10 Best Norwegian Foods and Dishes

Brown isn’t a common colour for cheese, but don’t let this put you off as the sweet, nutty brunost is something a little bit different. It’s made by boiling whey down into sugar and comes in block form. Generally, Norwegians eat it for breakfast or lunch, sliced thinly and put on bread or waffles, but some enjoy some brunost melted on top of their cod.

Cheese aficionados won’t want to miss out on trying this local delicacy, while those with a sweet tooth will adore its caramel flavour. There’s a reason the Norwegians love it, so why not give it a try?

Norway might not be the first country you think of when you contemplate the humble waffle, but it’s put its own spin on this classic dish. Thinner and softer than their American cousins, and often heart-shaped, Norwegian waffles have been around since the 18th century.

Some of the most popular Norwegian waffle toppings are sour cream and jam and brunost, a caramelised cheese which is also on this list. Plenty of others are available, though, with different regions of the country having their own favourites. They’re available in cafes across the country and often enjoyed alongside a nice cup of coffee.

Kjøttkaker are Norway’s version of the classic meatball and it’s a loved dish all over the country. Flavoured with nutmeg and other spices often including paprika, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, these juicy meatballs aren’t quite like any meatballs you’ve had before.

They’re often served with lingonberries and gravy or just lingonberry jam to give a mouthwatering combo of sweet and savoury. You’ll find this dinner option on menus and dining tables all over Norway and we highly recommend giving it a try for a true Norwegian experience.

Pinnekjøtt is a traditional Norwegian Christmas dish made of salt-cured, steamed lamb ribs. Created from the necessity of preserving food through long winters and tough times, pinnekjøtt proves as popular in Norway today as it was historically.

The lengthy process of curing and cooking the meat leaves it extremely tender and with a unique smoky taste. You’ll find that everywhere has its own take on this dish, with everyone swearing theirs is the best. If you get a chance, it’s worth trying a few to see what your opinion is.

If you’re heading out to hike around the Norwegian fjords or on a shopping spree around Oslo, or you’ve just come back, keep your energy up with Rømmegrøt. This hearty, creamy and delicious sour cream porridge is Norwegian comfort food and more commonly a lunch or dinner item than breakfast.

Although it’s traditionally sprinkled with sugar, you’ll find it served as a side alongside sausages and cured meats, but it can also be a meal in itself, with crackers to dip in. Filling and tasty, it’s a Norwegian staple you won’t want to miss.

Talking of hearty, comforting dishes, fårikål, the national dish of Norway, must be mentioned. This mutton and cabbage stew is flavoured with pepper and often served with potatoes and flatbread. These days it’s often made with lamb rather than mutton, but both versions are amazing.

This stew is filling and delicious, all the better to keep you warm on the long Norwegian nights. Fårikål is so important to Norwegian culture that it was voted the national dish, and an entire society has been built around it, The Friends of Fårikål. No trip to Norway would be complete without trying this incredible meal.

Bread lovers won’t be disappointed on a trip to Norway as Lefse, the Norwegian version of flat bread, is abundant and delicious. Also referred to as ‘Norwegian pancakes’ they do bear some similarities to them. Lefse can be made with either potato or wheat and can be eaten on their own or with a variety of different toppings or dishes. You might find them served alongside fårikål.

They can be enjoyed with sweet toppings as a dessert or accompaniment to coffee or filled with savoury toppings for a great lunch or dinner. They’re so versatile and popular, you could eat them for every meal

Given Norway’s lengthy coastline and history of seafaring, so it’s no surprise that Sursild has made it into our list of best Norwegian foods and dishes. Sursild is a spiced, pickled herring with a flavour profile that will leave you wanting more. Salty, tangy and tender, these fish are light and refreshing to eat.

Sursild is a favourite breakfast food in Norway, served with bread and butter, but they also appear on dinner menus as well. Sursild is a wonderful option to choose if you’re looking for a lighter meal. They’re also protein rich and high in Omega 3, so they’re an excellent choice for the health-conscious, too.

Yes, the name does mean what you think it means, but trollkrem, or troll cream, is nothing like it sounds. There’s no cream and no trolls in this delicate, airy dessert. In fact, it’s made with lingonberries, sugar, egg whites and a dash of vanilla and salt, all whipped up into an elegant pink mousse.

You’ll see lingonberries and lingonberry jam all over Norway, in shops and restaurants, but trollkrem is our favourite way to eat them. Fruity, fresh and very light, trollkrem may be simple, but it makes an exquisite dessert. Do note that with the ingredients containing raw egg, it’s unsuitable for pregnant women.

While the lingonberry is a rich red colour, cloudberries are bright orange and have a unique taste of their own. A little like raspberry, but sharper, they are a Norwegian and Scandinavian delicacy.

Buy yourself some jars of cloudberry jam while you’re in Norway, perhaps as gifts for folks back home, or maybe just for you. After you’ve tried some, you might not want to give them away. Or, for a real treat, try some cloudberry cream or cloudberry waffles from a restaurant.