When we think of pizza, our minds instantly wander to the streets of Naples, complete with hand-tossed dough, bubbling cheese and classic Italian toppings. What probably doesn’t come to mind is kebab meat piled on top of a pizza. Yet, that’s exactly what you’ll find in Norway’s beloved kebab pizza, a fast-food favourite that brings together the bold flavours of Italian pizza and Middle Eastern kebabs in one delicious dish!
Story Behind Norway’s Famous Kebab Pizza
Born in Sweden but equally popular in Norway, kebab pizza blends Italian and Middle Eastern flavours into a unique dish. The dish emerged sometime in the 1980s when many pizzerias, often run by immigrants from the Middle East and the Balkans, began experimenting with flavours from their own culinary traditions.
By combining the classic Italian pizza with Turkish-style kebab meat, fresh vegetables and creamy sauces, they created a fusion dish that quickly won over diners across Scandinavia. Although no one knows exactly who invented kebab pizza or when it first appeared, it has since become one of the region’s most iconic comfort foods.
The earliest known record of kebab pizza dates back to 1986, when Stockholm’s Pizza Dali featured a ‘shish kebab pizza’ on its menu. The dish was topped with tomatoes, cheese, onions, bell peppers and tender strips of kebab meat.
A couple of years later, in 1988, Pizzeria Amigo in Eksjö introduced its own version, featuring cheese, tomatoes, kebab meat, onions, mushrooms, mild green peppers and rich Béarnaise sauce. These early creations helped shape the kebab pizza into the regional favourite it is today.
Even Erling Haaland Is A Fan!
While kebab pizza might have its roots in Sweden, the neighbouring Vikings added their own twist to the dish, making it their own! In many places in Norway, this version of pizza is topped with french fries (yes, the fries are on the pizza) alongside pickled pepperoncini and lettuce.
Erling Haaland’ın vazgeçemediği lezzet: kebap pizza https://t.co/YXSDo8s0kh pic.twitter.com/Yfl6SM06KR
— Kaynak Haber (@KaynakNews) June 30, 2026
Loaded with juicy kebab meat, fresh vegetables, and generous drizzles of garlic or a mild yoghurt-based sauce, it’s a hearty meal loved across Norway. The pizza has even found a famous fan in footballer Erling Haaland. Despite following a strict diet, Haaland has revealed in several interviews that kebab pizza is one of his favourite cheat meals.
Also Read: Norwegian Footballer Erling Haaland “Loves Indian Food”; His Favourite Dish Is…
Let us know in the comments if you knew about this version of pizza!
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What is kebab pizza?
Kebab pizza is a Scandinavian fusion dish that combines a traditional pizza base with kebab meat, fresh vegetables and sauces such as garlic or yoghurt dressing.
Where did kebab pizza originate?
Kebab pizza is believed to have originated in Sweden during the 1980s before becoming a popular fast-food staple across Scandinavia, especially in Norway.
What toppings are commonly used on a kebab pizza?
Typical toppings include kebab meat, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pickled peppers, garlic or yoghurt sauce, and, in many Norwegian versions, French fries.