Norwegian restaurants in Norway
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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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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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A
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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B
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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Vianvang
If eating at the Fossheim Turisthotell has you inspired by the food of Arne Brimi and you want to taste meals cooked by the man himself, Vianvang is the master-chef’s highland restaurant that he opens only by appointment. Here you can watch him work as he cooks up a gourmet meal. If you’re coming from Lom along the Rv15, take the Rv51 towards Randsverk just before you reach Vågåmo (Vågå). Prices depend on the banquet and seasonal produce prices, but having arguably Norway’s finest chef prepare a meal for you doesn’t come cheap. It is, however, always worth it.
reviewed
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Gammen
It’s very much reindeer or reindeer, with a token trout dish, at this rustic complex of four large interconnected Sami huts run by the Rica Hotel. Although it may be busy with bus tour groups, it’s an atmospheric place to sample traditional Sami dishes from reindeer stew to fillet of reindeer or simply to drop in for a coffee or beer. And hey, although cigarettes are banned from all Norwegian eateries, tenacious puffers may derive more than cold comfort from this dark, smoky environment.
reviewed
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C
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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D
Markveien Mat & Vinhus and Dr Kneipp’s Vinbar
With a hint of truffle oil or a dash of dill, the cooks at Markveien make Norwegian cooking unforgettable. The restaurant focuses on using local seafood and meat, as well as organic produce, to create their delectable dishes. If you’re not in the mood for the formal dining room, slide into one of the dark wooden booths at Dr Kneipp’s next door for finger food or a sumptuous dessert, not to mention an amazing wine list.
reviewed
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Hjørnevikhagen
Hjørnevikhagen This recent addition to Florø’s very limited dining options has style. Outside on the split-level terracing, furniture is smart, angular, of glass and metal, while the interior has good views of the marina. Dishes are well priced, tasty and attractively presented and it’s also the most enticing spot in town for a quiet drink. It’s just behind the tourist office.
reviewed
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Smia Galleri
Smia Galleri is one of those places Oslo residents are so fond of they almost hate to share it. The leafy patio is perfect on summer afternoons and there’s jazz on Thursday evenings. If they have it, try the rhubarb crumble with wild strawberry sorbet. It takes about 15 minutes to get there: from Oslo S, take bus 37 towards Helsfyr T-bane station and get off at Vålerenga.
reviewed
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Frognerseteren Restaurant
There are three good reasons to visit Frognerseteren: the apple cake (Nkr50), the view and the building. The apple cake is billed as the best in Oslo and the view, from over 400m above sea level, is as good as it gets. As for the building, with dragon heads and enough wood trim to rival the most ornate Swiss chalet, it is the epitome of the Viking revival–style popular in the 1860s.
reviewed
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E
Vertshuset Tavern
Once in the heart of Trondheim, this historic (1739) tavern was lifted and transported, every last plank of it, to the Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum. Tuck into its rotating specials of traditional Norwegian fare or just peck at waffles with coffee in one of its 16 tiny rooms, each low-beamed, with sloping floors, candlesticks, cast iron stoves and lacy tablecloths.
reviewed
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Bryggerikaia
Not long on the Bodø drinking and dining scene, Bryggerikaia is already a firm favourite. You can dine well, snack, enjoy its lunch buffet (Nkr125) or quaff one of its beers, brewed on the premises. Enjoy your choice in its large pub-décor interior, on the street-side terrace or, best of all should you find a seat spare, on the veranda overlooking the harbour.
reviewed
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G
Restaurant Haldde
There’s even more quality from this excellent restaurant within Quality Hotel Vica. It relies almost entirely upon local ingredients in the preparation of choice dishes such as the Finnmark Platter of grouse, reindeer and elk, or its Flavour of Finnmark dessert of cloudberries and cowberry-blueberry sorbet within a nest of spun caramel.
reviewed
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H
Pingvinen
Devoted to small-town Norwegian cooking and with a delightfully informal ambience, Pingvinen is terrific. Expect large servings of reindeer, elk, lamb and local fish but without the usual price tag and it’s always obligatory to pay homage to Alma, the ‘goddess chef’. As the night wears on and Alma heads home, the snacks menu comes out.
reviewed
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Måltid
Part delicatessen, part restaurant and part wine bar, this outpost of casual sophistication is terrific. The tapas idea may come from Spain, but the food is Norwegian with so many tempting plates on offer and the waiters more than happy to help choose your tapas platter. For a light lunch the pasta salad or sandwiches are good options.
reviewed
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Lysefjordsenteret
In Oanes (16km south of the Preikestolen turn-off along the Rv13), Lysefjordsenteret is a restaurant serving good, reasonably priced traditional meals. This restaurant also provides tourist information and presents Lysefjord in audiovisual displays. There are also geological and folk-history exhibits.
reviewed
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Pizzakjeller’n
The Radisson SAS Hotel’s popular informal basement eatery is something of a misnomer. Yes, it serves up a long list of pizzas and other snacky and more substantial items, but for something more original, go for the daily special (Nkr110), which indeed changes daily, or its weekly equivalent (Nkr170).
reviewed
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Brasseri Nansen
Longyearbyen has two excellent hotel restaurants: Brasseri Nansen at the Radisson SAS Polar; and Funktionærmessen Restaurant in the Spitsbergen Hotel. These apart, locals will tell you that the two best places to eat and drink are the pub and the house. But not just any old pub or house…
reviewed
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K
Bølgen & Moi
The imaginative menus in this stylish restaurant include monkfish, lamb and veal, while the lunch specials are huge – the shrimp sandwich in cilantro and lime marinade (Nkr139) can only be described as massive. Although there are set menus in the evenings, you can also choose à la carte.
reviewed
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NB Sørensen’s Damskipsexpedisjon
One of the better places along the waterfront, this restaurant serves everything from red mullet to pork ribs, with a seasonal lunch menu that’s excellent value. The atmospheric indoor dining area is ideal when the weather turns, and locals swear that the food and service is better upstairs.
reviewed
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Odd’s Mat & Vinhus
Drop downstairs to one of the finest restaurants in all Norway, offering dishes such as grouse steak, fillet of hare and salmon marinated in gin. Hanks of plaited rope are festooned from ceiling and windows, and there’s plenty of attractive dark woodwork. Reservations are all but essential.
reviewed
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Hoelstuen
This trim place rivals the 4 Roser for the title of best restaurant in a town of limited eating opportunities. Its cuisine has flair. Dig your fork, for example, into the fillet of stag with chestnuts and thyme-flavoured glaze. It also does a particularly rich and creamy fish soup (Nkr100).
reviewed
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Alfred’s Kro
With Mack beer on draught, this amiable self-service café does a whole range of traditional Finnmark dishes such as pike fishcakes and – its speciality – juicy reindeer steak. A buffet plus main dish and coffee cost around Nkr150, representing outstanding value.
reviewed
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Theatercafeen
A favourite with Norwegian families during Christmas and on17 May, the Theatercafeen, directly across from the National Theatre, presents Norwegian classics in posh Viennese surroundings. Favourites include the reindeer steak with mushrooms and whortleberries (Nkr305).
reviewed
