Lonely PlanetOct 4, 2026
What to Eat and Drink in Norway
Abundant seafood, regional specialties, and cutting-edge cooking using hyperlocal, seasonal ingredients make eating in Norway a locavore’s delight.
25 things in this story
- Emma’s DrømmekjøkkenRestaurantrestaurant in Tromsø where reindeer is prevalent
- Sami WeekFestivalcultural experience in Tromsø for trying bidos
- Elsewhere
- Lofoten IslandsNeighborhoodNorwayislands with wooden racks for drying Atlantic cod
- fårikålRestaurantNorwaynational lamb-and-cabbage stew, often on autumn menus
- BrunostRestaurantNorwaysweet brown cheese, a classic Norwegian snack
- aquavitPubNorwaypotent dose of Norwegian culture made from potatoes and caraway
- king crabRestaurantNorwayrich meat that rivals lobster, prepared steamed or baked
- ribbeRestaurantNorwaystar of the Christmas table, pork belly with crispy rind
- tørrfiskRestaurantNorwaydried cod, eaten as a snack or rehydrated and cooked
- BryggeloftetRestaurantBergen, NorwayBergen's oldest restaurant, atmospheric option for fish soup
- KaffistovaRestaurantOslo, Norwayrestaurant in Oslo specializing in old-school Norwegian fare
- Børsen SpiseriRestaurantLofoten, Norwayplace in Lofoten to try Norwegian lamb dishes
- bidosRestaurantNorwaytraditional stew made with reindeer, carrots and potatoes
- GudbrandsdalsostRestaurantNorwayfamous kind of brunost made with goat's and cow's milk
- GeitostRestaurantNorwaybrunost made using only goat’s milk
- fløtemysostRestaurantNorwaybrunost made using only cow’s milk
- BacalaoRestaurantSvolvær, Norwaycasual harborside place in Svolvær to sample tørrfisk
- FisketorgetRestaurantStavanger, Norwayseafood restaurant in Stavanger serving marinated salmon
- MaaemoRestaurantOslo, Norwaythree-Michelin-starred restaurant in Oslo known for waffles
- Haralds VaffelCaféOslo, NorwayOslo restaurant offering what could be the best waffles
- multekremRestaurantNorwaydecadent dessert made of cloudberries, whipped cream, and sugar
- Inderøy BrenneriRestaurantInderøy, Norwayboutique distillery at Berg Gård for aquavit tasting
- VinmonopoletMarketNorwaystate-run liquor stores to buy aquavit
- rømmegrøtRestaurantNorwaysour cream porridge, a staple Norwegian soul food
- Hjerkinn FjellstueHotelNorwaymountain lodge serving authentic rømmegrøt