The Icelandic Hot Dog
A 2026 Local Guide
The Icelandic hot dog is one of the most iconic foods in Reykjavik. Made primarily from lamb and served at the legendary Bæjarins Beztu hot dog stand, it’s one of the must-try local experiences for visitors to Iceland.
This blog is dedicated to this beloved local establishment.
The stand itself is no bigger than 5 square meters and hasn’t moved an inch since 1937.
It has filled our bellies with outstanding, simple food since childhood, and we hope it will stay with us forever.
This is our guide to the famous hot dog stand in downtown Reykjavik, officially called Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which directly translates to the best hot dogs in town.
What is so special about the Icelandic hot dog stand?
The famous Icelandic hot dog stand has been in continuous operation since 1937.
It’s been open in all kinds of weather and crazy storms virtually every day of the year for almost 90 years, making it a true national treasure.
Over that time, the stand has witnessed incredible changes as Reykjavik and the surrounding buildings have evolved, been built, demolished, and reshaped. Downtown Reykjavik looks completely different today, but the stand hasn’t moved an inch and I don’t think it ever will.
What is the Icelandic hot dog made of?
The ingredients of the Icelandic hot dog often come as a surprise to visitors.
While most hot dogs around the world are made from pork or beef, Icelandic hot dogs are made primarily from lamb.
The sauces and sides are also something to shout bravo for!
You can have a hot dog with homemade crispy onions and sweet mustard, along with raw onion, Icelandic ketchup and remoulade.
The ketchup is actually made from apples instead of glucose, which makes it so nice and kinda sweet!
Crazt fact:
They used to use Skyr (similar to Greek Yogurt) as a sauce before mustard made its way to our culture!
Thank god that’s over now!
Also see: What to Eat in Iceland - 10 Traditional Icelandic Foods You Must Try in Reykjavik
Long line? No problem!
Moving on to the expert hog dog stand staff.
You may notice that the vendor only fits two humans at the time and there is always a long queue waiting outside (Even if it’s below zero outside) but the queue still moves very fast.
That’s because the employee gets paid by the hot dog. The more hot dogs they serve, the more cash money in the bank. That explains the super fast (but friendly) service!
A quick message from me to all the foodies!
Of course, I have to mention our Reykjavik Food Walk.
It’s currently rated as the #1 food and drink activity and the #1 tour in Iceland on Tripadvisor.
No food tour in Reykjavik would be complete without a stop at the famous Icelandic hot dog stand, but we also visit other hidden gems and local restaurants as we explore the city and taste some of the very best food Iceland has to offer.
If you’re a foodie like me, it’s absolutely worth checking out.
You can read more about our Reykjavik Food Walk here.
Myths about the Icelandic hot dog ...
Next, I would like to pop in a little myth on the cooking method.
It is true that they are super careful on how long they boil the hot dogs- the ones that stay for too long in the water are never served.
In other words ...
You will never ever get a bad hot dog!
But there is another myth lurking around on why the hot dogs are so good, and that is that they boil them with beer.
We don’t know if its true or not, and we have asked many times without getting a straight answer!
So it remains a myth.
... Why don’t they just tell us!
How to order your hot dog like a champion
I feel this is the most important part of the blog.
When you order your Icelandic hot dog - I can't recommend it highly enough that you have "One with everything". Or as we say in Icelandic: "Ein með öllu".
Every local in Iceland knows that this is the best way to have it.
This is how locals order the Icelandic hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu:
- Lamb Hot Dog
- Icelandic Mustard
- Remolaði sauce
- Fried Onions
- Raw Onions
- Iceland Style Ketchup (with apples instead of sugar to sweeten the flavor)
So in other words ...
Don't order your hot dog, Bill Clinton Style (with mustard only).
He seemed to enjoy it though, when Bill visited Iceland back in 2004, he made a total of 3 visits to the hot dog stand. See photo above of Bill and queen Mæja who worked at the hot dog stand for over 40 years.
Bill always ordered the hot dog with mustard only (Bill apparently doesn't read our blog ...)
Where is the famous hot dog stand in Reykjavik?
The Bæjarins beztu hot dog stand is located on Tryggvagata 1, 101 Reykjavík.
They open at 09:00am and close at 1:00am on weekdays. But on weekends hot dogs are served until 06:00am in the morning!
As you can image, this is a very popular snack for Icelanders after long nights out.
Note: Opening hours may vary slightly by season.
The hot dog stand is located right here:
But you can also just follow these directions from Google Maps.
Thanks for reading!
I hope you guys enjoyed my hot dog blog!
My question of the day to YOU:
Will you be trying the Icelandic hot dog on your next visit to Iceland? And will you have one with everything? Or follow in the footsteps of Bill Clinton or Kim Kardashian?
I hope you'll have a blast on your upcoming trip to Iceland and I hope you will love the Icelandic hot dog as much as we do.
Finally, I hope to see you soon in our delicious Reykjavik Food Walk!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an Icelandic hot dog made of?An Icelandic hot dog is made primarily from lamb, unlike most hot dogs worldwide which are usually pork or beef. This gives it a richer, more savory flavor - the Icelandic taste.
- Where can you get the famous Icelandic hot dog in Reykjavik?The most famous place is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a small hot dog stand located in downtown Reykjavik. The same stand has been operating since 1937.
- How do locals order an Icelandic hot dog?Locals order “one with everything” (Ein með öllu). This means a hot dog with mustard, remoulade, ketchup, crispy fried onions, and raw onions.
- Why are Icelandic hot dogs so popular?Icelandic hot dogs are popular because they are affordable, fast, consistently good, and deeply rooted in local culture. For a long time hot dogs were the only real fast food in Iceland. And for many Icelanders, they are a nostalgic part of growing up.
- Is the Icelandic hot dog worth trying for visitors?Yes. The Icelandic hot dog is one of the easiest and most authentic local foods for visitors to try in Iceland, offering a real taste of everyday Icelandic life.
- What sauces are used on Icelandic hot dogs?Traditional toppings include sweet Icelandic mustard, remoulade, ketchup, crispy fried onions, and raw onions. The ketchup is slightly sweeter than typical ketchup and at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur the ketchup is apple-based.
- Are Icelandic hot dogs boiled or grilled?Icelandic hot dogs are traditionally boiled, not grilled. Vendors are careful with timing, and hot dogs that stay in the water too long are never served.
- Are Icelandic hot dogs boiled in beer?There is a long-standing myth that Icelandic hot dogs are boiled in beer, but this has never been confirmed. It remains part of the legend surrounding the stand.
- Are there vegetarian or vegan Icelandic hot dogs?Some hot dog stands in Reykjavik offer vegetarian or vegan alternatives, but the traditional Icelandic hot dog is lamb-based. Vegetarians and vegans often visit the stand and order “one with everything”, except the hot dog itself as the toppings are quite delicious.
- When is the best time to visit the Icelandic hot dog stand?There is no bad time to visit and locals will agree that any time is suitable for a hot dog. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is open from 9am - 01am and until 06am on weekends.
