Amazing food and service. Small area for seating. We did not have a reservation but were able to sit at the bar. Recommend reservations- even if it is a weekday. We were disappointed we could not go back and enjoy the restaurant again! Next time! read more

After our late arrival into Bergen we decided to eat some Norwegian fish dishes at Pingvinen. We arrived at the right time and got seated at the back table. Service was fairly quick. Menu contained a number of Norwegian dishes of seafood, meat (including reindeer) and vegetarian. We knew ahead of time we wanted to try the plukkfisk and gratinated fish pie. The pie was the best dish for us that night. It had a nice and creamy texture along with a crunch on the crust due to the frying. It was a light dish compared to the plukkfisk. The plukkfisk was quite heavy with this fish/mashed potato mixture and while the fried bacon added some texture it could've used a little more acid for our tastes. read more

Pingvinen - Gratinated Fish Pie - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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Came by for lunch the other day and it was a phenomenal experience. Pingvinen is a gastropub located a touch away from the main Sentrum strip. They have free wifi and the password is at the bottom of one of the blackboard behind the bartender. Opted for the reindeer filet and it was excellent. The reindeer was cooked to a perfect medium and seared to perfection on the outside. The flavors were excellent and this was served with a side of fried potatoes, green beans along with a bed of creamy mushroom. The vibes from the Gen Z staff were lit too. Seems like they were complaining about bf issues... Pricing may be elevated as I'm not sure if this was a tourist trap as I didn't see any locals. 495 NOK for lunch. read more

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This is a lively place, but it was really really hot. We went in the end of August, and sat near the back of the restaurant and there was one seat in particular at the end of the table that was so hot we had to rotate who sat there so we didn't all sweat and pass out. Service is so-so, not the friendliest. One server told us we could still order the "lunch" crab and prawn salad since we just missed the window by a few minutes (we sat down before that time, but didn't get to order yet), but the very next person who actually took our order said it was not possible. The appetizer version is smaller, but it was delicious! I would definitely get that. The fish soup was also very well seasoned and so delicious - if we weren't so hot in the restaurant it would've been perfect. read more

Pingvinen - Crab and prawn salad - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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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. read more

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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. read more

Pingvinen - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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Would highly recommend this place to try true Norwegian food. My fiance and I were trying to find a good place to eat local food and meals of Norway. This place was perfect! The servers were very helpful in helping us choose what to eat & they were all very kind. They had a variety of beers to try as well which was something I was interested in. Overall great place & will definitely go back if I ever visit Norway again. We also got a cheese plate before our entrees and we always say "you never regret a cheese plate!" read more

Pingvinen - Meatballs & Lamb Stew. - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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!! read more

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A group of us (4) came at least 15 minutes or more, before 2200p and were seated at a table quickly. The initial employee gave us the regular menu and informed us the kitchen was open and the establishment didn't close until much later. However no one came to take our order (even after we attempted to flag them down) until after 5-10 minutes after 2200p. At that time, another employee told us the kitchen closed at 2200p and we came too late, sarcastically informing us they will make an exception with a much smaller menu of 3-4 items. Not long after, a larger group came in and that same server was much friendlier with them. Food was okay, drinks were good, but the service we received was poor. Hopefully just a one off! read more

We were able to get a table at Pingvinen, and the experience was terrific. Lovely staff that gave us some terrific suggestions, and a nice variety of food. It felt very much like an authentic experience, with the understanding that they probably had a fair amount of tourists. I would definitely recommend the place as well as visit again! read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

Pingvinen - Reindeer entrecôte - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. :) read more

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Service was terrible, waiters were rude and unresponsive. Our food took forever and when arrived was not correct. When we told them, we were told that the cooks were not there so we would have to wait until they got back...which took FOREVER... We ended up leaving the food there. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Pingvinen - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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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!! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Pingvinen - Large portion of the onion soup with cheese toast - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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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 read more

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 read more

Pingvinen - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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. read more

Just finished eating here! The food was extremely tasty. Whale steak and veggies excellent. Highly recommend the fish pie!!!! Delicioso.... We had a bottle of wine with dinner and were pleasantly surprised how our Pinot complemented every dish.... Highly recommend read more

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! read more

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

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Excellent food and service. I got there late and they were only serving a limited menu and I was a little disappointed at first because I wanted the meatball. I'd had friends tell me how great it was. I ended up with the fish soup and it was amazing! I was hesitant to order it but am so glad I did. I can't believe fish soup can be that good! read more

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. read more

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

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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. read more

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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. read more

Pingvinen - Potato dumplings with mashed swede, salted lamb, smoked sausage and bacon. (5/5) - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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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! read more

Pingvinen - Plukkfisk - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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! read more

Pingvinen - Meatballs (small order) - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

Very nice ! All kinds of beers ！Great! Although the room is not big , the air is warm and the waiters are kind. read more

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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 read more

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. read more

Pingvinen - Bar - Scandinavian Near Me - Bergen, 12

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! read more

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