CrissCross
A food tour operator offering curated farm visits and artisan food tastings that take you deep into Icelandic food culture, far beyond the typical tourist trail.
If you want to understand Icelandic food -- really understand it, beyond the tourist menus and the souvenir shops -- CrissCross is the best way in. This is not a restaurant but a food experience operator, and the difference matters. Rather than serving you a meal in a dining room, CrissCross takes you to the source: the farms, the producers, and the landscapes that shape what Iceland eats.
What They Do
CrissCross organises small-group day tours that explore Iceland's food culture through direct encounters with the people who create it. A typical tour might include a visit to a dairy farm where you taste fresh skyr straight from production, a stop at an artisan bakery in a small village, a meeting with a sheep farmer who explains the free-range tradition, and tastings of local produce at places that no guidebook mentions.
The tours are designed by people who genuinely know and love Icelandic food, and that passion is evident in every stop. This is not a bus tour with a microphone -- it is an intimate, personal experience that connects you with the land and its people.
The Experience
What sets CrissCross apart is the depth of access. The farms they visit are working operations, not tourist attractions. The producers they introduce you to are craftspeople who have dedicated their lives to making exceptional food. The conversations are real, the tastings are generous, and by the end of the day you will have a deeper understanding of Icelandic food culture than most visitors ever achieve.
The tours also take in natural sights along the way -- waterfalls, hot springs, and landscapes that most tourists miss because they are not in the guidebooks. It is a reminder that in Iceland, food and nature are inseparable.
Practical Information
Tours depart from Reykjavik and typically last a full day. Group sizes are small, ensuring a personal experience. All food tastings are included in the price, and transport is provided. Booking ahead is essential, particularly during the peak summer months.
The Verdict
CrissCross is not for everyone. If you want a quick food fix, eat at a restaurant. But if you want to understand why Icelandic food tastes the way it does, where it comes from, and who makes it, this is the most rewarding food experience available in Iceland. It transforms eating from consumption into understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is CrissCross a restaurant?
- No, CrissCross is a food tour and experience operator rather than a traditional restaurant. They organise curated day tours that include farm visits, artisan food tastings, and explorations of Iceland's food culture.
- What kind of tours does CrissCross offer?
- Tours typically include visits to working farms, meetings with local food producers, tastings of artisan Icelandic products, and stops at lesser-known natural sights. Each tour is designed to reveal the stories behind Iceland's food.
- How do I book a CrissCross tour?
- Tours can be booked through their website at crisscross.is. Group sizes are small, so booking well in advance is recommended, especially during the summer season.
- How much do CrissCross tours cost?
- Tour prices vary depending on the itinerary and group size, but typically range from ISK 25,000-40,000 per person. The price includes transport, all food tastings, and a knowledgeable guide.
- Are CrissCross tours available year-round?
- Most tours operate during the summer months when farms are active and roads are accessible. Winter options may be available but are more limited. Check the website for seasonal availability.
- Where do the tours start?
- Tours typically depart from central Reykjavik with hotel pickup available. The itinerary takes you into the countryside, visiting farms and producers within driving distance of the capital.
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