20 Iconic Norway Famous Food That Captures the True Taste of Norway

Norway is a land where food carries the soul of a rugged, seafaring nation. Rooted in centuries of coastal living and shaped by long winters, the traditional food of Norway is hearty, wholesome, and deeply tied to nature.

Whether you’re savoring a warm bowl of fiskesuppe or biting into a traditional lefse at a countryside gathering, Norway famous food is a celebration of simplicity, freshness, and comfort. 

Here 20 best food to try in Norway, representing Norway famous food:

1. Fårikål

Fårikål is Norway’s national dish, a slow-cooked stew of lamb and cabbage seasoned with whole peppercorns. Simple, rustic, and deeply comforting, it’s especially popular during autumn. Traditionally served with boiled potatoes, this hearty meal brings families together around the dinner table.

• Must Try: Tender lamb chunks slow-cooked with cabbage and peppercorns.
• Price Range: ₹500 ₹800 (€6 €9)
• Best Served With: Boiled potatoes and flatbread

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2. Raspeballer (Potato Dumplings)

Raspeballer (Potato Dumplings) are traditional Norwegian potato dumplings made from grated or mashed potatoes mixed with flour, then boiled until tender. 

Often served with salted meat, sausages, or bacon and drizzled with melted butter, they’re a beloved comfort food, especially in western Norway.

• Must Try: Dense, chewy dumplings packed with hearty flavor.
• Price Range: ₹400 ₹700 (€5 €8)
• Best Served With: Butter, lingonberry jam, and smoked sausage

3. Kjøttkaker

Kjøttkaker are Norway’s version of meatballs—larger, flatter, and typically made from minced beef mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, and spices. 

They’re usually served with rich brown gravy, boiled potatoes, and mushy peas or stewed cabbage, making them a staple in Norwegian home-cooked meals.

• Must Try: Savory meatballs with traditional Nordic spices.
• Price Range: ₹350 ₹650 (€4 €7)
• Best Served With: Mashed potatoes and stewed peas

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4. Lutefisk

Lutefisk is one of the best food to try in Norway, made from dried whitefish (usually cod) that’s been soaked in a lye solution, then rehydrated and cooked until gelatinous. 

Typically served with boiled potatoes, peas, bacon, and mustard sauce, it’s a festive favorite during the Christmas season.

• Must Try: Gelatinous cod with a powerful aroma and delicate flavor.
• Price Range: ₹600 ₹1,200 (€7 €14)
• Best Served With: Boiled potatoes, bacon, and mustard sauce

5. Rakfisk

Rakfisk is a traditional food of Norway made by fermenting freshwater fish—usually trout—for several months. 

The result is a pungent, soft-textured fish typically served cold with flatbread, sour cream, onions, and potatoes. While its strong aroma isn’t for everyone, Rakfisk is a cherished taste of Norwegian heritage.

• Must Try: Bold fermented fish with a salty, tangy kick.
• Price Range: ₹700 ₹1,000 (€8 €12)
• Best Served With: Flatbread, sour cream, and raw onion

6. Gravlaks

Gravlaks is a Scandinavian classic made by curing fresh salmon in a mixture of salt, sugar, and dill. Unlike smoked salmon, gravlaks is not cooked or smoked, giving it a delicate texture and rich, buttery flavor. 

It is considered the best food to try in Norway, often served thinly sliced with mustard-dill sauce (sennepssaus) on bread or crispbread.

• Must Try: Silky cured salmon with sweet and herbal notes.
• Price Range: ₹500 ₹900 (€6 €10)
• Best Served With: Mustard-dill sauce and dark rye bread

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7. Brunost (Brown Cheese)

Brunost (Brown Cheese) is a uniquely Norwegian cheese with a sweet, caramel-like flavor and a fudge-like texture. 

Made by boiling whey, milk, and cream until it caramelizes, this iconic cheese is typically sliced thin and enjoyed on bread, waffles, or crispbread—often with a touch of jam.

• Must Try: Sweet and fudgy brown cheese made from goat’s milk.
• Price Range: ₹300 ₹600 (€3.5 €7)
• Best Served With: Waffles, crispbread, or apple slices

8. Pølse i Lompe

Pølse i Lompe is Norway’s beloved street food—essentially a hot dog wrapped in a soft flat potato tortilla called lompe. 

Often topped with ketchup, mustard, or crispy onions, it’s a popular snack at sporting events, barbecues, and children’s parties, offering a Norwegian twist on the classic hot dog.

• Must Try: Simple sausage snack with regional toppings.
• Price Range: ₹150 ₹300 (€2 €4)
• Best Served With: Mustard, ketchup, and crispy onions

9. Tørrfisk (Stockfish)

Tørrfisk (Stockfish) is dried cod that has been preserved using the traditional Norwegian method of air-drying. 

Known for its intense flavor and firm texture, this traditional food of Norway is often soaked or rehydrated before being cooked in various dishes, such as stews or soups, or simply enjoyed with olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

• Must Try: Pure, intense fish flavor with chewy texture.
• Price Range: ₹600 ₹1,000 (€7 €12)
• Best Served With: Mashed peas, potatoes, or creamy sauces

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10. Koldtbord (Norwegian Cold Buffet)

Koldtbord (Norwegian Cold Buffet) is a Norway famous food of cold dishes, commonly served at gatherings, celebrations, or holidays. It includes an assortment of meats, cheeses, fish, salads, bread, and pickles.

• Must Try: Variety of cured meats, smoked salmon, and pickled herring.
• Price Range: ₹800 ₹1,500 (€9 €17)
• Best Served With: Bread, mustard sauce, and aquavit

11. Skolebrød

Skolebrød is a popular Norwegian pastry, often enjoyed as a snack or dessert. It consists of a sweet, soft bun filled with custard and topped with coconut flakes. 

Traditionally served in schools and bakeries, it’s a comforting treat with a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, loved by both children and adults alike.

• Must Try: Creamy, coconut-covered pastry bun.
• Price Range: ₹150 ₹250 (€2 €3)
• Best Served With: Black coffee

12. Svele

Svele is a traditional Norwegian pancake-like treat, typically served warm and often enjoyed with butter and sugar, or sometimes with jam or sour cream. 

Soft, fluffy, and slightly thicker than regular pancakes, Svele is especially popular on the west coast of Norway and is commonly served with a cup of coffee at cafes or during special occasions.

• Must Try: Buttery and fluffy pancakes perfect for a snack.
• Price Range: ₹150 ₹300 (€2 €3.5)
• Best Served With: Sour cream and jam

13. Pinnekjøtt

Pinnekjøtt is a traditional Norwegian dish made from salted and dried lamb ribs, which are steamed over birch branches to give them a distinctive flavor. 

Often served during Christmas, it’s typically accompanied by mashed rutabaga (kålrotstappe), boiled potatoes, and rich brown gravy. 

• Must Try: Salty, tender lamb with a deep umami profile.
• Price Range: ₹1,000 ₹2,000 (€12 €24)
• Best Served With: Rutabaga mash and potatoes

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14. Rømmegrøt

Rømmegrøt is a traditional Norwegian porridge made from sour cream, whole milk, flour, and a pinch of salt. This rich and creamy dish is often served with a sprinkle of sugar, cinnamon, and a pat of butter.

• Must Try: Sweetandsour creamy porridge with spice.
• Price Range: ₹300 ₹500 (€3.5 €6)
• Best Served With: Sugar, cinnamon, and cured ham

15. Klippfisk Boller

Klippfisk Boller are Norwegian fish balls made from klippfisk (dried and salted cod). The fish is rehydrated and then mixed with flour, eggs, and spices to create a smooth, flavorful batter.

• Must Try: Crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside.
• Price Range: ₹250 ₹450 (€3 €5)
• Best Served With: Aioli or tartar sauce

16. Kransekake

Kransekake is a traditional food of Norway. It is a cake made of almond-based dough that’s shaped into a series of rings stacked on top of each other to form a cone-shaped tower. The cake is typically decorated with icing and sometimes filled with sweets or chocolates. 

• Must Try: Chewy almond rings stacked in a festive tower.
• Price Range: ₹800 ₹1,500 (€9 €17)
• Best Served With: Champagne or coffee

17. Smalahove

Smalahove is a traditional Norway famous food made from a sheep’s head, which is usually smoked or dried before being boiled or steamed. It is often served with mashed potatoes, rutabaga, and peas.

• Must Try: Cheek meat and tongue, tender and flavorful.
• Price Range: ₹1,200 ₹2,000 (€14 €24)
• Best Served With: Rutabaga mash and aquavit

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18. Bacalao

Bacalao is a popular dish in Norway, made from klippfisk (salted and dried cod), tomatoes, olives, onions, and olive oil, simmered together to create a rich, flavorful stew. Originally influenced by Portuguese cuisine, Bacalao is often served with boiled potatoes. 

• Must Try: Hearty cod stew with a Mediterranean twist.
• Price Range: ₹500 ₹900 (€6 €10)
• Best Served With: Crusty bread

19. Fiskekaker

Fiskekaker are Norwegian fish cakes made from minced fish, typically cod or haddock, mixed with flour, eggs, and seasoning. The mixture is shaped into patties and then fried or poached.

• Must Try: Soft, delicate fish cakes that melt in your mouth.
• Price Range: ₹300 ₹600 (€3.5 €7)
• Best Served With: Steamed vegetables and remoulade

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20. Multekrem

Multekrem is a traditional Norwegian dessert made from cloudberries mixed with whipped cream and sugar. Known for its sweet yet tart flavor, Multekrem is typically enjoyed during Christmas and special occasions.

• Must Try: Sweettart berries and cream in perfect harmony.
• Price Range: ₹400 ₹700 (€5 €8)
• Best Served With: Krumkake (rolled wafer cookies)

Craving the hearty and unique flavors of Norwegian cuisine? Begin your visa application today for a hassle-free journey. Stay updated on your visa status or explore the appeal process to avoid any delays in your Nordic adventure!

FAQs

1. What is Norway’s National Food?

Fårikål (mutton and cabbage stew), a Norway famous food, is widely regarded as Norway’s national dish. It’s a simple yet hearty stew made with lamb, cabbage, black peppercorns, and potatoes—perfect for Norway’s chilly climate and deeply rooted in its culinary traditions.

2. Is Norway food cheap?

No, the best food to try in Norway is generally expensive compared to many other countries. Eating out at restaurants, especially in major cities like Oslo or Bergen, can be costly. However, you can save money by buying groceries from supermarkets or eating at food courts and casual eateries.

3. What type of food is eaten in Norway? 

Norwegian cuisine emphasizes fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, with a strong focus on seafood like salmon and cod, root vegetables, game meats, berries, and hearty breads. Traditional dishes often reflect the country’s Viking heritage and cold climate.

4. What is a typical breakfast in Norway?

A typical Norwegian breakfast is light yet wholesome, often including whole-grain bread or crispbread topped with cheese (especially brunost), cold cuts, jam, eggs, and sometimes yogurt with granola or muesli. Coffee is a must-have in the morning.

5. Which are the famous restaurants in Norway?

Some renowned restaurants in Norway include:

• Maaemo (Oslo) – 3 Michelin stars, modern Norwegian cuisine
•  RE-NAA (Stavanger) – A top fine-dining destination with 2 Michelin stars
•  Credo (Trondheim) – Focused on organic and sustainable ingredients
•  Fjord Restaurant (Oslo) – Known for seafood specialties
•  Smalhans (Oslo) – A casual bistro with a rotating daily menu

6. Which is the best food to try in Norway during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, many visitors or residents prefer nourishing and filling dishes after a day of fasting. Popular options include:

•  Lapskaus (Norwegian stew) for its a hearty and balanced ingredients
•  Grilled or baked salmon with vegetables
•  Rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge) for its rich and comforting texture

You can also find Middle Eastern and halal food options in cities like Oslo and Bergen.

7. Which is a traditional food of Norway?

Some traditional Norwegian foods include:

•  Kjøttkaker (meatcakes)
•  Fiskekaker (fish cakes)
•  Rakfisk (fermented fish)
•  Lutefisk (dried fish rehydrated in lye)
•  Pinnekjøtt (cured lamb ribs) – especially popular at Christmas

8. What currency is used in Norway?

Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK) as its official currency. While many places accept credit and debit cards, it’s good to carry some cash for small purchases or remote locations.