54 Best Restaurants in Norway

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. 

If it's mushroom season, your plate will be awash with chanterelles and fresh herbs, there will always be something pickled, and, if you're lucky, some local wild salmon or roast pork or goat cheese. There are salads, savory pancakes, tarts, and open sandwiches that almost distract you from the on-site bookshop and library.

Just 10 minutes by boat from Kragerø, this charming café has the perfect island location with inviting outdoor seating, a friendly staff, and a warm atmosphere. The menu includes locally sourced ingredients in well-traveled dishes like pizza, mussels, and the popular shrimp sandwich. There's original art on the walls and live music, but no reservations. It's open daily during summer and on select days the rest of the year. 

You'll feel right at home in this lovely restaurant in an elegant 200-year-old log farmhouse three miles from Brønnøysund, and its equally beautiful garden. Along with the wood-paneled, tapestry covered dining room, the Angel Lounge's cozy chairs are perfect for enjoying coffee and dessert, and the Aquavit Bar invites you to sip a glass of wine at your leisure. Traditional gourmet fare is lovingly prepared with herbs and produce from a charming kitchen garden, which you are encouraged to enjoy while touring the beautifully landscaped grounds. In summer (mid-June to mid-August) you can enjoy lunch or teatime in the garden café. The restaurant encourages diners to call ahead with any special dietary requests and is especially welcoming to children.

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.

A bit east of Sentrum, this popular pub serves homemade traditional Norwegian food in an atmospheric setting—the building, which dates from the 1730s, was once an orphanage—under the slightly facetious motto "nice place, bad service." The big lunch menu features a good selection of smørbrød (open-faced sandwiches) as well as herring and the traditional karbonade (a sort of open-faced hamburger, served with fried onions).

In the old Basarhall near Oslo Cathedral, tiny Bacchus serves excellent organic French bistro food in a rustic atmosphere, or outdoors in a lovely garden in summer.

The elegant but sparse mirrored dining room at this local favorite puts the spotlight where it belongs: on the exceptional wine selection and its innovative bar snack menu. Drop in for Bergen’s best cocktails, or book a table and enjoy expert wine pairings from the in-house sommelier. For a more exclusive experience, gather your group for a private chef’s table dinner, featuring a tailor-made menu served in a dedicated room.

Barentz Gastropub—which feels more like a French bistro than a pub—is located near the entrance to the Radisson Blu and welcomes patrons wearing even the most casual of clothing. The menu focuses on hearty pub food like burgers, wings, and what might very well be Longyearbyen’s best pizza. 

Decorated like a vintage video game---look for characters from Pac-Man and other favorites in the mosaic tiles---Burgr is the hippest place in Tromsø. There are plenty of beefy choices on the menu, from traditional varieties with lettuce and tomato to one topped with a habanero sauce that will knock your socks off. Side dishes include onion rings, French fries, and even kimchi. The service is swift, and vegetarian options are available.

A classic, this eatery sits in a pretty clapboard building across from the National Theater. During the day, it's the place to grab a bowl of fish soup for lunch or more substantial fare like panfried salmon for dinner, but in the evenings it becomes more of a bar and can get crowded on the weekend.

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.

A Trondheim favorite for more than 50 years, Frati serves refined Italian classics in a lively, modern setting. Expect more than just pizza and pasta—think house-made gnocchi, saffron risotto, and grilled meats—all paired with an excellent wine list and warm, attentive service.

The glittering chandeliers and velvet sofas here make it look like a vintage neighborhood hangout. Locals gather here for fresh, well-executed comfort food—especially the spicy chicken salad, a house specialty. On weekends Fru Hagen lets its hair down, becoming a bar that's open until the wee hours.

Known as "the northernmost chocolate factory in the world," Fruene sells its unique handmade chocolates—some shaped like polar bears and others inspired by the colors of the aurora—alongside more common café fare. There are cinnamon buns and hjertevaffle (heart-shaped waffles) lining the counter and a build-your-own sandwich bar to satisfy your lunchtime hunger. Linger a little longer and peruse the handmade soaps, or purchase some yarn, settle in, and knit a scarf over a coffee.

In the center of Odda, the Glacier Restaurant couldn't be more relaxed: there are picnic tables outside, a casual eatery on the main level, and a slightly more formal dining room downstairs. With Asian, European, and even Middle Eastern dishes on the menu, everyone in the family will find something they like.

This restaurant is bright and breezy, with huge windows letting in lots of light, but the real reason to come here is what's on your plate: beautifully prepared, locally sourced meals by Norway's originator of New Nordic cuisine. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the location is right across from the water.

This popular organic bakery makes scrumptious cinnamon rolls (several different kinds) and delicious open-faced sandwiches to order.

Attached to Trondheim’s art museum, Gubalari is a playful art-filled bistro inspired by traditional Norwegian cuisine and by the legendary Norwegian television chef Ingrid Espelid Hovig. Lunch is served à la carte until 3 pm, featuring dishes like open-faced sandwiches, seasonal salads, and a rotating house special, but after 3 pm, the focus shifts to a daily three- or five-course dinner menu based on available ingredients. On weekdays, a traditional hot dish is also offered at a budget-friendly price until 6 pm.

Located at the lovely culture and event space Sentralen, this debonair dining room features an Asian street food–inspired menu that ranges from dumplings to spicy crispy duck. Whether you choose between the tasting menus or à la carte options, all dishes are made using local, organic ingredients. The lunch tasting menu is a great way to enjoy the dinner menu with a more reasonable price tag.

Italy meets Norway at this cozy dockside eatery, a standout among the other casual restaurants on this popular restaurant row, specializing in a large selection of fresh pasta (many dishes capitalize on the local seafood), crostini, and a superb oven-fired pizza. The restaurant takes reservations, but walk-ins are welcome and food can be taken out. There's also a cozy bar area for drinks and a snack.

Oslo's answer to Starbucks (with much better coffee, locals would say), Kaffebrenneriet has 28 branches throughout the city, including in the trendy Grünerløkka neighborhood.

This region's best-kept secret, this little red house perched at the water's edge serves delicious traditional dishes. Close to a pristine glacier, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and a shimmering lake, the scenery makes a visit to this laid-back eatery well worthwhile.

A unique and personal coffee bar, all of the open sandwiches, salads, and cakes are made on-site, and the staff are known for their great mood. The interior is a mix of trendy and your grandma’s living room—it’s the kind of place where you’ll feel right at home—and it also sells art and gifts.

Not far out of Sentrum in the tiny Sofienberg district is this riveting sake bar and izakaya from those behind the original Izakaya. Slip through the doors into moody lighting and real Tokyo backstreet feels. Great records being spun, friendly staff, excellent sake imports and affordable Japanese fare. No website, classic vibes.