What & Where To Eat in Bergen, Norway

Located beside the colourful harbour with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, this is one of the most beautiful places to eat in Bergen. Even if you don’t visit for a full meal, it’s a lovely spot for a glass of wine or dessert… like their pecan pie with Norwegian brown cheese ice cream that lives rent-free in my head!

We had a feast here, starting with a seafood platter to share. We tried different types of salmon, shrimp, and even dried cod. The latter is an acquired taste, but it was interesting to try the dish that the city was founded on. Cod was the biggest export of what was once the largest city in Scandinavia.

For mains, there’s a range of fish dishes on offer. I can vouch for the monkfish served with potatoes, vegetables and a flavoursome sauce. My friend ordered the seafood pasta, which I shared with her; it was delicious, too.

If I could repeat one meal from my Bergen trip, it would be the one at Allmuen in Bergen Old Town.

The chefs at Allmuen work closely with local producers to ensure everything is fresh and local. The menu is focused on the flavours of Western Norway, which are sublime if this meal is anything to go by.

Highlights include the crayfish, steak, mashed potatoes (I don’t know the secret ingredient, but these were something else!) and the toasted bread with whipped butter. And how can I forget the macaroons! The ones with Earl Grey filling changed my life.

The restaurant is colourful and cosy with quirky art.

You won’t find a menu on the website (though you can check the Google pin for past menus) because it changes with what’s in season. The waiters will be happy to walk you through the options when you get there.

They do a Saturday brunch for 375 NOK per person, served sharing-style. I would love to return for this.

This was our final meal in Bergen, and a fantastic one at that. With our group, we shared lots of small plates. My favourite way to eat!

History buffs will love the vibe at Bryggen Tracteursted, located in a wooden building in colourful Bryggen harbour, built in 1702 after the great fire and now protected by UNESCO.

Admittedly, this isn’t the easiest restaurant to stroll by… But if you’re visiting majestic Mount Ulriken, it’s a lovely stop that offers some of the best views in the region.

At 643 metres above sea level, Mount Ulriken is the most striking vantage point in Bergen. Riding the cable car up Mount Ulriken is an adventure in itself and, depending on the weather (sadly, we were not blessed!), a highlight of visiting Bergen.

Skyskraperen celebrates Norwegian food in stunning nature. We ate fantastically seasoned meat, a delicious heirloom artichoke soup, and the prettiest dessert ever: an ice lolly served on Norwegian brown cheese cream.

It’s open from 9am-11pm (7pm on Sundays) from April to September. You need a reservation to eat in the restaurant, but there’s a drop-in cafe where you can try simple, tasty meals and a wide range of drinks.

The indoor section is open all year, and the outdoor section is open from April to September.

For comfort food with a twist, head to Dogtails Bergen. The sausages are made with lamb meat, topped with parsnip puree and blueberry sauce. It wasn’t like any hot dog I’ve had before, but they’re definitely worth a try. I also think they might grow on you and become a regular craving.

The chilled cafe/bar also serves cocktails. They’re open until 1am on weekdays, and until 3am from Thurs-Sat. You know where to party with hot dogs and cocktails!

Fjak, Norway’s first bean-to-bar maker, is an excellent spot to warm up on a cold day with a rich hot chocolate. Swap it for a coffee if you want to save your sugar bandwidth for their famous ‘brown cheese’ cheesecake. This was easily the most delicious dessert I ate in Bergen.

Brown cheese is a typical Norwegian delicacy with a caramel-like flavour. I wasn’t a huge fan when I tried the regular cheese version, but I loved it when used in desserts such as ice cream or cheesecake.

It’s topped with quality dark chocolate chips, offset by sweet and creamy cheese. Just bliss!

This is a new business in Bergen, one I’m sure will be successful. Siderbar is a beautiful, vintage-style bar with antique furniture and lots of natural light. The vibe is modern meets tradition.

We’d already learnt on our day trip to Hardangerfjord that Norway produces fantastic cider, and here we got to try even more of it, from rosé cider to sweet iced cider. The staff are super knowledgeable and gave us a full tasting, along with snacks.