Stavanger City Guide - A weekend in Stavanger
Restaurants, Hotels, Nightlife & Things to Do
Stavanger is a coastal city in southwestern Norway. The city was once a modest fishing town, but transformed into a key player in the global energy market after oil was discovered in the North Sea in the 1960s, and today, Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway.
Stavanger is famous for its well-preserved old town, with charming wooden houses and cobblestone streets, as well as its relative proximity to natural attractions like the iconic Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) and the Lysefjord.
When I was working as a cabin crew and airline pilot, I had frequent layovers in Stavanger, and I really came to like the city. In recent years, the dining scene has also improved with lots of nice restaurants and cafes.
Nice neighborhoods in Stavanger
Fargegaten: Øvre Holmegate is commonly referred to as Fargegaten, as the houses lining the cozy pedestrian street are painted in bright, happy colors. The neighborhood around Fargegaten is hip and trendy with lots of cafes, bars, and specialty shops.
Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger): Take a stroll down Øvre Strandgate, with its charming cobblestone streets, and beautiful wooden houses, but be considerate of the residents. While it’s tempting to peek into the windows or wander into the gardens, remember to respect their privacy and stick to the path
Strandkaien is the lively waterfront area in Stavanger. Located along the harbor, it’s known for nice restaurants and maritime vibes.
Restaurants in Stavanger - Where to eat?
When I first visited Stavanger some 20 years ago, I often ended up picking up dinner at the gas station, as most other options were either outrageously expensive, or really bad. Though, during the last two of decades, the dining scene in Stavanger has improved dramatically and the city now has a bunch of excellent restaurants to choose among. The weak Norwegian krone also means that dining in Norway is affordable compared to the US and Denmark, so grab the opportunity and get some top-notch dining experiences under your belt at a very reasonable price.
Fisketorget $$$$: Seafood restaurant and fish monger under the same roof. There are several prix-fixe options to choose among, starting from NOK810 for 3 courses (September 2024), and the items on the menu changes daily, depending on the catch of the day. Though, there are also some permanent items on the menu, including fish soup, and the mussels in green curry and coconut milk, which are both a must-order if you go.
Restaurant K2 $$$$$: Modern, Nordic restaurant with focus on local, seasonal, organic ingredients. The restaurant has a strong commitment to sustainability, and for the seafood dishes, mainly wild bi-catch from the local banks outside “Jæren” are used, meaning that the seafood on the menu varies often. In order to further minimize food waste, K2 only offers a 10-course prix-fixe menu (NOK1430), and the restaurant has one Michelin star (2024).
Söl $$$$: Modern Nordic restaurant known for an extensive selection of natural wine to accompany the prix-fixe menu (NOK789, September 2024).
Bars in Stavanger
The bars in Stavanger are mainly located at Strandkaien and Fargegaten, and considering the rather modest size of the city, Stavanger has a surprisingly vibrant nightlife.
Espier Bar is a spy-themed sky bar, and is considered one of Norway’s best cocktails bar. Espier is located on the 14th floor at Clarion hotel, so the drinks come with breathtaking views of the city. Additionally, binoculars are available at each table if you’d like to take a closer look, in line with the spy theme.
Pjolter & Punsj: Award-winning cocktail bar with a Nordic twist. You’ll find Norwegian Akevitt (a distilled spirit with a distinct flavor from caraway and/or dill seed) as an ingredient in many of the cocktails at Pjolter & Punsj.
Hotels in Stavanger - Where to stay?
When I was working as an airline crew, we would often stay at Radisson Blu in Stavanger, so I might be a bit biased, as I really came to like that hotel. Though, last time I visited Stavanger with my friend AC, we ended up staying at Scandic Stavanger Park, which also turned out to be nice. We were lucky and got a room upgrade so we had a mini suite, which was amazing. Both Radisson and Scandic have really good breakfast, so even though you usually don’t book your hotel room with breakfast included, you might consider doing it if you’re staying at Radisson or Scandic in Stavanger.
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