A Culinary Journey Through Local Flavors – Tastes You’ll Never Forget

Welcome to Telemark – a haven for food lovers and a region overflowing with locally sourced ingredients and traditional flavours. Whether you’re a seasoned gourmet or simply someone who loves memorable meals, Telemark invites you on a journey through taste, culture, and heritage.

From Ibsen’s birthplace in Skien to the majestic Gaustatoppen mountain, every bite is an invitation to experience the soul of the region.
Here’s our guide to the best restaurants and culinary experiences in Telemark – places you simply must taste for yourself!

1. Tuddal Høyfjellshotell – Culinary heritage at the foot of Gaustatoppen

In Hjartdal, Tuddal Høyfjellshotell – one of Norway’s oldest mountain hotels – offers a refined journey through Telemark’s rich culinary traditions. In the hotel’s charming dining room, you’ll enjoy a four-course dinner made from carefully selected local ingredients, each dish celebrating regional flavours and history.
Meals here are crafted with skill and soul, and hotel director Einar Gurholt is often found in the kitchen himself.
Be sure to stop by the hotel’s bakery or on-site brewery – this is where flavour and tradition come together to create unforgettable memories.

2. Bjaaland Bygderestaurant – A mountain menu full of character

In the village of Morgedal, known as the cradle of skiing, a passionate and intimate dining experience awaits. Bjaaland Bygderestaurant offers a six-course menu based on organic and local ingredients, served with heart and care.
Housed in the former Olav Bjaaland Museum, named after the adventurous polar explorer from Morgedal, the restaurant brings global inspiration to mountain ingredients.
The result is a place where the flavors of the mountains meet true culinary passion. Book a table and get ready for an evening to remember. Stay overnight at the cozy Morgedal Hotel just nearby.

3. Nutheim Gjestgiveri – Where food and art meet

Nutheim Gjestgiveri in Flatdal is more than just a restaurant – it’s an aesthetic experience. Here, local flavours are served alongside sweeping views and an inspiring artistic setting. The seasonal menu celebrates ingredients from the surrounding area.
Nutheim is a peaceful place where meals can be combined with art workshops, storytelling, and walks through the myth-filled landscape of Seljord.

4. Dalen Hotel – A fairytale dining experience

At the end of the Telemark Canal in charming Dalen, lies Dalen Hotel – an architectural treasure and a fairytale. The hotel’s restaurant, Bandak, serves French-inspired cuisine with a local twist, in historic surroundings and with impeccable service.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea on the terrace or order a picnic basket to take your lunch into the beautiful gardens or on a nearby hike.
Dalen Hotel offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury – a destination where you’ll find peace in an authentic and relaxed atmosphere.

5. Jacob & Gabriel – Local gourmet with a casual twist

Right in the centre of Skien, Jacob & Gabriel is a restaurant that combines elegance with a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy flavourful dishes inspired by forest, sea, and mountain – either à la carte or as part of a seven-course tasting menu.
Just nearby you’ll find Lille Ludvig Kafeteria – a warm tribute to Norwegian food heritage. With seasonal menus and honest ingredients, this is a must-visit on Klosterøya for those who want food with soul.

6. Straand Hotel – Traditional flavours by Lake Nisser

At Straand Hotel in Vrådal, you’ll experience genuine local hospitality combined with time-honoured cuisine. Operating since 1864, the hotel offers classic dishes such as cured elk and forest mushroom soup.
Enjoy a meal made with ingredients from the surrounding area and spend the day boating, cycling, or simply relaxing by the lake.

7. Quality Skjærgården – Family-friendly flavours by the fjord

In Langesund, Quality Hotel Skjærgården offers the perfect family getaway – with food experiences to match. From bountiful breakfast buffets to homemade pizza, à la carte dinners, and weekend buffets, there’s something for every taste.
The in-house restaurant concept The Social focuses on relaxed bistro dining, great conversations, and ingredients from the local region. With fresh shrimp straight from the fjord, both kids and adults can enjoy a flavourful coastal holiday.

8. Merci Restaurant – French elegance by the water in Porsgrunn

Merci Restaurant brings the taste of France to Porsgrunn. With a seasonal menu, perfectly executed dishes, and a carefully selected wine list, chef Radek Soltys and his team create a warm and elegant experience.
Enjoy local vegetables, duck, or fine vegetarian dishes – and take in the riverside views from the outdoor terrace when the sun is shining. Ideal for romantic dinners or business meetings alike.

9. Becks Brasserie Osebro – Classic dining in historic surroundings

In a 250-year-old timber house by the river in Porsgrunn, you’ll find Becks Brasserie and Bar Osebro – a restaurant where French-inspired dishes meet Norwegian ingredients.
From dry-aged steaks and farm duck to refined classics, the menu is served in cozy interiors or out on the spacious terrace.
Start with an aperitif, enjoy a well-crafted meal, and end the evening with piano tunes and a lively bar atmosphere. Perfect for everyday indulgence or special occasions.

10. Blikk Fjellbrasserie – Mountain dining with a global touch

At Gaustablikk Fjellresort in Tinn, Blikk Fjellbrasserie offers a refined dining experience with breathtaking mountain views. The menu is created by star chef Melker Andersson and combines local ingredients with global flair.
Enjoy rustic elegance at altitude, with dishes inspired by the forest, the plateau, and the world beyond. Guests describe it as “a magical meal” – and many come back again and again.

The adventure begins at the table

In Telemark, food is more than taste – it’s about stories, craftsmanship, people, and nature. Here, cuisine and setting go hand in hand, turning every meal into a memory worth keeping.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a seat – and taste Telemark.