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How much does food cost in Norway?

Grocery and restaurant prices, and why food costs more.

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Short answer

Food in Norway costs about a third more than the EU average: Statistics Norway found food and non-alcoholic drinks 33 per cent more expensive in 2025. Visit Norway lists milk at NOK 20–25 a litre, a budget restaurant meal at NOK 190–350 and a mid-range main course from NOK 250.

Food prices in Norway a wallet with a few Norwegian krone coins, a receipt and a small price tag in front of a mountain silhouette

Why

  1. Food is taxed at a reduced VAT rate of 15 per cent, against the general rate of 25 per cent, according to the Norwegian Tax Administration.
  2. Norges Bank points to high tariffs, target prices, regulated wholesale prices and import protection as factors behind Norwegian food prices.
  3. Food prices rose 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to September 2026, compared with 3.4 per cent for all consumer prices, according to Statistics Norway.

Details

Eating out costs much more than cooking: Visit Norway lists a cappuccino at a café at NOK 35–65. KIWI is one of the chains that describe themselves as low-price grocers. The gap with Europe has narrowed since 2012, when Norwegian food prices were about 80 per cent above the EU average, according to Norges Bank.

Tip

Buy food in grocery shops or farm shops and have picnics, which Visit Norway suggests as a way to keep costs down, and eat out less often.

What may differ

Some products differ more than others: Visit Norway notes that meat and dairy products might be a bit more expensive than in many Western European countries.

Common misconception

Food in Norway costs twice as much as in the rest of Europe.

What actually happens

Food and non-alcoholic drinks were 33 per cent above the EU average in 2025. It is alcohol and tobacco that cost more than twice the average.

People also ask

  • Is food expensive in Norway?
  • How much is food in Norway?

Sources

Prices change, so check Statistics Norway (SSB) and Visit Norway before you go.

Food prices in Norway

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