Wake Up Reykjavik - a local travel company built around one simple idea: helping travelers fall in love with Iceland the way we have.

 We do that through carefully chosen tours, local insight, and personal service that helps our guests get more out of every part of their trip.


 has been at the heart of what we do, helping thousands of travelers discover Reykjavik through authentic food, local stories, and hidden gems. If you want to connect with fun locals, get a real taste of Icelandic culture, and make the most of your trip, you’re in the right place.

Hi, I’m Egill, one of the locals behind Wake Up Reykjavik.

Back in 2014, my best friend and I started noticing something that didn’t sit right with us. More and more travelers were visiting Reykjavik, but many were missing the version of the city we knew and loved. They were eating at tourist-trap restaurants, arriving too early to the bars we worked at, and overlooking the cosy local spots that make our little capital so special ...

We kept thinking: they can’t go home after this and say they truly fell in love with Reykjavik.

If only they could see the city the way we did, visit the best local hangouts, try the truly authentic dishes, and experience the real charm of Reykjavik.

What if we could help travelers experience Reykjavik like a local?

Our goal became simple: to show travelers how awesome our hometown really is.

And just like that, Wake Up Reykjavik was born.

From the Perfect Night to the Perfect Day

In the beginning, our focus was not food. It was nightlife.

I was working as a cocktail bartender in one of Reykjavik’s busiest clubs, and every evening I saw travelers make the same mistake: finding the right places, but at the wrong time, or ending up in the tourist bars across the street.

So we created The Perfect Night in Reykjavik, later known as the Reykjavik Bar Crawl.

Our mission was simple: if someone only had one night out in Reykjavik, we wanted it to be perfect.

Those early nights were pure fun. We met amazing people from all over the world, made new friends every weekend, and loved hearing travelers say their night out with us was the highlight of their trip.

Then came a nudge from someone who knows me best: 

She is a passionate foodie and probably the best chef I know. After trying food tours abroad, she said, “You two should do a food tour in Reykjavik. You’d be great at it, and it’s the best way to experience a new city.”

At first, we laughed it off. But eventually, we realized she was right.

We had both worked in kitchens, loved Icelandic food, and were passionate about showing travelers the best of Reykjavik. So we started planning what a food tour here could look like, carefully choosing the must-try dishes, the right restaurants, the most scenic route, and the little details that would make it fun and unforgettable.

We wanted it to feel like the best day ever in Reykjavik, the kind of day we would create for our own family visiting from abroad.

Two lovely girls from Canada joined us. The tour lasted nearly six hours (we were a little ambitious on that first one), but it was an incredible day. Afterwards, we sat by the ocean with a local beer and talked about how to make the next tour even better.

From that day on, the Reykjavik Food Walk became our life’s mission.

To create unforgettable memories in Reykjavik, help travelers experience the city like true locals, make new friends, and fall in love with Icelandic cuisine.

How a Local Idea Became a Worldwide Favourite

For the first few years, we guided every single tour ourselves because we genuinely did not think anyone else could do it quite like we did.

A few years in, local chefs, bartenders, and friends started joining the team, and 

that is when Wake Up Reykjavik really came alive

. What began as a tiny operation grew into a family of 20 to 30 local legends: students, actors, chefs, entrepreneurs, and even a national bodybuilding champion.

Each guide brings their own humour, stories, and love for Reykjavik, and that has always been a huge part of the magic.

we became the #1-rated tour in Iceland on TripAdvisor

, and soon after, TripAdvisor began featuring us in its annual list of the Top 20 Experiences in the World. Then, in 2020, we were 

named the #1 Food Experience in the World

That was surreal, and it only gave us more motivation to keep improving and never forget why we started.

Today, not much has changed in spirit. We are still here in Reykjavik, doing what we love: helping guests from all over the world experience our city like locals. 

We host Food Walks nearly every day of the year

, and we are still just as excited for each one as we were for that very first tour.

We never imagined it would grow into something this special, or that people would travel across the world just to join our little food tour in Iceland.

2014 - Wake Up Reykjavik founded by two local friends. The Reykjavik Bar Crawl is born

2018 - Featured in major international media

Want to Experience Reykjavik Like a Local?

Meet up with one of our local legends and let us guide you through the beautiful streets of Reykjavik, taste authentic Icelandic dishes, and visit our favourite restaurants in town.

Let’s have a perfect day in Reykjavik together.

📍 Klapparstígur 25, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland

Wake Up Reykjavik

WHAT IS

WAKE UP REYKJAVIK?

Before reaching out, we recommend checking the FAQ section at the bottom of the relevant tour page, as many common questions are answered there.

Still need help? Send us a message through the contact form below, and we’ll be in touch as soon as we can, usually the same day or the following day depending on our office hours.

Contact us

only this March 1st 🍻 Almost Sold Out! 🔥

The Reykjavik Food & Drinks tour is a fantastic way to get to know the city, our culture and cuisine. Visit our most favourite restaurants and bars in town, have a taste of the Icelandic cuisine, Icelandic beers and learn about our bizarre local beer history. 

If this sounds like a fun activity, then this is the tour for you!

The Reykjavik Food & Drinks tour is primarily a tour to have a great time. Meet a group of other travellers with a fun local to eat and drink your way through the central area, visiting 5 places. From super trendy and hip gastro pubs, to cozy craft beer places to a small family run restaurant, this tour gives you a taste of it all. 

Just make sure that you show up hungry and thirsty. We'll take care of the rest! All food and drinks are included in the tour. 

Reykjavik Food & Drink Adventure

Visit some of our favorite local restaurants, try delicious Icelandic cuisine paired with some tasty drinks, hear about our bizarre beer history, and have fun with a local guide! 

Ready to taste the best of Iceland? Join a fun local guide on a delicious adventure through downtown Reykjavik and discover the city’s culture, history, and vibrant food scene - all in one experience.

You’ll sample 8 unique Icelandic dishes: from hearty comfort food that has kept Icelanders happy for centuries to mouthwatering street bites, modern fine dining twists on local classics, and of course, a few sweet surprises.

With hundreds of restaurants across the city, we’ve hand-picked our absolute favorites - hidden gems in the heart of Reykjavik, run by passionate locals who put their heart into every dish.

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with family, or with friends, this tour is an unforgettable way to begin your Icelandic adventure.

Book your spot today and get ready for your foodie journey through Reykjavik!

REYKJAVIK FOOD TOUR

Explore the highlights of Reykjavik with a fun local guide, visit a few of our favourite hand-picked restaurants and enjoy delicious traditional Icelandic cuisine! 

The Northern Lights are one of nature’s greatest shows - and it’s no surprise they top the Iceland bucket list for so many of our guests. Seeing the Aurora Borealis dance across Iceland’s night sky is nothing short of magical.

On this Northern Lights Adventure, we’ve teamed up with a trusted local partner behind Iceland’s highest-rated Northern Lights experience. Together, we’ll leave Reykjavik’s glow behind and journey into the Icelandic countryside, where dark skies and clear horizons give you the very best chance of seeing the aurora.

Your expert Northern Lights guide uses live weather and solar-activity forecasts to choose the night’s most promising location - often revealing hidden gems along the way, from moonlit lava fields to snow-dusted mountains that few travelers ever see.

Then comes the moment everyone waits for: when ribbons of green, pink, and violet begin to swirl above you. As the lights dance overhead, you’ll sip hot chocolate, taste a freshly baked Icelandic pastry (included), and soak in the quiet wonder of the Arctic night.

Best chance to see the lights + Refunds, Retries & Cancellation

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings can never be guaranteed - but this tour gives you the best possible odds. If the aurora doesn’t appear, you can join again on another night free of charge. And if conditions look poor, our team will automatically reschedule to the next evening to save your time and maximize your chances.

Because of this flexible setup, we strongly recommend booking your Northern Lights tour for your first night in Iceland (or early in your stay) - leaving room to reschedule and chase the aurora under the best conditions possible.

NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR

Maximize your chances of seeing the incredible Aurora Borealis with the guidance of a local Northern Lights expert!



Contact us

Or you can find our tours here!