Experience true Nordic winter with these Iceland and Canada tours!

Taste the delicious local food in Iceland on these day tours in Reykjavik or in the countryside. We visit restaurants, farms, bars, breweries, hot springs and much more. A great experience for all food lovers traveling in Iceland.

Experience the unique drinking culture first-hand on beer or bar tours in Iceland. A must-do for every bars lover traveling to Iceland or even if you are just looking for a cold beverage to cool you down in "all the heat". Join us as we taste amazing local craft beer, visit bars and learn all about the drinking culture and history in Iceland.

Food & Drink Tours

Iceland has a surprisingly rich and varied culinary history. From piping hot bowls of lamb soup to fresh seafood — you name it, Iceland has it. Join our knowledgeable local guides for an authentic taste of Icelandic cuisine and discover just how delicious Icelandic food can be!

What food is Iceland famous for?

Scandinavian cuisine is very trendy these days. In fact, a number of Nordic restaurants are considered among the Top 10 restaurants in the world. Iceland’s top restaurants aren’t quite that well-known (yet!) -- but rest assured Iceland’s culinary traditions are rich and varied. 

icelandic arctic char dish

The country is home to a surprising selection of delicacies, especially when you consider Iceland’s small size and difficult weather conditions. Here are the dishes you just have to try during your time in Iceland: 

  • Slow Roasted Lamb. Lamb is an Icelandic staple and often served at celebratory dinners. Iceland’s sheep graze throughout the year and are not given drugs or growth hormones, making sheep products totally organic. If you visit an Icelandic restaurant or go on one of our food tasting tours, lamb is an absolutely must-try.
  • Kjötsúpa – Icelandic Lamb Soup. If you visit Iceland in the winter, you'll be sure to love the warming power of traditional lamb soup. This hearty dish is cooked with lamb shoulder and a variety of vegetables. Icelandic families usually have their own secret recipes that they pass down from generation to generation.
icelandic lamb soup in a restaurant
  • Harðfiskur - Dried Fish. Icelanders have a strong connection to the sea and many of Iceland’s most popular dishes are fish-based. Harðfiskur is typically made using cod or haddock and munched on while watching films or TV.
  • Hákarl - Fermented Shark. Farming in Iceland is difficult, so Icelanders of yesteryear couldn’t afford to be fussy eaters. Hákarl is a simple type of food that can be preserved and eaten during the long winter. This delicacy is made by fermenting shark for around five months. As you might expect, the smell is pretty gruesome. This Scandinavian specialty should be sampled by intrepid foodies who really want to push their taste buds.
icelandic fermented shark hakarl
  • Ice Cream. Icelanders are massive ice cream fans. Ice cream shops stay open throughout the year and offer a variety of different flavors, like popcorn or carrot cake ice cream. 
  • Pylsa – Hot Dog. Who can forget the original Icelandic fast food? Hot dogs here are legendary, a quick and cheap bite in the capital and on road. Unlike most hot dogs in the world, they are mostly made from local lamb. They’re typically served on a warm bun with crispy fried onions, brown mustard, ketchup, and remoulade. Look for a hot dog stand in the city or a pit stop on the Ring Road. 
hot dogs in reykjavik in iceland

What food tours do we offer?

We offer a growing selection of fabulous food tours. Each tour will show you a different side of Icelandic cuisine.  

Reykjavik Food Tour – If you're a foodie or simply love food, then our Reykjavik Food Tour is an absolute must. Our knowledgeable local guides will give you an authentic taste of Icelandic cuisine. They’ll introduce you to quaint, family-run establishments and some of Reykjavik's best fine-dining restaurants. The tour focuses on what Icelanders eat today, forgoing eye-catching delicacies like fermented shark and lamb's head for simple, well-cooked meals. Try piping hot lamb soup, velvety homemade ice cream, a delicious selection of Icelandic cheese and an Icelandic hot dog. 

The History of Beer in Iceland

Beer permeates through Icelandic culture and it's mentioned in many the Viking sagas despite the difficulty of growing barley in Iceland's extreme conditions. However, this all changed in 1915, when 60% of the country voted for a total ban on beer, wine, and spirits. The ban on wine was reversed in 1922 and the ban on spirits was lifted in 1935 – but beer remained banned in Iceland until 1989! The government argued that access to beer would tempt young and less-educated people into irresponsible drinking.

This led to Iceland developing a vibrant underground brewing industry. Beer was eventually relegalized in 1989 and the industry has been rapidly expanding ever since. Since that day, beer and beermaking in Iceland have become more and more popular, allowing beer to regain its rightful place as one of Iceland’s favorite beverages.

bartender with a tray of beer tasting glasses

Iceland Beer Day

Each March 1, Icelanders celebrate the day that beer was relegalized. Locals usually imbibe a few different concoctions, including ales, craft beers, and traditional lagers, making it a wonderful time to be in the country. If you're planning to visit on the first of March, then visiting a brewery or a traditional Icelandic pub during this cheerful festival is an absolute must!

Alcohol Laws in Iceland

The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20. In general, it’s a good idea to bring along your passport to show proof of your age in most establishments. Some bars and clubs have a minimum age requirement of 22-25, so it’s a good idea to check in with where you’d like to visit prior to visiting.

Iceland has very strict drinking and driving laws. The legal limit is currently 0.05, although there are plans to reduce this to 0.02 in the near future. In comparison, both the United States and Britain stand at 0.08. We obviously recommend that you don't consume any alcohol before you drive because even a small amount might put you over the limit. The fines for drunk driving are also very high, with the minimum being set at 70,000 ISK. Don’t do it.

Most Popular Icelandic Beers

The burgeoning Icelandic brewing industry has gone from strength to strength over recent years, offering a variety of white-crowned wonders that are perfect for every occasion. Here are some of the most popular beers on tap and bottled that you’ll find in Iceland.

  • Lava - An award-winning Icelandic beer brewed by Ölvisholt Brugghús – it’s an Imperial Russian Stout and won the ‘best Imperial smoked beer’ at the 2012 US Open Beer Championships. 
  • Leifur  A very popular Icelandic ale that is produced by the renowned Borg Brugghús brewery – it’s named after the first European to set foot on American soil. 
  • Kaldi  A popular Icelandic blonde beer that is brewed like a Pilsner – it’s golden copper color and bitter taste makes it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
  • Einstök White  A Bavarian-style beer that is especially popular in summer – Icelander’s like to have a slice of citrus with it to enhance its flavor. 
  • Bríó  An iconic beer from Borg, it’s made in the Pilsner style and was the first beer that the most famous brewery in Iceland ever created.
  • Viking Gold - A classic lager that is popular throughout the country – the ideal refreshment after a day of adventure in the land of fire and ice. 
beer tasting near gullfoss waterfall after rafting tour

Interesting Icelandic Drinks

Iceland has a fascinating drinking culture that extends well beyond beer – here are some of the more weird and wonderful Icelandic drinks... 

  • Brennivín - A clear schnapps that is made using fermented grain or mashed potatoes and flavored with caraway. It’s nicknamed the ‘Black Death’ and is famed for its strength – definitely not for the faint-hearted. It’s Iceland’s national drink and is a must-try for steely stomached visitors who want to warm themselves up during the long Icelandic winter. 
  • Whale Beer - An Icelandic brewery company began brewing beer infused with various kinds of whales in 2014. You can now try whale testicle-infused beer among many others. 
  • Fjallagrasa Moss Schnapps - A kind of sea moss that is soaked in an alcoholic solution and then served – it was once used as medicine in Iceland and is a great drink for adventurous souls to try. 
  • Opal - A popular drink that tastes like a kind of Icelandic candy – it was once described as a poison by Quentin Tarantino. Icelanders absolutely love it!
  • Reyka Vodka - A popular vodka that is made using water from a 4000-year-old lava field – Icelanders believe that it’s the best vodka in the world. 

FAQ

Our food tours occur throughout the year. Simply book f a slot and come with an empty stomach. We’ll sort out the rest!

We currently only run food tours in Iceland’s culinary capital, Reykjavik. If you’re looking for something further afield, why not check out our beer tasting and brewery tours?

We should be able to adapt the tour to your culinary needs. Please contact our team to inform us of your requirements.

No. Simply bring yourself, an open mind and an empty stomach. Our Reykjavik food tasting tour may require some walking, so please dress according to the season.

Alcohol is strictly regulated in Iceland, meaning that you can’t purchase it in grocery stores or supermarkets. Instead, you have to buy it from government-owned outlets called "Ríkið" (The State), which are also known as ATVR. They’re not open as late as the shops in many other countries, meaning that you may have to plan ahead. Generally, they’re open from

  • 11am-6pm from Monday to Thursday
  • 11am-5pm on Friday
  • 11am-6pm on Saturday
  • Closed on Sunday

You need to be of at least the age of 20 to drink in Iceland – this law is strictly enforced throughout the country and no exceptions will be made.

Yes, we recommend that you bring identification, a valid passport is best, especially if you are on the younger side (20-30).

Yes, younger people can go on our brewery tours. However, they won’t be allowed to taste the beer unless they are 20 or older.