Bergen
 

Looking for restaurant suggestion for dinner first week in September in Bergen.
I know Norway is pricey but maybe someone has found a good meal that didn't break the bank?

It is not really an answer to your question but we bought a piece of whale meat and a reindeer sausage on the market. Just to say, "once in my life I have tasted it".

As far as not breaking the bank, we had lunch in Bergen in a small cafe, two fish chowders, a coke and a beer, cost equivalent to $100 US.

We enjoyed Pygmalion (visited in 2013). Nice atmosphere, decent pricing and our food was excellent.

From my 2009 Norway trip report:

We ate well in Bergen. The market by the waterfront is an obvious choice for lunch. A word of warning though: the relatively inexpensive plates of mixed seafood turn out to have a lot of sirumi under the slice of smoked salmon and other tempting delicacies. Our personal discovery was whale meat, grilled and slightly smoky but still rare inside, served cold. Another stand had it well done, but I think that whale meat should be eaten like tuna, still rare inside if at all possible. The meat does not taste fishy, more like a very mild steak with a consistency halfway between a tender steak and tuna.

Pingvinen was recommend by Lonely Planet--and in spite of a guide's recommendation did not seem touristy--and was well worth it. The main courses ran between 130 and 150 NOK, the beer was 52 NOK (for 40 cl.). A main course is sufficient as a meal, and we shared a dessert for a total of 360 NOK. The menus are hand written on a board in Norwegian, but the young woman behind the bar translated everything for us. Nothing fancy, more like home cooking, but satisfying--cash only, I seem to remember; we considered going there a second day but for the walk that was out of the question with a painful foot.

So we ate at Bryggestuen (recommended by Fodor's) once we decided that we wanted to try whale steak. Fodor's seems to be a little coy about whale meat, but the restaurant advertises it prominently on its outside board and that is why we chose it. We were not disappointed; I asked for it rare, and that is how it was served and it was delicious ($115 for the entire meal).

100 NOK = $12.27 as of 08/18/16

I have been to Bergen twice in the last 2 years (visiting family). Personally none of the restaurants were spectacular as imho Norwegian food is just ok in general. Everything in Bergen and Norway in general is extremely expensive.

I posted before I could finish adding the two restaurants we did enjoy were off the main area on a side street and the food was very good. I would highly recommend Colonialen and Colonialen Litterurhuset. I think I've spelled it correctly.

It's been a couple of years and, unfortunately, I had only one evening in Bergen but did research restaurants and prices. I was not on a budget but that doesn't mean I spend money foolishly. I made a booking at Enhjorningen. It was close to my hotel, I liked the ambience ( pictures from their website ) and the menu. I had an excellent meal. I ordered a salad which was huge. They served a basket full of wonderful breads, and I ordered the halibut. It was served with enough vegetables for several people. I had planned on ordering dessert but was too full. I also had a couple of glasses of wine and coffee. I believe the total bill was about $85/100 . Yes, expensive but no more than what one would pay for a top quality restaurant in any major city here in the U.S. or Europe.

Do look at trip advisor for restaurant suggestions. They note price range as well as quality. With a little research, you'll find places that serve good food and don't break the bank. Truly. Also be aware of the exchange rate.