Pingvinen

We made a delicious decision to come here. We found this place on Google for a taste of Norway. When we arrived, the restaurant was full, but they had a similar place downstairs. The food was delicious, especially the fish soup. It was comforting and not too heavy. However, the fish pie was too much after a few bites.

Great value for the price. The whale steak was amazing, the lamb stew incredibly tasty. The fish soup was nice but nothing special. Everything was beautifully presented, especially the reindeer cured meat. Really pleasant service. Would come back!

This is a small restaurant with great service and food. Easy access in the heart of Bergen, they have a traditional menu with great options of meat and fishes. I had the cod with smashed potatoes and crispy bacon and it was simple, but delicious with a lot of tastes. As a starter we had the reindeer with gin and despite the small portion, we were positively surprised with the combination and tenderness of the meat. The service was attentive and she took her time to explain the dishes and give us all recommendations asked. We recommend the restaurant and also to make a reservation.

Nice casual gastropub vibe. Good service...the bartender saw us peering at the food as it was coming out of the kitchen, so she kindly told us what items they were. We had the wolf fish and seafood sandwich. I was very jealous at my friend's seafood sandwich, which was excellent. Very fresh shrimp in a kind of potato salad tasting mix over very nice bread. The wolf fish was fresh but lacked complexity in flavor despite the very fresh ingredients. Overall a good experience and would go again for the seafood sandwich.

We were inquiring on food local to try while in Bergen. One of the recommendations was the potato dumpling. Coincidentally this place had it as a special on Thursdays. I have never had it before today. Its very heavy - I really enjoyed the rutabaga, bacon and the salted lamb that came with it. The local fish soup was Delicious. The smoked halibut was also great. The space is nice and i liked all of the penguin decor. Its a cute place. We went back a second time for the meatballs... thursdays special takes them off of the menu.. so delicious. Same fantastic service!

This was a nice place for dinner. We tried to eat here the night before, but we're told we needed a reservation, so we made one for the next night, and it did not disappoint. I had the Lapskaus, which was great! Very heart. However, my sister had the reindeer steak, and she said it was maybe the best meal she had ever had. She gave it a 10/10.

A truly local spot serving traditional Norwegian food with a twist. We tried the reindeer cured with gin, lapskaus, and the goat kid roll. Everything was tasty, but the goat kid roll stood out as my personal favorite. I’m not giving a full 5 stars because the bathroom cleanliness was really disappointing. Still, a great place to experience local cuisine in Bergen – definitely recommended.

We order the smoked halibut as a starter, and for mains the meatballs and the fish pie, everything was amazing, the combination of flavors for the halibut with the pickled carrots and the sesame seeds was very interesting and delicious, the mains were also great and in good portions, the ambiance is great and the service was very kind and attentive. I do recommend doing a reservation if you want to secure your table, overall excellent experience!

Loved the atmosphere, the history, the art and the food! Our server was lovely and everything was delicious! The shrimp sandwich was huge! The fish soup was hearty and very filling with the large basket of bread they included. Would definitely return!

We were a little late for a Saturday evening reservation but lucked out for an online reservation at 7:30. When we arrived we found out we were in the secondary dining area (lower level) which turned out to be as nice as the main area. Slightly cozy with a small Bar area. We started with a couple of Norwegian Beers and enjoyed them -Aegir IPA and Borg Oktoberfest. For starters, it was Three Norwegian Cheeses and Ham and Sausage plate. We enjoyed the Cheese plate more. Lamb Sausage was gamey. For main, it was Fish Pie, Meatballs and Whale Steak. First time tasting Whale (minke) and it surprisingly had a steak like consistency. That said, we didn't like it-more gamey than cross between tuna/beef billing--guess it's an acquired taste. Meatballs and Fish Pie were very good. Service was ok-we ended up having two Servers somehow and we felt abandoned as the evening progressed. Looks like they change the menu seasonally. Overall, solid for Norwegian fare and local flavor.

We came here for our first night in Bergen. It was a big group of us, but were able to be seated together. We were craving Norwegian food, and this place did not disappoint. We got a lot of things: Lamb, Reindeer, Fiskcake, and Cod. Each item was delicious and fresh tasting. I loved the penguin decor! FYI: the restaurant underneath has the same menu - Schmidt.

My husband and I went here for our first night in Bergen for dinner and it was absolutely delicious! We were looking for an authentic Norwegian meal and this did not disappoint. To share, we got the local fish soup and the Plukkfish. The soup was hearty and had nice chunks of white fish, topped with what tasted like basil oil and some finely shaved veggies. It was so warming and delicious. The plukkfish was very interesting - it was cod mixed with mashed potatoes and some pickled veggies. The portion was huge and also very hearty! The bacon bits on top were also delicious. We barely made it through all the food. The ambiance itself was also really nice. We didn't have reservations but the staff was super accommodating and helpful. They were attentive and helped with our dinner recommendations - 10/10!!

Overall: 4.5/5 Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 (Bar) My favorite restaurant on my trip to Norway! I haven't had much Norwegian food before and honestly didn't have very high expectations for it but decided to try out this place during our stay in Bergen. Every dish was sooo delicious and they give huge portions so it's super good value. It's a bar so I decided to try the apple cider and it was the best one I've ever had - so light and refreshing. The server also took the time to explain every dish on the menu to us and was super patient since we were not familiar with a lot of the food. I also booked online the day of and they happened to have an open spot, which I would highly recommend since they seemed very busy. The only downside was that it is a gastropub and can get loud, but the tables felt nicer than a typical bar still. We got: 1. Cod with pickled vegetables: So flakey and perfectly seasoned 2. Meatballs with ligonberry sauce and pea puree: Meatballs were very good and super soft and paired really well with the peas. The server told us they could make a smaller version of the dish for us (2 meatballs) although they still charged us for the large version (4 meatballs). 3. Fish cakes topped with bacon with picked carrots and crispy flatbread: My favorite dish, but definitely on the heavier side and huuuuge portions. I felt like I could've eaten this alone with 2-3 people. Overall, super great casual restaurant as an introduction to Norwegian food with great service! I would definitely come back here if I were ever in Bergen again. Also note: tipping is not expected in Norway!

Worth a visit. Nice space, good music and good foood! Happy I found this place! Also, a short walk to the the LGBTQ+ bar if you're looking for something close by. :)

Two words: fish pie. Where has this dish been all my life? The crust is crispy, the filling tender and a squeeze of lemon adds just the right amount of acid to cut through the decadence. It's not too heavy and served with some creamer potatoes and an acidic coleslaw. The fish soup is no slouch, either. Lighter than NE clam chowder, yet still hearty and served with a thick slice of good crusty bread. Great local beer selection and a friendly staff to boot. Highly recommended if you're in Bergen. Sit at the bar if you can.

We came to this Gastropub because we were interested in having some Norweigan food options, and this seemed to be a well reviewed option. Read that it was busy, so we were able to secure reservations. Turns out that visiting Bergen actually took us much less time than we anticipated, so we arrived quite early before our reservation, and fortunately the restaurant was able to accomodate. Ordered the shrimp starter, which was tasty, although on the small side for the price. I got the deer dish for my main. I expected this to be gamey, but it wasn't gamey at all. It was quite tender though, and I liked the berries that they added. Would recommend this. Also tried some of the mushroom casserole, which was tasty.

Mmm my absolute favorite place in Bergen to get Norwegian food. The meatballs with the peas and lingonberries are SO good. The cheeseboard is good. They have raspeballer on Thursday which is also good. Everything looks fresh and made with an eye for detail. Norwegian food is.. well bland... but despite this the food here is good if you are looking for Norwegian food. It's a very lowkey place but the vibe inside is super cozy. It's kinda small though so that means during the busy times it might be hard to get a table. The service is ok although it can be slow at times to even get your order in.

Visited twice during our stay in Bergen: -excellent, hearty eats -local favorite -huge variety of beers, about 20 on tap -highly recommend the flat breads/crackers, smoked halibut and duck Busy all times and days of the week, make sure to call ahead to secure a spot. We lucked out the first night and got a table, second time we called ahead and we got a high top. Warm and inviting, you'll have an authentic Norwegian experience.

This was a recommendation from a fellow passenger we met on the train - her words were "the food over there is something a Norwegian would cook in their kitchen, I go there when I miss my grandma". That was enough to lure us to this eatry. We did not have a reservation since it was day off and none was available. Upon entering, we were told we could sit at the bar - same service would be available. Another patron offered to give up their table to us - that was so kind of them. Anyway we ended up ordering the meatball and the pan fried Cod. Dessert was Agnes - Cake. Both were delicious. Meatballs were served with lingonberry - a unique flavor. Food tasted good, there seemed to be a lt of local people having dinner as well, from children to families. It is a smaller establishment so make reservations before going if you can. Bar area was pretty full but we could have gotten a seat at the bar as well. Restaurant is environmentally friendly. Service was good. We would definitely come back and highly recommend this place

Very nice pub with lots of local seafood. I got a fish stew and my husband got whale steak. Both were very good and plenty of food. Good selection of local craft beers. If you want a table I would make a reservation because it fills up fast and then only bar seating is available

Pingvinen is a Bergen gem that serves traditional Norwegian food (husmankost) at a fairly decent price. The atmosphere is cozy, put please not that the majority of the tables are bare tops/high chairs thus it is not always suitable for everyone. Staff is friendly and this is a spot I bring visiting friends from abroad when they are in town.

Saw they were one of the few places that had reindeer and had to come try. The reindeer was absolutely delicious and you should only order this as the main because it melts in your mouth and absolutely perfect. The fish soup was also very good. Would love to try other things on the menu because everything looked good but if you only have 1 chance and like venison the reindeer is a definite must. Great service and ambiance also!

We tried to have dinner here the first night but it's a small restaurant so reservations are needed. We were able to make reservations for the next night and boy are we glad we did. The food, the service and the ambiance was excellent. My husband had the reindeer stew which was delicious. Highly recommend and reservations are needed.

Loved Pingvinen so much we went there twice. Very cozy spot for a warm and hearty meal with friendly service. The first time, we went for dinner and sat at the bar. Hot chocolate was fab to help warm up on a chilly, rainy evening. I had the deer casserole, absolutely delish. My friends also enjoyed their meals as well. Second time, we went for lunch and had the onion soup and more hot chocolate. Onion soup was sooo good. Also tried the pumpkin pudding dessert which was a nice little sweet/tart treat. Loved this place and would totally recommend.

Pretty expansive menu at reasonable prices for Norway. Service is attentive and speedy. Place gets busy after work hours. English menu is available. Got the Thursday special with potato dumplings, which were quite good. Salty and decadent, so a beverage is required to wash it all down. Charming interior with a high end neighborhood pub feel.

Yes to great vibes and better food. This was the only place we found that served the kind of mead my SO and I really love. (Refer to photos) my SO had the Midgard, which has that clear purified honey taste, and I had the Pasionfrukt which as you might guess had a slight passion fruit flavor but is also a bit lower alcohol content and is a bit sparkly. Food was great too! We had reindeer and mink whale. Sorry to the whales, but mink is currently not an endangered whale, and the only one (I think) that Norway is allowed to catch. So with only a slightly concerned conscience I really enjoyed the whale which tasted like steak. Not to gamey either. The reindeer was also surprising as it was marinated in a way that gave it an ahi tuna poke texture and taste? I'm not sure how that works but it was delicious.

What an amazing traditional Norwegian spot! Pingvinen came highly recommended by both a friend back in the states and someone who works/lives in Bergen. We were a little weary to try traditional food, as we assumed it wouldn't be good, but nothing could be further from the truth! We started with the gin cured reindeer and it was very good--unlike anything I've tasted before. The chutney it was served with was delicious, too. For mains we got the fish pie and the meatballs (kjøttkaker). The fish pie was essentially like a giant crab cake--crispy on the top and perfectly cooked inside. The meatball and sides were flavorful and balanced each other well. It's a small ish space so reservations are a good idea. Highly recommend!!

Ambience is great. Small, cozy, simple furnishings. Perhaps seats around 30 plus 10-12 bar seats. We managed to get a table a bit early midweek. Service was very friendly and attentive. Interesting selection of beer. Menu is classified as Norweigan, a local recommended it. I ordered their interpretation of fish pie. It was VERY delicious. I have friends in England cook a much different version of fish pie, but this version is more to my interest than the English version. My companion had the lamb stew dish- he wasn't as thrilled--he said it was more like a sausage stew. But he ate all of it-it looked very filling. Overall, an upbeat and positive experience! Go try it!

Found this cozy restaurant with local cuisine. Even with a reservation we had to wait. It seemed a little hectic for them to accommodate everyone wanting to eat there but overall very nice.

This was a great place to get wonderful local Norwegian food They were very accommodating and was a great place with a cool comfortable atmosphere

We wanted to try some local food and based on the other reviews we decided to check it out. We didn't have a reservation but they quickly made room for us. The smoked halibut starter was beautiful and delicious. We also shared the meatballs and the fish pie which were both outstanding. It's also nice to eat somewhere other than the harbor. Highly recommend if you're looking for dinner in Bergen!

Best restaurant in Bergen! I'm so glad I got a reservation here per traveler's recommendation. Good traditional Norwegian dish!

Pingvinen means "penguin," and this cozy gastropub serves a menu of traditional Norwegian dishes and rotating seasonal dishes in a casual bar setting. The Gratinated Fish Pie was made of shredded cod baked into a casserole, surrounded by a layer of breadcrumbs. The slice of pie was served with a cabbage and carrot salad and boiled potatoes, and while the pie had a nice crispy crust and salty flavor, it was simply overly drenched in butter. The Plukkfisk was another classic dish of shredded cod mixed with mashed potatoes, topped with bacon bits and served with flatbread, sliced carrots, and pickled onions. While the cod and potato mixture was tasty, the flatbread had way too much butter between each slice, which made them greasy and difficult to eat. While the food here was nicely presented, the execution could have been better, though the prices were reasonable for Norway, and the service was friendly too!

This cozy little pub was around the corner from our hotel in Bergen. I was able to make a reservation, and we were seated right away. The beer selection was good, and the food turned out to be very nice. I think our server forgot about us for quite a long period of time, but other than that it was a very pleasant experience.

I went to Pingvinen for their meatballs; however discovered on days that they offer a local specialty, potato dumplings, they don't offer the meatballs. I considered this a treat and we ordered the dumplings and the winterstew. Both were delicious. I like dumplings of all sorts and these were the more dense type that seemed to have been steamed versus simmered until soft. The flavorful dumplings were accompanied by a trio of meats: salted lamb, smoked sausage that seemed to have been slightly grilled, and bacon. The bacon was cut into small bites and their robust, smoked taste permeated the swede. The swede was reminiscent of sweet turnip or rutabaga with a texture of creamy polenta. Combined with the rich, full flavor of the lamb, each bit was delightful. The winterstew was creamy, hot and full of warm spices. It was served with thin crackers. Pro tip: Make reservations. Though the restaurant may not be packed, reservations ensure you have a table when you arrive.

This was my first ever meal in Norway! We got lucky to snag the last table in the small restaurant - we weren't thinking we had to make reservations. They let us know ahead of time that we'd have to be done by a certain time because another party had the table reserved, which we appreciated. I figured I might as well jump right in and order two of the very few things I knew about Norwegian cuisine - meatballs and lapskaus. Fortuitously, the lapskaus was made with sausage and smoked lamb. I love lamb, particularly when it's really gamey, which it was here. The stew was hearty and delicious enough for me to overlook all the hated celery in it. And the buttered flatbread made me remember how much better all European butter is than American butter, for some reason. While the meatballs themselves weren't all that exciting, the sauce was, and the lingonberries were, and what at first looked like guacamole but was actually mushy peas also were! As a whole meal it was really well balanced. Also, I generally ignore potatoes and these were crispy, flavorful, and surprising.

I was searching for a cozy pub - and this was perfect for a rainy night. After reading a couple different reviews, I decided on Pingvinen. A good selection of different beers + food. I ordered a small plate of meatballs and loved it!

The food was good, but the chef overcooked my steak. When I brought it to the attention of the waiter, they confirmed it was overcooked and all they would offer was a 10% discount on all food which was not adequate.

Pingvinen is a quaint little restaurant, serving superb Norwegian cuisine! The service is so kind & home-like!

Great spot for lunch. Craft beers on tap and fun decor. After the crowded area near Bryggen and the fish market, a short walk brought us to Pingvinen. As a penguin fan, how could I not love this place? My husband and I tried some Norwegian dishes and thought they were very tasty. The beer delivered as well. As a note, eating out in Norway comes with a price tag! I felt this place was worth the price tag which we found reasonable.

Great place to try the local food Good service Just did the small plates to get a taste of different foods

this place was amazing! 10/10 recommend if you can only go to one restaurant. The ambiance and food were amazing. The fish pie and blueberry soda was some of the best food i've ever had. Try to make a reservation but i bet they have walk in space

A nice cozy tavern with great food and beer. Ordered items such as the meatballs and the fish pie. I recommend reserving ahead of time just to guarantee a spot for dinner.

So cute and great food, and you should check out the images on the bathroom doors. I really liked the local food and great cocktails. Friendly service also!

Highly Rated on both Yelp and Google... Came for Lunch and had a couple Hearty Stick-to-your-Ribs Dishes... a small Lamb Stew & Meatbals. My travel companion had a Salmon Sandwich, that was served open-faced and reminded me of Lox on a Bagel... Everything was good & we left satisfied.

We had the best soup, and local cuisine. Would go back in a heart beat!

Good food, nice local beer. Friendly staff. A short walk from the center of the tourist area. Would return again.

We had great service and Norwegian food here. The space is really friendly with a combination of funky and traditional decor. I'd highly recommend a visit!

Thanks Yelpers. Saved time and went to the best local food and pub in Bergen. W o w ! The large draft and bottled beer selection got my tastebuds a rolling. The reindeer plate is soft shredded meat in a delicate thin bread with baby potatoes. The veggies are perfect broccoli, radish, apples and turnips. The yogurt lingonberry sauce, *squealing with delight* creamy yumminess. The veg stew is like veggies and barley, but drier, no gravy. Very healthy and light. The skinny crackers were easy to eat and not salty. We even added some of the reindeer filling to the barley, yum. Service is attentive by many servers. So glad we got here for dinner. They also have a shortened late night menu until 1pm! I felt very comfortable here.

Authentic Norwegian fare. Service outstanding. Staff had the house under control; knew what tables could be made available for both reservation and walk-in. Cheese platter superb.

This may have been the best food we had in Norway! This little bar was absolutely delightful. They had a good variety of local beers that were tasty. We had the meatballs and they were super tasty...we seriously licked the plate. I loved the peas and the berry sauce. I would highly recommend it!

So good, bad, ugly? The Ugly, surprise I don't read Norse, and I parked in a no parking zone so I got a ticket. The bad we drove downtown and los tplacews were packed, but the kind waiter sat us at some bar stools in the corner and made room for us, we were thrilled and grateful. The good or should I say, green this was one of the best meals we had in Norway, like I said the Waiter was super helpful and just did an amazing job. We had a local stew made with potatoes and other stuff the name escapes me and it was so good we could hav eaten just that. Then we both had fish, again excellent, and plentiful the beer was cold and my wife loved her wine. For finding this place on accident we are thrilled with our experience.

We visited here on a Wednesday evening, around 8.30. We were seated quite quickly and without any fuss. We ordered some local beers from the beer list and had the deer to share for starters, followed by the meatballs, wolffish, cheese plate and blondie. The food was very delicious, especially the deer starter. All in all, a great place to eat! Would definitely return!

This place made for a perfect afternoon stop. A ton of beer on tap and Norwegian cuisine on the menu. I had the salted/sugared cod in Hollandaise sauce. This was served with smashed peas - who knew these would be so good? Fresh new potatoes, and carrots. It was really delicious. My husband had the cod mixed with mashed potatoes and topped with bacon. I was worried he wouldn't like the texture, but he ate the whole thing. Service was quick and friendly. Definitely recommend a stop here!

Great local pub with enough food to make things interesting. Very good beer selection. The cod over barley was incredible, could eat it weekly. Already recommended to others. Very accommodating staff.

Home style classic Danish Cuisine. If you have not experienced Scandinavian cuisine you will not be disappointed starting here. I enjoyed the pork dish for lunch and would highly recommend you try. The lunch was so good I had to ask for the potato soup after. It was unreal. I highly recommend your make time during your visit.

Eating at Pingvinen was like having a Norwegian grandmother cook you a great meal. We enjoyed the food and the restaurant so much that we ate there again a few days later. One tip: Make a reservation!