The seafood from the coast of Fjord Norway is regarded as some of the best in the world. During winter, it is at its very best, with flavors that will take your visit to Norway to a whole new level. In Øygarden outside Bergen, you will find Norway’s leading seafood and maritime expertise. Scalmarin supplies ingredients to Michelin restaurants and other seafood restaurants both in Norway and abroad. Manager Knut Magnus Persson says it’s no coincidence that the seafood along Norway’s west coast is so excellent.
“The cold slows down the metabolism of the shellfish, giving it a sweeter and more characteristic flavour. They spawn over the summer, so they have started to develop well physically, and when they enter hibernation they are absolutely fantastic.”
Fresh fish and seafood are signature dishes in many of the restaurant in the villages and towns in Fjord Norway. Seafood has always been part of everyday life among the locals too. In Bergen, the export of stockfish and seafood is the very foundation on which the city was built. In the same way, klippfisk (fish dried on rocks) from the Northwest of Fjord Norway is credited with being the cornerstone of the town Kristiansund and its development into an important Norwegian seafood export hub. For example, Klippfisk from Kristiansund is used as an ingredient in the Bacalao served in restaurants in Portugal, Spain and Brazil. Bacalao and Klippfisk can also be found on menus throughout Fjord Norway.
Fish and seafood have also formed many small and attractive local communities along the coast of Fjord Norway. Solund is an island community that grew because of the area’s proximity to the sea and fresh seafood. The inhabitants settled out at the ocean’s edge to be as close as possible to the ocean’s bounty. Nowadays there are guided boat tours in the area and you can find out how seafood and fisheries shaped the local community throughout history.
Throughout history, seafood has been the lifeblood of Norwegian coastal culture, in the same way that is now a major feature of Fjord Norway’s gastronomy. This year, the festival will be held from 17–19 February, with local food producers selling produce and specialties from both the sea and land. You can find out more about the food, discover the story behind it, and gain insight into how it is made. Over twenty restaurants are taking part in the festival, all paying tribute to the local, unique ingredients from the sea.
Here are the top 15 seafood restaurants to try:
Sjøstjerna, Kristiansund
Sjøstjerna is a fish restaurant located in the heart of Kristiansund, in the pedestrian area. This is a small family restaurant known for serving good quality food like the traditional bacalao and other fish dishes. The Interior is decorated with Norwegian art and old remedies from klipfish production. Open in the summer only. In addition to the famous bacalao, you may also order klipfish in small balls; Bolinhos de Bacalhau, or a large piece of tenderloin grilled klipfish in Portuguese way and served with tomato salad and aioli. Try best-seller, cheese gratinated klipfish. Sjøstjerna has 70 seats in the restaurant and a small bar “Star”. Outdoor serving in the summertime.
Address: Skolegata 8 (Gågata), 6509 Kristiansund N
Website: www.sjostjerna.no
T: 71 67 87 78
Renaa, Stavanger
Their focus is on the best products from the sea, fjords, land, forests and mountains in this fertile and generous region. Highly awarded Norwegian chef, born and raised in Trøndelag – with an Italian father. He started his career at Britannia Hotel, where his mother also worked. He then moved to Oslo, where he worked at Anden Etage at Hotel Continental and Bærums Verk, before he went to the legendary Park Avenue Café with renowned chef David Burke. After New York Renaa returned to Oslo as Head Chef at Brasseriet Hansken, where he stayed for three years before he became Head Chef at ORO with Bocuse d’Or winner Terje Ness. Menu ”A taste of RE-NAA” – 3400kr *from January 2023.
Website: https://www.restaurantrenaa.no/en/renaa/
T: (+47) 51 55 11 11
Sabi Omakase, Stavanger
Sabi Omakase was the first sushi restaurant to receive Michelin status in Norway! Sushi master Roger Asakil Joya creates pieces of art on a plate from Norwegian ingredients. A delight for both the eye and the palate.
Website: www.omakase.no
T: 925 43 781
Fisketorget in Stavanger, Stavanger
A restaurant with fish and seafood, where the menu is based on today’s catch. The Fish Market’s enthusiastic chefs offer simple and tasty dishes for both lunch and dinner. They focus exclusively on local produce.
Website: fisketorget-stavanger.no/
T: 51 52 73 50
Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant, Bergen
A beautiful boat trip and a unique seafood experience at Cornelius Seafood Restaurant on Holmen island just outside Bergen. Cornelius is one of Norway’s best seafood restaurants. It is situated right by the sea on a small island with spectacular views of the fjord, mountains, skerries, and passing boats and ships.
Website: www.cornelius-restaurant.no
T: 56 33 48 80
Fish Me, Bergen
Located at the Fish Market, Fish Me offers a large selection of seafood and snacks. Caters for groups and can deliver to cruise ships. Many of their fish and shellfish are sold live, and always fresh; they have an assortment of cooked and fresh shellfish and other seafood that come to use from local dealers before you wake up in the morning.
Wesbsite: www.fishme.no
T: 450 23 000
Lysverket, Bergen
Michelin star restaurant Lysverket offers modern Nordic food with seafood from Western Norway as well as seasonal meat and vegetarian dishes.
T: 55 60 31 00
BARE Restaurant, Bergen
BARE Restaurant is one of Bergen’s two Michelin-starred restaurants. The award was a result of our philosophy and love for the raw materials our surrounding nature provides. Bare Restaurant & Bar is located in Bergen Børs Hotel. A historic building designed by Franz Willhelm Schiertz constructed in 1862.
Address: Torgallmenningen 2, 5014 Bergen
Website: www.barerestaurant.no/
T: 40002455
Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri, Bekkjarvik
Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri is situated by the harbor in idyllic Bekkjarvik in Austevoll, only 50 minutes by boat from Bergen Airport/ Flesland or Bergen city center.
Website: www.bekkjarvikgjestgiveri.no
Address: Postboks 33, 5399 Bekkjarvik
T: +47 55 08 42 40
Restaurant Bryggekanten, Florø
Restaurant Bryggekanten is passionate about good food and drinks. They take no shortcuts in the pursuit of culinary treasures.
Address: Hamnegata 7, 6900 Florø
T: 57 75 75 75
Hjørnevikbua, Florø
In the center of Florø is Hjørnevikbua Restaurant, in what used to be a herring hut. The building dates from 1870 and the restaurant is literally on the water’s edge. Here you are served the best the sea has to offer. The menus are based on local ingredients. Welcome to rich taste experiences in beautiful surroundings.
Address: Strandgata 23, 6902 Florø
T: (+47) 57 74 01 22
Website: www.tokokker.as
Knutholmen, Kalvåg
Kalvåg is a large living hotel! Within walking distance around the small bay you will find fishing huts, rooms or apartments, a restaurant, pub, dance floor and meeting rooms. Here you will find a boat, bailers, casks, coils, pebbles and maritime miscellany. Outside is an aquarium containing fish and shellfish from around the area. Take a look around beautiful Kalvåg and the local area here.
Website: www.knutholmen.no/
Kami Skotholmen, Fosnavåg
A restaurant that splashes at the water’s edge just a stone’s throw from Fosnavåg and a glance from Ålesund. With a kitchen that follows the season, the sunset and offers the sea and the horizon as a mural in a ramshackle sea mess from the middle of the 19th century.
Address: Kami Skotholmen, 6094 LEINØY
Website: www.skotholmen.no
T: +47 48 03 83 88
Bro, Ålesund
Bro invites you on a journey through what we call coastal gastronomy. It is a nordic restaurant, with a strong focus on what the local and the Norwegian coast has to offer. The menu changes with the seasons to give you the best experience of local food culture in a new way.
Address: Notenesgata 1, 6002 Ålesund
Website: brobro.no
T: +47 70 30 81 81
