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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Iris

Reykjavík, Iceland

USD
$128-$306 per person

Icelandic home-cooking with musical hosts in downtown Reykjavik

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Iris

Meet Iris and Nonni, two hospitable Icelanders with a passion for travel, food, and music. They run a travel company and lead trips all over their country and are a wealth of knowledge about history, geology, culture and of course, the local food! Iris is a skilled home-cook who says good cooking is in her veins. Her mother was an excellent cook and her daughter has inherited the skill, too. Iris says that the food Icelanders eat at home is completely different from what is found in local restaurants. At home, many meat dishes are slow cooked in the oven and are served simply with potatoes and fresh vegetables that are grown in their greenhouses using geothermal energy. The greenhouses afford them fresh produce year-round, even in the cold, dark winter.

Iris and Nonni are musicians who love to sing. She is learning opera and he sings with two choirs, so don't be surprised if they treat you to a song or two!

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-12 guests) A typical meal at Iris and Nonni’s table includes slow-roasted meat, often Icelandic lamb which is organic and exclusively pasture-raised, local fish like Atlantic salmon that is served, raw, smoked or baked, potato dishes, and bright, fresh vegetables. Your Icelandic meal might begin with appetizer like a raw salmon salad and then continue with a hearty main dish such as leg of lamb with roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables from their greenhouse, and a fresh salad. For dessert Iris offers sweets like berries with traditional Icelandic skyr (a local cultured dairy product like yogurt) or a seasonal fruit tart.

Cooking experience: (2-12 guests) Join Iris and Nonni in the kitchen for a hands-on cooking experience. They will teach you how to prepare 2-3 dishes that are easy to replicate at home. Their kitchen is large and open, and you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at preparing foods like salmon salad, fresh greens, or dessert. Iris is excited to share her culture through food and offer an authentic/traditional cooking class in Reykjavik. She can also accommodate vegetarian diet in her Icelandic cooking class.

Market visit: (2-4 guests) Meet your hosts at their home and then drive to the nearby market. They will introduce you to some of their favorite Icelandic products and teach you about local agriculture. As you browse you might pick up a few ingredients for your meal. When your visit is complete you'll drive back to their home to begin cooking.

Languages spoken: English, German, Icelandic

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Salmon tartare salad
  • Roasted leg of lamb
  • Roasted potatoes
  • Seasonal vegetables
  • Berry mousse
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

When you travel to Iris and Nonnie’s home you will be greeted with such warm smiles from two very interesting people who will offer you a drink and some appetizers. We enjoyed a nice getting to know you discussion about the neighborhood and how they became Icelanders. We then moved to dinner where Iris served an amazing salmon salad, Icelandic lamb, potatoes, and these curious green vegetables that looked like peas. We enjoyed truly being treated as guests, our conversation was lively, and the experience was a true joy. We tried some Icelandic after-dinner liquors with our dessert that was similar to custard with berries (very tasty). We finished our evening with some Grand Marnier and my husband wanted to try the electric bicycle for a spin so he and Nonnie went for a quick ride while Iris and I chatted. It was a very treasured experience, the generosity of the hosts was sincere, and it is an experience I will never forget.
Our dinner the previous night with one bottle of wine in a nice restaurant was $250 USD. This dinner surpassed that one measurably, and you cannot put a price on the experience to learn about the local culture and economy while enjoying an amazing dinner.

Lynda, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (12)
Iris and Nonni are excellent hosts! My wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary in Reykjavik and this was the best anniversary meal we could have asked for. Being locals, they are obviously knowledgeable of the city and country, as well as great conversation about family, music, and culture. If you get this rare opportunity to be hosted by Iris and Nonni, you will not be disappointed. They may even perform a song or two for you!
- ATLspencer76 January 31, 2023
Iris and Nonni are great, very warm and welcoming!We are new to Travelling Spoon, but Iris and Nonni are the perfect hosts. Their home is beautiful and we were lucky enough to be there when they had it decorated for Christmas and it was stunning. They instantly made us feel like old friends and we enjoyed an evening of great conversation, fantastic food that ended with some musical fun! Dinner started with appetizers of salmon two ways served with traditional breads and flatbreads. The main course was lamb two ways, a delicious slow roasted lamb in gravy and Nonni’s traditional family recipe of breaded lamb chops (both were fabulous!). We had sides of roasted potatoes, potato salad, green salad, peas and picked red cabbage. Dessert was a stuffed crepe served with fresh cream and fruit. Everything was delicious! Iris and Nonni are very musical and had a piano and a couple of guitars. Iris is a diva in training. She has been taking operatic singing lessons and has a wonderful voice, so Nonni played piano, my husband played guitar and Iris and I sang along. What fun! This night was definitely a highlight for us on our trip to Iceland and we can’t thank Iris and Nonni enough for their hospitality!
- Rusty7boy November 27, 2019
We had dinner at Iris’ the evening of our arrival. The meal was an amazing home cooked style Icelandic dinner. The desert was particularly excellent. While our party was a little tired from travel and had to cut our evening a bit short we were treated to a private concert. The whole evening was memorable and a great start to our trip to Iceland. Thanks so much!
- Justins_journey September 02, 2019
Fabulous experience! The food was only part of it. Our hosts were so very nice and pleasant, made music for us, and gave my husband a badly needed haircut (the hostess has a salon about a block away) being with them was a real treat!
- Camper781085 August 09, 2019
You owe this to yourself. Don't miss out! My wife and I loved it. The market tour was interesting, learning to cook the Icelandic dishes fun, dinner and conversation delicious and informative. These two are well-educated, well-traveled, and tremendously entertaining. We totally owe them some nice bottles of Oregon wine.
- Wanderlust20192019 July 11, 2019
We spent a lovely snowy afternoon in Iris and Nonni's warm and cozy place. Five of us from CA were in Iceland on a tour and had an afternoon free - we thought what better way to see Reykjavik than to have a meal in a local's home? YES! This meal and comraderie and song filled afternoon exceeded our expectations!.
- 654debs January 25, 2019
My girlfriend and I met with Iris and Nonni to learn how to cook Icelandic food. They not only welcomed us into their home but also took us to a local store, gave us a small tour of the city and hosted a fantastic meal in their home. It was one of our favorite and most memorable experiences. I would highly recommend them!
- dkmeek08 December 05, 2018
My daughter and I took a cooking class from Iris and Nonni--a very accomplished couple who love cooking and went all-out to make our experience memorable. They created a feast similar to what Icelanders prepare for Christmas. We had two starters of blinis with smoked salmon and the traditional dried fish "hardfiskur" which is eaten with delicious Icelandic butter (the best butter in the world!). Then, we had potatoes two ways, fish AND roast lamb, plus a lovely dessert. Iris is a hairstylist who has competed internationally and written two books, Nonni is an artist and musician—his amazing music was the backdrop for our meal. We definitely recommend them!
- vagabondodelmondo September 10, 2018
Had dinner with Iris and Nonni. Learned about Icelandic society and got many good tips for local area travel. The couple are open, friendly, welcoming, and generous. And the meal was delicious!
- Clover88Live April 03, 2018
Iris and Nonni were fantastic hosts. We chose to get an in-home meal with them the day we all arrived in Reykjavik. They were accommodating to food allergies, flexible with time, and most importantly absolutely lovely people! It was a great way to start our trip and get a flavor for the culture, places we should visit, local suggestions, etc. They were energetic, fun, and funny! They matched my group's energy well. Everyone had a great time, and I cannot recommend Iris and Nonni enough!
- KristiSF October 16, 2017
"Iris and Nonni were fantastic hosts. We chose to get an in-home meal with them the day we all arrived in Reykjavik. They were accommodating to food allergies, flexible with time, and most importantly absolutely lovely people! It was a great way to start our trip and get a flavor for the culture, places we should visit, local suggestions, etc. They were energetic, fun, and funny! They matched my group's energy well. Everyone had a great time, and I cannot recommend Iris and Nonni enough!"
- KristiSF September 01, 2017
Iris and Nonni were fantastic hosts. We chose to get an in-home meal with them the day we all arrived in Reykjavik. They were accommodating to food allergies, flexible with time, and most importantly absolutely lovely people! It was a great way to start our trip and get a flavor for the culture, places we should visit, local suggestions, etc. They were energetic, fun, and funny! They matched my group's energy well. Everyone had a great time, and I cannot recommend Iris and Nonni enough!
- Kristi August 05, 2017
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Iris

$128-$306 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $154 $128
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $250 $204
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $306 Not offered
Alcohol
 $46 per person
Transportation
 $76 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $154 $128
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $250 $204
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $306 Not offered
Alcohol
 $46 per person
Transportation
 $76 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Iris

Meet Iris and Nonni, two hospitable Icelanders with a passion for travel, food, and music. They run a travel company and lead trips all over their country and are a wealth of knowledge about history, geology, culture and of course, the local food! Iris is a skilled home-cook who says good cooking is in her veins. Her mother was an excellent cook and her daughter has inherited the skill, too. Iris says that the food Icelanders eat at home is completely different from what is found in local restaurants. At home, many meat dishes are slow cooked in the oven and are served simply with potatoes and fresh vegetables that are grown in their greenhouses using geothermal energy. The greenhouses afford them fresh produce year-round, even in the cold, dark winter.

Iris and Nonni are musicians who love to sing. She is learning opera and he sings with two choirs, so don't be surprised if they treat you to a song or two!

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-12 guests) A typical meal at Iris and Nonni’s table includes slow-roasted meat, often Icelandic lamb which is organic and exclusively pasture-raised, local fish like Atlantic salmon that is served, raw, smoked or baked, potato dishes, and bright, fresh vegetables. Your Icelandic meal might begin with appetizer like a raw salmon salad and then continue with a hearty main dish such as leg of lamb with roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables from their greenhouse, and a fresh salad. For dessert Iris offers sweets like berries with traditional Icelandic skyr (a local cultured dairy product like yogurt) or a seasonal fruit tart.

Cooking experience: (2-12 guests) Join Iris and Nonni in the kitchen for a hands-on cooking experience. They will teach you how to prepare 2-3 dishes that are easy to replicate at home. Their kitchen is large and open, and you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at preparing foods like salmon salad, fresh greens, or dessert. Iris is excited to share her culture through food and offer an authentic/traditional cooking class in Reykjavik. She can also accommodate vegetarian diet in her Icelandic cooking class.

Market visit: (2-4 guests) Meet your hosts at their home and then drive to the nearby market. They will introduce you to some of their favorite Icelandic products and teach you about local agriculture. As you browse you might pick up a few ingredients for your meal. When your visit is complete you'll drive back to their home to begin cooking.

Languages spoken: English, German, Icelandic

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Salmon tartare salad
  • Roasted leg of lamb
  • Roasted potatoes
  • Seasonal vegetables
  • Berry mousse
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

When you travel to Iris and Nonnie’s home you will be greeted with such warm smiles from two very interesting people who will offer you a drink and some appetizers. We enjoyed a nice getting to know you discussion about the neighborhood and how they became Icelanders. We then moved to dinner where Iris served an amazing salmon salad, Icelandic lamb, potatoes, and these curious green vegetables that looked like peas. We enjoyed truly being treated as guests, our conversation was lively, and the experience was a true joy. We tried some Icelandic after-dinner liquors with our dessert that was similar to custard with berries (very tasty). We finished our evening with some Grand Marnier and my husband wanted to try the electric bicycle for a spin so he and Nonnie went for a quick ride while Iris and I chatted. It was a very treasured experience, the generosity of the hosts was sincere, and it is an experience I will never forget.
Our dinner the previous night with one bottle of wine in a nice restaurant was $250 USD. This dinner surpassed that one measurably, and you cannot put a price on the experience to learn about the local culture and economy while enjoying an amazing dinner.

Lynda, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (12)
Iris and Nonni are excellent hosts! My wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary in Reykjavik and this was the best anniversary meal we could have asked for. Being locals, they are obviously knowledgeable of the city and country, as well as great conversation about family, music, and culture. If you get this rare opportunity to be hosted by Iris and Nonni, you will not be disappointed. They may even perform a song or two for you!
- ATLspencer76 January 31, 2023
Iris and Nonni are great, very warm and welcoming!We are new to Travelling Spoon, but Iris and Nonni are the perfect hosts. Their home is beautiful and we were lucky enough to be there when they had it decorated for Christmas and it was stunning. They instantly made us feel like old friends and we enjoyed an evening of great conversation, fantastic food that ended with some musical fun! Dinner started with appetizers of salmon two ways served with traditional breads and flatbreads. The main course was lamb two ways, a delicious slow roasted lamb in gravy and Nonni’s traditional family recipe of breaded lamb chops (both were fabulous!). We had sides of roasted potatoes, potato salad, green salad, peas and picked red cabbage. Dessert was a stuffed crepe served with fresh cream and fruit. Everything was delicious! Iris and Nonni are very musical and had a piano and a couple of guitars. Iris is a diva in training. She has been taking operatic singing lessons and has a wonderful voice, so Nonni played piano, my husband played guitar and Iris and I sang along. What fun! This night was definitely a highlight for us on our trip to Iceland and we can’t thank Iris and Nonni enough for their hospitality!
- Rusty7boy November 27, 2019
We had dinner at Iris’ the evening of our arrival. The meal was an amazing home cooked style Icelandic dinner. The desert was particularly excellent. While our party was a little tired from travel and had to cut our evening a bit short we were treated to a private concert. The whole evening was memorable and a great start to our trip to Iceland. Thanks so much!
- Justins_journey September 02, 2019
Fabulous experience! The food was only part of it. Our hosts were so very nice and pleasant, made music for us, and gave my husband a badly needed haircut (the hostess has a salon about a block away) being with them was a real treat!
- Camper781085 August 09, 2019
You owe this to yourself. Don't miss out! My wife and I loved it. The market tour was interesting, learning to cook the Icelandic dishes fun, dinner and conversation delicious and informative. These two are well-educated, well-traveled, and tremendously entertaining. We totally owe them some nice bottles of Oregon wine.
- Wanderlust20192019 July 11, 2019
We spent a lovely snowy afternoon in Iris and Nonni's warm and cozy place. Five of us from CA were in Iceland on a tour and had an afternoon free - we thought what better way to see Reykjavik than to have a meal in a local's home? YES! This meal and comraderie and song filled afternoon exceeded our expectations!.
- 654debs January 25, 2019
My girlfriend and I met with Iris and Nonni to learn how to cook Icelandic food. They not only welcomed us into their home but also took us to a local store, gave us a small tour of the city and hosted a fantastic meal in their home. It was one of our favorite and most memorable experiences. I would highly recommend them!
- dkmeek08 December 05, 2018
My daughter and I took a cooking class from Iris and Nonni--a very accomplished couple who love cooking and went all-out to make our experience memorable. They created a feast similar to what Icelanders prepare for Christmas. We had two starters of blinis with smoked salmon and the traditional dried fish "hardfiskur" which is eaten with delicious Icelandic butter (the best butter in the world!). Then, we had potatoes two ways, fish AND roast lamb, plus a lovely dessert. Iris is a hairstylist who has competed internationally and written two books, Nonni is an artist and musician—his amazing music was the backdrop for our meal. We definitely recommend them!
- vagabondodelmondo September 10, 2018
Had dinner with Iris and Nonni. Learned about Icelandic society and got many good tips for local area travel. The couple are open, friendly, welcoming, and generous. And the meal was delicious!
- Clover88Live April 03, 2018
Iris and Nonni were fantastic hosts. We chose to get an in-home meal with them the day we all arrived in Reykjavik. They were accommodating to food allergies, flexible with time, and most importantly absolutely lovely people! It was a great way to start our trip and get a flavor for the culture, places we should visit, local suggestions, etc. They were energetic, fun, and funny! They matched my group's energy well. Everyone had a great time, and I cannot recommend Iris and Nonni enough!
- KristiSF October 16, 2017
"Iris and Nonni were fantastic hosts. We chose to get an in-home meal with them the day we all arrived in Reykjavik. They were accommodating to food allergies, flexible with time, and most importantly absolutely lovely people! It was a great way to start our trip and get a flavor for the culture, places we should visit, local suggestions, etc. They were energetic, fun, and funny! They matched my group's energy well. Everyone had a great time, and I cannot recommend Iris and Nonni enough!"
- KristiSF September 01, 2017
Iris and Nonni were fantastic hosts. We chose to get an in-home meal with them the day we all arrived in Reykjavik. They were accommodating to food allergies, flexible with time, and most importantly absolutely lovely people! It was a great way to start our trip and get a flavor for the culture, places we should visit, local suggestions, etc. They were energetic, fun, and funny! They matched my group's energy well. Everyone had a great time, and I cannot recommend Iris and Nonni enough!
- Kristi August 05, 2017
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $154 $128
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $250 $204
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $306 Not offered
Alcohol
 $46 per person
Transportation
 $76 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $154 $128
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $250 $204
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $306 Not offered
Alcohol
 $46 per person
Transportation
 $76 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.