Bergen - A Local Food Lover's Guide!
Sightseeing
Fløyen is one of the seven mountains that surround Bergen and is the one closest to the city centre. There is a funicular that takes visitors up and down Fløyen, and once up there it is nice to take a walk through one of the many trails through the forest. Bring a sandwich and coffee, or enjoy a snack at the café with a view of the city.
If you are up for a proper walk, do it the local way. Walk one way (up or down Fløyen), and only take the funicular the other way. That way, you get to stroll through the actual neighbourhood and past the houses and people who live on the hills of Fløyen. There is also an intermediate funicular station stop as a shortcut option!
6 yerel halk öneriyor
Fløyen Start
FjellveienFløyen is one of the seven mountains that surround Bergen and is the one closest to the city centre. There is a funicular that takes visitors up and down Fløyen, and once up there it is nice to take a walk through one of the many trails through the forest. Bring a sandwich and coffee, or enjoy a snack at the café with a view of the city.
If you are up for a proper walk, do it the local way. Walk one way (up or down Fløyen), and only take the funicular the other way. That way, you get to stroll through the actual neighbourhood and past the houses and people who live on the hills of Fløyen. There is also an intermediate funicular station stop as a shortcut option!
Our favourite food and drink
We love food (and also work in the industry), so these are our own go-to's. The area immediately around the harbour 'Fisketorget' is quite touristy, though you may get a decent seafood meal in the covered food hall. We prefer and recommend exploring the local cafés, restaurants, and bars around the city.
*Just around the corner from the apartment* — Our favourite pizza in town. They do the classics and interesting Norwegian-inspired options well. There is also a good range of natural wines by the glass or bottle.
41 yerel halk öneriyor
Hoggorm
29 Nygårdsgaten*Just around the corner from the apartment* — Our favourite pizza in town. They do the classics and interesting Norwegian-inspired options well. There is also a good range of natural wines by the glass or bottle.
*Just around the corner from the apartment* — Cosy cocktail bar with good drinks and a food menu with small plates. Great to start the evening or for a night cap
9 yerel halk öneriyor
Nedre Nygaard
31 Nygårdsgaten*Just around the corner from the apartment* — Cosy cocktail bar with good drinks and a food menu with small plates. Great to start the evening or for a night cap
Bergen's best ice cream bar! All the ice cream is small-batch and handmade on site. Try some unique Norwegian flavours like Skillingsbolle, Brunost, or Kardemommeby, or go with some equally delicious classics. There's also great coffee and a small selection of beers from the local 7 Fjell brewery on offer.
23 yerel halk öneriyor
Hallaisen Ice Cream Parlour & Cocktail Bar
5 SkostredetBergen's best ice cream bar! All the ice cream is small-batch and handmade on site. Try some unique Norwegian flavours like Skillingsbolle, Brunost, or Kardemommeby, or go with some equally delicious classics. There's also great coffee and a small selection of beers from the local 7 Fjell brewery on offer.
One of the few independent bakeries in town, with freshly-baked pastries, sourdough bread, and a daily sandwich lunch option
8 yerel halk öneriyor
Solros Kafe and Bakery
31 MarkenOne of the few independent bakeries in town, with freshly-baked pastries, sourdough bread, and a daily sandwich lunch option
A bistro with a consistently simple but solid menu. They focus on local and seasonal ingredients and have a good selection of sharing plates.
29 yerel halk öneriyor
Allmuen
1B ValkendorfsgatenA bistro with a consistently simple but solid menu. They focus on local and seasonal ingredients and have a good selection of sharing plates.
A one Michelin starred restaurant quite worth the hype if you're in the mood for a nice, drawn out multi-course meal.
9 yerel halk öneriyor
Bare Restaurant & Bar På Bergen Børs Hotel
2 TorgallmenningenA one Michelin starred restaurant quite worth the hype if you're in the mood for a nice, drawn out multi-course meal.
A laid back bistro by the water in the Solheimsviken neighbourhood - we like going here on sunny days for a drink in the sun. They also have a very simple but solid 4-5 item menu; it's often worth ordering the grilled platters on warm days.
We also recommend other eateries in the Colonialen group - Brasseriet, 44, Matbaren (depending on what sort of meal you're in the mood for).
23 yerel halk öneriyor
Colonialen Kranen
9B SolheimsgatenA laid back bistro by the water in the Solheimsviken neighbourhood - we like going here on sunny days for a drink in the sun. They also have a very simple but solid 4-5 item menu; it's often worth ordering the grilled platters on warm days.
We also recommend other eateries in the Colonialen group - Brasseriet, 44, Matbaren (depending on what sort of meal you're in the mood for).
If you have a sweet tooth, and you want cake in particular, there is only one - very specific, very west coast Norwegian - we go crazy for. It's the 'Hvit Dame', a marzipan-meringue-airy-nutty-velvety bit of magic, and they do it well at Lie Nielsen (there two outlets in the city centre).
Lie Nielsen konditori AS
6 Chr. Michelsens gateIf you have a sweet tooth, and you want cake in particular, there is only one - very specific, very west coast Norwegian - we go crazy for. It's the 'Hvit Dame', a marzipan-meringue-airy-nutty-velvety bit of magic, and they do it well at Lie Nielsen (there two outlets in the city centre).
Fun, small, loud-ish, local bar with a young cool-kids crowd, if that's your scene. Just a short walk from the apartment
38 yerel halk öneriyor
Legal
11 Christies gateFun, small, loud-ish, local bar with a young cool-kids crowd, if that's your scene. Just a short walk from the apartment
Another local bar - spacious, a mixed crowd, a pretty good selection of drinks for a casual night out. This is built on the site of the former music venue Garage, where many Bergen bands got their start or played fondly-remembered gigs
Stereo
14 Christies gateAnother local bar - spacious, a mixed crowd, a pretty good selection of drinks for a casual night out. This is built on the site of the former music venue Garage, where many Bergen bands got their start or played fondly-remembered gigs
Another restaurant in our neighbourhood, a short walk from the apartment. Recommended for cooler nights as they specialise in heavier, more meaty fare which are mostly sourced locally. (Marg & Bein literally translates to "Marrow & Bone").
50 yerel halk öneriyor
Marg & bein
16 Fosswinckels gateAnother restaurant in our neighbourhood, a short walk from the apartment. Recommended for cooler nights as they specialise in heavier, more meaty fare which are mostly sourced locally. (Marg & Bein literally translates to "Marrow & Bone").
If you want tacos, this is the only place in Bergen that does them well. Wash them down with any of the tequila or mezcal on their drinks menu. Small, cosy, good vibes.
Hot tip: do not be tempted by their next door neighbour Poca Madre which is a bigger venue and attempts a similar cuisine but does so quite poorly
Okidoki
29 SkostredetIf you want tacos, this is the only place in Bergen that does them well. Wash them down with any of the tequila or mezcal on their drinks menu. Small, cosy, good vibes.
Hot tip: do not be tempted by their next door neighbour Poca Madre which is a bigger venue and attempts a similar cuisine but does so quite poorly
A coffee shop with a good selection of coffees and coffee styles, great if you want a bit of peace and quiet to read a book or do a bit of work
79 yerel halk öneriyor
Kaffemisjonen
5 Øvre KorskirkeallmenningA coffee shop with a good selection of coffees and coffee styles, great if you want a bit of peace and quiet to read a book or do a bit of work
Another good local coffee shop (and producer/roaster) - it is at the corner of this street which leads on to a nice walk towards the Sandviken neighbourhood
Bergen Kaffebrenneri - Steinkjellergaten
2 SteinkjellergatenAnother good local coffee shop (and producer/roaster) - it is at the corner of this street which leads on to a nice walk towards the Sandviken neighbourhood
*Just around the corner from the apartment* — Casual Thai restaurant for eat in or takeaway. It is decent if you are craving Thai and don't want to venture beyond the neighbourhood.
Hot tip: Siam Ratree near Fløibanen (the funicular station) is a better alternative if you want a proper, more substantial Thai meal.
Thaitanic
33 Nygårdsgaten*Just around the corner from the apartment* — Casual Thai restaurant for eat in or takeaway. It is decent if you are craving Thai and don't want to venture beyond the neighbourhood.
Hot tip: Siam Ratree near Fløibanen (the funicular station) is a better alternative if you want a proper, more substantial Thai meal.
The pølse (hot dog) is more or less Norway's official snack. If you're going to have any at all, Trekroneren is the best place for it. Bergen locals have a soft nostalgic spot for this hot dog stand, which has been around for more than 50 years. They have a pretty big menu to choose from, but the reindeer sausage really is quite good.
18 yerel halk öneriyor
Trekroneren
1 Kong Oscars gateThe pølse (hot dog) is more or less Norway's official snack. If you're going to have any at all, Trekroneren is the best place for it. Bergen locals have a soft nostalgic spot for this hot dog stand, which has been around for more than 50 years. They have a pretty big menu to choose from, but the reindeer sausage really is quite good.
Neighborhoods
Nordnes is a local Bergen neighbourhood by the sea. It's a pleasurable walk from the apartment, and an opportunity to see some classical local architecture in the houses and streets of Nordnes. Walk further down through the lush, green Nordnes Park - which has a saltwater pool, and various public areas for great for picnics and swimming in the sea. The Bergen Aquarium is also part of the park and worth a visit with kids. Close by is also USF (see our notes on the venue).
57 yerel halk öneriyor
Nordnes
Nordnes is a local Bergen neighbourhood by the sea. It's a pleasurable walk from the apartment, and an opportunity to see some classical local architecture in the houses and streets of Nordnes. Walk further down through the lush, green Nordnes Park - which has a saltwater pool, and various public areas for great for picnics and swimming in the sea. The Bergen Aquarium is also part of the park and worth a visit with kids. Close by is also USF (see our notes on the venue).
Culture
USF (the United Sardine Factory) used to be Norway's largest cannery in a previous life. For many years now, however, it has housed artist studios and is a popular music and cultural venue. Depending on when you visit in summer, you may be lucky enough to catch a gig or a local micro-festival. Check https://usf.no/ for listings.
Hot tip: on the warmest of days, there is a lovely little sun-bathing spot/strip at the apartments by the water, a good jumping-off point if you fancy a dip in the sea.
88 yerel halk öneriyor
USF
12 Georgernes VerftUSF (the United Sardine Factory) used to be Norway's largest cannery in a previous life. For many years now, however, it has housed artist studios and is a popular music and cultural venue. Depending on when you visit in summer, you may be lucky enough to catch a gig or a local micro-festival. Check https://usf.no/ for listings.
Hot tip: on the warmest of days, there is a lovely little sun-bathing spot/strip at the apartments by the water, a good jumping-off point if you fancy a dip in the sea.
Bryggen is an historic landmark in Bergen and a nice stroll on most days, though most of the bars and souvenir shops can be quite touristy in the summer.
If you want a traditional Norwegian fish dinner, however, Enhjørningen is worth a visit.
Pop by the Hanseatic Museum at Bryggen for a little slice of the merchant and shipping histories of Bergen.
548 yerel halk öneriyor
Bryggen
BryggenBryggen is an historic landmark in Bergen and a nice stroll on most days, though most of the bars and souvenir shops can be quite touristy in the summer.
If you want a traditional Norwegian fish dinner, however, Enhjørningen is worth a visit.
Pop by the Hanseatic Museum at Bryggen for a little slice of the merchant and shipping histories of Bergen.
Şehir tavsiyesi
Gezinme
(Almost) everything is within walking distance!
While in the 'sentrum' or city centre, most people walk to get wherever they are going. There are also electric scooters and bikes (regular and electric) that can be easily rented with a smart phone.
For longer distances, hop on the Bus or Bybane (Light Rail) - you can use the same tickets. Download the Skyss app or buy at the ticket machines.
You can hail taxis on the street, or call 07000 to book one if needed.
Yanınızda getirmeniz gerekenler
Bring a good pair of shoes
Bergen, like most major Norwegian cities, is very walkable. It is also of course a hilly city, so make sure you have on a good pair of shoes, take your time, and enjoy the stroll.
A light wind/rain proof jacket is always useful even in summer, because Bergen's weather is famously unpredictable. "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes", as the Norwegian saying goes :)
Gelenekler ve kültür
Many shops are closed on Sundays
Almost all supermarkets are shut on Sundays. There are however, two that are open in our neighbourhood if you need any essentials. Bunnpris (Nygårdsgaten 89) and Matkroken (Nygårdsgaten 6). Many cafés, restaurants and bars in the city centre are open on weekends, however, and serve alcohol.
Beer can only be bought at supermarkets before 8PM on weekdays and 6PM on Saturday. Wine and liquor can be bought only from a (fortunately very well-stocked) state operated bottle shop known as 'Vinmonopolet'. There is one at the bus station/Bergen Storsenter just down the street.