Børsen Spiseri

a month ago

A restaurant steeped in history, and one that rewards a slower, more attentive visit. I dined here twice during my stay, drawn by the promise of authentic Norwegian cuisine set within a space that feels almost untouched by time. The building itself tells a story centuries old. The interiors are dimly lit and atmospheric, with soft, circular artistic lights suspended overhead, casting a gentle glow that enhances the sense of intimacy. At one moment, a faint crackling sound echoed through the room—the waitress smiled and explained it came from the real wood-burning stove at work. Even the roof holds surprises, including a carved naked lady figure seemingly flying above, a whimsical reminder of the building’s layered past. The meal began with Norwegian crispbread and wheat bread, served alongside a softly salted cream. The textures were beautifully balanced—fragrant, delicate, and crisp—presented in an old wooden dipper that subtly reinforced the historical setting. On my first visit, I ordered the turbot, served with a creamy butter sauce, chives, trout roe, pressed potatoes, carrot, and broccolini. The fish was exceptionally fresh, its exterior lightly crisp while the flesh remained soft and juicy. The chives added a pleasant bounce, the pressed potatoes were smooth and comforting, and the broccolini carried a gentle oil fragrance. The carrots provided a clean crunch, tying the dish together with clarity and restraint. After dinner, I explored the wine cellar and surrounding rooms. Old paddles, water ladles, and timeworn chairs quietly narrated stories of maritime trade and daily life from another era. Adjacent to the dining space is a bar room, equally rich in character. On my second evening, I returned to try another Norwegian classic: the pan-fried stockfish from Berg & Sønner, accompanied by roasted potatoes, red bell pepper sauce, parsnip purée, broccolini, carrot, and fennel. What stood out immediately was the restraint in salinity—the stockfish was not overly salty, a deliberate adjustment the waitress explained was made to suit international palates while preserving its traditional essence. The fish was tender with lightly crisp edges, allowing its natural flavour to shine. The red bell pepper sauce introduced a gentle sweetness that unfolded gradually. The parsnip purée was smooth and composed, while the fennel offered a fleshy texture reminiscent of mild onion. The roasted potatoes added a quiet sense of completeness to the dish, their subtle softness grounding the plate, and the carrots once again delivered a clean, satisfying crunch. On my third day, I spent time browsing the old grocery store within the restaurant. It felt like a small museum—filled with fascinating artefacts such as a brass standing scale, an antique cash register, sewing tools, and a vintage Berkel scale. The remaining shelves held preserved foods and camping provisions, blending the past seamlessly into the present. Børsen Spiseri is more than a restaurant; it is a living archive of Norwegian culture, thoughtfully maintained and gently adapted for modern dining. For those who value history as much as flavour, it is a place worth returning to.

6 months ago

The ambiance here is truly unique—charming, intimate, and steeped in history. You can feel it in the walls. The strong scent of dried cod hits you as you enter, which I actually found intriguing and fitting for the experience. The space felt chic yet casual and cozy, like a blend of cottage warmth and old-school steakhouse charm. The menu is short and straightforward, but full of tempting choices that made it hard to decide. We eventually settled on the Taste of Lofoten platter, fish soup, lamb rack, and the Stockfish Royal—which we came especially to try. It exceeded all expectations. The combination of butter egg, cod, and crispy cured ham was both unexpected and incredibly flavorful. The triple protein made it a filling dish, but every bite was a burst of rich, layered taste. We also had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely Mariam (apologies if I’m misspelling her name), who kindly shared the history behind the stockfish and gave us some fascinating facts about the Lofoten region. Overall, we had a very special and memorable experience. If you’re nearby, I highly recommend dining here. It felt cozy and welcoming. The service is excellent and the food was tasty.

5 months ago

Must goto place for the building and history since 1800s. Longer a little longer and enjoy the indoor decoration. Beautiful wooden beams and second floor dining with a central staircase leading up. Service was marvellous and food was great. The best fish is here and not anywhere else. The cured whale and salmon was one of its kind and the monk fish, halibut and stock fish was all cooked to perfection. Seasonal rhubarb was a delightful dessert and the bill that came was a little more than the usual meals in Lofoten but totally worth it. Explore the place outside as you can see a sauna and platform to jump into the waters. Sunset here is nice. If you are coming from the city area take about 20 min walk up the long bridge. Go explore the hotel next door where it also housed the original settlement of a grocery store.