13 Tasty Restaurants in Tromsø (Options for Every Budget!)

Are you visiting Tromsø this year and are wondering what the best places to eat are? This guide covers my favorite restaurants in Tromsø, Norway, including both Norwegian and international flavors (but mostly Norwegian).

Tromsø has exceptionally good food. But there are a lot of people visiting Tromsø, especially during the winter months, so I always recommend travelers to prepare a bit before their trip so they are not stuck eating at the world’s northernmost McDonald’s. Which, yes, is located in Tromsø.

I have eaten at most of the restaurants in Tromsø but there are a few (listed at the end of this guide) that I haven’t had the chance to eat at yet. Be sure to scroll down if you’re curious which ones they are.

Anyway, in this guide you will see a list of diverse places to eat in Tromsø, Norway. If there is a place that you think should be on this guide that I left out, please leave a comment below for future travelers to head there!

And if there is a place omitted from this guide, there is probably a personal reason I don’t recommend it (Full Steam is an example).

Please note that these are only restaurants and not cafes. If you want to see my favorite cafes in Tromsø, you can check out a guide I wrote that is dedicated to just that!

Best Restaurants in Tromsø, Norway

Below, you will find my favorite restaurants in Tromsø! I have included opening hours, whether or not you need a reservation (and if you do, a link to their website so you can make one), and the pricing. The dinner menu pricing is represented by ‘$’:

• $: budget friendly option (or mostly has budget-friendly options on the menu)
• $$: mid-range; not outrageous but definitely more expensive than fast-food; usually 250-500 NOK per person ($25-50)
• $$$: most expensive; usually more than 500 NOK ($50) per person for a main course

Some of the pricier options on this guide may actually have cheaper lunch options, so I will indicate that within the text.

1. Bårstua

Type of food: Norwegian
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30am to 5pm; closed Sunday and Monday
Prices: $ to $$
Reservations: Recommended

After an era of taking only events and parties, Bårstua has opened its doors to lunch customers. While they still arrange events, you can actually walk in (not encouraged as it is busy) or make a reservation between 11:30am and 5pm for any day of the week except Sundays and Mondays when they are closed.

Located in one of the city’s oldest buildings (dating back to 1840) at Skansen, Bårstua has a limited menu but still manages to serve some of my favorite fish soup in the Arctic! They also serve sandwiches with fresh seafood, as well as omelets.

Most of the restaurants in Tromsø have a more modern aesthetic, but Bårstua keeps things a little old school given the building it is located in. It is cozy with a fireplace and rustic interior. It is undoubtedly the coziest spot for lunch in the city.

2. Fiskekompaniet

Type of food: Norwegian, Seafood-focused
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:30am to 2pm (lunch) and 5pm to 10pm (dinner); closed Sunday
Prices: $$$
Reservations: Yes

Easily one of the best restaurants in Tromsø, Fiskekompaniet offers an ever-changing menu with flavors brought to patrons straight from the sea. Their menu is seasonal but you can always find the freshest fish on it (and I had an incredible fish soup when I was there).

Fiskekompaniet is located right at Tromsø harbor and requires a reservation.

You will find everything from shellfish soup to whale to a shellfish selection on their lunch menu (which is actually much cheaper than having dinner there).

Their dinner menu allows you to choose from their seafood bar or one of their set menus (4-course or 6-course). Prices are steeper with dinner but you will leave having eaten at one of the most renowned restaurants in the city, which is pretty cool!

3. Art Café Bistro

Type of food: Norwegian, European
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 9pm; closed Monday
Prices: $$
Reservations: Yes – send a FB message or call +47 972 79 372

Aside from the many hotdogs consumed at Raketten (further down on this list), the spot I tend to frequent the most in Tromsø is Art Café Bistro. This small, but cozy restaurant is situated below the Quality Hotel Saga and is one of my favorites.

They specialize in European cuisine, but often with a Norwegian twist. You’ll find a seasonal menu and daily specials (I even had fårikål here one time!). The main courses tend to be around the 360-400 NOK range (about $36-40).

4. Raketten Bar & Pølse

Type of food: Hot dogs
Opening hours: Daily from 12pm to 7pm
Prices: $
Reservations: No

Raketten Bar & Pølse is one of the most recognizable places in Tromsø and you can find it centrally located on Storgata. The small yellow kiosk looks like rocket (hence the name ‘raketten‘ which means ‘the rocket‘ in Norwegian). And, there will undoubtably be a line in front of it… much longer in the winter than in the summer.

There is one thing that Raketten is renowned for and it is their hot dogs. While ‘Norway’s smallest bar’ is also known for its drinks and gløgg, it’s the reindeer, beef, and vegan hot dogs that have made it famous. I’m a boring hot dog eater, but my partner Ed is not. This is their signature hot dog, made with reindeer.

While Raketten is merely a kiosk, they do offer outdoor, covered seating behind them. There is also a fireplace and seating beside the kiosk in the wintertime. Despite the long lines, it is a worthwhile place to have lunch or dinner at!

5. Bardus Bistro

Type of food: Norwegian ingredients with international flavors
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday (11am to 2:30pm for lunch and 4pm to 10pm for dinner); Saturday (12pm to 2:30pm for lunch and 4pm to 10pm for dinner); closed Sunday and Monday
Prices: $$-$$$
Reservations: Yes

Inspired by the bistros of Southern Europe, Bardus Bistro takes the idea and gives it a Norwegian spin, creating one of the tastiest restaurants in Tromsø.

I have been to Bardus Bistro a couple of times and have never been disappointed. I have also enjoyed their lunch menu (which is cheaper, by the way!) and have also had a meal worth talking about then.

Their menu is ever-changing and they focus on their relationship with suppliers to ensure only the best ingredients is being brought to the Cora Sandelsgata bistro.

On the menu, you will find everything from lamb curry to redfish to halibut tacos… and more. The lunch menu has salads, burgers, and a catch of the day. Prices are a little steeper than some of the restaurants in the city, with dinner mains in the 400-480 NOK range (about $40-48).

6. Bread & Wine Tromsø

Type of food: Norwegian with a little Mediterranean flair
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 3pm to 11pm; closed Tuesday
Prices: higher end of $$
Reservations: Yes

Bread & Wine Tromsø is a newer spot that opened at the beginning of 2024 and has been satisfying customer’s palates ever since! I have only had a chance to eat here once but I loved what I ordered (lamb) and I adore that they have a rotating menu with the season.

You can usually find an array of tapas for starters and a few main dishes to satisfy all tastes, including vegans. Reservations are needed and they are only open for dinner service.

7. Emmas Drømmekjøkken & Vinbar

Type of food: Norwegian
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00pm to 11:30pm; closed Sunday and Monday
Prices: $$$
Reservations: Yes

I have been to every restaurant on this guide, but Emmas Drømmekjøkken & Vinbar (translates to Emma’s Dream Kitchen and Wine Bar) remains just that for me… a dream. I haven’t had a chance to eat here yet.

I have spent so many months in Tromsø over the years but for some reason, every day I attempt to go there, I realize it is one of the days that Emma’s is closed or has no table availability. Usually the latter, which just shows how popular it is!

The reason I am including it on this guide is because I have had a few friends dine there and have nothing but positive things to say about Emmas Drømmekjøkken! It is a great spot for Norwegian dishes and seafood.

For dinner, they offer 6- or 9-course tasting menus, specializing in Northern Norwegian flavors and ingredients. This is the most expensive dining spot on my guide and probably not a good option for shoestring travelers.

8. Dragøy

Type of food: Seafood
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 11am to 5pm; closed Sunday
Prices: $$
Reservations: No

Situated in Kystens Mathus right on the Tromsø harbor is Dragøy, a fish market and lunch eatery that is a must for those seeking fresh seafood on their trip.

In winter, it is almost always teeming with tourists. But in summer, it is usually a bit less crowded. When I have walked through, I almost always see every table with fresh shrimp (reker) and bread.

I have eaten that at Dragøy and while it is a little expensive, it was delicious. My partner has ordered an Indian-inspired fish soup there and it was to-die-for.

So, you’re pretty much good to get anything on the menu, or grab some fish to go and make at home later. They also have fiskegrateng (fish gratin) that you can take away and put in an oven if you have one in your accommodation.

Dragøy is only open during the daytime and does not do a proper dinner service. If you’re craving fresh seafood, you can actually pop over to its sister restaurant, Hav Sushi & Ramen which is in the same building across from it. I have eaten there and while I didn’t include it on this guide (because Dragøy was a better fit), it was delicious.

9. Maskinverkstedet

Type of food: Norwegian
Opening hours: 11:30am to 5pm daily; closed Sunday and Monday
Prices: higher end of $$
Reservations: Yes

Maskinverkstedet is a Northern Norwegian restaurant located in Vervet, only a stone’s throw from the Tromsø harbor. They offer a variety of dishes, all made with fresh, local ingredents and seafood caught off the Tromsø coast.

One of the coolest things about the Tromsø dining spot is the building! It is a historical one that used to be a workshop and has since been transformed without losing the elements that tell its story.

They serve lunch and dinner both (I have only had dinner there) and you can find everything from mussels to whale steak to a catch of the day from Kvaløya (the island beside Tromsø).

Main courses range from 350 to 425 NOK ($35 to $42.50, give or take). Reservations are required, but the you also head there for lunch without one outside of the high-season.

10. Wedeb’s Restaurant

Type of food: East African (Eritrean/Ethiopian)
Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday from 4pm to 10pm; closed Monday and Tuesday
Prices: $$
Reservations: Yes

One thing to know about me is that I love East African food. We had a large Eritrean community in Frankfurt when I lived there and I was a loyal customer of a certain spot for all the years that I lived in the city. But… I am rather picky with value for money when it comes to the cuisine since I was living in a city with such a large community and copious options.

I had heard good things about Wedeb’s Restaurant in Tromsø but never had the chance to eat there until a month ago. And oh my goodness was it incredible.

It is not an easy place to get into since it is so popular with the locals, so be sure to book ahead. The menu has a plethora of items from shiro wat to variety tasting plates. They also do a coffee ceremony, which is common at many East African restaurants.

The owner and staff was extremely friendly and the place had an overall positive vibe. The food was really good value for money and I was surprised at how large the portions were. I will absolutely be heading back again and again.

11. Størhus

Type of food: Pizza
Opening hours: Daily from 12pm to 10pm
Prices: lower end of $$
Reservations: Recommended

Tromsø has a couple of pizza spots but Størhus is my favorite. While I don’t always seek pizza when I travel, sometimes it is a nice change after weeks of eating cod and other seafood.

Størhus, which also boasts a good coffee menu, has an array of different pizzas to choose from. I am a bit boring and tend to go for the Margherita, but I did try their Parma pizza one time and enjoyed it. I have walked in and gotten a table before, but I would highly recommend booking ahead, especially in the high-season.

12. RUDA

Type of food: Norwegian
Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday (5pm to 10pm), Friday to Sunday (4pm to 10pm), closed Monday and Tuesday
Prices: higher end of $$
Reservations: Yes

RUDA actually holds a special place in my heart because I had the first reservation of the day on the day they opened to the public in 2024. They are the little sister to SMAK, Tromsø’s renowned fine-dining establishment.

It is best to book a table, but one thing to know about RUDA is that it is not in Tromsø’s city center. You will need to drive, walk a bit, or take a public bus to reach the place. But the food makes the journey well worth it!

RUDA focuses on Norwegian cuisine with European finesse. You can find a daily catch, reindeer from the Finnmark region, and more. The menu shifts with the season, so be sure to check out their website before your booking to see what is available. You can see what I had when there in the photos above (and the tartar still seems to be on the menu).

13. Burgr

Type of food: Burgers
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (3pm to 9pm), Saturday and Sunday (12pm to 9pm)
Prices: $-$$
Reservations: No

I have been going to Burgr for years and it always hits the spot in between the incessent amount of seafood I eat in Tromsø. Burgr not so ironically specializes in burgers and has something for everyone… from the vegan diner to the hot sauce enthusiast.

It is a fairly affordable place to eat, but if you can extend your budget to include one of their milkshakes, I highly recommend doing so!

They do not accept reservations and have limited seating. You may end up sitting at the bar, as a result (I tend to sit there). Burgr also has a second location in Jekta Storsenter.

Additional Places to Eat in Tromsø

The aforementioned Tromsø restaurants are some of my favorites in the city. There are also a few that didn’t make the list (for random reasons). Here are a few of those and some details about each:

• Mathallen: Exceptional spot but I have only been twice and ordered a salad and salmon bowl on those occasions and it didn’t seem right to list without having a proper meal there.
• SMAK: Probably the most famous fine-dining spot in Tromsø. I want to eat there but my bank account doesn’t want to. I will make it there someday, but for now, I have merely enjoyed its sister restaurant, RUDA (listed on this guide).
• Hildr Gastro Bar: Honestly, I only tend to remember I haven’t eaten there yet on Sundays and Mondays… when it is closed. I will make it a point to check it out next trip. They focus on local produce, so it is right up my alley.
• Hav Sushi & Ramen: Solid spot that I enjoyed one time. Located in Kystens Mathus opposte Dragøy. I had sushi there (and my friend had the ramen). I didn’t list above because I put Dragøy there, but I do recommend going here for dinner if you have a hankering for fresh fish.
• Knoll og Tott: A newer lunch spot in Tromsø. I had a baguette from there and enjoyed it. I will be placing them into a more lunch-focused guide in the future.

Map of the Tromsø Restaurants in This Guide

Tips for Eating Out in Tromsø

Reserving a Table at a Restaurant in Tromsø

If you are visiting Tromsø during the high season, it is imperative you plan ahead and book your table at some of these restaurants (if I mention they require it). You can do so by visiting their website that I mention, or finding their phone number and giving them a call.

Traveling solo and flexible with plans and don’t care where you sit? Ask for bar seating or the least busy time of the evening. I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but I always ask if I’m alone as I am not too picky with it.

Tipping and Paying

The staff makes liveable wages in Tromsø, but please tip a little if you feel you had good service! Tromsø is getting more and more difficult to live in with Airbnbs raising rents and tourism pushing locals out of the city. Every little bit helps!

Just ask how to add a tip when the credit card machine is given to you. Normally it will have your amount and a 0.00 NOK where you can add in the final total. But double-check to make sure.

Is water free in Tromsø?

Yes! Tap water is almost always free in Tromsø. Sparkling water will not be, on the other hand. And Norwegian water is phenomenal, so don’t hesitate to stay hydrated with it!

What’s on the menu in Tromsø?

Most menus of the restaurants listed here focus on Norwegian and local specialties. But, you will almost always find vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. You will also find options (usually) with an international twist and not just straight from the old school Norwegian cookbook.

Here are some ingredients you will frequently find in Norwegian dishes (alongside their Norwegian name):

• Cod (torsk)
• Shrimp (reker)
• Halibut (kveite)
• Mussels (blåskjell)
• Whale (hval or hvalbiff)
• Salmon (laks)
• Reindeer (reinsdyr)
• Lamb (lamm)
• Dill (dill)
• Potatoes (poteter), carrots (gulrøtter), leek (purreløk), beetroot (rødbeter)
• Butter (smør) and bread (brød)
• Many types of berries

As for the dishes that tend to be popular or seen on several menus throughout the city, here are a few:

• Fiskesuppe: Varies from place to place, but the creamy soup can have chunks of fish and shellfish with carrots, leeks, etc. My favorite places to eat are at Bårstua, Fiskekompaniet, and Dragøy.
• Pinnekjøtt: Usually seen around Christmas… it is lamb or mutton steamed for hours. Often paired with kålrabistappe (mashed rutabaga) and boiled potatoes. It’s very salty and delicious!
• Fårikål: Eaten in many parts of Norway in the fall and into early winter. Sometimes Art Cafe Bistro has it as a daily special.
• Bacalao: Even though it has been made famous in Portugal and Spain, Norway excels at the stuff (given that the cod comes from this region).
• Finnbiff: This is a creamy reindeer stew. Often served with potatoes, lingonberries, etc.

Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants in Bergen

Unlike some of the other cities in Norway, I find that Tromsø is pretty good with wheelchair-accessibility at restaurants. No fault to the other Norwegian cities… it is mostly a historical building situation.

Almost every restaurant in this guide is accessible, but please call or send them a message ahead of time just to ensure before making a reservation. Here are a few that I know are wheelchair-accessible, however:

• Fiskekompaniet
• Dragøy
• Hav Sushi & Ramen
• Mathallen
• Koseverden & Koselig Cafe
• Bread & Wine Tromsø
• Casa Inferno (pizza spot)
• Cous Restaurant (Middle-Eastern)

Do you have any questions about these Tromsø restaurants? Let me know if I missed your favorite place on this guide. Thanks!