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What to eat in Bergen? Where to eat in Bergen? 7 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Bergen

The best traditional dishes in Bergen and the best authentic restaurants that make them, recommended by industry professionals.
Last update: Sun Feb 16 2025
7 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Bergen
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01
Fiskesuppe
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Fiskesuppe is a popular Norwegian fish soup characterized by its creamy texture and buttery flavor. This comforting dish appears in many regional and seasonal versions, but it usually consists of various types of fish, shellfish, and root vegetables, cooked in a rich broth with butter, milk, and cream.


Even though it is native to Norwegian coastal areas, this hearty, chowder-like soup is considered to be a national specialty which is prepared and consumed throughout the country. Before serving, it is seasoned with a variety of fresh herbs and a drizzle of tangy lemon juice. 
VARIATIONS OF Fiskesuppe

MOST ICONIC Fiskesuppe

02
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Bergensk fiskesuppe is a traditional fish soup originating from Bergen. Although there's an ongoing debate about what should be in the soup, it often contains pollock or salmon, pickled purslane, vegetables such as onions, carrots, leeks, and celery, sour cream, vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, and traditionally, but rarely in practice - the bones of young saithe.


Alternatively, the bones of haddock or cod are also acceptable for making the fish stock. Fish balls are sometimes also added to the soup. Before serving, Bergen fish soup is topped with a dollop of sour cream. If desired, garnish the soup with chives and serve it with crusty bread on the side.

MOST ICONIC Bergensk fiskesuppe

03
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Lapskaus is a traditional stew originating from Norway. The stew is usually made with a combination of beef (lamb, pork, and chicken are also viable options), onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, rutabaga, stock, flour (optional), bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.


The beef is cooked in water with the vegetables, herbs, and seasonings. As the stew cooks, the broth becomes thicker, and once it develops the right consistency, it's served warm with a few slices of bread or lefse flatbread on the side. If desired, the broth can be thickened with a bit of flour. 

MOST ICONIC Lapskaus

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04
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Persetorsk is a traditional fish dish originating from Bergen. The dish is usually made with a combination of cod, sugar, salt, dill, bacon, and a sauce consisting of shallots, green peas, crème fraîche, vinegar, and dill. The cod is pressed for a long time in a solution of sugar and salt, and the fish is then cut into pieces and fried in bacon fat until the skin becomes crispy.


The fried pieces of cod are served on a plate and the sauce is poured over it. The dish is traditionally served with munavoi, a mixture of hard-boiled eggs and butter.

MOST ICONIC Persetorsk

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05
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Skillingsboller is a traditional version of a cinnamon roll. This circular pastry is usually associated with Bergen. The rolls are made with a combination of flour, milk, yeast, eggs, sugar, cardamom, lots of butter, and chopped almonds (optional).


After the baking, skillingsbolle are brushed with additional butter on the top and the bottom while they are still hot. The top is also sprinkled with extra sugar and cinnamon. The name skillingsboller means penny bun. They're usually eaten as an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee on the side, but some people like to eat them with brown cheese (Brunost).

MOST ICONIC Skillingsboller

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06
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Pinnekjøtt is a traditional Christmas dish predominantly enjoyed in the northern and western parts of the country. It is usually prepared with racks of lamb or mutton, which are brined and air-dried or smoked before they are sliced into individual ribs and cooked.


Traditionally, the ribs are placed on birch branches and steamed until all the water evaporates and the meat becomes juicy and tender. This flavorful Norwegian classic stems from the traditional methods of meat preservation and is usually complemented with mashed or boiled potatoes, pureed Swedish turnip, and various salads.

MOST ICONIC Pinnekjøtt

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07
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Reindeer hot dog is a Norwegian delicacy that can be found at Bergen's Trekroneren hot dog stand. The meat for the reindeer sausage comes from Northern Norway. The reindeer sausage is served in a hot dog bun and it's traditionally topped with mustard, lingonberry sauce, and crispy fried onions.


This hot dog is beloved for its mild, sweet and savory, not too spicy and not too gamey flavor. The sausages are generously sized and have a casing on the outside that gives them an appealing snap when bitten into it.

MOST ICONIC Norwegian Reindeer Hot Dog

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