Bardus Bistro

We had a lovely dinner at Bardus. The service was quick and genuinely friendly, and the food was delicious from start to finish. To start, we had potatoes with smoked halibut and herb butter, as well as Norwegian porridge topped with cinnamon and cured lamb. The porridge was an unusual combination - sweet alongside savoury lamb - but it worked beautifully and was surprisingly harmonious. For our mains, we both chose the reindeer steak with wild berry sauce, celery and parsnip purée, potato, kale and lingonberries. The steak was superb - tender, perfectly cooked, and complemented by every element on the plate. The berry sauce in particular brought everything together and really made the dish sing. We finished with saffron cake and brown cheese ice cream - a perfect end to a wonderful meal. To drink, we had a Negroni which was expertly balanced, one of the best we’ve had, followed by a bottle of Malbec. We ended the meal with a pleasant glass of aquavit. Definitely recommend! [Date of visit: 07/02/26]

Service and atmosphere were great. Good unfortunately let us down. My husband had the reindeer steak and I had the lamb, both were extremely chewy and not good at all. The lamb had certain deep fried bits and I am not sure why a steak would have that. We had 2 beers, beers were fine. Overall will not recommend. Considering we paid around 1230 NOK and extremely bad food. Very sad. Please do reservations before going as they are quite booked up. We were fortunate to get a reservation for the same day early evening when we went in the morning to check.

If you want to try the best reindeer steak, you should come to this restaurant. We tried all their starters in the dinner menu and all were very good. For the mains, we tried The cod, extremely good. Boknafisk was our least favorite as it was tasteless. Pumpkin Gnocchi is also forgettable. But the mussels is a must try, delicious! I love the brown cheese ice cream, the saffron cake was good too! The service was outstanding, all staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. The place is beautiful and location is great! A must visit if you fancy trying a reindeer steak 😁

Absolutely amazing! Definitely most memorable meal of our Norway trip. We ordered the pumpkin gnocchi - I’d come back just for the dish. Reindeer steak was great! Saffron cake was perfect. Staff is very kind and ambiance is very cozy.

We’ve eaten here twice- once for lunch and once for dinner. The mussels and reindeer steak at dinner are amazing. The lunch smash burgers were delicious. You’ll need a dinner reservation in advance, but the food is just delicious. Diverse beer and wine selection too.

Food was incredible! The wolf fish had a beautiful texture and was seared to perfection. The spareribs were equally impressive. Desserts were a true delight — the saffron in the yule cake came through beautifully, and the cookie dough - ice cream was absolutely fabulous. Highly recommended, and do make a reservation in advance.

We had an incredible dining experience at Bardus Bistro during our trip to Tromsø, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our stay. If you’re planning to visit, make sure to book in advance—this cozy spot fills up fast, and for good reason. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Jo (Joana), who was not only friendly but also wonderfully knowledgeable. Her recommendations helped us navigate the menu and try dishes that truly showcased Norwegian flavors at their best. For appetizers, we chose the Shellfish Bisque and the Cured Salmon. Both were beautifully balanced—rich, comforting, and full of depth. The bisque was velvety and aromatic, while the salmon dish brought together freshness and texture in a way that felt both refined and deeply local. For the main course, we went with the Reindeer Steak, which was cooked perfectly and paired with flavors that complemented the meat without overpowering it. It was one of those dishes that stays with you long after the meal ends. Dessert was another standout moment. We tried the Brown Cheese Ice Cream—a uniquely Norwegian treat that was surprisingly delightful—and the Yule Cake, which felt festive, warm, and comforting. Both desserts rounded out the meal beautifully. Overall, our evening at Bardus Bistro was exceptional. The food, the atmosphere, and Jo’s thoughtful service all came together to create an experience that genuinely enhanced our time in Tromsø. If you’re looking for authentic Norwegian cuisine with heart and character, this is the place to go.

The best mussels I’ve ever tasted! There is no enough word to tell how delicious its white sauce 🫠 Other dishes were also good enough. You’d better book your reservation in advance.

Get a reservation. We didn't for lunch and was about to be turned away but we just change the amount of people to two and we were able to get a table. The food choices are limited for lunch but still a nice lunch altogether. The reindeer stew is well prepared and the fries were nice and crispy. I was more blown away from their nine sisters grapfruit gin and tonic. It worked really well together and paired with the klippfisk and reindeer stew, I had a pretty good lunch. Pricey yes, but I rather eat lunch inside than to deal with a line outside from a populat stall.

Delicious and fresh food in Tromsø! The service is quick - lunch and dinner menus are different, and the selection for lunch is smaller but still good. It's nice to sit and watch the snow outside the window. The restaurant seems to fill up with reservations quite often so it's worth booking online in advance. I ordered the fish of the day for lunch, which was a pan-fried turbot with orange butter sauce. The skin was salty and crispy and slightly smoky, and the meat of the fish was soft and soaked in the sauce. Would definitely come again!

Amazing meal that not only tasted great but looked amazing. My reindeer steak was well cooked and the reds & greens reminded me of Christmas. Her Baked Coalfish came with an amazing sauce we couldn't get enough of. The restaurant felt like a cozy house with bookshelves & service was friendly. Saw about 20 people in front of us in line get turned away for dinner because they didn't have reservations.

This restaurant absolutely deserves. It's five star rating. The mussels were probably the best we have ever had and the service was outstanding.

All the reviews are correct. The service is friendly, warm and polite. Despite the fact that they are always full, they do try their best to nicely accommodate you. The soup made with cheese from Switzerland was a wonderful start to the meal, served with a very good fresh brown bread. The reindeer steak is to die for. The brown sauce that comes with it is insanely good. The brown cheese panna cotta is not to be missed. There is a nice counterpart to the creamy flavor with the addition of a berry compote and crushed (?) peanuts around it. A lovely place to have a meal. Oh and the ambiance is wonderful as well.

Bardus Bistro was the first restaurant I ate at in Tromsø - I had reservations prior, and glad I did because the place was busy! I got a prime seat by the window and the bookshelf and tried the reindeer stew. It was made with mushrooms and had a mashed potato side that matched perfectly - the stew was one of my favorite meals I had during my trip! I tried going back for dinner two days later but they were fully booked. Try making reservations ahead of time and you won't be disappointed! The bar next door is also awesome

One of our favorite places we dined at in Tromso! We got lucky and got a table without a reservation but I would highly recommend making one. Hubby got the reindeer stew and it was the best we had in Tromso. I got the fresh catch of the day which was equally as delicious. The service was phenomenal y'all. And our waitress held down the front of the house. She was the hostess, server, busser and she did it all with such a great attitude. Highly recommend for Tromso!

Casual dining with upscale menu! I had to come back a second time to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I had salmon a few days ago for lunch and again today. In the U.S. I usually get my salmon cooked medium but didn't get the option to choose in Tromso. However, it didn't really matter because both times my salmon was delicious. They call it fried we call it seared but I call it wonderful. Full of flavor and seasoned to perfection. No bland over cooked salmon here. I wish I could take back home but I must say it left a great impression on how salmon can but fully cook, yet still delicious, juicy, and flavorful all at the same time. Sevice was impeccable and establishment was clean and comfortable. All said great place for friends and couples!

The food was very good and everyone was super friendly! It's Norway, in a tourist town, so it wasn't cheap--but it was very good! They had a decent selection of good choices as well!

Our favorite restaurant in Tormso on a recent visit. We sat in the cozy library upstairs and had mussels and cod. Both were excellent. Great beer and wine selection. Tip: get a reservation! We walked in and were lucky to get a table.

I think this place is a classic to eat at around the area. I chose this place for the reindeer steak meal and I don't regret it. The cocktails here are also very good as well. The flavors of the reindeer meal plays well with the acidity in the puree and the texture of the parsnip puree. I got the Coconut Espuma as well for sweets but it's nothing to write home about. Like a 6/10 if I were to give it a number. Think about a softer somoa profile; roast, coconut flakes, nougat. Place was nice and dark. Good ambiance but it's not a serious place at all. Good food at a relaxing environment. Pretty niceee.

Cozy lil place, the wait staff were all attentive and welcoming. Tried the reindeer steak, Rudolph tasted delicious! Would highly recommend going to this spot

Moose meatballs, didn't know what to expect but it was delicious. My toddler killed the salmon special and my husband said the carrot soup was the best he's ever had.

Cute little dining room, friendly helpful waitstaff, but most of all, the food!! Fabulous.

Only came for a drink in the lovely, book-lined bar. Creative cocktails in a friendly atmosphere.

The Bardus Bistro is located across the street from the Tromso library. The interior is sleek, modern and comfortable. The staff are friendly, attentive and English speaking. The menu is small, but varied and very interesting. Everything sounded delicious. The menu also lets you know if the food contains gluten, meat products and a list of other things that May pose potential concerns for the diner. The soup of the day I ordered was a seafood broth that was rich and flavorful, with lots of seafood. It came with thick sliced dark bread drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with course sea salt. Delicious! My wife ordered the barley risotto with mushrooms and it was equally wonderful. The deserts looked amazing, but my wife forbade me from trying one...

I will join the 5 star chorus on this place. They were very welcoming, and even asked if we wanted to move to the window table when it came open, with a great view of the soaring bibliotek across the street. Lunch menu is limited, but every possible food allergy is marked at the bottom. The burgers looked great. I had the barley vegetable mushroom risotto which was flavorful and loaded with fresh tasty mushrooms. My husband's fish stew was excellent and fresh, and the homemade bread was delicious. Homemade sorbet is available along with copious choices of beer and wine.

If you have the time and the inclination, the food at the bistro cannot be beat. My suggestion: eat at 5:00 on Sunday and do a northern lights tour from 6:30. You get their lunch menu, which is a bit more economical, and it's easier to get a table. If you want to eat here, book in advance. They are popular for good reason. The food is superlative. My companion got the reindeer sandwich. It's served open-faced, cooked to perfection. I got the vegetarian main which was also outstanding. We were both running out of positive words to describe the food. The atmosphere is quiet and intimate, warm and inviting. The beer list included a few local brews, which I quite enjoyed.

Came here for a late lunch during my recent travels to Tromso. I had the reindeer risotto since it seem to be the most popular item on the menu. I wanted to try something different and this dish was perfect for my dining experience in Norway. I loved the ambiance of the space, service was quick and I got seated right away when I walked in. Easy to find. Not really great for big groups, but solo travelers like myself, couples or small groups are manageable for the small space. I highly recommend coming here if you have time. I love great dining experiences. Would love to come back and try more things if I ever did come back to Tromso. I'm a fan. Aloha. Miss Yelp 2017.

Bardus strikes me as one of those places trying so hard to be 'cool' that it shoots itself in the foot. The service wasn't particularly friendly, but that's sort of typically Norwegian. The fish soup was OK, but a tiny portion and mostly just broth with a few tiny vegetable pieces... no fish at all. The ox chest was ok, but half the portion at half the price would have been better. The pork neck was extremely rubbery/chewy and the sweet potato purée that came with it was straight hot baby food... disgusting. We also had a beer, and it was ok, although it was not local and not draft. Overall, it wasn't the worst ever but it wasn't great and gave me no reason to recommend it or go back.

A small eating and drinking establishment in downtown close to the harbor. The interior is warm and cozy and exudes a feeling of comfort and welcomeness. The food is very good matched by efficient and friendly service. The reindeer risotto is not to be missed. Equally good are the fried cod tongues. This was the first time I had these and was absolutely sold on the taste and texture.

We were tired, hungry and heading back into Tromsø after an 8.4km trek to Blåvatnet .. We called to make a reservation and the hostess was very helpful.. when we arrived we went next door to the bar and were quite confused.. the Bistro is next door so we made our way there .. We have been trying to decide whether we were more pleased by the amazing food or the hostesses that helped make our experience there perfect.. We shared the oxtail tacos as an appetizer and they were great !! Tasty and moist with the right amount of seasoning.. For the main course I had the reindeer (medium rare as was suggested) and it was fantastic .. My first time eating Reindeer and surely won't be the last .. the wife had the steamed Halibut and it was butter soft and very tasty .. all in all we had a wonderful experience there and would definitely recommend this place

I wish I could give more than five stars. We have travelled the world and never been treated so well not to mention the wonderful food and drink. The dishes and drinks are made to perfection and that is amplified by friendly staff who go out of their way to ensure a wonderful experience. If you are ever in Tromso Norway, you owe it to yourself to eat here.

Best burger I've had in quite a while. At the age of 39, I've had so many burgers that rating them seems increasingly difficult. However, this burger surely has to be at the top-tier. Although not too big of a serving, the burger tasted rich and meaty with crisp potato wedges served alongside. The bun was both fresh and tasty without that airy white bread feeling that often comes with cheaper buns. The service is friendly and fairly swift. Best of all - you pay at the bar, so you don't have to wait for the waiter to give you the bill. Convenient if you're in a hurry.... Oh, and the have outdoor seating as well!

Bardus is a very dark and cozy wooden bar. We had some drinks there and the waiter was really nice! Afterwards a local guide told us that they also serve typically food there. Too bad we did not try. The prices for beer were the most expensive so far.

Situated next to Tromsøs beautiful library, the old house which contains Bardus Bistro is centrally placed for a downtown snack. A great place to have both lunch and dinner, a quiet small bistro with nice, laid back interiors and nice, laid back people. The food is local and seasonal, affordable and tasteful. The neighbor bar with the same name is a good place to continue the evening, with some of the best drinks in town, and well-behaved clientele, mostly.

Stopped in for lunch during our tour of Tromso. The staff was attentive. The food was delicious. We tried the Ramen, the reindeer steak and the burger. Everything was well prepared and tasty. Also has a good beer and drink list. Would certainly come back.

Best restaurant and bar (next door) we went to while in Tromsø. Might want to reserve if you're going for dinner though, it's pretty small so plan ahead.

This place is awesome. The food is delicious and well prepared. You can tell the chef really cares about each plate. The service was great as well, very friendly waitress. The menu is small, but there's a little something for everyone.

Expensive dinner menu, but the chef knows his business. We wanted to get the cheap-ish meals after looking at the menu online. Unfortunately they don't serve lunch after 4pm. We stayed anyway. It was really good food and we didn't regret our decision.

Had one of the best dinners in Tromsø. Warmly decorated with modern and retro notes. We spent a very nice evening and enjoyed the delicious (locally inspired) food. The moose steak (served with puree and brussels sprouts) was delicious! I strongly recommend Bardus Bistro for a relaxing evening accompanied with delicious food!

Even far far away up North, Yelp can help you find little gems! We were looking for a nice lunch on a Sunday and not so many places were open. After a long walk in the snow, we entered this little restaurant all wet and were friendly welcomed. The settings were nice, mostly made of wood , it felt warm and cozy. My sisters ordered the reindeer risotto and found it fabulous and I took the fish of the day which was also delicious. We tried to eat slowly to enjoy it as long as possible. We also ordered a plate of cheese as a dessert. It was stormy outside so we spent at least 3 hours talking without feeling obliged to leave. We also ordered some warm drinks later on. Great sphere, great food, real quality time!

Fantastic food and chef. Baked celery was fantastic. Great for families too. Vegetarian options...

Pleasant atmosphere and kind servers. I really enjoyed the steamed halibut. It was very fresh and perfectly cooked, accompanied by a real portion of kale, potatoes and onions. Flavorful and filling. With 0.4 l beer 377Kr.

Had the fish of the day and it was wonderful in a nice little cozy environment! Great for lunch with good coffee!

Great place! Loved it! The food is amazing, the staff is really nice and helpful, a bit pricy but hey, it's Norway

Best bistro in town. You always feel good walking in and after eating the excellent food you walk out a happy person.

Efficient and polite staff. We enjoyed the meal, and it is a nice restaurant, albeit a little packed in. Good freshly cooked food, we enjoyed the pudding and the coffee.

Fantastic food! We tried reindeer for the first time here. Done perfectly. The food was exquisite. It was one of the pricier places we went to, but also some of the best food we had in Norway.

Awesome 3-course-menu, charming atmosphere and service. Not cheap, but well, this is Tromsø.

Hit this place for lunch! Was delicious. 1 of 2 places I'd return to for a meal without a doubt. The cauliflower and bacon soup was to die for. Excellent canned beer list. Excellent main dishes as well.