My wife and I are going to be in Oslo and Bergen toward the end of June. We would like some recommendations about restaurants in those two cities. We are looking for good casual restaurants with some atmosphere that serve Norwegian food. The Aker Brygge area is one we are interested in. Thanks, Mike

Well you got Lofoten fish restaurant at the end of Aker Brygge pier which serves Norwegian fish dishes. I would suggest Kaffistova in Grensen which also happens to be the restaurant for Hotel Bondeheimen. But generally if you do not want fish there aren't really that many Norwegian dishes that does not require a certain "training" Of course depending on your tastes obviously.

Sindre

Thanks, we love fish dishes. We live in Oregon, USA and eat plenty of meals involving fish. My mother served us lutefisk and lefse for Christmas every year like it was a great Norwegian dish but I haven't seen any travel books even mention it as being on any menus. We eat a lot of salmon, halibut, trout, crab, scallops, clams, calimari, sturgeon, mussels, and sea bass. I didn't care for lutefisk but lefse was fine.

Hi, We will be in Oslo and Bergen the first week in September and are interested in replies to this question, too. When you get back from your trip, do post some of your recommendations.
There was a thread a week or so ago about Scandanavian food (?) and a resident of Oslo did not recommend the Aker Brygge area, as it seemed overpriced. Of course, when we were in some of the Scandanavian countries in 1996, things seemed quite spendy to us, so maybe the A.B. area might have some good choices. MHM (PS: also from Oregon--nothing can beat Dungeness crab!!!)

If you look it up I was one of those that didn't recommend Aker Brygge as a place to eat, and I still don't. But the OP wanted a recommendation for the Aker Brygge area so... and I like the area so I would definately suggest going there and maybe buy one overpriced beer and just sit and people watch. That whole Aker Brygge - Rådhusplassen - Akershus Festning area is very nice, car-free but with boats and trams

Lutefisk is a Christmas speciality and is very easy to get "everywhere" in December but difficult any other time. And not beeing very fond of lutefisk myself they do say it's all the accessories that make it nice, not so much the fish itself

Lefse can mean lots of different things but I usually eat it with butter, cinnamon and sugar in those small packs you can buy in grocery stores, which is a decent small lunch/middle meal.

Sindre

Aker Brygge:
One recommendation for Lofoten fish restaurant would be going there for lunch; Lofoten fish soup with bread is really good for lunch, I would share a large for 150 kr.(most do, it is a lot of food)(small 98,-). It is traditional and taste great. If you want a cosier atmosphere Cafe Sorgenfri might be a good choice. I actually like Agra Tandoori restaurant at Aker Brygge, but they don't serve Norwegian food naturally.

Not on Aker Brygge, but in centre of town. In the evening of a sunny day Solsiden restaurant (sunny side restaurant) is a good option at the foot of the fortress, overlooking Aker Brygge. It?s only open in summer and serves fish. Another option is Handverkeren restaurant (The Carpenter), a popular relaxed and informal restaurant with a mix of Norwegian and International cuisine. If wanting a Norwegian interior of design House of Norway restaurant might be worth a visit. But there are lots of other places to dine.

Let your receptionist give you the best advices. At least once a week all newspapers give restaurant and other enjoyment ratings. "Aftenposten Aften" at Thur or Fri is very solid. "Dagbladet" and "VG" also.
My top pick is Palace Grill, which by now also have moved into bigger premises. I certainly prefer the oldest area, which is just around the corner. No prereservations, but if you get there at five, there is an outrageous pub (both inside and in the backyard), in which you can enjoy a drink and sometimes also some jazz, perhaps, while waiting for your table after having noticed the waitors upon entrance. Have fun!!
Bjorn, Oslo

Thanks for the replies. We'll probably go to Aker Brygge for a drink and dine elswhere. What about the restaurant up past the Holmenkollen Ski Jump? We heard it was good. Is it a touristy priced restaurant too?

I beleive in the last review in one of the newspapers Bjorn mentioned (can't remember which) they got a 4 on a 1-6 scale (1 bad, 6 excellent). But the view is spectacular

Cobos

Any ideeas for Bergen as far as restaurants go??

The Bryggen area is crowded with nice restaurants, so let your receptionist give you the advices. The former meat market close by now is turned into a very very nice restaurant as well.
Bjorn, Oslo (born in Bergen, though)

PS In Oslo, do not forget Christiania Torv, a small squere close to Akershus Fortress. An ugly big golden glove-statue in the middle, though, but the square is filled with nice restaurants and waterholes. My pick for a drink/light meal is Celsius, preferably in the inner garden.
Burn's at the corner opposite National Theatre (SW) also is very, very ok if you care for "moderately" priced beer and opera music. Gets very crowded in the nights.

Thanks for the advice. Mike