Top 6 Niche Gourmet Experiences in Norway
These aren’t just restaurants — they’re destinations. From candlelit manors and floating domes to remote farms and sushi temples, each of these six places offers a culinary experience that’s intimate, unforgettable, and worth the journey.
Chosen for their atmosphere, storytelling, location, and food philosophy — each one passes the “Haaheim Gard test.”
Haaheim Gard – Tysnes
Romantic, rose-filled, and rich with heritage, Haaheim Gard is a country manor perched above the fjord. Guests dine by candlelight on seasonal menus inspired by bygone flavors, with herbs from the garden and stories in every bite. Concerts, opera evenings, and garden walks add to the magic — it’s like stepping into a novel.
Iris Expedition Dining – Kvinnherad
Floating in the middle of the Hardangerfjord, Iris offers an 18-course tasting journey inside the Salmon Eye — the world’s largest floating art installation. Guests arrive by electric boat from Rosendal, enjoy a rooftop flame-grilled course, and dine with panoramic views of fjord and mountains. It’s part restaurant, part expedition, and entirely unforgettable.
Kvitnes Gard – Hadsel
In the wilds of Vesterålen, Kvitnes Gard is a regenerative farm and restaurant where every dish begins years before it’s plated. Chef Halvar Ellingsen crafts poetic meals from foraged herbs, heritage animals, and fermented ingredients — all grown or raised on-site. It’s a slow-food sanctuary where nature sets the rhythm and flavor.
Mirabelle – Austevoll
Located in the harbor village of Bekkjarvik, Mirabelle is helmed by Bocuse d’Or winner Ørjan Johannessen. The tasting menu blends island seafood, local vegetables, and Nordic elegance — all served in a cozy, modern space beside the sea. It’s a masterclass in precision, warmth, and West Coast flavor.
Til Elise Fra Marius – Rana
Between fjord and forest in Utskarpen, Til Elise Fra Marius is a culinary retreat where every dish is crafted “from pasture to plate.” Chef Marius and host Elise welcome guests into their countryside restaurant with a 12-course tasting menu rooted in local ingredients, foraging, and seasonal storytelling. With cozy rooms and a sauna by the sea, it’s a full-sensory escape into Helgeland’s heart.
Sabi Omakase – Stavanger
Norway’s most exclusive sushi experience, Sabi Omakase seats just 10 guests around a counter where Michelin-starred chef Roger Asakil Joya prepares 18 courses of Edomae-style sushi. Locally sourced seafood meets Japanese precision in a quiet, reverent space that feels more like a temple than a restaurant. It’s a journey of flavor, trust, and storytelling — one bite at a time.