Restaurants in Norway
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A
Godt Brød
Bakery.
reviewed
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Kroa
This pub and restaurant was reconstructed from the elements of a building brought in from Russian Barentsburg (the giant white bust of Lenin peeking from behind the bar – and sporting a Liverpool FC scarf when we were last here – gives a clue). Service is cheerful and mains verge on the gargantuan. Starters are more modest in size. Try, for example, the cured seal (Nkr78) or Arctic char (Nkr92).
reviewed
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B
Åpent Bakerei
A neighbourhood café that serves coffee in deep, cream-coloured bowls and has unbeatable breads and pastries. A freshly baked roll (Nkr14) topped with homemade røre syltetøy (stirred jam) and enjoyed on the bakery’s patio, makes for one of Oslo’s best and least expensive breakfasts.
reviewed
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C
Mucho Mas
What it lacks in authenticity, Mucho Mas more than makes up for in cheese and portion size. The full Mexican repertoire is on offer, including tacos, nachos and burritos (which are enormous); all dishes are offered in meat or vegetarian versions. Well-priced beer helps put out the fire.
reviewed
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D
Fru Hagen
The low-key and always full Fru Hagen, ‘Mrs Garden’, serves sandwiches and burgers, all with a healthy side portion of vegetables. Its location facing Olaf Ryes plass also makes it good for people-watching.
reviewed
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Huset
It’s something of a walk to work up an appetite for the Huset’s highly regarded restaurant, on whose menu (Nkr495) reindeer and grouse feature regularly. The bar serves up pizzas (Nkr85 to Nkr100), whale in pepper sauce (Nkr165) and seal stew (Nkr155) and its signature hamburger med alt (Nkr96) – a meaty burger with all the trimmings, so juicy, a researcher told us, that lonely scientists in their tents dream of it. A curiosity for a place so far from the nearest vineyard: its wine cellar has over 20,000 bottles.
reviewed
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E
Hummer & Kanari
Behind the bar sit row upon row of liqueur and spirit bottles for mixers and shakers. Here at the downstairs bistro, you order at the counter. Upstairs, it’s waiter service. But both call upon the same kitchen, which turns out ample portions of pasta (Nkr110 to Nkr130) and pizza (Nkr100). To save the decision-making, simply sit back, put yourself in the cook’s capable hands and go for the best the sea can offer that day, ‘Hummer & Kanari’s selection of fish and shellfish.’ (Nkr245).
reviewed
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F
Bryggen Tracteursted
This is one of the great Bryggen eating experiences. Housed in a 1708 building that ranges across the former stables, kitchen (note the stone floor, which meant that it was the only Bryggen building allowed to have a fire) and Bergen’s only extant schøtstuene (dining hall), this fine restaurant does fish soup (Nkr98), steamed mussels (Nkr125) and a selection of Norwegian tapas. The food’s good, but the atmosphere is the major drawcard.
reviewed
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Hamnøy Mat Og Vinbu
Hamnøy Mat og Vinbu is a welcoming restaurant run by three generations of the same family (the teenage boys are coopted for washing-up duties). It’s well regarded for local specialities, including whale, bacalao and cod tongues. Grandmother takes care of the traditional dishes – just try her fish cakes – while her son is the main chef. Its fish is of the freshest catch, bought daily from the harbour barely 100m away.
reviewed
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G
Ekeberg Restaurant
An early example of functionalist architecture, the 1929 Ekeberg Restaurant once attracted long lines of spectators eager to be seen enjoying a beer outside this angular, painfully white nonconformist building. After falling into disrepair in the 1980s, the restaurant was renovated and reopened with a classy menu and slick bar. If nothing else, go for the view.
reviewed
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H
Flyt
Build your own burger at this friendly restaurant and bar, picking the size of your meat, fish or veggie filling and selecting its extras and trimmings. With an outdoor activities theme, its beer’s ice-cold and the music’s heavy metal and rock. The intimate upstairs cocktail bar fills to capacity after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
reviewed
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I
Havfruen
This elegant riverside restaurant specialises in the freshest of fish. The quality, reflected in the prices, is excellent, as are the accompanying wines. The short menu, from which you select between three and eight courses, changes regularly according to what’s hauled from the seas.
reviewed
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J
Escalon
Tapas has taken Bergen by storm and no-one does it better than Escalon. The friendly young waiters are happy to make suggestions on wine selection and the tapas are tasty and the closest you’ll find in Bergen to what you’ll get in Spain. Highly recommended.
reviewed
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Laizas
At the ferry terminal, just beside the tourist office, the young team at this airy, welcoming place put on a handful of tasty hot dishes, good salads and snackier items such as focaccia, wraps and sandwiches. There’s also an internet terminal (Nkr1 per minute).
reviewed
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K
Biffhuset
On two floors, wood-panelled and low-beamed, the Beef House is a seriously meaty place, strictly for ardent carnivores. Just tick/check your menu card, indicating size, cut and accompanying sauce, hand it to the server and sit back.
reviewed
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L
Nomaden
Affiliated to the art gallery next door, this welcoming café, where cool jazz trills in the background, serves sandwiches, gooey cakes and fresh coffee and has its own changing art exhibition.
reviewed
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M
Delicatessen
One of Grünerløkka's numerous cool-kid cafes, it features sturdy wooden tables and big windows that fold away in the summer to overlook a riverside park across the street. Good Italian sandwiches.
reviewed
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N
Sushi Bar
The name says it all; the house speciality is sushi in multifarious forms. To savour the flavours, go for the 16-item sushi moriawase selection (Nkr198). It also does takeaway.
reviewed
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O
Stockfleths
Founded in 1895, the award-winning Stockfleths is one of Oslo’s oldest coffee shops. It also serves thick slices of wholegrain bread with brown cheese, a favourite Norwegian snack.
reviewed
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P
Emma’s Drømekjøkken
Upstairs from Kaffe Lars, this stylish and highly regarded place pulls in discriminating diners with its imaginative cuisine. Advance booking is essential.
reviewed
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Q
Tullins Café
This dimly lit café offers a little bit of everything, from salads and burgers to pasta and stir-fry dishes. It’s a favourite among students.
reviewed
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R
Hotel Havana
International deli with everything from French cheese to Belgian chocolates. The chorizo and manchego sandwiches (Nkr55) are an especially good bet.
reviewed
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Bryggerhuset
This engaging little café-cum-crafts shop serves terrific coffee, bakes its own bread and offers home-made food like crepes and waffles.
reviewed
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S
Villa Paradiso
No-frills Italian food (mostly pizzas), pleasant service and family friendly.
reviewed
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T
United Bakeries
Offers quiche, salads and gourmet sandwiches (Nkr89).
reviewed