Bergen, City of Gastronomy
What the title actually is
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was founded in 2004 and covers several fields, of which gastronomy is one. Bergen joined the gastronomy strand in 2015. Membership is a commitment rather than a prize: the city reports to Paris every four years to keep it. That is why the designation shows up in municipal documents more than it shows up on menus.
What it does not mean
It is not a ranking of restaurants and it does not promise a visitor anything in particular. What Bergen has to show for it is a deep preserved-fish tradition, a protected cider region within reach, a fish market mentioned in 1278 and a bun that has been here since the 1500s — a real food identity, thinly served by the experience market. The food itself.
The short shelf
Bergen has one dedicated food walk: three and a half hours, thirteen tastings across five cafés and restaurants, capped at eight people and wheelchair accessible. Around it sit a three-hour aperitivo tasting capped at six, a two-and-a-half-hour lunch in somebody’s house for four, a ninety-minute cider tasting and a private two-hour culinary heritage walk for up to three. Behind those is a long shelf of fjord day trips whose food content is a lunch stop.
The longest listing in the food category is a six-hour bus day to the Hardangerfjord whose entire food content is one freshly made waffle and a small tasting of a local drink — everything else that day you buy yourself. It is a good day out and a bad food tour, and it is worth booking as a day trip rather than as a meal. Day trips with a meal in them. Everything there is.
If you want the city-of-gastronomy version of Bergen in one afternoon, the combination that works is the preserved-fish tradition, a Hardanger cider tasting and a bakery in the morning. None of those requires a title from Paris to be good.
The only real food walkBergen: A Taste of Bergen Food Tour with Fløibanen Funicular
Shortest · step-freeBergen: Norwegian Cider Tasting Experience
A day out, not a food tourBergen: Old Town and Waterfalls Guided Tour with Waffles
The one dedicated food walk
Three and a half hours, thirteen tastings — eleven food, two drink — across five cafés and restaurants, ending at Fløirestauranten on Mount Fløyen with return Fløibanen funicular tickets included. Capped at eight people, wheelchair accessible, free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. The listing is marked not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, and vegetarian and vegan options are available with 24 hours’ notice on an adjusted offering. Both halves of that are true and you need the second one before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When did Bergen become a UNESCO City of Gastronomy?
In 2015. It is the only Norwegian city in the gastronomy strand of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and as of 2024 one of only two north of France. The wider network was founded in 2004.
Does the UNESCO title have to be renewed?
Yes, every four years, by report to UNESCO in Paris. It is a commitment the city keeps rather than a permanent award.
How many food tours does Bergen have?
Very few. One dedicated food walk of three and a half hours and thirteen tastings, with a three-hour aperitivo tasting, a home-hosted lunch, a ninety-minute cider tasting and a private two-hour heritage walk around it. There is no cooking class, no brewery tour and no tasting at the fish market. The longest listing in the food category is a six-hour fjord bus day whose food content is one freshly made waffle and a small tasting of a local drink.