Best Food and Restaurants in Norway Denmark – Quick Overview
If you are planning a Nordic trip that includes Sweden Norway Denmark, the best food and restaurants in Norway and Denmark range from world-famous Michelin stars in Copenhagen and Oslo to cosy waterfront bistros and authentic street food that fit perfectly into a 2 weeks Scandinavia or shorter Scandinavia itinerary.
This focused guide by Homejourney highlights must-try dishes, trusted restaurants, and practical tips for Singapore travellers and international investors, and connects naturally back to our main Scandinavia travel pillar guide Ultimate 14-Day Scandinavia Itinerary (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) | Homejourney Gu... .
Why Norway & Denmark Belong on Your Nordic Trip
Norway and Denmark are the culinary anchors of many Scandinavia itinerary plans, especially for travellers combining Sweden Norway Denmark in one trip. Copenhagen leads the Nordics with 30 Michelin stars across 18 restaurants in 2025, making it the top Michelin city in the region.[1] Oslo and other Norwegian cities, while smaller, offer a strong mix of fine dining and casual local favourites.[2]
For Singapore travellers, the draw is threefold: ultra-fresh seafood, modern Nordic fine dining with a sustainability focus, and relaxed café culture ideal for slow mornings between sightseeing and property research calls back home.
Best Time to Visit for Food Lovers
The best time to explore the best food and restaurants in Norway Denmark is from late May to early September, when markets are full of local produce and opening hours are longest. In winter, many top restaurants remain open, but smaller coastal spots and food markets may run reduced hours, especially in Norway’s fjord towns.
If you are planning a 2 weeks Scandinavia route, many Singaporeans find late June to early August ideal: you enjoy long Nordic summer days, easier flight connections, and better chances of securing reservations at popular restaurants if you book 1–2 months ahead for major cities.
Currencies, Budgets & Planning From Singapore
Norway uses the Norwegian krone (NOK) and Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK). Most places are card-first; in practice, you can comfortably travel almost cashless if you carry a Visa or Mastercard. From Singapore, many travellers now use multi-currency accounts or cards to lock in rates before flying.
Homejourney supports multiple currencies from the Nordic region in our property tools, so if you are comparing a restaurant bill in Copenhagen with a potential downpayment in Singapore, you can easily benchmark costs through our platform’s currency-ready calculators alongside financing tools on Bank Rates .
Top Food Experiences in Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is the culinary heart of any Nordic trip and often the starting point of a Sweden Norway Denmark loop. In 2025, it retains its status as the leading Michelin city in the Nordics, with 30 stars across 18 restaurants, plus a strong layer of Bib Gourmand bistros offering value-focused dining.[1][3]
Iconic Fine Dining (Book Well in Advance)
- Alchemist (Copenhagen) – Frequently listed among the world’s top restaurants and known for an immersive, multi-hour experience with conceptual courses and visual storytelling.[5][7] Expect a very high price point and bookings released months ahead.
- New Michelin Stars & Green Stars – The 2025 Nordic guide highlights new one- and two-star restaurants and sustainability-focused Green Star establishments in Denmark, including spots like Sushi Anaba and Alimentum, which emphasize traceable, nature-led sourcing.[1][3]
If you are used to high-end dining in Singapore (for example, at top Marina Bay or Orchard Road venues), you can expect similar or higher price levels at these Copenhagen restaurants, but with a stronger emphasis on hyper-local ingredients and elaborate tasting menus.
Mid-Range & Bib Gourmand Favourites
For many Singaporean families or small groups, the sweet spot is the Bib Gourmand tier: restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide for excellent value.[1][3]
- Radio – A Bib Gourmand restaurant with seasonal small plates and a relaxed atmosphere.[1] Ideal if you want to experience modern Nordic cuisine without fine-dining formality.
- Rebel, Pluto, Selma, Silberbauers Bistro – Among the Copenhagen eateries recognised for high-quality food at reasonable prices.[1] These are good targets for dinners after a day of museum-hopping or neighbourhood walks.
Insider tip: Many of these restaurants offer early-evening seatings with slightly lower-priced menus. If you are dealing with jet lag from Singapore, booking the early slot (around 5:30–6:00 pm) works well and often makes it easier to secure a table.
Casual Food: Smørrebrød, Bakeries & Markets
Beyond Michelin stars, your best food and restaurants in Norway Denmark list should include casual options that locals enjoy on weekdays:
- Smørrebrød – Traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches, typically with pickled herring, shrimp, roast beef, or potatoes on rye bread. Look for local lunch places or smaller cafés; office workers often fill these spots between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm.
- Bakeries – Copenhagen is famous for flaky cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns. Prices are comparable to or slightly higher than quality bakeries in Tiong Bahru or Katong.
- Food halls – Modern markets and food halls offer global and Nordic options under one roof, convenient if you are travelling with kids or friends who have different preferences.
Best Food Experiences in Norway
Norway’s food scene is more spread out than Denmark’s, but cities like Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø offer memorable meals ranging from cutting-edge tasting menus to rustic fish markets.[2]
Oslo: From Maaemo to Fun Dining
- Maaemo (Oslo) – Norway’s flagship Michelin-starred restaurant, led by chef Esben Holmboe Bang.[2] It specialises in seasonal menus built around biodynamic farms and foraged ingredients, and requires advance booking, similar to top Singapore omakase counters.
- New-wave "fun dining" spots – Young chefs in Oslo are opening more casual, value-for-money restaurants with tasting menus and relaxed dress codes, an emerging segment noted across the Nordic region.[4]
Seafood Highlights Beyond Oslo
- Fisketorget (Stavanger) – A combined seafood market and restaurant, just steps from the harbour, known for aromatic fish soup and caviar-focused menus.[2]
- Huken (Tromsø) – A cosy pub-like venue in Tromsø where locals queue for huge burgers and American-style pancakes with blueberries and bacon.[2] This is a good example of how Norwegians blend global comfort food with local ingredients.
Insider tip: In coastal Norway, lunch can be your best-value meal of the day. Many seafood restaurants offer lunch sets or soup-and-bread combos that are significantly cheaper than dinner, which is useful if you are managing a family budget or balancing travel spending with property investment goals.
Street Food, Cafés & Hidden Gems
Compared with Singapore’s hawker centres, traditional "street food" is limited in Norway and Denmark due to weather and regulations, but you will find the closest equivalents in food halls, harbour-front kiosks, and coffee-focused cafés.
- Hot dog stands in Copenhagen – Classic Danish hot dog carts serve sausages with pickles, crispy onions and remoulade. They are quick, child-friendly, and cheaper than sit-down meals.
- Harbour kiosks in Norway – In cities like Bergen, you can buy fish cakes or shrimp rolls from stalls near the water during warmer months.
- Third-wave cafés – Oslo and Copenhagen have strong specialty coffee scenes, popular with remote workers including expats who split time between the Nordics and Singapore.
Sample Food-Focused Scandinavia Itinerary (3–5 Days)
If you have only a few days within a longer 2 weeks Scandinavia route, here is a food-focused mini plan you can adapt. For a full regional plan, see our pillar guide: Ultimate 14-Day Scandinavia Itinerary (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) | Homejourney Gu... .
