The best bars and cafés Norway

Despite its splendid view of the fjord, the place remains cheap, in addition to a friendly atmosphere. It is very popular with the locals who come to enjoy hot and cold dishes that are not too expensive, such as the vegetarian burger or the home-made fish soup. Children's menu burger + fries. Good choice of beers and fresh pastries. Concerts from time to time, free internet connection perfect for working for a few hours. Friendly staff and a large terrace by the water, what more could you want to do to have a nice time?

Without being one of the cheapest (on the contrary), this bar-restaurant is worth a stop because it is certainly one of the most convivial. On the walls with warm colors are drawn large frescos representing bar scenes. Candles on the tables as very often in Norway, for our greatest pleasure! Every week different tapas are proposed with a choice of classic tapas but also more innovative ones. Other addresses in Oslo (Majorstuen, Aker Brygge) and in Bodø and Frederikstad. A good address!

This is the local Hard Rock Café, all in hard blue. Young people enjoy pizza and beer in harmony with the rock music. The restaurant boasts the best burgers in town. The place turns into a disco on Fridays and Saturdays. You can sit on 3 levels at tables of varying sizes and in slightly different atmospheres. The place is rather young, animated, nice to start the evening. We may prefer to go and dance elsewhere because even at the end of the week, the atmosphere is not that of a club.

Our favourite address in Stavanger is in the heart of this pretty coloured street, Ovre Holmegate. From the outside, it looks like a bookstore, but the pretty terrace in front of it invites you to come in and enjoy a good organic and fair trade coffee, or a cold beer (large selection!). The place also invites you to chat. Often full to bursting, we meet some nice people. Some evenings, you can attend a live concert. Cosy atmosphere and varied clientele, you can go there with your eyes wide open!

At the end of the main street, Ølhallen means beer hall. It is the pub of the northernmost brewery in the world, but also the oldest pub in Tromsø. Here seal hunters used to come and tell their stories, now every Friday it is the place where the locals have to go for debauchery. In the heart of the old stones, the atmosphere is hushed and the pints are well filled. The walls pay homage to Henry Rudi, the famous polar bear hunter. The tavern atmosphere of the brick walls makes the place more than warm.

Next to the previous one, a younger rock café, arranged around a large circular bar in the centre. There are often concerts here and on nights when there are no musicians, the DJ plays Nirvana, Rage against the machine, etc. Sometimes there are up to three concerts a week, so if you check the line-up before you arrive in Stavanger, you should be able to find something to your liking. Buy tickets online if possible. Just remember that alcohol is super expensive in Norway, it's not a myth.

Equally interesting blue and interior facade. Furniture antique or custom made in this trendy New York café. Children, even at the low age, are welcome. Temporary exhibitions of art and design. Tequila bar in the cellar, with classical music, blues and jazz.

In the best shopping district, this yuppie café has taken over the premises of a former pharmacy. Warm atmosphere, beautiful original ceiling and small chandeliers in this 100 year old neighbourhood bar! Art exhibitions in collaboration with the Nordstrand gallery. You can have lunch here with an excellent grilled marinated salmon or a good mixed salad. A cosy and friendly place to take a break after walking along the beautiful Bogstadveien street. Free internet access throughout the entire establishment.

Next to the Parliament, this bar is where football fans gather, especially Liverpool fans, for whom it is the regular venue. Two screens show the big games on which Norwegians bet (tipping). The barman is a specialist and is happy to provide information to the less knowledgeable. There are also piano bar and quiz nights, depending on the day of the week. Sausages and baguette sandwiches. A friendly and surprising place to rub shoulders with a population that is a fan of football and English-style pubs!

Anarchist graffiti on the walls and barricades on the sidewalk in front of this squatted den for the past ten years. The vegetarian café on the ground floor is however open to anyone who dares to venture in. Anarchist bookshop on the first floor, with t-shirts for sale at the same sign. Edvard Munch lived in the house next door, and his Scream is reproduced on the blind wall in protest against the spectre of the lurking demolishers, as there is regular talk of removing this wart on the face of Oslo. Perhaps not for a family walk.

This unpretentious café located towards the port allows you to have lunch with a view of the pier and the arrival of the ferries. The place is very popular with both tourists and locals of all ages, chatting, playing billiards and hanging out over a drink. A rather strange atmosphere in this village at the end of the world, where everyone seems to wonder what they are doing here. It is nevertheless a nice place to eat local specialties, or to have a drink with a clear view of the port and the surrounding cliffs.

The official brewer of Stavanger has finally got its own place! You will be able to taste 21 types of beers with a complete selection of Lervig and other craft, Norwegian and international breweries. They also organize many parties, quizzes and other entertainment. For beer lovers, this is the place to be in Stavanger. You should know that they make incredible non-alcoholic beers! For the skeptics, test them and you will not feel any difference. Quite useful in a country that has zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

A large interior restaurant, well hidden by the building, is duplicated by a terrace in a huge courtyard, well hidden from the eyes of onlookers in summer. A very warm café with a traditional painted wood interior. This pearl, affordable at lunchtime, is always full in the evening, despite its prices which tend to become a bit high. Fireplace, small candles, to escape the big city! There are also from time to time quiz nights, games, concerts. We like to spend a few hours there! Reservation recommended.

Scotsman is one of those good old pubs with an impressive interior space and whose prices reflect the privileged location on Karl Johans gate. The terrace can be enjoyed on sunny days. You can eat a salad, a burger, a goat salad or a shrimp sandwich, which are welcome culinary choices that are actually quite rare in a pub! Also broadcasting of matches or quiz nights. Concerts and DJs on weekends. As you can see, there is rarely a dull moment at the Scotsman.

The Boca is the most famous place for its cocktails. With a more than intimate atmosphere with its 5 tables, you have to get there early enough to get a seat. The 1950's setting, combined with the minimalist aspect, is also part of the decor and people flock there as soon as they leave the office. Attention cocktail lovers! The intimate and lively atmosphere makes Boca a popular address in Grünerløkka that will take you straight back to the 1950s. Exists since 1998. Light catering available, such as sandwiches.

Libertine Vinbar is a remarkable address in every respect. Supposed to be a wine lover's den, as its name suggests, its menu doesn't disappoint even the most discerning connoisseur. From blanc de blancs to blanc de noirs and even sparkling wines, the menu even specifies the percentage of each grape variety for each cru. The decor is uncluttered, soberly designed and obviously trendy. Prices follow suit, with probably the most expensive menu in town. For affluent diners only, an experience not to be missed. Lovely rooftop terrace.

A small Norwegian bar open late every day of the week. Popular and relaxed atmosphere, the Cacadou which opened in 1989 is not about to close. Quiz on Mondays, concert sometimes and good atmosphere all the time, with drinks at low prices! A really lively place full of locals who just want to have a good time after work or the weekend! It's good to sit there and observe what's going on around, it's almost a sociological survey! A sure value of Torggata where we will gladly return.

A very original place, well hidden in the heart of the vibrant district of Grünerløkka and with a thousand and one colours that invite you to discover its interior. Dozens of graffiti paintings run all along the building, inside and outside, in a very welcoming and quite good-natured heterogeneous style. Many concerts and DJs of various musical genres take place there and one likes to take advantage of the colourful outdoor space when the weather allows it. There are also quizzes on Mondays and board games.

A place where it is good to curl up since it is dressed with deep sofas where the customers have fun with many board games. Comfortably installed or sitting by the fire, one could spend hours discussing or being entertained by the discussions and games in a subdued atmosphere conducive to conviviality! The bar is relatively new, but offers not only inexpensive drinks, but also small home-made dishes that will satisfy hungry stomachs. One of the cosiest bar-restaurants in Grünerløkka!

A small café as we like them in one of the main streets of the Grünerløkka district, very nice and lively. Few places but an authentic atmosphere, mostly occupied by locals. A few seats outside to watch the people passing by. The coffee is really excellent. Dietary, organic, vegan proposals and more appetizing cakes than the others. Also a smoothie bar, the one with turmeric and black pepper is delicious and invigorating! A nice place for a healthy mini break on your way. Wifi access.