7 Best Restaurants In Reine Lofoten From A Local (2025)
It may come as no surprise to you that the spectacular Lofoten Island archipelago, which is located along the Arctic Norwegian coastline, offers lots of amazing fish and seafood.
This is, after all, the kingdom of cod, or “skrei”; the seasonal (huge) cod that roams the coastline up here between February and April.
The super famous destination, Reine in Lofoten, where I live with spectacular sea views from my kitchen window, is no different. But did you know there are several really great restaurants here, too?
Yes, there are great restaurants here, and I am about to tell you which ones you should put on your foodie itinerary for your visit to Reine in Lofoten (also home of the famous Reinebringen Mountain and Sherpa stairs).
Reine In Moskenes Municipality, Lofoten
Reine is actually the name of a village (island) in Moskenes Municipality, which stretches to the end of the Lofoten Islands, to Å. In the photo above, you see Reine from the top of the famous mountain Reinebringen; the center of Reine is to the lower right of the image.
The center of Reine is tiny, with a gas station, a cafe, a small rorbu resort, a sports shop, and a harbor area. It is great for outdoor seating in the summer, but not so much in the cold winter months. And it is excellent for food.
Anyways, although Reine is technically one very particular place, this guide will give you all the best places to eat in a slightly wider area consisting of several little islands.
The distances are not very long between them (not entirely walkable, though), but I think you should explore more than just this one small place if you stay for a few days.
Also read: 11 Best Things To Do In Reine Lofoten
Best Restaurants in Reine
Let us start with Restaurant Gadus in Hamnøy Island, the first little island when you exit the tunnel if you travel west in Lofoten, from Svolvær or Leknes.
1. Gadus Restaurant In Hamnøy Island
Gadus Restaurant in Hamnøy Island is inside an old white wooden house with a small, insignificant sign outside and a super charming interior over two floors.
Downstairs, next to the partly open kitchen, is a “simple” Scandinavian style, while upstairs has a more traditional vibe. You will find comfy chairs, a view of the cute red rorbuer (fisherman’s cabins) from the traditional windows, and amazing food.
The menu in Gadus is Italian Norwegian fusion, with lots of pasta, lots of seafood, and also “meat of the day.” The small menu is slightly adjusted daily based on what fresh ingredients they can get their hands on that day.
Gadus just changed owners in May 2025. The new Gadus managers are largely continuing the earlier popular menu and still getting great reviews. I have eaten there several times, and it has been amazing each time!
Book a table here beforehand, especially during the high season, as this small restaurant gets filled up quickly.
2. Anita’s Seafood On Sakrisøy Island
Anitas Seafood is not exactly a hidden gem, located along the E10, the only road winding its way down the Lofoten Islands. But that does not mean it is not worth a stop.
Located in the famous yellow wooden fisherman’s cabins of Sakrisøy Island, Anita’s Seafood is sitting right on the waterfront, great for outdoor seating in the summer, just a few yards from the Reine Fjord.
This is your place for lunch or an early dinner, and my definitive favorite at Anita’s is the delicious fish soup. There is also a small gourmet shop here, with fresh fish and delicacies, locally made spices, cheeses, and, of course, stockfish.
Anita’s is mostly a daytime restaurant. Depending on the season, it opens between 10 a.m. and 12 noon and closes around seven or maybe a bit later. During high season, the opening hours stretch a bit at both ends, but it is a good idea to check the opening hours before you go here.
3. Underhuset On Sakrisøy Island
Underhuset has a concept that you probably would not expect to find in Lofoten.
It is a Mexican Norwegian fusion deal, with a Mexican family running the place. This means that you can get traditional small tacos here (with fresh seafood, of course), and the fish dishes have a Mexican touch to them.
The salmon I had there last time was amazing. It was served with fresh, crispy veggies and a special sauce that I have not had anywhere else.
The interior at Underhuset is also super chill, lots of old-fashioned wooden details (as it is an old Norwegian wooden house), with a colorful mix of decor from Mexico and Norway. And they have salsa nights, so check if you can combine a great meal here with shaking those hips when you visit!
4. Tapperiet Bistro In The Center Of Reine
In the center of Reine, sitting right on the village square, you find Tapperiet, a charming, laid-back restaurant and bar with the longest opening hours in this part of Lofoten.
They normally open at 12 noon and stay open into the evening.
There is a nice outdoor seating area next to the little square, which is nice if you visit in the summer. And on Saturdays, this is the place locals go out!
The interior here is a very traditional, colorful mix of decor, super charming. And during the Christmas holiday, this place gets you well into the holiday spirit with lots of nisser (Santa’s) and Christmas decor everywhere.
The menu in Tapperiet is wide, the staff great, and the food super tasty. I have had everything from fish and chips to traditional cod and bacalao here; everything is really tasty.
5. Gammelbua In The Center Of Reine
Gammelbua Restaurant is a small, super cozy, and charming venue in an old, red wooden house in the center of Reine, right across the street from Tapperiet and the Reine Rorbuer.
The interior here consists of traditional heavy timber walls softened by warm ceiling and bar lighting. The lamp over our table was actually an old tin bucket, which was a really cool detail.
Immediately inside, you arrive at a small but super charming bar, and the restaurant venue is over two floors, but it is not a large place. The ambiance, food, and service here are excellent, and it is also a really popular place.
So I recommend you book a table beforehand, especially during the high season. I just dropped in on my birthday in June, which was a really bad idea; there was no chance of a table. So for this gourmet gem, guys, book a table.
6. The Tide In Sørvågen
The Tide is a modern-looking restaurant with a tight black, white, and glass interior. The Tide is located in a hotel with the same name in Sørvågen, about 15 minutes from the center of Reine towards Å in Lofoten (Å is the end of Lofoten, you may have heard about it).
This restaurant has large windows surrounding the dining area, so you can admire the beautiful views of the harbor from almost anywhere while having dinner and enjoying the service.
I was here with my parents when they were visiting during the Christmas holidays (hence the dark photo), and we all had cod (obviously), which was super tasty, fresh, and beautifully presented.
We also had a really nice white wine to go with it. (Sorry, I can’t remember the name of the wine anymore.) And we all thought the service was great!
7. Maren Anna In Sørvågen
Maren Anna Restaurant in Sørvågen is highly renowned for its food, and they are also located in a red wooden house sitting on stilts right on the waterfront, or harbor area, in Sørvågen.
I have only been here for a summer lunch, having a super fresh seafood salad on the sunny terrace next to the red rorbu’s and fishing boats, so a really tranquil ambiance for an outdoor seating meal, which you can see for yourself in the photo above.
Inside is a mix of traditional wooden interior mixed with modern details, a really nice ambiance, as well as great food and service. Even from your table inside, the view of the little harbor is picturesque.
Like many of the best restaurants in Lofoten, Maren Anna finds local produce short-term, sometimes even the same day, so you will have fresh veggies and local produce whenever you decide to have your dinner here.
And again, book a table in advance during high season!
Getting Around Reine and Moskenes
Now, guys, pay attention.
When it comes to transport in this part of Lofoten, I really suggest you don’t wing it. For a painless and smooth experience here, please plan your transport, even for the really short parts.
As this is in the most remote part of Lofoten, the absolutely best option is to have a car, even though there are buses.
But buses are few and far apart, and will not take you to where you want to eat at night exactly when you want to go, and then back to where you are staying in a reasonable amount of time.
And there are no taxis at all. So plan your dining experiences accordingly.
My best transport tips:
- If you can, I recommend that you rent a car to explore Western Lofoten
- If not, research buses and schedules carefully at the Reis Nordland Website
- You can buy tickets and follow the bus in real-time on the Reis App
- If all else fails, there are companies that take transport bookings, like Guide To Lofoten. But it is not like a normal taxi, with a meter. Their starting price is 800 NOK (2025) to pick you up and drop you off within the municipality.
Wrap Up Best Restaurants In Reine Lofoten
If you stay in Reine and Moskenes for a week, now you have a new place to try out for dinner every night!
Not bad for being a remote Arctic part of Norway, and the restaurants you find here, scattered around our archipelago, are also really, really good. So you have something to look forward to.
Velbekomme!
