Lysverket

Great service, food was good but a bit lacking of wow factor, and gap between each course is a bit long, I found the food always arrives way after the paired wine. However it’s still an amazing experience in Bergen and thanks for having us!

Every dish was equally good, so it was hard to choose favourites from their 9-course degustation menu. I enjoyed the Japanese elements that were incorporated too. Lovely service, attentive but not overly fussy.

In the heart of Bergen, nestled within the hallowed halls of a museum complex, lies LYSVERKET—a restaurant that defies conventions and redefines fine dining. Helmed by Chef Christopher Haatuft, a culinary rebel with a pedigree forged in the kitchens of Thomas Keller’s Per Se and Grant Achatz’s Alinea, LYSVERKET is a testament to the art of unpretentious yet extraordinary cuisine. As you step into LYSVERKET, the atmosphere immediately sets it apart from the typical Michelin-starred experience. The setting is elegant, as one might expect, but there’s an undercurrent of something edgier, more vibrant. The walls are adorned with provocative photography reminiscent of Araki’s carefree aesthetic, including a striking image of a yakuza with his naked, tattooed torso on display. These details paint a picture of a chef who has returned home and triumphed, securing the only Michelin star in the city. The staff, a young and effortlessly cool ensemble, exudes an air of relaxed confidence. Their easy demeanor and genuine passion for the food they serve create an environment that feels both sophisticated and approachable. It’s clear from the outset that Chef Haatuft’s philosophy permeates every aspect of LYSVERKET. Chef Haatuft himself is the epitome of a culinary enfant terrible—punk rock ethos coursing through his veins, he approaches cooking with a no-frills, no-nonsense attitude. His commitment to local sourcing is evident in every dish, with seasonal menus that highlight the best of what Norwegian farmers and partners have to offer. The meal unfolds like a symphony of flavors, each course meticulously crafted yet bursting with unrestrained creativity. The scallops, a testament to the chef's deft touch, are perfectly seared, their natural sweetness balanced by a hint of brine. The skate fish is another standout, its delicate flesh complemented by bold, harmonious flavors. And then there’s the oyster with pineapple ice cream—a hard-to-imagine combination that evokes the magic of tacos al pastor. It’s an unexpected pairing that works brilliantly, leaving you in awe of Haatuft’s ingenuity. The pickled strawberries add a vibrant touch to the ceviche, a burst of acidity that ties the dish together beautifully. The food at LYSVERKET is still classically served, but you can feel the passion and fearless creativity emanating from the kitchen. Each dish is presented with a precision that speaks to Haatuft’s classical training, yet there's an underlying rebellious spirit that makes the dining experience uniquely thrilling. The wine menu at LYSVERKET is equally impressive, featuring a mix of high-end classics and approachable new labels. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a curious novice, there’s something to delight every palate. One of the evening’s most surprising delights is the humble turnip, transformed into a dish so flavorful that it commands newfound respect. It’s moments like these that underscore Chef Haatuft’s culinary prowess and his ability to elevate even the simplest ingredients. Another charming touch is the bread, which they encourage you to dip or soak in the sauce to clean the plate—a practice rarely seen in fine dining establishments, but one that perfectly encapsulates the chef’s cool, approachable attitude. Even the music reflects the chef's attitude and tastes, with a playlist featuring rock, punk, and hardcore tracks. It’s a daring choice for a fine dining establishment, played at a decent volume, but it perfectly complements the restaurant's vibe. At LYSVERKET, every detail, from the photography to the soundtrack, tells the story of a chef who has come home and triumphed, creating a dining experience that’s as groundbreaking as it is unforgettable.

I was travelling from Oslo to Bergen on the day of my reservation and had many unfortunate events that meant I might have missed my reservation. I sent them emails to keep me updated and they were very considerate and even offered to adjust my meal if I couldn’t make it on time. Fortunately I did make it on time. The courses were really delicious, in thin the third dish - Monk fish was my favourite closely followed by the ox tail. The service was really nice and I felt cared for. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for a food experience in Bergen

Food was absolutely amazing. My wife and I particularly liked the oyster, the mackerel, the asparagus and the caviar course. Chef Christopher was super nice and spent a bunch of time at our table chatting about the restaurant and even gave us a great recommendation for lunch the next day in Bergen. I think the only issue we had was with the beverage pairing. I ordered the upgraded pairing and my wife had the non-alcoholic one. While each of the drinks was excellent several of them didn't really seem to go with the dish and the server was not able to help us with how it paired with the food and what we should be noticing. There were also 3-4 dishes that had the same pairing as the dish before which I found odd as the second dish didn't match the drink as well as the first. Overall, this is a minor issue and I would still recommend this restaurant highly.

Excellent dining. Fresh local ingredients, cooked to perfection. Especially the turbot was bery tasty and perfectly cooked. Also we found the service to be really good. The waiter(s) were really attentive without hovering over us all the time.

The food was good but not something I would order again. The service was very attentive.

Michelin restaurant with one star. In my opinion, a starred restaurant should have a wow factor. Most of the dishes did not have that. The dry aged beef with beet and the caviar certainly had that, but the seafood dishes lacked excitement. The flavors were good, but not exciting enough for a restaurant of this level. I also missed the amuses bouche. The non-alcoholic package was fine, though some of the glasses here were poured too full. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere, the service is perfect. Professional in an open and relaxed manner. Nice to have also been able to go through the above feedback with the waiter. 3 stars for the food, because it was good. But it should have been amazing. Food that you enjoy with your eyes closed and your world is just that bite.

Just an amazing experience. The plating is beautiful, probably one of the most artistic I have seen. E prepared to be wow'd.

Having sought out quite a few prix fixe dining experiences at highly regarded restaurants since our visit to Lysverket, I find it necessary to return to this review & add a bit of color. Who visits Norway in the winter? We did, & we don't regret it. Every single tourist attraction, restaurant, fjord overlook, & scenic road was nearly empty. This includes Lysverket. Having read some of the other reviews for this restaurant, I noticed that some folks found issue with the service/timing - We didn't experience this at all. Granted, the restaurant was nearly empty, but the service was impeccable. Everything came out at just the right time. The attention to detail in EVERYTHING was remarkable. We also found the curated menu to highlight Nordic cuisine in a creative, thoughtful, & delectable way we hadn't experienced before. Fresh scallops, crab, mushrooms... Things I wouldn't normally order on my own accord appeared in front of us & dazzled us. Our server, Håkon, was a true professional. He performed every aspect of his job perfectly, but also with ease. It wasn't a stuffy experience. We shared many laughs with him over the course of the evening. To reiterate: Since visiting Lysverket, I've experienced quite a few prix fixe evenings at other places, & Lysverket shines through all of them. All of them. The Michellin Star is not a mistake, people. Lysverket is the real deal.

This is currently the only restaurant in Bergen with a star. Our dinner and experience was pretty disappointing especially when considering they have a star and the cost. Our friend warned us to be disappointed and he was right. Tldr: service while friendly was severely lacking in timeliness and the food for the most part was meh. If you want a fine dining meal in Bergen, I'd recommend bare, baso social, 1877 or moon (in that order) over lysverket. FWIW, the owners of lysverket also own hoggorm (pizza) and Banzha (Chinese). Banzha is def in my top restaurants in Bergen and hoggorm can be good. First off, all the staff was nice. However, they literally took 50 minutes between the two main dishes. I know it was 50 minutes because I have time stamps on when I took pics of each course. We thought at some point they forgot about us. The final chocolate dish, i didn't think we were going to get but it finally came with the bill. One of the dishes they gave us and then went to take away because they thought they gave it to us already. There were signs in the beginning too. There was a line to get in, and it was going sooo slow for what seemed like no reason when everyone already has reservations and clearly the tables are ready. It also took 30 minutes to get our first dish. As another reviewer said, there was like 2 standout dishes and the rest are meh. On top of that, we ordered the crab and caviar but there were at least 5 pieces of crab shell we had to pull out of our mouth. Also, the lamb was so tough.

I am struggling a bit with this review. That is why it is 4 months delayed. Lysverket got its first Michelin star in 2022, and my friends and I were so excited to go for the full experience as a Christmas gift for ourself. Unfortunately Lysverket did not impress. We booked a table for a dinner right before Christmas, a Thursday night. The restaurant was almost empty, with only two or three other small groups. One in our group has celiac (gluten allergy) and we notified the restaurant in advanced. While the restaurant accommodated us and made modification to her dishes, our waiter messed up pretty badly giving our celiac friend the wrong bred. We asked repeatedly if this was right and he kept saying yes and was quite annoyed that with us for asking. Luckily our friend did not eat the bread he served her because we were still quite suspicious (it did not look like gluten free bread). Maybe 5 minutes later a different waiter came and apologised because they had messed up and given our friend bred with gluten. The apology was quick and they did not follow up appropriately. While mistakes can happen, we are paying quite a lot for these things not to happen and would expect better follow up after such an incident (particularly when the restaurant was almost empty). The food was ok. Only a few dishes were excellent but quite a lot of them were mediocre at best (it was lacking flavour). The wine pairing was really goos, however I wish they would share more information about the wine. I think I could of given a four star for the food, however the mess up mentioned above just really dragged the experience down. Having done the full tasting menu with a wine pairing I expected to get a print out of the menu at the end of the night, this did not happen. Maybe they do not do this, but as we were not provided a menu at the beginning of the meal I was expecting to get the information at the end.

Easily the best meal we had in Bergen. This place is exceptional and the wine pairings were very well done. I highly recommend it. Staff was great too!

Striking beautiful, delicious, and welcoming experience. Stepping into Kode 4 is a nice break from surrounding streetside restaurants and warms you up for the artful design and flare of Lysverket. The entryway previews the blend of traditional fine dining aesthetics with Avant garde scandanavian design and art. The room is nicely portioned and has a cool inner room with seating for a large private party of 16-20 someodd people. L-shaped main dining interior is bathed by the light of windows overlooking the large pond and quad. Nice seating at the bar is available too. The chairs and tables were gorgeous, and there were two matching high chairs--one for our little one was awaiting us at the table. The service here was a standout. The chef came around to greet people and ask about our child. The servers were very patient with us and provided soke flexibility when we needed it. There was pride and professionalism in everything they did but no pretentiousness. They gifted us a nice take away dessert when we had to leave (avoiding disaster with our child for the sake of the other diners) before being able to order dessert as a finishing touch. The food was elegant, simple, and perfectly done. We ordered a large carte. Some will be frustrated with the limited a la carte menu, not having everything form the tasting menu, but surely diners here should appreciate the focus of the restaurants intent and also timing of dishes for most of the other diners ordering for a long coursed 3 hour meal. The sea urchin butter and toast was well combined and played perfectly with the accoutrements. The scallop and salad first courses were stunning plated and light enough to still leave us hungry for the second course but substantial enough to satisfy. The conch and veggies were perfect pairings for the scallops. The skate was the best I've ever had both in quality and preparation. Often too tough when cooked, this melted in my mouth. The salt cod emulsification resembled mayonnaise in appearance but was a livening experience on my tongue, a great molecular gastronomy showing. The chicken dish was moist and juicy with lovely crackled skin. I must say it was surprisingly and refreshing to see such ingredients done so delicately and flavorfully. The take away gratis dessert was the brown butter truffles. Normally I would have ordered either the chocolate mousse or rhubarb crumble instead but the truffles were rich and creamy witty being to pungent. A lovely surprise in multiple ways. The drink list was spot on and reasonable by the glass prices. I ordered a Gamay that was rather lovely and somewhat more dense than usual. We also had a nice white Burgundy that paired well with the fish and chicken. I didn't see their cocktails listed as other wrote about but perhaps because I didn't ask and entertaining a toddler in a fine dining restaurant takes effort. The prices were totally reasonable. I feel that many of the fine and superb dining experiences are relatively good deals in Norway, as theyre not that much more expensive than the already expensive food in run of the mill places. This ran us about $215 USD whereas it's been about $130 USD for mediocre dinners much less than half as good other nights. I will definitely be back for the full tasting menu experience.

On a rainy Saturday night, after a full day of exploring the Norwegian fjords via hiking, driving, and kayaking, we came to Lysverket for our prize, a full Scandinavian fine dining experience. Our whole party has heard amazing things about the young mastermind Christopher Haatuft and I have read his profile on The New York Times, but the carefully prepared works of art, not only captured my belly, but made my soul smile with happiness. Situated inside an art museum, Kode 4, Lysverket is a stylish and elegant space with zero frills. I believe the minimal approach to decor, allows the customer to fully experience the richness and the beauty of their meal, all while in a dimly lit, intimate space. Eager to try everything we opted for a full tasting menu and a wine pairing. Each tasting menu and a wine pairing is per person; I would recommend this option as it allows to for a full depth of modern Norwegian cuisine + the sommeliers really know their wine here and you get to try one of a kind, limited edition blends. Beware, the wine pairing accommodates each food course, and since there are seven unique dishes, you should prepare to not drive or operate heavy machinery after your meal:) Onto the food, in this order: We began our meal with three starters: sea urchin butter kebab, fresh ceviche, and cold cucumber soup. All I can say is, wow! Every plate was a micro masterpiece of flavors, and while the kebabs were bite size, they packed a delicious flavor and the urchin was an absolute star of the show with it's salty notes and a creamy finish. Next came the crab cake, and I feel in love. If you did not know, Norway's second largest industry after oil is seafood and fish. I can confidently say that I tried my best smoked salmon, paella, mussels, and prawns here, but the crab at Lysverket was my number one love. Small, but delicate, the meat was tender, juicy, and fresh & pinch of lemon tied the whole flavor profile together. The tartness of the crab cake was the perfect introduction to rye tostada with chicken vinaigrette. Our person favorite, this was a dynamite of a dish! I have never had a rye tostada before and I am glad that Lysverket was the first place to introduce me to it. Onto the main course, and I was melting at the taste of fresh Norwegian scallops with leaks and a cherry puree. The tartness of the berry, mixed with fresh sea water soaked scallops, and fresh leaks, painted a masterpiece for my taste palette. Then came the heavy hitters, starting with pan roasted fish with mushrooms and mussel sauce (I wish I could explain how good Scandinavian fish tastes, but I really want you to go and try it yourself ) and concluding with tender sheep and potato mash. All around fireworks of explosive bites and flavor pairings, thoughtful and sustainable ingredients (another reason that makes Lysverket a must-go), and creative plating, really solidified my satisfaction with this restaurant. For dessert, we concluded the evening with goat's milk panacotta with mango, and yep, you guessed it, more wine! The dessert was light, rich in flavor (all thanks to the goat cheese) and the perfect end to a gluttonous journey into the Neo-Fjordic cuisine (The New York Times said it first and I would have to agree). The wine pairing would require a separate review of its own but I will begin by saying that it has been some of the best wine I have ever had (and I have had some great wine since my family and friends are all big connoisseurs and grape lovers). Most of the wines are white, but you do end the night with some nice reds. It is equally as important to mention that the staff was extremely accommodating. One of our friends does not enjoy raw fish, and the waiter immediately asked the kitchen to prepare an alternate unique dish especially for him. No one asked any questions, and the whole restaurant staff was pleasant, friendly, and had versatile personalities and a lot of charisma. In terms of the price, this is a fine dining experience at a Michelin rated Scandinavian restaurant so yes, it was not cheap, but it was exquisite and every bit worth it. You can certainly save money if you choose to opt out of the wine pairing, but we wanted to get at the full menu so we budgeted accordingly. I love all kinds of food and I enjoy hole in the wall local joints, food trucks, pop-ups, chains, and fancier restaurants, but Lysverket is by far one of the most memorable food experiences I have had to date. 5/5 starts because it's THAT good.

Great, friendly, unpretentious service ! We got very lucky and had the celebrity chef Christopher Haatuft personally serve us all night . Every dish was creative, fresh. smart and delicious. The pork fat was something like Schmaltz that my grandmother used to make many many years ago and brought me back . The cocktail was divjne and had s very fresh taste to it . If you like fine dining without the BS you need to go to this place - you're going to la la la love it ! Thank you Christopher for such an amazing evening!

Had dinner in the bar area and really enjoyed it. Had the meat of the day, pork neck, which was absolutely divine. Paired with the red wine, Completo from Italy. Open kitchen format so you can watch the masters at work: Make reservations in advance - go to this place.

First off, I have to say, I AM STOKED for Bergen having Yelp now, It's going to change the game for their businesses! My boyfriend (who is a local) decided to take me here on the last night I was in Bergen. This was March 2018. Their menu was probably different than it is now. Great Service, as an American traveling in Norway, it was very helpful that the staff spoke English (like most places in Norway). They also had a whole english menu which we discovered after I tried making my boyfriend translate everything for me. haha I ordered the raw Bergen Oysters. AMAZING. These oysters were different. Not just the ones that are slimy and taste like the ocean, but meaty and fatty tasting. As for my next dish, I ordered the Bergen Fisksuppe .... I'm probably spelling that wrong, but basically means fish soup. It was creamy, warming, and savoring. Hints of herbs with the fish broth made it perfect for a winter night in Bergen. I can't wait to come back!

Having read the NY Times review of Lysverket, my wife and I looked forward to a wonderful meal during our visit to Bergen. We arrived with great expectations but left hungry, disappointed and out more than 1300 Krone. The staff seemed enthusiastic and provided an explanation of each tapas-style dish as it arrived. But, Lysverket bills itself as a purveyor of local food from local suppliers. There was no explanation of where any of the key ingredients came from, which was very disappointing. Why eat local if all of the ingredients are generic? The menu did very nicely highlight which items contained meat, nuts, and other allergens. On a positive note, the grilled Norwegian potatoes, roasted green onions and grilled fish (three separate dishes) were all creatively-prepared and delicious. The roasted garlic, which consisted of single garlic stalk and three slices of bread was extremely disappointing. The bread was doughy and felt like a ball of gluten in our stomachs. No hint of Norwegian nuttiness or French baguette lightness, for sure. The sliced scallops, at 229 Krone, were billed by our server as a main course, then contradicted by a second server who said that they were an appetizer. "She is confused," said he. Regardless, the dish in its entirety consisted of two spoonfuls, including one sliced scallop. I'm all for interesting, savory cuisine, but felt completely disappointed by the poor information and outrageous pricing. We skipped dessert, opting to head to another restaurant where we would not spend so much for so little.

Read the recent NY Times article on the restaurant right before my trip to Bergen, so my friend and I made a reservation for lunch right away. May have caught them on an off day, but the service was so slow. The serve staff seemed to have forgotten us, even though we were sitting right smack in the center of a relatively quiet restaurant (at least in the beginning). The blonde waitress seemed to have friends dining there, hugging people sitting at a certain table and spending a lot of time chatting with them. We sat for 20 mins before we got a menu. No drinks menu was ever offered, even though subsequent tables around us got theirs. We had to flag down a waitress for one. The couple seated right before us was almost done with their three-course sampling meal even before we even got a glass of wine. The food itself was fine. We both got the cured trout with horseradish and sour cream on the flatbread. The trout was soft and not too salty and worked well with the subtle sweetness of the flatbread. My friend got the sorrel sorbet dessert which, according to her, was very good. When it was time to get the check, I had to get out of my seat, interrupt the girl bussing a nearby empty table to ring us up. All in all, food was fine, but it took us 1.5 hours to complete a two-course lunch! I wouldn't recommend it based on the kind of service we got today.

I am so glad this restaurant opened in Bergen. We are not spoiled with good restaurants in this city, but Lysverket certainly has what it takes. The menu is mainly based on seafood and you choose whether you want 4 or 7 courses, that are all based on the ingredients in season. The food is prepared to perfection, always with an unexpected twist that lift the dish to a higher level. The wine menu offers a good selection of high quality wine to pair the food. From its location a 5 minutes walk from the "Torgallmenningen" in the city centre, you are overlooking the lake Lille Lungegårdsvann and Mount Fløyen. The premises are trendy and also hosts a cool bar, where activity increases during the evening. Some nights they also have a DJ. Service seems somewhat rehearsed, and could be improved if they added personality to their smiles and politeness. The prices are reasonable for such a meal, and I am sure the restaurant will survive for a long time.

Loved this place for lunch. Modern, fresh cuisine and great space in Kode 4. Service was attentive and fast. We had the fish sandwich - get it - soooo good Cauliflower salad - great for vegetarians. A bit pricey but definitely worth it!

Came here with a group of 6 on a Thursday evening. Restaurant filled up pretty quickly with what seemed like mostly tourists. Half the group ordered the 5 course tasting while the other half opted for the 7. Food was definitely made with fresh ingredients but left little to remember. No dish stuck out as being fantastic. Wine list was average to below average. Service was attentive and always available but a 3.5 hour dinner for a 7 course meal is a little too much. Spend your money and time elsewhere.

On par with a Michelin star restaurant! Stunning decor, solid service and top notch food. Simple and classy decor; it didn't hurt that they featured one of my favorite flowers (peonies) ;). Service was nice: informative and professional. Pacing of the meal was spot on. The food was well presented and flavorful. In particular, the creamy fish soup and miso ice cream I would love to eat full portions. And it was fun to try their beer. I'd definitely recommend for a fancier dining experience where you get exposed to some Norwegian elements as well. Expect to spend 2-3 hours and a couple of hundred dollars.

Excellent food, super friendly staff, chill atmosphere. It was the perfect dinner for my first evening in Bergen. The fish soup was absolutely fantastic and full of flavor!

Visiting Bergan from Foodie Heaven, Portland, Oregon. This restaurant would be a hit there. I had the meat special lamb and it was absolutely delicious. Spiced well with no heavy sweet sauce like many serve lamb. Excellent service and hip surroundings. I highly recommend it.