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The Best Restaurants in Bergen, According to Our Guides

Bergen’s food scene is shaped by the sea, the seasons, and a strong tradition of local ingredients — but it’s also a city full of surprises. From fresh seafood served along the harbour to intimate neighbourhood kitchens tucked away behind historic streets, there’s no shortage of memorable places to eat. We asked our tour guides to vote for the restaurants they genuinely recommend to visitors, whether for a special dinner, a relaxed lunch, or a true taste of Bergen. These are the restaurants they return to again and again.

Banzha

Maria’s Favourite Restaurant in Bergen

“By far the best Chinese food I’ve ever had. They do Yunnan-style dishes full of meaning and really bold flavours, and everything is meant to be shared, which makes the whole dinner feel social. The atmosphere is really cool, the wine pairings are amazing, and honestly, I got completely addicted to their peppermint ribs.”

Our guide Heidi also loves Banzha:

Banzha offers something completely different from the typical Nordic dining experience. Inspired by the flavours of Yunnan in China, the dishes are vibrant, aromatic and perfect for sharing. It’s a restaurant I often recommend to guests looking for something memorable and unexpected.

Lola

Heidi’s Favourite Restaurant in Bergen

“I love Lola because it combines great food, warmth and personality. The menu changes with the seasons, the wine service is excellent, and it’s one of those places where you immediately feel welcome, whether you’re a local or a visitor.”

Honourable Mentions:

  • Lysverket – Lysverket is one of the restaurants I return to again and again. Chef Christopher Haatuft combines Norwegian ingredients with international influences, and the atmosphere feels refined without ever becoming formal. It’s a great introduction to modern Nordic dining. 1 Michelin star ⭐️ 
  • Bien Litteraturhuset – I often recommend Bien to visitors looking for traditional Norwegian flavours in a contemporary setting. The menu showcases local ingredients, and dishes like persetorsk offer a delicious glimpse into Bergen’s culinary heritage.
  • TempoTempo – TempoTempo is probably Bergen’s best-kept secret. From the outside, it looks like a slightly scruffy neighbourhood bar, but the kitchen serves some of the most exciting food in the city, alongside one of Bergen’s strongest natural wine lists.
  • Amateur – Just around the corner from where I live, Amateur has quickly become one of my favourite neighbourhood restaurants. Michelin-trained chef Nikolas Carlsen creates thoughtful, creative dishes in a relaxed and unpretentious setting.
  • Hoggorm Pizza – Hoggorm is much more than a pizza restaurant. The pizzas are excellent, but what makes the place special is the atmosphere, the natural wine selection, and the feeling that everyone in Bergen’s food and wine scene eventually ends up there.

Hekkan

Andrea’s Favourite Restaurant in Bergen

“I love to cook, and I’m usually preparing traditional dishes at home, but whenever I want something else, I’m visiting one of my 3 favourite gourmet burger places: Royal Gourmetburger & Gin, Hekkan Burger Bergen or Bien Snackbar in Danmarksplass – not quite in the heart of the town, but a quick and easy 8-minute trip away with the light rail. 

Not only do they serve delicious food, but all of these restaurants offer a good selection of locally produced beers.”

To kokker

Caterina’s Favourite Restaurant in Bergen

“Hidden in one of the narrow alleys of Bergen’s UNESCO site, this is a great place to enjoy some traditional Norwegian cuisine inside one of Bryggen’s iconic wooden buildings. It makes you feel like you’re travelling back in time!”

Pygmalion

Janine’s Favourite Restaurant in Bergen

“My favourite restaurant in Bergen is Pygmalion, and it has been ever since I arrived in Bergen 20 years ago. I’ve eaten there as a meat eater, as a vegetarian, and now on a completely plant-based diet—and it has never disappointed. Their bruschetta is divine! The food is organic and very reasonably priced, the atmosphere is cosy, and the staff are always genuinely friendly. An added bonus is the local art on the walls. You’ll find Pygmalion on Nedre Korskirkeallmeningen, just a one-minute walk from the fish market.”

Honourable Mentions:

  • Lucy: Another favourite is Lucy, an Ethiopian restaurant on Marken. The food is rich in flavour, and the traditional way of eating with your hands makes the experience feel even more authentic (though they do have cutlery if you prefer). They’ve recently moved to a larger premises, which is well deserved.

Klee Cafe

Serena’s Favourite Restaurant in Bergen

“There is a little spot called Klee café that has simply stolen my heart. They love frogs, the colour green and anything matcha, but when it comes to food, the chef is an absolute artist, with a very reasonable price.”

Honourable Mentions:

As an Italian, I am a little picky when it comes to pizza, and the best 2 are Bien Centro ( where they also make fresh pasta every day) and Trattoria del Napoli.

Another one of my favourites is Pingvinen, for traditional Norwegian cuisine. 

Bryggeloftet & Stuene

Emma’s Favourite Restaurant in Bergen

“I know this is probably the least-hidden restaurant in Bergen, but when I thought of my favourites, this was the only one I could think of. Bryggeloftet has become a bit of a tradition for us – my husband and I go there for birthdays and Christmas, and when my family visits, this is the first place we take them. I love the traditional Norwegian cooking as well as the atmosphere. Touristy? A little. Traditional? Absolutely.”

Honourable Mentions:

  • Villani – one of the best Italian restaurants in Bergen (in my non-Italian opinion). Husband and I go here every date night. We love the wine selection, and the pizzas are amazing. Starve yourself throughout the day in preparation, though. 

Explore More of Bergen

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