The best restaurants in Tromsø
Tromsø is one of the most popular destinations in Norway. Visitors come from near and far to explore the beautiful nature in and around Tromsø, catch a glimpse of the infamous northern lights, and take in the history and culture of Northern Norway. It’s no secret that food and culinary experiences are a big part of traveling, and Tromsø has plenty to offer foodies who want to sample some local flavors!
There is a range of fantastic eateries and restaurants in Tromsø just waiting to be discovered. If you’re planning your upcoming trip to this polar city, keep reading – we’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Tromsø, Norway!
Mathallen
Mathallen is one of Tromsø’s most popular restaurants. This elegant bistro serves modern Norwegian cuisine focusing primarily on food from the Arctic climate. The restaurant menu is centered mainly around locally sourced fish and meat with a focus on high-quality, seasonal ingredients. The award-winning chefs have designed set tasting menus for a true experience of Arctic flavors as well the regular a la carte menu.
Mathallen also offers a deli shop where people can buy cheeses, meats, and other local delicacies to take home.
Fiskekompaniet
Some of Tromsø’s best culinary experiences can be found at Fiskekompaniet. This maritime restaurant is a long-standing favorite among both locals and visitors looking for great food and a fantastic view of the polar landscape during their meal. Primarily focused on fish and seafood from the local area of Troms and beyond, Fiskekompaniet offers a modern and contemporary take on classic flavors.
Restaurant Smak
The charming and intimate Restaurant Smak has earned a well-deserved spot as one of Tromsø’s top eateries. Offering a seasonal menu based on local ingredients of the highest quality, Restaurant Smak is dedicated to providing fantastic culinary experiences inspired by the classic flavors and ingredients of Northern Norway.
Tours with food in Tromsø
A fantastic way to get to try all the best of local flavors in Northern Norway is to go on a tour where food is included. An organized tour with experienced guides will give you great insight into local cooking and food traditions, let you have some true Norwegian culinary experiences, and also give you the chance to explore the stunning nature in the area all in one! There is a range of options for great tours depending on what you’re most interested in.
On a scenic coastal safari with local lunch, you get to experience the spectacular Arctic landscape! A knowledgeable local guide will provide historical insight into Norwegian traditions and life in the area and a salmon-, reindeer- or vegetarian wrap will be served at the beautiful island of Sommarøy.
If you’re keen to chase the fascinating aurora borealis, a dinner cruise may be a better option for you. Imagine gliding along the icy waters surrounding Tromsø in search of the elusive northern lights as you tuck into a delicious three-course dinner from the award-winning Mathallen. If you’d like to experience the Arctic city of Tromsø by night and sample some local flavors at the same time, there’s no better way to do it than in style on a dinner cruise!
Keep in mind that many of Tromsø’s best restaurants will be closed on Sundays. In Norway, it’s common for most shops and eateries to remain shut on a Sunday as this has traditionally been a day of rest – so as a traveler, it’s wise to be aware of this when you’re planning your trip. Sundays are a great time to plan an outdoor activity like a tour, especially if you’re hoping to sample some local flavors on this day. There are loads of fun things to do in Tromsø, have a look here!
You will also find restaurants and cafes that are open on Sundays, so don’t worry – you won’t go hungry in Tromsø! You’ll likely find some smaller independent eateries and cafes that are open even on the day of rest, and popular Norwegian chain restaurants like Egon and Peppes Pizza are usually open on Sundays for hungry travelers looking for a bite to eat.
Enjoy a culinary experience in Tromsø!
Top things to do in Tromsø
Discover the Arctic's most breathtaking experiences in Tromsø, from the dancing Northern Lights to thrilling winter adventures. Book your activities today to secure your spot during peak season.
Dog sledding in Tromsø
Multiple locations • 7 hr
From 2290NOK
Available 1 December - 31 March
Silent whale watching cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 9 hr
From 1790NOK
Available 25 October - 31 January
Electric Northern Lights cruise
Tromsø • 3 hr 30 min
From 1190NOK
Available 1 November - 29 March
Overnight Northern Lights and Whale Safari Expedition
Tromsø • 1 day
From 10695NOK
Available 1 November - 31 January
Aurora safari minibus in Tromsø
Tromsø • 7 hr
From 1790NOK
Available 1 September - 4 January
Arctic fjord cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 4 hr
From 1250NOK
Available 1 February - 23 October
Aurora safari camp in Tromsø
Tromsø • 7 hr
From 1490NOK
Available 16 November - 8 March
Snowmobile safari in Tromsø
Tromsø • 7 hr
From 2490NOK
Available 10 December - 31 March
Dog sledding in Tromsø
Multiple locations • 7 hr
From 2290NOK
Available 1 December - 31 March
Silent whale watching cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 9 hr
From 1790NOK
Available 25 October - 31 January
Electric Northern Lights cruise
Tromsø • 3 hr 30 min
From 1190NOK
Available 1 November - 29 March
Overnight Northern Lights and Whale Safari Expedition
Tromsø • 1 day
From 10695NOK
Available 1 November - 31 January
Aurora safari minibus in Tromsø
Tromsø • 7 hr
From 1790NOK
Available 1 September - 4 January
Arctic fjord cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 4 hr
From 1250NOK
Available 1 February - 23 October
Aurora safari camp in Tromsø
Tromsø • 7 hr
From 1490NOK
Available 16 November - 8 March
Snowmobile safari in Tromsø
Tromsø • 7 hr
From 2490NOK
Available 10 December - 31 March
Articles about Norwegian food and cuisine
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Every culture will have its own set of unique food items that either impress or disgust visitors when they try it upon visiting. Norway is no different and offers an assortment of delicious Norwegian food that is unlike anything that can be found anywhere else in the world. Some of the more common examples include lutefisk and pinnekjøtt.
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Whether you’re planning to visit Norway or are just interested in Norwegian culture and tradition, you’ll want to find out more about lefse. Lefse has a long-standing history as a traditional food in Norway, and it remains about as popular today as it was a hundred years ago. Let’s take a closer look at what this tasty, simple food is all about!
Traditional Norwegian food
Norway has a lot of interesting traditional food, and any travelers visiting Norway would do well to sample some of the local cuisines. Culinary traditions in Norway have been dominated by meat, fish, and seafood that could be hunted or caught. These days the Norwegian food space represents an interesting mix of old and new due to culinary influences from all over the world.
Norwegian cider’s rise in popularity
Cider brewing is a Norwegian custom that dates all the way back to the 13th century. However, once the Vinmonopolet or the Wine Monopoly came into effect, the practice largely died down. Despite this, Norwegians continued to brew cider in their homes and cellars. And now the drink is experiencing a surge in popularity yet again. If you’re a cider lover planning a visit to Norway, here’s everything you need to know!
Top 3 Norwegian recipes to try
If you are a foodie or even just a lover of barbecue, then you will definitely want to make sure that you take a trip to Norway to experience the incredible local cuisine in places like Bergen and Røros. To give you a small taste of the kind of culinary experience you will get in Norway, here are three top Norwegian recipes that you can easily make at home.
Sustainable eating trends
Norway is already publicly recognized by almost every foodie as being home to some of the tastiest cuisine options in the world, with some truly exquisite national recipes like lutefisk and pinnekjøtt originating in Nordic countries. But what you may not know is that Norway is also a leader in bio-farming and sustainable food production.
Here's what you'll experience at this record-setting underwater restaurant
There are a lot of fantastic things to experience on land in Norway, but there is a new exciting activity that takes you under the water. At the southern tip of Norway in Lindesnes, you can find the world's largest underwater restaurant.
What did the average viking eat?
When your every-day activities include pillaging villages and exploring the impressive fjords in Norway, you are going to need a lot of energy to sustain yourself. This means eating some pretty astonishing meals in order to maintain proper health with such an active lifestyle.
What do you eat with Brunost?
Every culture will have its own set of unique food items that either impress or disgust visitors when they try it upon visiting. Norway is no different and offers an assortment of delicious Norwegian food that is unlike anything that can be found anywhere else in the world. Some of the more common examples include lutefisk and pinnekjøtt.
What is lefse?
Whether you’re planning to visit Norway or are just interested in Norwegian culture and tradition, you’ll want to find out more about lefse. Lefse has a long-standing history as a traditional food in Norway, and it remains about as popular today as it was a hundred years ago. Let’s take a closer look at what this tasty, simple food is all about!