Icelandic Road-Trip Food: Gas-Station Hot Dogs, Skyr and Borgarfjörður

Iceland’s road-trip food culture runs on two things: gas-station hot dogs and skyr. Neither is a compromise — both are genuinely part of how Icelanders eat on the move, and understanding the rhythm of rural food stops will save you from a hungry drive through West Iceland.

The Pylsur Tradition: Why Gas Stations Are Restaurants

In Iceland, N1 and Orkan filling stations are not just fuel stops — they’re the backbone of rural dining. Nearly every station has a hot dog (pylsa) counter, and the standard order is “eina með öllu” (one with everything): a lamb-and-beef hot dog topped with ketchup, sweet mustard, remoulade, raw white onion, and crispy fried onion. The style traces back to Reykjavík’s famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand, but the same toppings are standard at fuel-station counters nationwide, including along Route 1 and the roads through Borgarfjörður.

Skyr as a Driving Snack

Skyr — a thick, cultured dairy product technically closer to strained yogurt than cheese — is sold in small individual tubs at every petrol station and supermarket in the country. It’s high in protein, needs no utensils beyond the spoon in the lid, and doesn’t spoil quickly in a cool car.

Eating in Borgarfjörður: Plan Ahead

Borgarfjörður is a working agricultural region, not a dense tourist corridor, and food options thin out once you’re off the Ring Road near Borgarnes. Borgarnes itself is the main service town in the area and is home to Geirabakarí Kaffihús, a well-known bakery and café on Digranesgata that’s a regular stop for people driving north — it serves pastries, cinnamon rolls, soup, and sandwiches. Beyond Borgarnes, options at Hvítárbakki and the surrounding countryside are limited and can be seasonal, so don’t assume you’ll find a sit-down meal on demand.

• Standard hot dog order: “eina með öllu” (one with everything) — ketchup, sweet mustard, remoulade, raw and crispy onion
• Skyr tubs are sold everywhere and travel well in a cool car without refrigeration for a few hours
• Borgarnes is the main food and supply stop for the Borgarfjörður area — stock up there
• Rural cafés and restaurants outside main towns often keep limited or seasonal hours — check ahead
• N1 and Orkan stations double as reliable hot-food stops on long driving days
• Carry water and snacks for the stretch beyond Borgarnes

Where to Stay

After a day of driving and grazing your way through Borgarfjörður, Hvítá Trucks puts you on the bank of the Hvítá river at Hvítárbakki, close enough to Borgarnes to stock up on skyr and bakery pastries before settling in for the night. Book direct on Ourhotels.is for the best rate.

Photo: Richard Eriksson via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.