When it’s time for lunch, Bergen’s city center offers plenty of great spots for a delicious meal.
Whether you’re enjoying a quick fish cake to go or sitting down at a charming café or restaurant, there’s plenty to choose from. You’ll find everything from simple eateries serving homemade dishes to restaurants with scenic views and dedicated lunch menus.
For a complete guide, you can visit the page listing all restaurants, where you can filter for lunch spots, outdoor restaurants, pizzerias, and much more.
Since we mentioned fish cakes – let’s start with Søstrene Hagelin.
Søstrene Hagelin – a true Bergen classic
At Søstrene Hagelin, you’ll find what might just be the city’s best fish cakes, which you can either take away or enjoy on the spot. They also serve other popular fish dishes such as fish soup, fish gratin (a creamy, baked fish dish) , plukkfisk (shredded fish with potatoes), bacalao, and fish burgers. And if you’re not sure what to order, go for Hagelin’s Best – a platter of six small dishes.
Many locals have grown up with this food, and the place has been a part of Bergen’s cityscape for years. Here you get healthy, locally sourced food – and if you have lunch here, you can consider it a true Bergen experience.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Gjertrud Coutinho - visitBergen.com
BARK Mat & Vinbar – sit back and enjoy
BARK is one of the newest additions to Bergen’s restaurant scene and has already received a lot of praise for both its food and wine. Here you can enjoy a well-curated menu of flavorful dishes and a handpicked wine selection. A perfect place to relax and truly savor your lunch.
Café Opera – a Bergen institution
Café Opera is one of the most well-known spots in Bergen and has been a popular meeting place for both locals and visitors for over 35 years. The menu features light lunch options like Lun Foccaccia, BLT, and various toasts, along with omelettes, salads, and soups. If the sun peeks out, it’s a lovely place to sit outside and watch the city life pass by.
Photo: Cafe Opera
Løvetann Café & Bistro – a tasty break in a charming neighbourhood
Want to escape the busy city streets? Head to Løvetann Café & Bistro at Nordnes – a cozy little spot offering fresh, organic food. Just a short walk from Nordnes Park and the Bergen Aquarium, this café serves plant-based dishes along with sustainable meat options for those who prefer it.
Photo: Løvetann Café & Bistro
Fish Me and Fjellskål – exquisite seafood at the Fish Market
For visitors to Bergen, the two restaurants in Mathallen by the Fish Market are very popular – and for good reason. At both Fish Me and Fjellskål, you’ll enjoy not only great views but also delicious fresh seafood. They open at 11:00 and serve lunch from their à la carte menu. At Fjellskål, two of the most popular lunch dishes are Fjellskål’s fish soup and the open-faced sandwich with smokehouse-style Aurora salmon and poached egg.
Godt Brød Fløttmannsplassen - organic treats by the waterfront
At Godt Brød Fløttmannsplassen, you can enjoy fresh, organic pastries, hearty sandwiches made with sourdough bread or focaccia, along with organic coffee and juice. The café is located by Damsgårdssundet, just outside the city center. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the Tourist Information Center, taking you through Nygårdsparken and across the charming Småpudden pedestrian bridge.
Photo: Godt Brød Fløttmannsplassen
Read more about other things worth exploring around the Møhlenpris area.
If hunger strikes during a shopping spree, you might want to head to Holy Cow, located on the ground floor of the Galleriet shopping center right in the heart of town.
Holy Cow – lunch that will keep you full until dinner (at least)
Holy Cow Galleriet is a must for burger lovers and has been voted Bergen’s best burger four times. With 10 different burgers made from local ingredients and exciting flavors like parmesan, truffle aioli, and Carolina Reaper chili, there’s something for everyone. All sauces are made in-house, and nearly all burgers can be made vegan.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Gjertrud Coutinho - visitBergen.com
If you’re into burgers, Rebel serves some really good ones. They also offer a popular brunch plate with an omelet, Greek salad, and yogurt from Ostegården in Fana.
Photo: Rebel
Brasserie Chérie – step back into the golden age of Paris with elegance and charm
Skostredet is one of Bergen’s most charming and vibrant streets, known for its lively row of bars and restaurants. The street is closed to traffic, making it a cozy place for a stroll. While not all places here open for lunch, you’ll find Brasserie Chérie.
With beautiful floral wallpaper, dark velvet, colorful décor, and soft sofas, it’s easy to sit down and stay a while. Enjoy flavorful dishes like perfectly toasted brioche and classic tartare made with premium Wagyu beef. The house specialty, moules frites with fresh mussels and crispy fries, is a summer favorite for many.
Photo: Brasserie Chérie
A breezy lunch on the Seven Mountains … or at least on two of them!
Both Fløyen and Ulriken offer places to enjoy lunch with a stunning view. Hike to the top and treat yourself to an extra dessert as a reward, or simply take the Fløibanen or Ulriksbanen to the summit and enjoy the treat anyway – you’ve earned it!
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