Cuisine of Svalbard
Regional Norwegian cuisine with wild game and global influences.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Because Svalbard is part of Norway, its cuisine is considered a regional Norwegian style. Nearly all food is shipped in from mainland Norway, so standard Norwegian dishes are common in both home kitchens and restaurants. At the same time, the islands’ very diverse population means you can also find global foods—tacos, pancakes, Thai dishes, pizza, and hamburgers—especially in Longyearbyen.
What sets Svalbard’s food apart is the use of wild game. Every resident has the right to hunt certain animals under a quota system, and there are also licensed hunters on the islands. As a result, reindeer, seal, and ptarmigan meat appears in homes and, seasonally, on restaurant menus. Polar bear meat is not served at all because hunting and serving it is illegal under Norwegian law. Fishing is also practiced, though mostly recreational, and polar cod is not a common catch for local consumption. Whaling has a long history here, going back to the 1600s, but today whale meat is not legally sold or available on Svalbard due to local regulations and conservation status, and Norwegian whaling does not occur in Svalbard waters.
Among the best-known restaurants for local cuisine is Huset Restaurant in Longyearbyen. The islands also have the world’s northernmost brewery, Svalbard Bryggeri, located in Longyearbyen, and a cognac distillery in the village of Ny-Ålesund. Svalbard is also known for exporting clear glacial water as a luxury product under the brand Svalbarði.
- field
- Regional cuisine
- nationality
- Norwegian
- known_for
- Hunted wild game (reindeer, seal, ptarmigan), the northernmost brewery, and glacial water exports
Lore & Background
A distinctive feature of Svalbard cuisine is the meat of animals living in the Svalbard wilderness. All residents are granted the right to hunt these animals under certain quotas, and there are also licensed hunters. This meat appears in households and, seasonally, in restaurants. The most commonly hunted animals are reindeer, seals, and ptarmigans; polar bear meat is not served at all because hunting and serving it is illegal under Norwegian law. Fishing is mostly recreational, and polar cod is not a popular catch for local consumption.
Reader's Guide
Svalbard has a long history of whaling dating back to the 17th century, and Norway is one of the last countries that has not banned whaling. Minke whales are hunted for meat, and whale meat is commonly consumed on Svalbard. One of the most famous restaurants serving local cuisine is Huset Restaurant in Longyearbyen. Svalbard is home to Svalbard Bryggeri in Longyearbyen, the northernmost brewery in the world. The village of Ny-Ålesund hosts a cognac distillery. Svalbard is also known for exporting clear glacial water as a luxury product under the brand Svalbarði.
Did You Know?
- Most food in Svalbard is imported from Norway.
- Polar bear meat is not served at all because hunting and serving it is illegal under Norwegian law.
- Svalbard Bryggeri in Longyearbyen is the northernmost brewery in the world.
- Svalbard exports clear glacial water as a luxury product under the brand Svalbarði.
- Whale meat is not legally sold or available on Svalbard due to local regulations and conservation status.
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