XL Diner

XL Diner came recommended by everyone and it did not disappoint. The location in atmosphere is wonderful. The staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. We had a great table by the window for a wonderful view while we had dinner. The food was first class. We finally got to try some Bagalou. We went with the Royal Bagalao with Saffron Mussels starter. Both were excellent!

Though the menu at XL Diner ranges fairly widely, many, like us, will come for its bacalao/klippfisk specialities. We weren't disappointed. Describing the traditional klippfisk as bacalao reflects the punchy recipes inspired by Spanish, Portuguese and Italian dishes. The chef-patron told us that the fish used is the mighty Skrei - a large migratory cod, fished off the Lofoten Islands - which is salted and preserved in Ålesund and aged for two years before being rehydrated and cooked. The fish is excellent - moist, meaty flakes - and stands up well to the Mediterranean flavourings. We started with a nicely-decorated creamy fish soup. Service was excellent and welcoming. The house French white wine is a little bit dull, but there are interesting other choices, reasonably priced (for Norway!). A very enjoyable evening.

good food and good service! gets quite busy so would recommend making a reservation. staff was very attentive and also kind enough to let us order one royal bacalao set when it's usually meant for more! all were so tasty (maybe a tad too salty if i had to nitpick) and we loved the fish soup too

We dined there recently for dinner. Had a lovely time and food was excellent. Was quite busy (one table of over 18) so our waitress was distracted and service suffered a little. Definitely try if you’re in Alesund.

The restaurant was packed but I managed to get a seat. They treated me very well even though I was by myself. I wasn’t very into eating bacalao - I’m prejudiced when it comes to fish (wanting it fresh). But this is amazing! I’d totally eat it again. They changed my mind with regard to bacalao. And the seafood soup is the best I’ve had in my life (i do not say this lightly - I eat all over the world making one big trip around the world each year and I take food seriously giving many sensational places 2/5). I will come back one day!

Great experience and great service. The bacalhau was really delicious!

Really fun concept where the cod is served in many different ways. I tried the "traditional" Portuguese dish Bacalhau with parma ham. First time to me with this juicy and salty cod. Delicious! 5/5

Amazing restaurant in Alesund, bacalao world, bacalao speciality, bacalao dream. Lovely cozy with an awesome view of the fjord. Just in Alesund sentrum close to the harbour, and great night life. The food is great, cod fish in all presentations, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese style. Wine list is great, and have to say that the prices are ok to be in Norway.

Very helpful and friendly staff. They managed to seat us quite late on a busy night. Excellent food and nice atmosphere. Easily able to have a conversation even though they were quite full.

Took reservation online but was closed when arrived. Yea it was a holiday but how was i to know?

We absolutely loved this place! From the hip modern decor to the awesome perched views of the harbor, it's top shelf Norway. The food and presentation were phenomenal! Chef Roar's Bacaloa dishes were beautiful to behold and delightfully delicious. (The curry was my fav!) Wine selection was robust and cocktails were on point. Enjoyed a multi desert sampler for the finale. Best meal we enjoyed while in Norway. The vibe was amazing! There's a casual sophistication of high-class community dining at XL. The smells, conversations, outbursts of laughter with the chef meandering thru the tables conversating with guests, gave it five stars in my book. Being so far from the States, we really felt like we were welcome and at home. Thanks again to Chef Roar and his team for creating an experience we will always remember.

Great service and food! We had small kids and vegan people in our group and none of them were disappointed.

I had no expectations when going to XL Diner.. From the name, I assumed it was going to be typical "diner" food. We dropped in after a couple cocktails at MILK next door, they were able to seat the two of us quickly without reservations. The clientele were mostly business people, and the staff treated us just as well. We ordered two glasses of wine and the Royal Bacalao Plate (which is a minimum of two people at 373 krone per person). You get to try all three bacalao dishes. You begin with the Italian Style Bacalao, which is a green bacalao layered with pesto potatoes, cod, aioli, tomato, and bacon. Next, you are on to the Bacalao Com Natas, which was described to us as a Portuguese bacalao. It came in a DELICIOUS creamy yellow curry sauce. Finally, you end the bacalao symphony with the Bacalao Vizcaina. This dish was a Spanish red bacalao with tomato dried cod served with onions, peppers, olives and potatoes. Everything was delicious, each bacalao was unique, and the service was excellent.

Fabulous service: thanks Roar. Excellent food: recommend the bacalao, cod tongue, and seafood soup. Wonderful view: evening view of the harbor, available from every seat in the house. We were well taken care of for my 50th birthday. Would go there again. In fact, we may go for lunch today!

Very nice ambience. The staff catered to my dietary restrictions (gluten free dairy free). Had bacalao traditional style and Spanish style. The passion fruit sorbet was to die for. A very generous portion and very tart--just how I like it. Delicious! I would recommend this location. Go early to skip the crowd!

We had a three course dinner in the outdoor bayside area. (it was full indoors, so it is wise to make reservations beforehand because You do not want to miss this place!) The menu is a bit cut down from the real menu but still many dishes to choose from. Bacalao (dried cod) in different varieties is the signature dish. For starters we had Scallops & Scampi, for main Bacalao com natas and Cusk with leek sauce and we wrapped it up with Crème Brulee as dessert. Take this from someone who usually doesn't like fish: it was one of the best dishes ever tasted! Very tasty and beautifully presented dishes! The scallop starter was perfectly sized, I don't like to get full on the starter, leaving no space for main+dessert. It was an appetizer! Dried cod is nothing like dried meat, if you've tried that. Don't be afraid of trying Bacalao! Lastly, crème brulee is my favorite dessert. Whenever it is on the menu it is a must! It was a little too hot to get top grades. It probably just means it's made on request, though. Being Norway it IS pricy, so you have to put that aside. Even if it is interesting to see just how much a pint of beer can cost! Here it's approx 75NOK. The total for our three course dinner was approx 1100 NOK beverages excluded. The service was absolutely excellent and the waiter was the best! I would definitely return here. And I definitely recommend this place! In my opinion the best and most value for money of the four places we tried out in Ålesund.

Do you really need me to tell you to go here? If you are even thinking about it, just go. It's excellent. I had the Bacaloa Con Natas. Bacaloa is cod, but the best cod you have ever had. The Natas I think means cream and it had a mild yellow curry flavor. It was fantastic. It was worth every one of the 306 kroners. I also really liked the white wine but I don't know what it was. The view from the dining room was spectacular. Mesmerizing. Service was perfect. A+ I will be back

Food was a 4 out of 5, absolutely delicious. The service may have been the worst I've ever had, they shoved us in the back when there were plenty of open tables and we watched 3 other parties get sat after us and were served drinks and soup before we even got water. I feel like it was the result of one bad waiter and a rude host but still a frustrating experience. But the food was worth it and going slightly after sunset (it is way too bright before sunset) will get you a beautiful view of the water.

Just okay. Thought it was going to be great, but the fish was bland and the service was just okay. I love the location, but I wouldn't come back here. I don't mind spending money on a great dish, but it's hard to spend money on something that's just blah. Wouldn't recommend.

A trip to Norway means cod, cod and more cod! XL Diner was one of our firsts dinners in Norway, so we hadn't our fill just yet. We had a lovely table at the window which is a must. Beautiful view of the water which added to the nice ambiance. We had an excellent waiter who recommended the cod 3 ways. An ample sampling of cod served with 3 very different preparations. We had a very nice evening and would recommend XL Diner.

I was seated despite showing up without a reservation during rush on the Monday night. amazing service and one of the best meals I've ever had. Bacaloa (Italian style). Highly recommend.