Must-see restaurants in The Western Fjords

  • Sødahl-Huset

    The Northern Fjords

    This place is the model of what every small-town cafe should be like. Mix-and-match furniture, regular beer tastings and gigs, and a blackboard menu chock…

  • Knutholmen

    The Western Fjords

    One of the best addresses for fresh fish on the west coast. Scoff a plate of the freshest shrimps, split some crab or lobster claws, or tuck into a lavish…

  • Maki

    Ålesund

    In a nautical cellar space of the hip Hotel Brosundet, this first-rate seafooderie is Ålesund's most creative and interesting place for a fine-dining…

  • Ciderhuset

    The Western Fjords

    On a fruit farm that produces its own ciders, jams and juices, the Cider House offers tours and tasting sessions in its distillery, after which you can…

  • Restaurant Arven

    The Western Fjords

    On the 2nd floor of the Fretheim Hotel, this reliably good restaurant offers a grandstand view over the harbour and fjord. It's not quite New Nordic, but…

  • Bryggekanten

    The Northern Fjords

    This waterside brasserie is just the ticket for brunch, lunch or dinner, with a great terrace wrapped in glass and a good varied lunch menu of pasta…

  • Glass

    The Northern Fjords

    This popular bistro near the waterfront is everyone's favourite place to eat in Molde, so it's well worth making reservations. It's a swish space that…

  • Stryn Vertshus

    The Western Fjords

    Now this is what a fjord-side village cafe should be like: run by friendly staff and comfy as an old pair of slippers. The menu is simple – mainly burgers…

  • Invit

    Ålesund

    Invit does central Ålesund's best coffee and is its most stylish lunch spot. Daily changing sandwiches and salads are super-fresh and inventive, healthy…

  • Brasserie Posten

    The Northern Fjords

    A simple menu of sandwiches, burgers, steaks, fish and pizza is elevated above the norm by a passionate local chef who sources the best local produce and…

  • Dødeladen Café

    The Northern Fjords

    There's a little slice of history to go with your cake here. This timber-clad cafe dates back to the early 1700s and fits right in alongside the other…

  • Lustrabui

    The Western Fjords

    The two local women behind this traditional bakery trained with Bakeriet i Lom’s Morten Schakenda, who is considered Norway’s best baker. All natural…

  • Pilgrim

    The Western Fjords

    This homey restaurant is located inside a landmark building near the harbour known as Det Gylne Hus (The Golden House), which is now occupied by an art…

  • Hjørnevikbua

    The Western Fjords

    In an attractive clapboard building, this place has two settings: a salty downstairs pub and an upstairs restaurant that turns out some decent fish dishes…

  • Smia Fiskerestaurant

    The Northern Fjords

    Located in an old smithy on the cobbled street of Fosnagata (it's still covered with blacksmiths' tools), this well-respected fish restaurant is a good…

  • Brævasshytta

    The Western Fjords

    Do visit the Brævasshytta, built into the moraine of Bøyabreen glacier's latest major advance, even if it's only for a cup of coffee. With the glacier…

  • Lyspunktet

    Ålesund

    Premium coffee, local craft beers and a comforting menu of foccacias, pulled-pork rolls, home-style fish soup, pies, burgers and tacos make this shabby…

  • Kneippen

    The Northern Fjords

    We dare you to walk into this lovely cake shop and cafe and not succumb to something sweet and sticky: a classic skolebrød (custard tart), a sweet almond…

  • Jordbærstova

    The Northern Fjords

    This roadside cafe is where most people stop to eat for lunch in Valldal. It's a homey place, with a long wood-panelled dining room where Norwegian…

  • Plan A

    The Northern Fjords

    This popular cafe in the centre of town is busy at lunchtime with a mix of ladies who lunch, shop-workers and assorted other locals, who come for the…

  • Gamlefjøsen Cafe

    The Western Fjords

    This little farmhouse cafe is a wonderful spot to sit and watch the fjord slide by. Treats on offer include homemade fruit juices, raspberry lemonade and…

  • XL Diner

    Ålesund

    Adventurous seafood is the staple at this attractive, modern diner, one of a cluster of eating places owned by the same team. Local specialities like salt…

  • Olebuda & Cafe Olé

    The Northern Fjords

    Occupying Geiranger's old general store, the pretty upstairs restaurant does a range of international-style dishes and good local standards including…

  • Bryggja

    The Western Fjords

    Dine on the tiny terrace to make the most of the gorgeous riverside location; if it rains, the staff simply pulls over the sail-shaped cover. Fish is done…

  • Fole Godt

    The Northern Fjords

    You'll struggle to get a table in the main room come lunchtime at this ever-popular cafe, but luckily there's a second space out the back next to the…

  • Kraftstasjonen

    The Western Fjords

    For brunch, lunch or dinner, this funky main-street bistro serves up something that fits the bill. There's usually a choice of fish, tapas-y dishes,…

  • Bryggjen i Bud

    The Northern Fjords

    This unpretentious place attracts people from miles around for coastal comfort food: fish soup, two varieties of fish ball, salted coalfish and, of course…

  • Kabb

    Ålesund

    If you don't fancy a sit-down dinner, this gastropub might be just the thing. It serves hearty dishes like brisket burgers, fish and chips, mussels and…

  • Laksen Pub & Restaurant

    The Western Fjords

    The informal Laksen at the Wild Salmon Centre offers substantial meals, and sells a small range of snacks, salads, cakes and sandwiches during the daytime.

  • Anno

    Ålesund

    A stylish, waterfront venue for super wood-fired pizzas or upmarket à la carte dishes like poached salmon, klippfisk, steaks and so on. Local provenance…

  • Doktorgarden Cafe

    The Western Fjords

    A light, homey space at the Doktorgarden B&B where cakes are the thing: plum cake, cheesecake, carrot cake and classic Norwegian jam and cream-filled…

  • Flåm Bakery

    The Western Fjords

    This very popular little bakery turns out muffins, Danish pastries, croissants and cakes, along with some delicious traditional Norwegian breads.

  • Snorre Sjømat

    The Western Fjords

    This no-nonsense, no-frills seafood bar is the place in town to come if you just want to enjoy the fruits of the sea with nary a starched napkin in sight…

  • Sjøstjerna

    The Northern Fjords

    Klippfisk served several ways, along with other fishy dinners, are the order of the day at this fun, if rather kitschy, maritime-themed restaurant. The…

  • Kafe Krydder

    The Western Fjords

    The town's most frequented lunch spot is great for gourmet salads, well-stuffed sandwiches and paninis, morning muffins and afternoon cakes. There's a…

  • Bistro To Kokker

    The Western Fjords

    This canteen-style place is a bit short on charm, but it's great for fill-you-up, cheap-as-chips food. Crispy cod, fried salmon, steaks, pork chops and…

  • Gekkens

    The Western Fjords

    In business for 25 years, this little yellow clapboard cafe is fine for a no-nonsense Norwegian lunch: fish soup, grilled salmon, meatballs with…

  • Bryggerestaurant

    The Western Fjords

    A good bet for the basics – fish and chips, elk burgers, lamb stew and klippfisk – served in a pleasant waterfront space at the Flåm Marina & Apartments.

  • Rød

    The Northern Fjords

    Basic fill-your-tummy-up grub is what's on offer at this pubby venue, which majors in burgers, steaks and pasta standards. It's budget-friendly, but don't…

  • Nomaden

    Ålesund

    Affiliated with antique shop next door, this unpretentious cafe serves sandwiches, big slices of cakes and fresh coffee and has its own changing art…