Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
features from Bryggen's days as a Hanseatic port mix with luxe contemporary fittings. It's
undeniably atmospheric, though some rooms get the mix right better than others.
Eating
Bergen's culinary scene is a diverse one, taking in a small but internationally acknow-
ledged local food movement, lots of casual places catering to the city's student population,
and quite a few bastions of west coast tradition. As might be expected, the fish and sea-
food are something special.
Torget Fish Market
SEAFOOD
7am-7pm Jun-Aug, to 4pm Mon-Sat Sep-
May)
For atmosphere, it's hard to beat the fish market. Right alongside the harbour and a stone's
throw from Bryggen, you'll find everything from salmon to calamari, fish and chips, fish
cakes, prawn baguettes, seafood salads, local caviar and, sometimes, reindeer and elk.
Kjøttbasarell
FOOD MARKET
10am-5pm Mon-Wed & Fri, 10am-6pm Thu,
9am-4pm Sat)
This lovely old food market has cheeses, meats, jams and all sorts of gourmet items.
Pingvinen
NORWEGIAN
1pm-3am Sun-Fri, noon-3am Sat)
Devoted to Norwegian home cooking, and with a delightfully informal ambience, Pingvin-
en is
everyone
in Bergen's old favourite. They come for meals their mothers and grandpar-
ents used to cook, and although the menu changes regularly, there'll be one or more of the
following: fish-cake sandwiches, reindeer, fish pie, whale, salmon, lamb shank and
raspe-
baller
(aka
komle
), west-coast potato dumplings.
The kitchen usually closes around 9pm, whereafter there are snacks and kicking on - it
does double duty as a popular late-night bar.
