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Home - City Guide - Bergen - Food and Drink | ||
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Food and Drink A traditional Norwegian breakfast consists of soft-boiled eggs, cold meats, cheese, various kinds of bread and rolls, jams and cereals, and coffee, rather than tea. Not surprisingly, lunch tends to be a light snack such as smørbrød - an open sandwich of buttered rye bread topped with cold meats, smoked salmon, herrings or cheese - although business lunches are more substantial. The main meal of the day is middag (dinner), which is usually eaten between 1600 and 1800, although it tends to be later at weekends and when dining out. Koldtbord (known internationally by the Swedish word smorgasbord) is the traditional starter but, a dish of meat (reindeer or elk) or seafood is more likely. Traditional main courses include: farikal (lamb stew), raspeball (potato dumplings), spekesild (salted herring) and, the subject of many odes and urban myths, lutefisk (lye-soaked dried cod, served with various accompaniments). The final meal is aftens, usually tea or coffee and cakes, eaten shortly before bedtime. There are restaurants all over Bergen, but the Bryggen area is the most picturesque, especially in the summer with tables placed outside. Throughout 2000, many restaurants will be offering special menus commemorating Bergen's role as a City of Culture. It is worth remembering that Norwegians always tip even if the service has been poor. When not drinking coffee, Bergensers drink either the local Hansa beer or akvavit - a very strong grain-based or potato-based spirit. Restaurants For business lunches, try Enhjørningen in Bryggen (tel: (55) 327 919), a noted fish restaurant in an old timbered Hanseatic house where main dishes cost Kr190-265. First-class French cuisine is served at Lucullus (tel: (55) 306 800), in the Neptun Hotel, Valkendorfsgate 8. The restaurant is only open from 1700 and a jacket and tie must be worn. A main course costs from about Kr250. Finnegaardstuene (tel: (55) 550 300), at Rosenkrantzgate 5, is also at the expensive end of the market, with an emphasis on traditional dishes incorporating seafood, venison and reindeer. A main course costs from Kr240, while the seven-course gourmet meal is Kr700. Budget eaters can eat at Lido, V?agsallmenningen 1 (tel: (55) 325 912), where one course costs Kr70-100. The popular Bryggeloftet & Stuene, Bryggen 11 (tel: (55) 310 630), offers the traditional poached halibut, boiled potatoes and cucumber salad, for Kr160-235. Bryggen Tracteursted, Bryggen (tel: (55) 314 046), claims to be the oldest tavern in Norway and serves traditional Norwegian food for around Kr200. Vegetarians are catered for at Den Gode Klode, Fosswinkle 18 (tel: (55) 323 432), dishes are Kr65 or Kr75 for a small or large plate. Munkestuen CafÉ, at Klostergate 12 (tel: (55) 902 149), caters for both carnivores and vegetarians. A perennial favourite with the locals, it is only open for dinner from 1600. Italian food is to be had at Pasta Basta on Zachariasbryggen (tel: (55) 559 665), where dishes cost Kr90-120. Nearby is Skipet Tex Mex (tel: (55) 559 650) for Mexican food fiends, where dishes cost from Kr120-200. The Mongolian Barbecue, at Olav Kyrresgate 39 (tel: (55) 323 915), has a Kr149 buffet - you choose the ingredients to give to the chef to cook. CafÉs Bergen is not, strictly speaking, a cafÉ society, but there are many restaurants willing to serve just a coffee and a cake. The Bergenhus (tel: (55) 231 184), located close to the Torget, is a great place to sit and sip a coffee while gazing out across the harbour. Ervingen Kaffistova (tel: (55) 323 030), in Strandkaien, also overlooks the fish market. Slottskroen, on Slottsgaten 3 (tel: (55) 320 711), serves coffee and cakes alongside traditional Norwegian food from its wooden, almost nautical interior. Also on the harbour front in an old wooden building is Baker Brun, Zachariasbryggen (tel: (55) 315 108), which serves skillingsbolle (cinnamon and sugar roll) or a skolebrød (sweet roll with custard and coconut icing). Inland, Fincken, Nygørdsgate 22a (tel: (55) 321 316), popular with the gay community, transforms from a small, intimate cafÉ to a pumping nightclub. Spiskammerset (tel: (55) 323 525) is on the fifth floor of the Galleriet shopping centre. Open from 1000 to 1900, it is a good place to relax while shopping. |