23 Best Restaurants in Norway

Located in the heart of the harbor, this is the best place to enjoy fresh seafood with an atmosphere that strikes the perfect balance between elegance and informality. For lunch, consider their renowned fish soup, available in appetizer, small, or large portions, or in the evening, indulge in a full seven-course tasting menu. The restaurant also features its own fish market within the same building, ensuring unmatched freshness. 

With a resident chef who authored an exquisitely illustrated book on foraging, this leafy courtyard restaurant offers an ever-changing menu of unpretentious organic comfort food with a Nordic twist. It also has plenty of indoor seating for cozy evenings dining by candlelight. The staff know the menu inside out, and the owners are often on hand to explain the hearty roster of meat, fish, and vegetarian options.

The plant-based and sustainable menu that's sure to satisfy any appetite changes every other month at this all-are-welcome space. Build your own meal by picking from the delicious and mouthwatering options at the salad and warm dish bars, try one of the main dishes, or just swing by for a slice of delicious cake (gluten-free options available) and a cup of coffee or tea. 

You'll be impressed by the attention to detail shown by the chefs at this elegant dining room, with well-composed dishes that blend exciting and unexpected flavors. The menu changes with the season and takes advantage of the freshest ingredients available, with meats and cheeses from nearby farms. The wine selections—chosen to complement your meal—are interesting and varied.

The classic afternoon tea is the star of the menu—think big, buttery scones, tasty finger sandwiches, and tea that's always brewed just right. The staff know their tea and are happy to help you find your perfect cup among the 150 different teas on the menu, but we suggest the “Bhakanje” from Nepal—a special tea from a plantation started by Perch’s to support jobs and growth in a remote mountain region. The tearoom has a classic British feel, plus a shop where you can grab something to take home. Don’t miss the first flush Darjeeling in April and May—it’s a big deal! On Saturdays, and from October to December, it’s a good idea to book a table.

This Latin American--flavored waterfront restaurant comes alive on the weekend, when fashion-conscious locals compete for the best seats on the terrace. The hip dining room is almost as popular, with long wooden tables emphasizing that meals here are a communal experience. If you can't snag a table, wait at the leather-fronted bar with a strong and sweet signature martini. Choose a selection of seafood dishes to share with your posse.

In the former headquarters of the Norwegian America cruise line, this well-heeled eatery capitalizes on a New York–meets–Oslo vibe. Stop by for an excellent cup of coffee in the plant-filled courtyard, or head to the all-day brasserie for the dazzling seafood platter or steak big enough to share with several friends. The ambience is lively and bustling, particularly during the jazz brunch Sunday. If you can't get enough of the music, there's a jazz club in the basement that attracts music lovers.

A spacious outdoor terrace and seafront location with unparalleled views over the harbor and distant mountains assure Bryggerikaia a steady clientele. But it's the menu of fresh seafood—local mussels, shrimp, and salmon, for starters—and market-fresh produce, as well as hearty meat dishes and their famous grilled stockfish, that keep diners coming back. There's live entertainment in the bar on weekends.

In the Myrdal train station (you get here by train or foot), Cafe Rallaren caters to travelers during the busy summer season. It serves local dishes in a diner-style atmosphere, and also offers bicycle rentals and luggage storage. Hikers often fortify themselves here with Norwegian waffles and other sweets displayed behind the counter.

Egon, a Norwegian restaurant chain, serves no-fuss food such as burgers, salads, pasta, pizza, and steaks. This eatery has a cozy dining room and a small terrace on the street; orders are usually placed at the bar before you find a table. 

An idyllic little family-run café and shop serving homemade Greek and Italian dishes like gyros, pasta, pies, salads, sandwiches, and soups—all made with imported, high-quality ingredients. There are super cozy spots to sit both inside and out, and if you’re there in summer, you’ve got to try their Italian gelato or sorbet.

Centrally located in Eidfjord, this charming café with a handful of tables outside bakes some of the best pastries around—make sure to get some to take along on your adventures. This is the perfect place for a light lunch—with the best local produce—a filling snack, or a great cup of coffee.

This bakery serves up some of the best cinnamon rolls you have ever tasted, and of course the famous Norwegian skolebolle (buns with custard and coconut). In the summer, they move the chairs and tables outside so you can enjoy the sunshine. In cooler weather the space is limited, so you might want to take your treats with you.

Priding itself on a casual "breakfast, brunch, lunch, and munch" menu, the café at this cultural institution always seems to have a crowd. There's a fantastic array of delicious dishes that provide sustenance for the events that take place here day and night. 

Located at Ole Bull Scene—Bergen's largest privately owned venue for comedy revues, theater, and live music—this restaurant is perfect for a nice, quiet lunch or a meal with friends before experiencing the city's nightlife. Using the best local ingredients, the kitchen is inspired by cuisines from around the world. 

The Grand Cafe gets all the attention, but the Grand Hotel's more casual—but still quite beautiful—lobby restaurant is what Bohemian dreams are made of, with marble, gold, crystal, and velvet adding a luxurious touch. Underneath a spectacular glass ceiling, the dining room is a place where locals come to see and be seen. This is also where the famous playwright Henrik Ibsen used to have lunch.

There are numerous great dining options in Vollen, but Penny Lane stands out thanks to its great selection of homemade cakes, sandwiches, and salads. Its waterfront location and the fact that the café also doubles as a home design shop are even more reasons to visit.

Serving top-quality Norwegian seafood, the restaurant's most popular dish is grilled salmon with truffled potato cream, but don't leave without trying the Norwegian Waffle (a thinner, softer, and not-so-sweet version of the waffle most Americans know). Alongside serving dried and fried salmon skin with crème fraîche, roe, and red onion, nothing from the fish goes to waste here, and the shop offers a collection of wallets, bracelets, and clutches made from sturdy fish leather. The building's visitor center offers a behind-the-scenes look at the journey Norway's “pink gold” (i.e., salmon) makes from fish farm to plate. In the control room, you can even watch live feeds from fish farms along the coast.  Free English-speaking guides are available most of the time, and it's a good idea to reserve your table in advance.

Come here for the tasty, healthy food, but stay for the amazing view of the Oslofjord. The café, tucked inside the cozy old rooms of a charming villa, also hosts creative workshops and artist studios, some of whose art decorates the café. In winter, the fireplace crackles in the corner, making it extra inviting.

The name refers to its location at the tip of the Vippetangen, the peninsula that juts out into Oslofjord. This lively art, culture, and education center is also a destination for food lovers who want to sample dishes as diverse as poke bowls and Halloumi wraps. Local brewers and distillers also showcase their delights. The place gets especially busy on Thursday, when the crowd competes in a pop quiz.