Surrounded by the sea, fjords, and mountains, Bergen and its region produce top-quality ingredients from both land and sea. On a weekend trip to Bergen, you can enjoy many exceptional culinary experiences.
Bergen - A Unesco city of Gastronomy
Did you know that Bergen is a member of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for gastronomy? Together with 17 other cities worldwide, Bergen works to promote food, creativity, and gastronomy. This is evident at many of the city’s dining spots, where local traditions and modern culinary artistry go hand in hand.
In Bergen, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants - from fresh seafood and norwegian specialties, to juicy pizza, flavorful burgers and international dishes.
Photo: Ida Skeie - Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant
One of the most unique restaurants in Bergen is Cornelius Seafood Restaurant located on the small island Holmen, just outside the city center. Here, you can taste local cuisine in beautiful surroundings with views of the sea - definitely worth a visit! (The restaurant offer a boat service from Bergen city center.)
Lysverket is an exclusive restaurant focused on locally sourced food, with an emphasis on seafood. They serve dinner from an à la carte menu, and the restaurant is located by Lille Lungegårdsvannet. In 2022, they were awarded their first Michelin star.
Enhjørningen, a traditional fish restaurant, also offers locally sourced dishes and is located on Bryggen in Bergen. Guests dine in one of Norway’s most distinctive historic buildings, in a relaxed atmosphere with views of the harbor.
From fjord to mountain
The culinary experiences don’t stop in the city center. Take the Fløibanen up to the city’s most famous viewpoint, and you’ll find Fløirestauranten, offering both stunning views and delicious dishes. Even higher up - at the top of Ulriken - is Skyskraperen Restaurant, with panoramic views over Bergen and the islands and fjords. Here, you can enjoy meals made from locally sourced ingredients in a spectacular setting. Start your day with a trip to the mountains and enjoy a good lunch before continuing to explore the city.
Beautiful views combined with great food can also be found at Roast Restaurant and Bar, which serves juicy meat dishes from a charcoal grill.
You can find a complete overview of restaurants in Bergen here.
Sustainable flavors from the region
Want to get out of the city? A visit to Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri in Austevoll is worth the trip. Bocuse d’Or winner Ørjan Johannessen is based here, and the menu includes, among other things, wild sheep - considered one of the most sustainable types of meat in Western Norway. He also runs Mirabelle by Ørjan Johannessen, just a stone’s throw away.
Bars, brews, and cider from Hardanger
After a good meal, you might fancy a drink. Bergen offers a wide selection of bars and pubs, perfect for a casual evening out. Many places serve local microbrews and cider from Hardanger - and several combine great drinks with small dishes and a cozy atmosphere.
Bergen Food Festival
Every autumn, the city center transforms into a flavorful celebration during the Bergen Food Festival, a three-day tribute to local ingredients and producers. Here, you can meet local farmers, chefs, and food enthusiasts, and sample everything from seafood and cheese to baked goods, meat, and cider.
Photo: Bergen Matfestival / Øystein Haara
Find your restaurant in Bergen
Whether you’re looking for an exclusive dinner, typical norwegian, a tasty burger, authentic Italian pizza, sushi, or vegetarian dishes - Bergen has something for every taste. For a complete overview of where to have lunch, dinner, or something in between, check out our comprehensive restaurant guide. There, you can easily search for restaurants by category - whether you want to dine on Bryggen, find which restaurants are open on a spesific date, or look for places with great vegetarian options.
Skyskraperen Restaurant. Photo: Visit Bergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com
Read more about the food city of Bergen, where we’ve taken a closer look at persetorsk, Bergen fish soup, and apple cider from Hardanger.
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