What and how much to eat in Norway: complete price guide for 2025
We totally get it, 'Norway is beautiful but expensive' is a phrase that scares many people away. Don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds! If you know the real prices and a few tricks, you can definitely keep your food budget within reasonable limits. We know you're probably wondering how much food and drink costs, so we've put together this handy guide. It'll tell you everything you need to know, from burgers and cafés to the price of a litre of milk at Kiwi.
Lunch in a budget café: how much should you budget?
You know, in a cosy little bistro or OsloMet canteen, you'll find a delicious dish of the day for just between 190 and 350 NOK. Hey, I totally get it, this could be fish soup, a kebab plate or maybe even homemade pizza for one person. Visit Norway has kindly provided us with this helpful price range, and our friends at Firebird Tours have gone above and beyond to give you even more detailed information. So, for example, you can expect to find delicious burgers and sandwiches for just 150 NOK, while hearty pasta dishes and stews will set you back around 300 NOK. Here's a little life hack for you: most Norwegian eateries are super generous with their side dishes and bread, so often a lunchtime buffet will do you just as well as dinner!
Hey, have you ever thought about trying out three courses for the price of two in a mid-range restaurant?
If you're looking for a romantic dinner with fjord cod, venison and honey cake for dessert, you're looking at 650-1,200 NOK per person, or 1,300-2,400 NOK for a table. VisitNorway estimates an average price of NOK 650–1,500, while Numbeo consistently reports NOK 1,000–1,200 for a three-course set menu in Oslo and Stavanger. Here's a great money-saving tip: order the 'dagens rett' (dish of the day) and share a dessert, and then treat yourself to a glass of wine for just 100–140 NOK.
And how much do you think a McMeal or other fast food costs?
In the heart of Oslo, you can enjoy a delicious Big Mac, fries, and a refreshing drink for just 125 NOK. And for a little bit more, the Whopper Menu at Burger King offers a tasty treat at 145 NOK. Hey, just so you know, I saw on some travel blogs that you could get a similar combo at Max Burgers and Peppes Pizza for between 110 and 150 NOK. Don't worry if you see a bill for more than 160 NOK, because you're at a Circle K motorway restaurant. Just know that there's a 15% surcharge there.
I would love to know what you think about drinking cappuccino in a Norwegian coffee shop?
The coffee culture here is something we can really get behind: the baristas prepare delicious Nordic roast coffee and even brew a legendary 'cocoa cappuccino' for just 35-65 NOK. Hey, I totally get where you're coming from, and I'm happy to help! When you're looking for the best prices on specialty coffee shops, you can trust VisitNorway to give you an accurate range. They've got you covered up to 70 NOK, so you can be sure you're getting a great deal. My dear friend, I'm so excited to tell you about these amazing fixed-price apps that the lovely Norwegians use! There's one called Kaffekort that's so awesome - get your tenth cup free, and you'll save around 12%! Hey, you lovely coffee lovers out there! Here's a little tip for you: when you're in a café, keep your eyes peeled for 'inkludert påfyll'. That's the Swedish word for free refills, in case you're not familiar with the term.
I was just wondering, would you say that 0.5 litres of beer is expensive in a shop?
You'll be pleased to know that a 0.5 litre bottle/can of Hansa at Kiwi or Rema 1000 supermarkets costs just 35-50 NOK (and our own brands are even closer to 35 NOK). Hey, just so you know, VisitNorway quotes the same figures, but Expatistan specifies an average price of 38 NOK for Oslo. And don't forget the 'pant' deposit – just 2-3 NOK, which you'll get back if you return the container to a vending machine. Just a friendly reminder that we don't sell alcohol after 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on Saturdays, so make sure you stock up in advance!
I totally get it, what's a fair price for a pint these days?
If you're looking for a nice, cheap pint of beer, then the Grünerløkka pub or Bergen bars are great places to visit. You'll be able to get a half litre of draught Ringnes for just 100-140 NOK! You'll be so pleased to hear that VisitNorway gives exactly this range, while VanOne and FullSuitcase say 80 NOK during happy hour and up to 125-140 NOK on Friday evenings. Hey, couples! 👫🏽💏 Why not share a 1.3-litre pitcher for only NOK 220? That's a sweet deal for two! ☺️ Hey, just a friendly tip to save some cash: keep an eye out for bars that are offering deals through the Untappd app, or maybe try ordering their house lager.
A litre of milk: how much will it cost in 2025?
Hey, just so you know, white milk in a 1-litre T-pack (1.2-3.5% fat) costs 20-25 NOK, according to data from VisitNorway and 3Pulse for June 2025. Don't worry if you see a slightly higher price on farm brands like Q-Frokost (up to 29 NOK), because the price drops to 15 NOK the day before the expiry date thanks to automatic nedpris. Hey, why not try the Too Good To Go app scanner? You could get a surprise package for just NOK 49, and sometimes they even throw in a little bonus – like milk!
How much does bread cost now (500 g loaf)?
You know how it is – you go to buy your grovt brød (a typical Norwegian loaf) and it costs you 27-35 NOK (3.50-4.50 EUR). Well, 3Pulse tells us that the national average is 27.2 NOK, while HikersBay says it can be anywhere from 19-50 NOK, depending on the type. Morgenbrød, those delicious freshly baked rolls with seeds from Baker Hansen, are just the thing for 45-55 NOK. If you're looking for something budget-friendly, I'd definitely recommend First Price at Kiwi for 12 NOK. It's the perfect option if you're just looking for a quick snack.
Hey, just wondering how much you're looking to pay for bananas?
Fruit can sometimes be a bit pricey further north, but bananas are a lovely exception: Hey, just so you know, 3Pulse data shows 17.3 NOK/kg, but Laptops&Landscapes puts the average price at 22 NOK. The reason for this is that 'prismat' discounts on ripe bunches are offered at Kiwi, meaning that 'brun banan' can sometimes drop to 10 NOK/kg. But buying from street 'fruit trailers' in Bergen is not as profitable as you might think, as the markup is 30%.
I would love to know what sort of budget people usually set aside for food when they're travelling?
According to the lovely people at BudgetYourTrip, the average tourist spends approximately 487 NOK (about €45) per day on food: breakfast from a hotel buffet, lunch in a café and dinner with beer. The NeverEndingFootsteps blog has shown us that you can absolutely get by on just €22 (around 260 NOK) by cooking your own meals and buying snacks on special offer. Lonely Planet says that €600-650 is a 'comfortable' limit with two restaurant meals, so you've got a bit of wiggle room there too! Here's the idea: prepare breakfast and dinner yourself, and have 'dagens rett' for lunch — you could save up to 40%!
I totally get it, food in Norway is a bit more expensive than in Southern Europe, but the prices are really clear and the food is top-notch, so it's totally worth it. Hey, I totally get it – knowing the price ranges, from just NOK 35 for a cappuccino to NOK 1,400 for a scallops dinner, makes it a breeze to find the perfect balance between your culinary desires and your budget. Hey, why not try out some of these awesome Norwegian life hacks? Hey, just so you know, there's this really cool app called Too Good To Go. You can find some amazing deals on food boxes, daily specials at cafés, free tap water and happy hour deals at bars. Spend the money you save on adventures: a fjord cruise, the Northern Lights or a hike to Trolltunga. These experiences are what make Norway such a special place, where the love of life is stronger than the price tag. I hope you enjoy your meal – and, as the locals say, vel bekomme!