Once known as culinarily staid, Norway is in the midst of a gastronomic blossoming thanks to its wealth of fresh seafood and innovative agricultural methods. That abundance of exceptional ingredients and the renaissance of cooking methods in nearby Sweden and Denmark have led to the invention of neo-Nordic cuisine. Bergen is a hotbed of young, innovative chefs, making it one of the best cities for exploring this new genre.
With a local guide, you can delve into Bergen’s ever-changing food scene, from traditional dishes to the most ground-breaking restaurants. Begin in Fisketorget, the city’s waterfront fish market, for a sampling of the day’s catch, fresh off the boats that dock just a few feet away. Then, you can move on to Bryggeloftet & Stuene, one of Bergen’s most popular restaurants, serving traditional Norwegian dishes. Additionally, you’ll sample local sausages and cheeses, freshly baked bread, and various local desserts.
Your private food walking tour will begin when your guide meets you at your hotel. This tour is tailored to your personal preferences, including food restrictions, and exactly what you see and sample may vary, depending on the season.
However, since seafood is so central to Nordic cuisine, you’re likely to start at Fisketorget, Bergen’s waterfront fish market. Every day, fishermen sell their daily catch at the awning-covered stalls here, and you’ll find an impeccably fresh buffet that might include oysters, shrimp, octopus, cod, salmon, lobster, and skate. Your guide will lead you through the market and help you choose the best options to sample — vendors will make up a plate.
Another stop might be Bryggeloftet & Stuene, which serves traditional Norwegian dishes with flair. You’ll hear from the restaurant’s manager about the development of the restaurant business in Norway, as well as the country’s food culture.
At a bayside café, you can taste local sausage and cheeses, including Norway’s signature brown cheese, which has distinctive caramel notes. From here, you might continue to Vinmonopolet, a spirits shop, where you’ll learn about the history of the alcohol industry in Norway, its traditions, and the country’s most popular tipples.
Your final stop of the day is at the Café-Restaurant Fløyen, situated at the top of the Fløibanen funicular on Mount Fløyen. Here, you’ll be treated to expansive views across the city and bay while enjoying Norwegian desserts.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Norway specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Folgefonna glacier & hike
Spend a whole day among the striking scenery of Norway’s fjordland. You’ll stop at two waterfalls en route to Hardangerfjord, before crossing the water and winding up into the mountains to Folgefonna Glacier, where you’ll spend four hours exploring the ice on foot.
Mountain hiking with a local guide
Get to know Norway’s mountains with a privately guided hike on one of the seven peaks that surround Bergen. You have many options, from gentle loops suitable for families with small children to steeper, more challenging paths.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
