The Icelandic Hot Dog: Your Guide to Ordering Pylsur Like a Local
Discover Icelandic hot dogs, or pylsur. Learn what makes them special, what toppings to order, how much they cost, and where to try one on your Iceland road trip.
Few foods are as closely associated with Iceland as the humble hot dog, or pylsa. Served from small stands, cafés, convenience stores, and even petrol stations around the country, Icelandic hot dogs are an easy, affordable, and distinctly local food to try during a road trip.
What makes them different? The traditional Icelandic hot dog combines lamb, pork, and beef, usually in a natural casing, and is served in a soft bun with a distinctive combination of toppings. The classic order is "eina með öllu", meaning "one with everything."
Whether you're exploring Reykjavík on foot or stopping at a petrol station during a Ring Road adventure, knowing how to order a pylsa like a local is a small but memorable part of the Iceland experience.
The Icelandic Hot Dog: Key Takeaways
An Icelandic hot dog is more than just a quick snack. It is one of the country's best-known examples of casual food culture and is especially convenient for travellers on the road.
Here are the essentials:
- Pylsa means one hot dog; pylsur is the plural.
- The traditional sausage is typically made with a blend of lamb, pork, and beef.
- The classic order is "eina með öllu" which means one with everything.
- Traditional toppings include raw onions, crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard, and remoulade.
- Icelandic hot dogs are widely available in Reykjavík, towns around the country, and many petrol stations.
- A hot dog is generally a relatively inexpensive way to grab a quick meal compared with a sit-down restaurant.
- You can customise your order if you don't want every topping.
- Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available at some vendors, although availability varies.
For a camper road trip, pylsur are particularly convenient. You can stop for one while refueling, exploring a small town, or taking a break from driving without committing to a long restaurant meal.
Why is the Hot Dog Iceland’s Unofficial National Dish?
Iceland's hot dog has achieved a cultural status that goes far beyond its humble ingredients. It is inexpensive, quick, widely available, and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
The story is closely associated with Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the famous Reykjavík hot-dog stand that dates back to 1937. Its popularity helped turn the Icelandic hot dog into an internationally recognized part of Icelandic food culture. The stand has also attracted famous visitors, including former US president Bill Clinton.
The hot dog also represents a particular side of Icelandic food culture. While Iceland has plenty of traditional dishes based on lamb, fish, dairy, and other local ingredients, the pylsa is much more casual and accessible. If you want to discover more traditional Icelandic food, there are plenty of other dishes worth trying.
Interestingly, Iceland has had its own unusual relationship with international fast food, too. If you're curious about what happened to McDonald's in Iceland, it makes for an interesting contrast with the country's enduring love of the local pylsa.
Today, the hot dog remains one of the easiest ways for travelers to experience a small piece of everyday Icelandic culture.
What Makes the Icelandic Hot Dog Unique?
The Icelandic pylsa looks familiar at first glance, but the combination of meat and toppings gives it a distinctive flavour.
Rather than relying on a single type of meat, the traditional sausage uses a blend that typically includes lamb, pork, and beef. The lamb gives the sausage a slightly richer character, while the toppings add sweetness, acidity, creaminess, and crunch.
The result is a hot dog that tastes very different from the classic American-style version.
The Unique Meat Blend
The traditional Icelandic hot dog is generally made from a combination of lamb, pork, and beef. Lamb is particularly associated with Icelandic cuisine and gives the sausage a subtle flavour that distinguishes it from many other hot dogs.
The sausage is commonly served in a soft bun, with a satisfying snap from its casing and a mixture of sauces and onions providing contrasting textures.
If you don't eat meat, don't worry. Vegan and vegetarian hot-dog alternatives are available at some Icelandic stands and cafés. Options vary considerably by location, however, so it is worth checking the menu before ordering. Some vendors offer plant-based sausages, while others may offer a different plant-based filling rather than a traditional sausage.
The Classic Toppings
The traditional Icelandic hot dog is all about the toppings. The classic "eina með öllu" usually includes:
- Raw onions for a fresh, sharp crunch.
- Crispy fried onions for extra texture.
- Ketchup for sweetness and acidity.
- Pylsusinnep, a distinctive sweet brown mustard.
- Remoulade, a creamy sauce that adds richness.
The combination of raw and crispy onions is particularly characteristic. The sauces then balance each other, creating a mix of sweet, tangy, savory, creamy, and crunchy flavors.
You can, of course, leave out anything you don't like. But if it's your first time trying a traditional Icelandic pylsa, ordering it with everything is the best way to experience the classic combination.
The Famous Pylsusinnep
Pylsusinnep is the mustard traditionally associated with Icelandic hot dogs. It is usually darker, sweeter, and more distinctive than the bright-yellow mustard many travelers may be familiar with.
Its sweet and savory character works particularly well with the lamb-based sausage and creamy remoulade. For many visitors, it is one of the flavours that makes an Icelandic hot dog taste unmistakably Icelandic.
If you enjoy mustard, don't skip it.
How to Order an Icelandic Hot Dog Like a Local?
The easiest phrase to remember is:
"Eina með öllu."
This means "one with everything" and is the classic way to order a fully topped hot dog.
You can also customise your order. For example, you can ask for a hot dog without onions, mustard, ketchup, or another topping you don't want.
If you're ordering more than one, remember that pylsur is the plural form of pylsa.
You don't need to speak Icelandic to order, of course. English is widely understood in Iceland, particularly in places that regularly serve tourists. But saying "eina með öllu" when ordering is a fun way to embrace the local experience.
And don't worry about eating it perfectly. Icelandic hot dogs are casual street food, so grab your pylsa, add your toppings, and enjoy it.
The Best Places to Eat Hot Dogs in Iceland
You don't have to search hard to find a pylsa in Iceland. Reykjavík has famous dedicated stands, while hot dogs are also commonly available at petrol stations and other casual food stops around the country.
For travelers on a road trip, this makes them particularly convenient. A petrol-station hot dog can be an easy lunch or snack when you're traveling between destinations.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in Downtown Reykjavík
If you want to experience Iceland's most famous hot-dog stand, head to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in central Reykjavík.
The stand dates back to 1937 and has become a Reykjavík institution. Its famous location near the harbour attracts both visitors and locals, and the brand now has several locations around Reykjavík and beyond.
The classic order here is eina með öllu. Expect a simple setup rather than a sit-down restaurant: order your pylsa, collect it, and enjoy it on the go.
Because the central location can become busy, especially during the tourist season, don't be surprised if there is a queue.
If you're beginning or ending a camper trip in Reykjavík, this is an easy food stop to add before heading out onto the Ring Road.
Gas Station Hot Dogs
One of the best things about traveling around Iceland by car or camper is discovering that hot dogs aren't limited to Reykjavík.
Petrol stations throughout the country often sell pylsur alongside sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and other quick meals. For road trippers, this makes them an extremely practical option when you need to refuel both the vehicle and yourself.
Gas-station hot dogs can vary from one location to another, and some travelers particularly enjoy the grilled versions.
So don't overlook the humble petrol station during your Iceland road trip. It can be the perfect place for a quick pylsa between waterfalls, viewpoints, and scenic drives.
Pylsa vs. Pulsa
If you've seen both pylsa and pulsa while researching Icelandic food, you're not imagining things.
Pylsa is the standard Icelandic word for a hot dog or sausage. Pylsur is the plural.
"Pulsa" is sometimes used informally or appears in different contexts, but if you want the classic Icelandic word to remember when ordering, pylsa is the one to use.
So if you're standing at a hot-dog stand and want one, you can confidently ask for eina pylsu or simply use the familiar phrase “eina með öllu”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on to find answers to the most commonly asked Icelandic hot dog based questions.
- How much does a hot dog cost in Iceland?
The price varies depending on where you buy it. Central Reykjavík tourist locations can be more expensive than supermarkets, petrol stations, or other casual food outlets.
A pylsa is generally considered one of the more affordable ways to eat out in Iceland, especially compared with a full restaurant meal. However, prices change over time, so check the current menu when you visit.
For a broader overview of everyday food costs, see our guide to the price for food in Iceland.
- Are there vegan or gluten-free hot dog options in Iceland?
Vegan hot dogs or other plant-based alternatives are available at some Icelandic food stands, but they are not available everywhere. Some vendors offer a dedicated vegan sausage, while others use a different plant-based filling.
If you have a food allergy or require a strictly gluten-free meal, don't assume that a standard pylsa is suitable. The sausage, bun, sauces, and preparation methods can vary between vendors. Ask staff about the ingredients and cross-contamination before ordering.
- What makes Icelandic hot dogs specials?
The combination of the meat blend and toppings is what makes Icelandic hot dogs distinctive.
The traditional sausage typically combines lamb, pork, and beef, while raw onions, crispy onions, ketchup, remoulade, and pylsusinnep create the signature combination of flavors and textures.
The experience is also part of the appeal. Eating a pylsa from a small stand or petrol station during an Iceland road trip is a simple way to experience everyday Icelandic food culture.
- Are Icelandic hot dogs really the best hot dogs in the world?
That's a matter of taste, of course, but Icelanders and plenty of visitors certainly think they deserve the title!
The phrase "best hot dog in the world" is often associated with Icelandic pylsur and particularly with Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Ultimately, there is no objective way to crown one hot dog as the world's best.
What makes Iceland's version worth trying is its distinctive lamb-based meat blend, sweet mustard, creamy remoulade, and combination of raw and crispy onions.
Try one yourself and decide.
Ready to Try the Famous Icelandic Hot Dog?
An Icelandic hot dog may be simple, but it is an essential part of the country's food culture. Whether you order eina með öllu in Reykjavík or grab a pylsa at a petrol station during your Ring Road adventure, it's an easy and delicious way to add a local experience to your trip.
And because hot dogs are available in so many places around the country, you don't need to build your itinerary around them. Just keep an eye out during your next fuel stop. Book your car rental in Iceland, hit the road, and make a pylsa stop part of the adventure. After all, some of the best Iceland travel memories happen between the big attractions.
