Bergen, Norway — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Bergen, Norway
Restaurants
Recommended restaurants
Bellevue
Located in a quiet and idyllic residential area, only 10 minutes' drive from the city center, the Bellevue, as its name indicates, has beautiful views overlooking Bergen. Established in 1899, the restaurant has a reputation for gastronomic excellence. The menus contain many traditional and local specialties, being particularly strong on game and fish and seafood dishes.
Bellevuebakken 9
Tel: 5533 6999.
Website: www.bellevue.no
Price: $$$
Bølgen & Moi
A great pit-stop in between visits to the nearby Rasmus Meyers Allé museums, this is the Bergen outlet of a trendy, popular franchise, established by two of Norway's best known chefs. Expect modern, international fare, with good value lunch menus, although it's in the evening that the brasserie really comes to life.
Rasmus Meyers Allé 9
Tel: 5559 7700.
Website: www.bolgenogmoi.no
Price: $$$
Dolly Dimple's
This chain, many locals swear, serves the best pizza in Bergen. Also offers pasta and salads, and delicious desserts. Takeaway available.
Branches: Bergen Storsenter; Torgalmenningen; Kokstadveien 9; Krohnåsveien 12; Minde Alle 36; Sandvikensveien 44
Tel: 04440.
Website: www.dolly.no
Price: $
Finnegaardsstuene
Part of the Finnegaarden Restaurant House, Finnegaardsstuene is one of the premier gourmet restaurants in Norway. The cuisine is classic European with Norwegian influences. Among Bergen's oldest establishments (it is almost 300 years old), the charming Finnegaarden is one of the country's best preserved quay buildings. Degustation menus available.
Rosenkrantzgaten 6
Tel: 5555 0320.
Website: www.finnegaarden.no
Price: $$$-$$$$
Lucullus
Award-winning Lucullus is a gourmet restaurant hailed as one of the best in Norway, serving classic dishes executed to perfection. The cuisine is French and decidedly haute. The extensive wine list is guaranteed to offer something special to complement any meal at this sophisticated and stylish restaurant.
Neptun Hotel, Valkendorfsgaten 8
Tel: 5530 6800.
Website: www.neptunhotel.no
Price: $$$$
Nama Sushi & Noodles
The city's most popular sushi bar is sleek without being flashy, with prices that are easy on the wallet and a good selection of raw fish and noodles. Pretty bento boxes are available for lunch, and there are specials every day, as well as a happy hour in the afternoon (1500-1700).
Lodin Lepps gate 2
Tel: 5532 2010.
Website: www.namasushi.no
Price: $-$$
Potetkjelleren
Housed in a period basement dating back to the Middle Ages, complete with rickety floors and vaulted ceiling, the ‘Potato Cellar' serves delicious French-inspired dishes in charming surroundings, making it the perfect choice for a romantic candlelit dinner. No lunch.
Kong Oscarsgate 1
Tel: 5532 0070.
Website: www.potetkjelleren.no
Price: $$-$$$
Smauet Mat & Vinhus
This charming restaurant is located in Vaskerelvsmauet, by Ole Bulls plass in the heart of the city. The cuisine is modern and international, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. A ‘Tapas surprise' menu is available in addition to the a la carte menu. A whisky and cognac bar can be found upstairs.
Vaskerelvsmauet 1
Tel: 5521 0710.
Website: www.smauet.no
Price: $$$
Wesselstuen
A restaurant and bar on Ole Bulls plass, in 18th-century wine cellar, known for its friendly, cheerful atmosphere, serving a variety of traditional Norwegian courses, as well as more international cuisine. Light meals are available too.
Ole Bulls plass 6
Tel: 5555 4949.
Website: www.wesselstuen.no
Price: $$
Nightlife
As Bergen is so small, there is no particular nightlife district - although the most popular areas include Bryggen and Ole Bulls plass. Bars tend to close at around 0200, while the nightclubs stay open until about 0300. It is not necessary to dress up for a night out on the town as locals tend to dress casually. Consumption of beer and wine is legal from 18 years but spirits may not be consumed by the under-20s. Prices are high in bars, clubs and restaurants - a night on the town is not a cheap option in Norway (a beer can cost NOK60 or more).
The tourist information office can provide information on nightlife in Bergen in English and its website (www.visitbergen.com) is also of help.
Bars: There are dozens of bars in the city center. Finnegan's, Veiten 3, is a good Irish pub. Frille, Hollendergaten 7, is one of Bergen's most popular bars, located in the medieval Vågsbunnen part of the city. Baklommen, Bryggen, is a charming, quirky bar with a warm atmosphere. A wine bar with a great selection of wines is Altonas Vinbar, Strandgaten 81, which is said to be Bergen's oldest known tavern, allegedly dating back to the 17th century. Fincken, Nygårdsgaten 2A, is a centrally located gay bar.
Fotballpuben, Vestre Torggate 9 is a popular gathering place for those wishing to watch football on TV.
Clubs and Live Music: Bergen has a lively music scene, and a number of Bergen bands, like Kings of Convenience and Röyksopp, have had international success in recent years. Many of them made their debut at Garage, Christies gate 14 (www.garage.no). There are several other good live music venues in the city. Mood, Vågsallmenning 16, used to be a bank, but it is now a nightclub with both live music and DJs. Rick's Café og Salonger, Øvre Ole Bulls plass 9 (www.ricks.no), is a bar, disco and live music venue rolled into one. Tiger Tiger, Christian Michelsensgate 4 (www.tigertiger.no), is one of the latest new comers in the city and features the latest in dance music. Logen, Øvre Ole Bulls plass 6 (www.logen-teater.no), stages revues, theater and cabaret shows and all kinds of concerts throughout the year. Nightclub Det Akademiske Kvarter (Academic Quarter), Olav Kyrresgate 49-53 (www.kvarteret.no), is a student venue promoting pop and rock concerts. It also stages jazz and classical performances. Madam Felle, Bryggen (www.madamfelle.com), offers jazz, blues, roots and gospel at the weekends. Trendy Metro Bar & Nightclub is at the Radisson SAS Hotel Norge in Ole Bulls plass. Ole Bull Scene, Øvre Ole Bulls plass 3 (www.olebullscene.no), has concerts and theater on throughout the week. Rock fans can catch international acts at Hulen, Olaf Ryes Vei 48 (www.hulen.no), on Fridays and Saturdays.
