FOR SEAFOOD AND MIDNIGHT SUN
Situated on a small island well within the Arctic circle, Tromsø is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and fjords, and the locals are extremely proud of the world-class produce from the region. The cuisine is highly driven by seasonality; in summer, a cold beer and a hard-boiled seagull egg is a midsummer night’s snack, and in winter, skrei cod, stockfish (dried cod) and clipfish (dried and salted cod or bacalao) are common. Don’t miss out on cold-water prawns – eat them straight off the boat on the pier – or the delicious local king crab. Fiskekompaniet ( fiskekompani.no) on the harbour has the best the Norwegian seas have to offer. For a cheap snack, local fishmongers sell hot Norwegian fishcakes – try Dragøy Fishmonger in Kystens Hus on the main square for the best (kystensmathus.no/ferskvare). Or opt for a reindeer hot dog at Raketten Kiosko ( facebook.com/ rakettentromsoe), Norway’s smallest bar. You could also enjoy halibut or strawberry salmon roll at Rå Sushi (raasushi.no). Drink at Ølhallen, one of the world’s northernmost breweries with rows of craft beer to choose from. At Mathallen restaurant, head chef Gunnar Jensen fuses modern and traditional Norwegian food using everything from king crab to reindeer (mathallentromso.no). Smak (restaurant-smak.no) is one of the best restaurants in Norway – head chef Espen Ramnestedt uses locally sourced products from beef and seafood with home-grown herbs to make it a true culinary gem (booking is essential). Stay at Scandic Ishavshotel (scandichotels.com) on the scenic harbourside and wake up to an excellent breakfast each morning. Tromsø Camping may feel like the wilderness, but it’s a half-hour walk to the city centre. tromsolodgeandcamping.no Jocelyn Sowden