Guidebook for Bergen
Getting Around
Fløibanen
23A VetrlidsallmenningenFunicular Fløybanen. Lower station.
Flybussen
27 Olav Kyrres gateAirport bus. Stop at Olav Kyrres gate/ Hotel Norway.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen
1 DreggsallmenningenAirport bus last stop in center.
Torget
TorgetAirport bus. Stop at Torget.
Bergen Airport
555 FlyplassvegenAIRPORT
Cable car to mount Ulriken. When you get up it is a good hike walking from Ulriken to mount Fløyen and our house. We call the trip "vidden". Takes about 6 hours. Or you can get the cablecar back down.
97 locals recommend
Ulriken 643
40 HaukelandsbakkenCable car to mount Ulriken. When you get up it is a good hike walking from Ulriken to mount Fløyen and our house. We call the trip "vidden". Takes about 6 hours. Or you can get the cablecar back down.
Essentials
MENY Støletorget
15 StølegatenREMA 1000 Kløverhuset
13-15 StrandgatenLife
8 TorgallmenningenThe supermarket with the best selection of fresh seafood and meats.
REMA 1000 KORSKIRKEKVARTALET
1A Nedre KorskirkeallmenningenEntertainment & Activities
Bergen Kino
3 Neumanns gateShopping
Røst Bergen
15 BryggenGood selection of Nordic design.
Illums Bolighus
20 StrandgatenBest selection of high end design interior, mainly nordic.
Scandinavians claim that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So when the rain (or sleet or hail) starts to fall, as it inevitably will in this wet city, find solutions at T-Michael & Norwegian Rain. The sophisticated shop, which opened this new flagship location last September, is stocked with Norwegian Rain’s unisex outerwear — sculptural ponchos lined in cashmere, elegant capes with shearling collars — along with water-resistant wingtips and tailored men’s wear from the local designer T-Michael.
Norwegian Rain & T-Michael Bergen Flagship
1 Chr. Michelsens gateScandinavians claim that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So when the rain (or sleet or hail) starts to fall, as it inevitably will in this wet city, find solutions at T-Michael & Norwegian Rain. The sophisticated shop, which opened this new flagship location last September, is stocked with Norwegian Rain’s unisex outerwear — sculptural ponchos lined in cashmere, elegant capes with shearling collars — along with water-resistant wingtips and tailored men’s wear from the local designer T-Michael.
Parks & Nature
Fjellveien is the best road in the hillside for a stroll. Magnificent view of Bergen.
60 locals recommend
Fjellveien
FjellveienFjellveien is the best road in the hillside for a stroll. Magnificent view of Bergen.
Idyllic lake at the top of mount Fløien. In the summer you can even rent a canoe her.
9 locals recommend
Skomakerdiket
Idyllic lake at the top of mount Fløien. In the summer you can even rent a canoe her.
Botanical garden. A nice place to relax when the weather is nice and you would like a break from the city.
37 locals recommend
Muséhagen
3 MuséplassenBotanical garden. A nice place to relax when the weather is nice and you would like a break from the city.
In a way you can walk all the way to the end of Bergen. At the tip of Nordnesparken you can enjoy the view and the ships entering or leaving the shore. And the Aquarium is close by too.
137 locals recommend
Nordnes Park
NordnesparkenIn a way you can walk all the way to the end of Bergen. At the tip of Nordnesparken you can enjoy the view and the ships entering or leaving the shore. And the Aquarium is close by too.
Food Scene
Fancy high end dining in the middle of the Norwegian sea on a small island? Our best recommendation for a full on experience starting already when you enter the boat at Bryggen. (The boat ride is usually included when making a reservation ahead).
56 locals recommend
Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant
14 KatlavikaFancy high end dining in the middle of the Norwegian sea on a small island? Our best recommendation for a full on experience starting already when you enter the boat at Bryggen. (The boat ride is usually included when making a reservation ahead).
Norwegian tapas sounds like a joke — “like small plates?” — but the conceit works at Bare Vestland, a two-year-old restaurant specializing in appetizer-size portions of creative Nordic cuisine. The cozy space, down a half-flight of stairs, has a cabin-in-the-woods atmosphere with low beamed ceilings and rustic furnishings. A recent meal began with torn hunks of sourdough smeared with bright-green lovage butter, and progressed to a deliciously funky plate of cured whitefish with curls of carrot, pickled turnips and spicy mustard seeds. But the highlight was pork rib so tender that it could be eaten with a spoon, paired with sweet pea purée and brown butter. Dinner for two, about 1,000 kroner.
86 locals recommend
Bare Vestland
1 VågsallmenningenNorwegian tapas sounds like a joke — “like small plates?” — but the conceit works at Bare Vestland, a two-year-old restaurant specializing in appetizer-size portions of creative Nordic cuisine. The cozy space, down a half-flight of stairs, has a cabin-in-the-woods atmosphere with low beamed ceilings and rustic furnishings. A recent meal began with torn hunks of sourdough smeared with bright-green lovage butter, and progressed to a deliciously funky plate of cured whitefish with curls of carrot, pickled turnips and spicy mustard seeds. But the highlight was pork rib so tender that it could be eaten with a spoon, paired with sweet pea purée and brown butter. Dinner for two, about 1,000 kroner.
The restaurants name translates as "Bone and Marrow". Fancy the rustic experience og having a huge bone served on a plate? This is the place. Don´t worry, they have more refined dishes as well, and a really nice backyard.
50 locals recommend
Marg & bein
16 Fosswinckels gateThe restaurants name translates as "Bone and Marrow". Fancy the rustic experience og having a huge bone served on a plate? This is the place. Don´t worry, they have more refined dishes as well, and a really nice backyard.
Retro interior and traditional Norwegian dishes like meatballs and "lapskaus". Generous servings, relaxed atmosphere. Also a cool hangout during evenings. Serves food until 2 am.
156 locals recommend
Pingvinen
14 VaskerelvenRetro interior and traditional Norwegian dishes like meatballs and "lapskaus". Generous servings, relaxed atmosphere. Also a cool hangout during evenings. Serves food until 2 am.
How about tapas the spanish way? The best place for that is at Escalon. Small intimate restaurant right by the funicular.
30 locals recommend
Escalón Fløien
21 VetrlidsallmenningenHow about tapas the spanish way? The best place for that is at Escalon. Small intimate restaurant right by the funicular.
Our go to thai restaurant. They have really affordable lunch dishes before 4 pm.
18 locals recommend
Siam Ratree Thai Restaurant
2B ØvregatenOur go to thai restaurant. They have really affordable lunch dishes before 4 pm.
In need of some Italian cuisine? Ruccola is low key, kid friendly, and the pasta comes in generous servings.
35 locals recommend
Ruccola Cafe & Restaurant
7 VetrlidsallmenningenIn need of some Italian cuisine? Ruccola is low key, kid friendly, and the pasta comes in generous servings.
Although we prefer the pasta at Ruccola, the pizza at Da stefano is always worthy a try. But the real reason to visit Stefano´s is the bakery section; to die for if you have a sweet tooth.
46 locals recommend
Da Stefano
96 StrandgatenAlthough we prefer the pasta at Ruccola, the pizza at Da stefano is always worthy a try. But the real reason to visit Stefano´s is the bakery section; to die for if you have a sweet tooth.
Royal
2a Neumanns gateReally, really, good burgers. And gin too.
Our go to sushi place for take away. Because this little stall in the middle of the shopping mall only has a few seats . But they have he best affordable sushi in town, so try it if you are on the go.
TAKE sushi
8 TorgallmenningenOur go to sushi place for take away. Because this little stall in the middle of the shopping mall only has a few seats . But they have he best affordable sushi in town, so try it if you are on the go.
If you want to go local: this is where the locals hang out at Møhlenpris. If you are near by or on your way to/from Nygårdsparken, it is a good choice.
56 locals recommend
Nobel Bopel
64 Welhavens gateIf you want to go local: this is where the locals hang out at Møhlenpris. If you are near by or on your way to/from Nygårdsparken, it is a good choice.
If you don´t know about this little gem, you will probably pass right by. Small bar/cafe, good food, great ambience. They have the best brunch meny in town, as well as regular taco Tuesdays.
6 locals recommend
Café Magnus
1 Gulating PlassIf you don´t know about this little gem, you will probably pass right by. Small bar/cafe, good food, great ambience. They have the best brunch meny in town, as well as regular taco Tuesdays.
Go to BIT at the first floor to get the best deal in Bergen; free croissant with your coffee if you order before 10 am. Only the local knows it.
156 locals recommend
Galleriet
8 TorgallmenningenGo to BIT at the first floor to get the best deal in Bergen; free croissant with your coffee if you order before 10 am. Only the local knows it.
Not because the food is magnificent, but the view is. Enjoy a drink of some kind at the outdoor seating at Kippers, if the weather is good that is.
40 locals recommend
Kippers Bar & Kafe USF
12 Georgernes VerftNot because the food is magnificent, but the view is. Enjoy a drink of some kind at the outdoor seating at Kippers, if the weather is good that is.
Don Pippo
11 Christies gateGood sandwiches and salads, good wine. Pancakes on sundays.
Kong Oscars gate 10
10 Kong Oscars gateKaffebrenneriet has the best coffee in town.
Really good coffee at a really nice and cozy location. The perfect place to stop by if you are on your way up/down the Hills.
86 locals recommend
Det Lille Kaffekompaniet
2 Nedre FjellsmauetReally good coffee at a really nice and cozy location. The perfect place to stop by if you are on your way up/down the Hills.
Sandviken is a really nice part of the city, at Bastant you can stop by for some soup and good ambience.
67 locals recommend
Bastant Stølegaten
8A StølegatenSandviken is a really nice part of the city, at Bastant you can stop by for some soup and good ambience.
Cafe for travelers, by travelers, a place to meet travelers, have a cup of coffee and buy gadgets, backpacks, guidebooks and what ever else one might need when traveling.
16 locals recommend
Chillout Bergen
3 SmåstrandgatenCafe for travelers, by travelers, a place to meet travelers, have a cup of coffee and buy gadgets, backpacks, guidebooks and what ever else one might need when traveling.
It is so small that its hard to notice it, but this tiny place is the only one in Bergen that serves decent tacos. Its actually really good! We often grab a taco while waiting for the funicular. Almost like being in Mexico!
6 locals recommend
La Taqueria
8 EngenIt is so small that its hard to notice it, but this tiny place is the only one in Bergen that serves decent tacos. Its actually really good! We often grab a taco while waiting for the funicular. Almost like being in Mexico!
Hallaisen Ice Cream Parlour & Cocktail Bar
5 SkostredetICE CREAM! The best. Homemade.
Leave Bryggen behind for lunch at Litteraturhuset, a cultural and literary institution opened in 2013 whose spacious first floor is home to Colonialen Kafé & Brasserie. At lunchtime, the cafe offers a seasonal menu of warming dishes that recently included creamy cauliflower soup drizzled with olive oil and Spanish almonds (95 kroner) and a hearty plate of homemade sausages with crackly skin atop mashed potatoes, roasted onions and whole-grain mustard (175 kroner). Ask the friendly staff for by-the-glass wine suggestions, or scan the chalkboard menu for a local beer, like Lervig’s Rye IPA from nearby Stavanger.
37 locals recommend
Brasseriet
5-7 Østre SkostredetLeave Bryggen behind for lunch at Litteraturhuset, a cultural and literary institution opened in 2013 whose spacious first floor is home to Colonialen Kafé & Brasserie. At lunchtime, the cafe offers a seasonal menu of warming dishes that recently included creamy cauliflower soup drizzled with olive oil and Spanish almonds (95 kroner) and a hearty plate of homemade sausages with crackly skin atop mashed potatoes, roasted onions and whole-grain mustard (175 kroner). Ask the friendly staff for by-the-glass wine suggestions, or scan the chalkboard menu for a local beer, like Lervig’s Rye IPA from nearby Stavanger.
When the chef Christopher Haatuft returned to open a restaurant in his native Bergen, he brought a résumé brandishing experience at some of the world’s top restaurants: Per Se, Alinea, Blue Hill at Stone Barns. His restaurant, Lysverket, opened in 2013 serving multicourse menus of New Nordic cuisine — think of North Atlantic clams with cabbage and smoked buttermilk. The large space, with exposed industrial ceilings and elegant Scandinavian décor, also contains a bar area with flickering tealights and fur-draped banquettes. Curl up here with the à la carte menu, which recently offered fried cod’s head (165 kroner) and funky Norwegian cheeses with jam and tangy sourdough (225 kroner).
93 locals recommend
Lysverket
9 Rasmus Meyers alléWhen the chef Christopher Haatuft returned to open a restaurant in his native Bergen, he brought a résumé brandishing experience at some of the world’s top restaurants: Per Se, Alinea, Blue Hill at Stone Barns. His restaurant, Lysverket, opened in 2013 serving multicourse menus of New Nordic cuisine — think of North Atlantic clams with cabbage and smoked buttermilk. The large space, with exposed industrial ceilings and elegant Scandinavian décor, also contains a bar area with flickering tealights and fur-draped banquettes. Curl up here with the à la carte menu, which recently offered fried cod’s head (165 kroner) and funky Norwegian cheeses with jam and tangy sourdough (225 kroner).
The most exclusive sushi in town, as well as a Japanese fusion menu. Quite expensive compared to other smaller sushi places.
62 locals recommend
Nama
2B Lodin Lepps gateThe most exclusive sushi in town, as well as a Japanese fusion menu. Quite expensive compared to other smaller sushi places.
Leading the local charge is the newly opened Bergen Kaffebrenneri Vagen, the first city-center cafe from a cult coffee roaster known by its BKB logo. Here, attention is paid to every detail, from house-made baked goods to the various brewing methods — see the shiny Marzocco espresso machine and multiple hand-brew options. For breakfast, keep things simple with a sandwich — the Brie with peppery greens on chewy walnut bread is superb (86 kroner) — and a cup of filter coffee.
112 locals recommend
Bergen Kaffebrenneri
6 Kong Christian Fredriks plassLeading the local charge is the newly opened Bergen Kaffebrenneri Vagen, the first city-center cafe from a cult coffee roaster known by its BKB logo. Here, attention is paid to every detail, from house-made baked goods to the various brewing methods — see the shiny Marzocco espresso machine and multiple hand-brew options. For breakfast, keep things simple with a sandwich — the Brie with peppery greens on chewy walnut bread is superb (86 kroner) — and a cup of filter coffee.
Everything Else
In the university district on top of the hill Nygårdshøyden. They have nice outdoor seating just above the botanical garden.
30 locals recommend
Godt Brød Christie Café
3 MuséplassenIn the university district on top of the hill Nygårdshøyden. They have nice outdoor seating just above the botanical garden.