ended up feeding swans with their children during the walk. That is not a guaranteed stop, but it shows how the outing can feel less rigid than a checklist of shops.

How much food do you actually get?

Come hungry, but do not expect a sit-down lunch. The tour includes all listed samples, and the total amount can be surprisingly filling. Pastries, hot chocolate, candy, ice cream, yogurt or skyr, cake, and savory Icelandic bites can add up to a substantial afternoon.

This is why I would avoid a heavy lunch beforehand. Several people have found themselves very full by the end, even after eating before the 2:00 pm start. You should also plan a later dinner, especially if you want to enjoy every sample rather than politely decline the final one.

The menu is not a formal tasting card with a guaranteed set of flavors. Food availability and shop offerings can change. One person felt the tour included less interesting menu items in an effort to control costs, while others found every stop worthwhile. That difference comes down to expectations. You are paying for a guided route, explanations, company, and a range of samples, not simply the retail price of each bite.

Is $109.04 a fair price?

At $109.04 per person, this is not the cheapest way to buy a pastry and an ice cream in Reykjavik. If you already know the downtown shops and are comfortable ordering on your own, you can likely spend less by visiting cafés independently.

The price makes more sense if you value the guide. You are paying for a two-hour walk, a small group, cultural context, help choosing what to taste, and all listed samples. You also avoid the work of planning a route between several shops. For a first afternoon in Reykjavik, that can be useful.

The 4.7 rating from 37 reviews and 95 percent recommendation figure suggest a strong overall record, though the small number of ratings means you should not treat those numbers as a guarantee. The main praise centers on the guides, the range of food, and the mix of history with dessert.

I would call the tour a reasonable value for a first-time visitor who wants a friendly introduction to Reykjavik and enjoys trying many small foods. I would not call it a bargain for an experienced Reykjavik visitor who has already been to most of the stops.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is a good choice for families. Children can handle the short walking sections, the food arrives in appealing forms, and the guides have been able to hold young attention with stories about Iceland and Nordic gods. The small group also makes it easier for a guide to answer repeated questions without rushing.

It works well for couples and solo visitors, too. A very small departure can feel almost private, and the conversational style gives you an easy way to ask for restaurant or sightseeing suggestions.

You should consider another activity if you avoid dairy, want a strictly savory food tour, or have limited interest in sweets. The tour is also less useful if you have already visited Baka Baka, Valdís, and the other food stops on your own.

Wear comfortable shoes and a warm layer. The walking is easy, but Icelandic weather can change, and you will spend time outdoors between shops. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate.

Booking details that matter

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It begins at 2:00 pm at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, and returns to the same meeting point.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The group has a maximum of 12 people, and the experience requires a minimum number to operate. If that minimum is not met, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Icelandic time, so check the clock carefully if you are booking from abroad.

Should you book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

Book it if you want a gentle introduction to Reykjavik through pastries, ice cream, skyr cake, candy, and a few more unusual Icelandic tastes. The strongest reason to go is the guide-led conversation. Names such as Óli, Þór, Bo, and Ester come up for good reason: the right guide turns a snack route into a personal city walk.

Skip it if you have already visited the stops, need dairy-free food, or want the lowest-cost way to sample Reykjavik desserts. For everyone else, eat a light lunch, bring a warm layer, and leave room for one more pastry than you think you can manage.

FAQ

Where does the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour start?

It starts at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, in Reykjavik. The guide meets the group at Ingólfstorg by the two tall stone pillars, in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 2:00 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

What food is included?

Samples can include Icelandic pastries, candy, skyr, skyr cake, ice cream, and local specialties such as fermented shark or dried fish. All listed tastings are included in the tour cost.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. Most people can participate, and children have enjoyed the pastries, ice cream, stories, and opportunities to ask questions. The group size is limited to 12 people.

Is the tour suitable for someone who is lactose intolerant?

It is not recommended for people who are lactose intolerant because ice cream is part of the experience.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.