Where to Eat and Drink in Finse, Norway
- Snowstorm Adventures
- Jul 26
- 13 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Finse is tiny. It’s a high-altitude railway stop on the Bergen Line, not a town with a restaurant strip. If you’re based at near Finse for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing or glacier walks, you’ll eat at one of two places: the restaurants at Hotel Finse 1222 or Finsehytta DNT cabin. Both serve breakfast, lunch dinner and have cafes and snacks available during the day.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about eating in Finse, which of the two restaurants are best suited to you and what style of dining each place offers. This guide will cover breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as what's available for snacks and cafe life.
Important things to start:
There are some important things to know before we get in to the details or where to eat at Finse:
There are only two venues where you can get food; Finsehytta DNT cabin and Hotel Finse 1222.
Both venues typically accept bookings for non-residents but residents get priority. So if you are not staying at either venue; book ahead to make sure they have space for you.
There are no supermarkets in Finse so you need to plan in advance if you want niche foods or snacks.
There is no road to Finse; you cannot drive to the store. Once you're in Finse you're choices are good but limited unless you take the train to the next villages.
Most speciality diets can be catered for but the chef's need time to source special ingredients; give your venue as much notice as possible if you have special dietary requirements.
Restaurants in Finse at a glance
Here's the main information of what's available for Food in Finse, more in-depth information follows.
Place | Finsehytta DNT cabin | Hotel Finse 1222 |
Serves | Breakfast buffet, cafe and set menu dinner | Breakfast buffet, cafe and a la carte restaurant for dinner. |
Lunch options? | Cafe serves soup, waffles, pizza, bolle (cinnamon buns). Packed lunches provided for all 'full-pension' guests. | Cafe serves soup, sandwiches, cakes. Packed lunches for guests available to order. |
Highlights from the bar? | Local beer from their own micro brewery. Extensive wine cellar and good cocktail menu. Equally delicious non-alcoholic options also available. | Extensive wine cellar and cocktail menu. Well trained staff to guide your choices. Equally delicious non-alcoholic options also available. |
Vibe | Basics done to a very high standard. Focus on community, Norwegian traditions and outdoor life. | Gourmet dining, elegnatly plated, with excellent wine pairings in a stylish mountain adventure hotel. |
Can accommodate special diets? | Usually; with good advance notice. | Usually; with good advance notice. |
Price | $-$$ | $$$ |
What's the vibe in each venue?
The vibe at Finsehytta DNT cabin: an immersion into Norwegian cabin culture
Finsehytta DNT cabin is a traditional Norwegian mountain cabin style venue. It's part of the DNT network of trails and cabins, actually one of the largest DNT cabins. Their focus is providing a high-quality, welcoming, community-focused environment to enable people to spend time in the mountains and live the frilufstliv culture of Norway.
The vibe at Hotel Finse 1222: fine dining in a beautiful mountain restaurant
Hotel Finse 1222 is a privately owned adventure hotel. It began as a haven for those crossing the mountains on the newly opened Bergensbanen in the 1900s and quickly developed into a popular venue that hosted Norwegian celebrities and the bourgeoisie. Today it is beautifully renovated and focuses on comfort and service.
Now let's get to the food.
Where to Eat Breakfast in Finse
Both Finsehytta DNT cabin and Hotel Finse 1222 serve a buffet style breakfast with locally soured ingredients.
Both buffets serve a hearty range of hot and cold food. Hot food includes eggs, bacon, porridge and sometimes waffles. Cold food in Finsehytta includes chopped fresh and pickled vegetables and cured meats. Both venues have a selection of different breads and crackers. Finsehytta DNT also makes all their own bread in house.
At Hotel Finse 1222 the breakfasts often includes other traditional cold Norwegian breakfast foods such as salted herring and caviar. They also make waffles to order and have different types of breads and pastries.
Which venue you sleep in will typically determine where you eat but it is possible to book into both as a non-resident for breakfast.
The main difference is the style of dining; in Finsehytta DNT it is very relaxed and casual at breakfast whereas Hotel Finse 1222 has a more luxuriours, restaurant style buffet breakfast.
The best breakfast for you is most likley determined by which venue's style you prefer; the relaxed, casual, community oriented feel of Finsehytta or the elegant, hotel restaurant breakfast buffet style of Hotel Finse 1222.
Where to Eat Lunch in Finse
Packed lunch for guests of DNT Finsehytta
If you are a 'full-pension' guest at Finsehytta DNT your packed lunch is included with your room. You make your own packed lunch at the breakfast buffet with 4 slices of bread, fillings as you need and you can fill your own thermos with coffee, tea or hot diluting juice (the Norwegian word for this is 'saft').
If you are not a guest at Finsehytta DNT cabin, it is usually possible to join the breakfast buffet and elect to make your own packed lunch from it too; just ask at reception.
Packed lunch at Hotel Finse 1222
If you are heading out for a hike, its possible to have a packed lunch made for you at Hotel Finse 1222; ask at reception the night before and the chef's will put it together for you fresh in the morning.
Cafes in Finse at Hotel Finse 1222 and Finsehytta DNT cabin
If you are not a guest, or just passing through Finse on the Rallarvegen (You're not stopping overnight in Finse?! You are missing out!) then both venues have cafes for hot food in the afternoon. At both venues, the cafe lunch menu varies throughout the seasons.
At Finsehytta DNT cabin you can typically buy soups, pizzas, waffles, bolle, cakes, yohurts and of course they have litres of DNT coffee.
For lunch at the cafe at Hotel Finse 1222 they typically serve soup, burgers, salads, stews and some cakes. The focaccia sandwich is particularly good.
What restaurants are there in Finse?
Which is the best restaurant in Finse? Finsehytta DNT cabin or Hotel Finse 1222; There isn't an answer, they are both very different and which is best depends on what you want.
Mountain cabin evening meals at Finsehytta DNT cabin
Finsehytta DNT cabin follows a traditional DNT meal process. Set meals times are 7pm and 9pm throughout the season, on very quiet days there may only be dinner available at 7pm.
The menu is also set; usually a soup starter with bread, a main course, a dessert followed by teas or coffees. The food is very high quality and Finsehytta source local products; for example some of the cheeses and sausages come from the hut owner couple's (the 'Bestyrer' in Norwegian) home town a few hours north of Finse. Many of the meats supplied to Finsehytta come from a farm in the nearby town of Voss.
In general, we have found that Norwegian's are very proud of their local foods and both venues in Finse make a strong effort to use local ingredients.
Dinner at Finsehytta DNT cabin feels like it celebrates the food, the mountains and the guests. All guests sit down together on long tables and once everyone is seated, the Bestyrer will ring the bell, welcome everyone and introduce the food. You serve yourself, so you can choose what sized portion you need, and between each course you return your own dishes to the washing station.
Its really encouraged to get to know the other guests sitting near you. It's a fun chance to make some new friends, compare experiences or swap trail tips on what are ideas for the next day. The dining room has beautiful views out to the lake and the glacier too and, especially in the late summertime, there are some beautiful sunsets to enjoy dinner next to!
There is plenty of Rune's local brewed beer on tap and Finsehytta DNT cabin has an extensive wine menu too. Soft drinks, alcohol free beers and mocktails are also available form the bar.
Gastronomic restaurant meals at Hotel Finse 1222
The mountain restaurant at Hotel Finse 1222 is elegant and a very special experience. The restaurant itself has panoramic windows overlooking the lake and glaciers. The room is tastefully decorated and has a tranquil, calm energy to it. The colours of the curtains and the mix of traditional and modern colourings in the wall hanging tapestreis are particularly pleasant.
There is something about the light in the restaurant dining room that is divine; both at breakfast and evening meal times.
The restaurant may be remote but you can expect careful table service, gracious and knowledgable waiting staff. Interestingly, many of the wait staff are career-waiters with fine dining experience from the luxury yacht and luxury expedition camp world.
Different years and different chefs bring different menu styles; currently (2026) the restaurant serves an à la carte menu offering traditional Norwegian dishes presented with an elegant touch.
Mains lean into classic Nordic mountain fare but cooked perfectly. Think Arctic char with butter saucer and potatoes or juicy steaks cooked to perfection. Guests are always impressed by the restaurant quality, especially given the remote location. Desserts are also traditional and well done, like chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream or crème brûlée with raspberry sorbet.
Wine pairings are suggested for every course and are always excellent.
After dinner you are invited to retire to the Blue Salon, decorated to celebrate the light of 'blue hour' experienced in the winter in Finse. Similar to the restaurant, the light in this room is exquisite and a place you could easily spend hours sitting doing absolutely nothing but being and taking it in.
Is Finse good for vegans, vegetarians or people with special diets?
The short answer: usually yes, but not everything is possible and you must give the chefs as much advance notice as possible.
It's important to know that all food to Finse, to both Finsehytta DNT cabin and Hotel Finse 1222 is delivered once every week or two (depending on the season) by train. There are no supermarkets in Finse and no roads to drive to a supermarket from Finse. So, whatever is on that train is what the chefs have available to work with until the next delivery.
That means, if you have a special diet, it's important you give either venue as much notice as you can so they can make sure they have ordered food for you. The chefs are very skilled and, rest assured, that everyone in both venues want you to have good food that you like, can eat and nourishes you but, as the cliche says; to help you, sometimes you have to help them.
Where do I buy food in Finse if I am staying in a tent or self service cabin?
If you are camping in Finse or staying in a self service cabin or apartment, its important to know there are no supermarkets in Finse. The nearest supermarket is in Ustaoset (30 minutes by train) and the nearest large supermarkets are in Geilo (40 minutes by train).
Any food you need you should make sure you bring with you.
Its possible to buy snacks, like nuts, chips and chocolate bars from Finsehytta DNT cabin. You can also usually buy pot noodles and dehydrated meal packs at Finsehytta DNT cabin.
Where to drink in Finse
Its not often that we talk about the quality of the wine menus and the deliciousness of the tap water in one sentence; but Finse has got you covered for both.
Let's start with hydration.
Drinking water in Finse
The tap water in Finse is drinkable and delicious and comes from the small dam above the river to the North West side of the village. Hiking the water from the rivers is generally good to drink and doing can be really a powerful nature experience. Norway does not have Giardia so far or other horrendous water bugs commonly but of course use good judgement when assessing what river water to drink on your hike and whether you treat it or not. However drinking from the lake (Finsevatnet) is not recommended, avoid glacier fed rivers that are grey, its full of grit. Instead choose rivers that have clear flows.
Coffee in Finse
Coffee seems to be a staple in the Norwegian diet and both Finsehytta DNT cabin and Hotel Finse 1222 serve. Both have push-button machines that can make a capuccino or other Italian style drink but neither have an espresso machine with milk steamer nor baristas.
Beer in Finse
At Snowstorm Adventures, we think a real highlight is Rune's microbrewery at Finsehytta DNT cabin. The cabin is managed by host couple Sonja and Rune and Rune is responsible for all the brewing which happens in the basement of the cabin. He usually has 4 different beers and a cider and they are delicious! It's possible to book a beer tasting lesson with Rune himself, or to order a tasting paddle to sample all of them yourself.
If you are looking for a wide selection of breweries, Hotel Finse 1222 is the place to go. They have international beers, Norwegian staples and often craft beers from Bergen.
Wine in Finse
Both venues have plenty of choice for wine drinkers. The wine menu at Hotel Finse 1222 is the most extensive of the two venues and changes regularly. The wine selection is carefully chosen to complement the latest dinner menu and wine packages are usually available.
Finsehytta DNT cabin also holds its own in the wine department with a good range of wines. Sonja and Rune work closely with a sommelier and buyer from their hometown.
Both venues take care for temperature and appropriate serving. Hotel Finse 1222 has luxury fine glassware and Finsehytta will serve beer in a plastic glass but ice-cold so it can be taken outside to the glacier view patio.
Cider in Finse
With Finse perched so near to the Hardanger region, it's wrong not to talk about cider!
The Hardanger region is famous for its apple and cider production. The title 'Hardanger Cider' is a measure of quality and location. In the same way Champagne must be made in the Champagne region of France, Hardanger Cider must be made in Hardanger. There are many different types of Hardanger Cider and Hotel Finse 122 usually has a good selection. We particularly recommend the desert-cider!
Cocktails and spirits in Finse
Finsehytta DNT cabin has a fun range of Finse-themed cocktails (try the Finse sunset!) but if you want a more refined cocktail experience or a more extensive choice of spirits then we recommend Hotel Finse 1222.
Alcohol Free options in Finse
Venues in Norway selling alcohol are legally obliged to have alcohol free alternatives to the products available. With alcohol free beer becoming more fashionable its easy to find alcohol free options. Both Finsehytta DNT cabin and hotel Finse 1222 serve alcohol free beer, make alcohol free mocktails and usually have alcohol free wine.
Of course they both sell a range of carbonated sodas (or 'brus' in norwegian) as well as teas and fruit juices.
A note on drinking laws in Norway
The drinking age for spirits above 20% in Norway is 20 years old, but beer, wine and anything under 20% can be served to someone from the age of 18. Generally you must consumer whatever alcohol you buy from a venue in the venue; you can't take it home. Norwegians also have tight 'skjenking' rules including rules where beverages in bottles or cans must be opened when sold in a bar.
The Norwegian government tries to be protective of its populations' drinking habits; hours you can purchase alcohol are limited to specific licenses and bar staff are obliged to stop serving you alcohol if you appear drunk.
Where to eat in Finse based on your trip
For hikers on Hallingskarvet or Hardangerjøkulen:
Stay at Hotel Finse 1222 of Finsehytta DNT cabin and get your pack lunch either made by the hotel or make it yourself from the breakfast buffet at Finsehytta DNT cabin,
For Rallarvegen cyclists:
Grab coffee and a quick bite at the cafe at Finsehytta DNT cabin. Got a puncture? There is a self-service repair station at Finsehytta DNT cabin or the bike rental mechanics at Hotel Finse 1222 might be able to help you.
For a romantic mountain weekend:
Book a room with dinner at Hotel Finse 1222; the three‑course menu with the panoramic view from the restaurant is a real treat
For day trippers coming on the train for only a few hours:
Visit Hotel Finse 1222 for the sense of history, great views and get a bowl of soup from the cafe before returning home on the train. Or if you have time wander over to Finsehytta for a soup, fresh made pizza or sandwich.
Practical tips for eating in Finse
No grocery stores; plan ahead.
Restaurant times can be tight; check current hours when booking.
Cards widely accepted; cash rarely needed.
Dietary needs: contact Hotel Finse 1222 or Finsehytta DNT cabin well in advance.
FAQs about food in Finse
Are there any restaurants in Finse?
Yes; two. There is a gourmet restaurant at Hotel Finse 1222 and a traditional DNT restaurant with set menus and meal times at Finsehytta DNT cabin.
Is food expensive in Finse?
Meals are similar to the Norwegian averages but snacks are slightly more expensive because of the remote location and the logistics to get food to Finse be ause everything is delivered by train.
Can I buy food in Finse for hikes? Yes but the choice is limited and, unless you are a guest of the hotel or DNT cabin, its often difficult to buy sandwiches for hiking.
What are the opening hours of Hotel Finse 1222 restaurant? In Summer, usually 18:00 to 21:00 but verify on their website or by calling reception.
What are the opening hours of Finsehytta DNT cabin restaurant? Finsehytta DNT cabin serves set meals at set times. The first sitting is 19:00 and usually there is a second sitting at 21:00.
