1. Food experiences in Norway
  3. Norwegian cider’s rise in popularity

Norwegian cider’s rise in popularity

Cider brewing is a Norwegian custom that dates all the way back to the 13th century. However, once the Vinmonopolet or the Wine Monopoly came into effect, the practice largely died down. Despite this, Norwegians continued to brew cider in their homes and cellars. And now the drink is experiencing a surge in popularity yet again. If you’re a cider lover planning a visit to Norway, here’s everything you need to know!
3 min readUpdated: Mar 4, 2026By: The Fjord Tours team
Close-up golden sparkling cider poured into glass outdoors under bright sky with branches in background.

Norway grows incredible apples

Norwegian ciders are something special and It’s no great mystery why. The Hardanger region is home to stunning apple orchards. Thanks to its location along the fjords, the orchards benefit from reflected light on steep slopes, allowing apples to ripen slowly and develop complex flavors.
The Gulf Stream also plays an important role, preventing winters from becoming too cold and creating stable growing conditions year after year. The result is exceptional fruit that forms the foundation of Norway’s distinctive cider styles.
Wooden tasting board outdoors holding five glasses of cider from deep red to clear with lush greenery behind.

New laws help cider production thrive

As mentioned, the Vinmonopolet gave cider producers some hurdles to overcome. Despite these challenges, cider sales were still rapidly growing in Norway during the early 2010s. Specifically, sales grew by about 60% from 2010 to 2014. Recognizing the popularity of cider, the Norwegian government updated the laws around the beverages.
Prior to 2016, growers could only sell their cider beverages directly to consumers if they contained an alcohol percentage of less than 4.75. This was less than ideal as the best taste is achieved with an alcohol percentage of around 6 to 8 (which is quite high for a cider). Since 2016, growers have been able to sell ciders with an alcohol content of up to 22% directly to consumers. This new law has even further spurred the growth of the cider industry in Norway.
A guest savoring a glass of Norwegian cider, enjoying the unique flavors crafted from local apples.

Award-winning Norwegian cider

Norway’s cider isn’t just popular with locals and tourists. It’s also received global recognition from a number of different groups. Most recently, Norwegian cider received acclaim at the Sagardo Forum, a cider competition hosted in Spain. Ulvik Frukt & Cideri won best in category for modern cider. And, Aakre Gard won best in category for premium carbonated cider.
Norwegian ciders also performed very well in the World Cider Awards. Egge Gaard cider won two gold medals in the ice cider category. In addition, Egge Gaard, Balholm AS., as well as Ulvik Frukt & Cideri, also earned silver medals in the competition. These medals were awarded in the still cider, sparkling cider, and flavored cider categories. With this type of international acclaim under its belt, the Norway cider industry is only just getting started!
Proud cider maker smiling warmly as he presents golden cider amid picturesque autumn surroundings.

Planning your visit

If you’re planning a trip to Norway, western Norway’s fjord regions offer some of the country’s most rewarding cider experiences. Hardanger is particularly well known for its apple orchards, while nearby fjord areas such as the Sognefjord also offer farm-based cider and food experiences.
The Cider Tours in the Hardangerfjord is a great way to explore the region and taste some amazing Cider! During a visit you can learn about production methods firsthand and discover how local apples shape the unique flavors found in Norwegian cider. Many travelers combine these experiences with scenic journeys through the Sognefjord region, such as Sognefjord in a Nutshell, to see more of western Norway’s landscapes.
If the rest of your travel companions aren’t quite as excited about cider tastings, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy nearby. From hiking and sightseeing to visiting waterfalls. There is no doubt that cider lovers ought to add Norway to their travel bucket list. The opportunity to taste some of the world’s best ciders in a beautiful natural setting is something worth experiencing. Find out the best way to experience the essence of Norway.
We hope to catch you in the apple orchard soon!
Woman sips cider in Ulvik with snowy mountains and lake view.

Norwegian food tours

Many of the food experiences below can be added to longer journeys through Norway.
Cozy glass-fronted waterfront restaurant glowing warmly at twilight, reflections shimmering on calm water surface.
Fjord cruise and dinner at Cornelius
Bergen • 5 hr
From 1695NOK
Available all year
Traditional Norwegian lapskaus stew served at Flåm farm
Hidden Gem in Flåm
Local food tasting in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr
From 750NOK
1 May - 1 October
Silver bowl of shrimp with lemon wedges, surrounded by bread, plates, condiments, and napkins on a boat deck.
Oslofjord Sunset Cruise with shrimp buffet
Oslo • 3 hr
From 802NOK
1 May - 4 October
Musician playing traditional Hardanger fiddle during intimate concert in rustic barn at Flåm
Local Food & Concert in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 30 min
From 990NOK
15 May - 14 September
Elegant table setting with wine and food aboard cruise boat
Bestseller
Dinner cruise on the Oslofjord
Oslo • 2 hr 30 min
From 1490NOK
Available all year
Yellow Ulriken cable car ascending to mountain top restaurant in Bergen with fjord and city views below
Ulriken Gondola & lunch with a view over Bergen
Bergen • 2 hr 30 min
From 1081NOK
Available all year
Tourists on the boat deck on the winter cruise on the Geirangerfjord surrounded by a beautiful world heritage landscape
Geirangerfjord winter cruise
Ålesund • 9 hr
From 2933NOK
1 November - 31 March
Norwegian cider tasting with local food at Ciderhuset Balestrand overlooking Sognefjord
Cider & lunch in Balestrand
Balestrand • 2 hr
From 860NOK
4 May - 30 September
Family of three enjoying a meal by a fjord, with a boy reaching for a strawberry and adults laughing.
RIB boat tour with cheese tasting from Flåm
Flåm • 3 hr
From 1395NOK
1 May - 20 September
Red inflatable boat speeding through rippling water, carrying yellow-jacketed people, framed by snow-covered mountains.
RIB boat winter tour in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 30 min
From 1220NOK
1 November - 31 March
Cheerful pair enjoying waffles with cheese and jam at outdoor park, with sunny weather and surrounding trees.
Oslo street food tour
Oslo • 2 hr 30 min
From 1590NOK
Available all year
Two smiling kayakers in a yellow tandem kayak on calm blue water, surrounded by green hills and waterfalls in a peaceful fjord.
Sea kayaking day tour in Gudvangen
Gudvangen • 7 hr 30 min
From 1396NOK
6 April - 30 September
Table with cider glasses, bread, cured meat, and mountain backdrop, suggesting a relaxing moment in nature.
Cider tasting & lunch in Ulvik
Ulvik • 1 hr
From 795NOK
13 April - 14 October
People on boat raise arms watching northern lights.
Northern Lights cuisine cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 3 hr 30 min
From 1890NOK
Available all year
People in bright thermal suits and life vests on a boat, smiling and excited, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and icy fjord waters.
Winter fjord safari and viking dinner in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 45 min
From 1650NOK
1 November - 31 March
Fresh seafood platter with oysters, clams, and sea urchin on ice, served elegantly at sophisticated indoor event.
Fjord cruise and shellfish tower at seafood restaurant
Bergen • 5 hr
From 2295NOK
1 March - 19 December
Man pouring golden cider into glass at Ciderhuset fruit farm in Balestrand, Norway
Cider tasting in Balestrand
Balestrand • 1 hr 30 min
From 700NOK
1 June - 28 August
Viking dinner with 5 courses and beer tasting at Ægir Brewery in Flåm featuring local Norwegian ingredients
Viking dinner and beer experience in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr
From 775NOK
1 October - 31 March
Two women smiling and conversing at a stylish bar in Oslo with cozy lighting, champagne in hand, and waterfront view.
Oslo food & beer tour
Oslo • 3 hr
From 1990NOK
Available all year
Geodesic dome tent illuminated from within, set against starry night sky with snow-capped mountains.
Glamping at Trolltunga
Multiple locations • 1 day 4 hr
From 4400NOK
1 May - 1 December

Articles about Norwegian food and cuisine

A group of friends enjoying an outdoor meal at a cozy table with a white tablecloth, candle lantern, and small plant.
Traditional Norwegian food
Norway has a lot of interesting traditional food, and any travelers visiting Norway would do well to sample some of the local cuisines. Culinary traditions in Norway have been dominated by meat, fish, and seafood that could be hunted or caught. These days the Norwegian food space represents an interesting mix of old and new due to culinary influences from all over the world.
Close-up golden sparkling cider poured into glass outdoors under bright sky with branches in background.
Norwegian cider’s rise in popularity
Cider brewing is a Norwegian custom that dates all the way back to the 13th century. However, once the Vinmonopolet or the Wine Monopoly came into effect, the practice largely died down. Despite this, Norwegians continued to brew cider in their homes and cellars. And now the drink is experiencing a surge in popularity yet again. If you’re a cider lover planning a visit to Norway, here’s everything you need to know!
Man in orange jacket reaches for fish mid-air on a boat at sea.
Top 3 Norwegian recipes to try
If you are a foodie or even just a lover of barbecue, then you will definitely want to make sure that you take a trip to Norway to experience the incredible local cuisine in places like Bergen and Røros. To give you a small taste of the kind of culinary experience you will get in Norway, here are three top Norwegian recipes that you can easily make at home.
An elegant presentation of cured salmon with pepper crust, creamy sauce, and fresh herbs on a stone plate.
Sustainable eating trends
Norway is already publicly recognized by almost every foodie as being home to some of the tastiest cuisine options in the world, with some truly exquisite national recipes like lutefisk and pinnekjøtt originating in Nordic countries. But what you may not know is that Norway is also a leader in bio-farming and sustainable food production.
Under Restaurant in Lindesnes - this unique restaurant serves the dinner under water, a truly unique experience
Here's what you'll experience at this record-setting underwater restaurant
There are a lot of fantastic things to experience on land in Norway, but there is a new exciting activity that takes you under the water. At the southern tip of Norway in Lindesnes, you can find the world's largest underwater restaurant.
Wooden Viking-style table with food preparation, herb butter, wooden bowls and crackers, and historical figures in background.
What did the average viking eat?
When your every-day activities include pillaging villages and exploring the impressive fjords in Norway, you are going to need a lot of energy to sustain yourself. This means eating some pretty astonishing meals in order to maintain proper health with such an active lifestyle.
A block of brown Norwegian goat cheese sits on a plate with a cheese slicer resting on top, surrounded by jars and traditional food packaging.
What do you eat with Brunost?
Every culture will have its own set of unique food items that either impress or disgust visitors when they try it upon visiting. Norway is no different and offers an assortment of delicious Norwegian food that is unlike anything that can be found anywhere else in the world. Some of the more common examples include lutefisk and pinnekjøtt.
A rustic scene with rolling pins and dough being prepared for lefse, with flour on the surface.
What is lefse?
Whether you’re planning to visit Norway or are just interested in Norwegian culture and tradition, you’ll want to find out more about lefse. Lefse has a long-standing history as a traditional food in Norway, and it remains about as popular today as it was a hundred years ago. Let’s take a closer look at what this tasty, simple food is all about!