The Fish Market, or Fisketorget, sits at the head of the Vågen harbour at Torget, between the water and the main shopping streets, and it has been the city's trading heart for centuries. It is also the best place to taste Bergen. In summer the open-air stalls stretch along the quay with fresh and smoked salmon, shrimp, crab, king crab, cured fish and local farm produce, while restaurants and cafés serve seafood at tables beside them. In winter the outdoor market is closed, according to Visit Bergen, with only a little fruit and vegetables on Saturdays, and the action moves indoors to Mathallen, the covered food hall that opened in 2012 and is open all year. Merchants run permanent shops and restaurants inside, and individual fishmongers set their own hours, though the hall as a whole is open from morning until late evening every day. Bryggen is about three hundred metres away and the Fløibanen station about two hundred, so it is a natural first stop.
Mathallen is the part to plan around in November. Inside you will find fishmongers selling fresh and cured fish, shops with smoked salmon and local specialities, and counters where you can order a hot lunch such as fish soup, fish cakes, smoked salmon on bread, or a plate of shellfish. Visit Bergen's listing gives Monday to Saturday hours of 09:00 to 21:30 and Sunday from 10:00 to 21:30, and closes it only on 25 December.
Because each business sets its own hours, a counter may close earlier than the building does. Prices are those of a prime tourist location, so a seafood lunch costs more than in other parts of the city, but quality is generally good and portions are generous.
To get the best from the visit, go at lunch or a little before, when the counters are fully stocked and the hall is lively. Walk the aisles first, then decide. A fish soup and a smoked salmon open sandwich is a classic order, and you can build a tasting lunch from several stalls.
If you would rather eat outside, the outdoor market returns from May with its core summer hours of around ten to six. The quay in front is lovely even when the stalls are shut, and the harbour views of Bryggen, the boats and the mountain behind are worth a stop on their own.
The Fish Market also doubles as a gateway. The Mostraumen fjord cruises depart from the Børshopen quay behind the Tourist Information beside the market, the Fløibanen station is a short walk away, and guided food and old-town walks usually start nearby. Many visitors pair a morning stroll across Torget with a ride up Fløyen and a late afternoon at Bryggen, which makes the market the simplest anchor for a first day.
What to expect
The experience
A free wander through the indoor Mathallen food hall and along the harbour front, with seafood counters and restaurants to eat at.
Best time
Lunchtime, when counters are fully stocked and the hall is busy but not packed.
How long
One to two hours for a wander and a meal.
Tips
In winter the outdoor stalls are closed and the action is inside Mathallen. Individual shops set their own hours, so go before the evening..
Quick picks
- Best for
- Seafood lovers and first-timers who want a taste of local flavour on the harbour.
- Families
- Plenty of simple choices such as fish cakes, bread with smoked salmon and soup, and lots to look at.
- Couples
- A shared plate of shellfish and a glass of something cold, followed by a harbour walk.
- Pair with
- Bryggen, Fløibanen and the Mostraumen cruise, which leaves from the quay beside the market.
- Time needed
- Around ninety minutes with a meal.
Good questions
Is the Fish Market open in winter?+
The outdoor market is closed in winter, according to Visit Bergen, with only some fruit and vegetables on Saturdays. The indoor Mathallen food hall is open all year, every day except 25 December.
What are the opening hours of Mathallen?+
Visit Bergen lists Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 21:30 and Sunday from 10:00 to 21:30. Individual shops and counters set their own hours, so some close earlier.
What should I try?+
Fish soup, smoked salmon, fish cakes and fresh shellfish are the classic choices. Ask the vendors for what is freshest that day.
Is it expensive?+
It is a prime tourist spot, so prices are higher than in a neighbourhood restaurant, though portions are generous. Sharing a few dishes is a good way to taste more for less.
How do I get there?+
It is at Torget in the city centre, about three hundred metres from Bryggen and two hundred from the Fløibanen station. Everything is easy to reach on foot.
