Reykjavik Food Festival

About

The Reykjavik Food Festival transforms Iceland's charming capital into a culinary playground each September, offering families an exciting introduction to Nordic cuisine and local food culture. While wine tastings cater to adults, many venues offer special family-friendly events, cooking demonstrations, and opportunities for kids to sample Icelandic treats like fresh bread, dairy products, and unique local delicacies. It's a delicious way to immerse your family in Reykjavik's vibrant food scene while exploring the colorful downtown streets.

What to Expect

Expect a multi-venue festival spread across downtown Reykjavik's restaurants, cafes, and cultural spaces, with events ranging from chef demonstrations and food tastings to special themed dinners and market stalls. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, with many venues offering daytime family-oriented activities alongside evening adult-focused wine events. Some participating restaurants create special children's menus or tasting experiences during the festival, and the compact downtown layout makes it easy to stroll between venues. English is widely spoken at all venues, making ordering and communication effortless for international visitors.

Highlights for Kids

• Watching Icelandic chefs demonstrate traditional cooking techniques and modern Nordic cuisine
• Sampling unique Icelandic treats like fresh-baked bread, creamy skyr, and locally-made ice cream
• Exploring downtown Reykjavik's colorful buildings and street art while walking between festival venues
• Learning about sustainable fishing and Iceland's farm-to-table food culture through kid-friendly presentations
• Trying adventure foods like Icelandic hot dogs (pylsur), a local favorite that kids universally love

Pro Tips for Families

1. Download the festival program in advance and identify family-friendly daytime events early, as some venues require advance booking and popular cooking demonstrations fill quickly
2. September weather in Reykjavik is unpredictable—dress kids in layers and bring rain jackets for walking between venues; temperatures typically range from 5-10°C (41-50°F)
3. Many festival events are adults-only in the evenings, so plan your visits for daytime hours when restaurants are more accommodating to families
4. Use the festival as an opportunity to introduce kids to Icelandic specialties like skyr (yogurt), fresh fish, and lamb—many vendors offer small sample sizes perfect for cautious tasters

Best Time to Visit

Visit during daytime hours, particularly between 11am-3pm on weekends when many venues host family-friendly cooking workshops and market events. Weekday afternoons can be quieter if you're visiting restaurants participating in the festival. Avoid evening hours (after 6pm) when most events shift to adult wine tastings and formal dinners. If it's a multi-day festival, Saturday typically offers the most family-oriented programming.

Food & Drinks

Festival venues offer everything from traditional Icelandic fare (lamb, fish, dairy) to international cuisine, with many restaurants creating special tasting menus during the event. Most participating venues have standard menu items available alongside festival offerings, ensuring picky eaters can find familiar options. Look for vendors selling Icelandic hot dogs, fresh bread with butter, and skyr-based treats—these are typically kid-approved. Tap water in Iceland is safe and delicious, available free at all venues. Note that Iceland is expensive, so budget accordingly—a simple meal for a family of four can easily cost $80-100 USD at restaurants.

Parking & Access

Downtown Reykjavik is compact and best explored on foot, with most festival venues within a 10-15 minute walk of each other. If driving, use public parking garages like Kolaportið or Vesturgata (expect to pay around ISK 200-250 per hour). Many international visitors stay in downtown hotels and walk everywhere. The downtown area has good sidewalks but cobblestone streets in some areas make stroller navigation bumpy—a baby carrier may be more practical for infants. City buses (Strætó) connect outer areas to downtown; pay via the Klapp app or Strætó app (cash not accepted). Reykjavik is extremely safe for families walking around, even in the evening.