Outdoor dining in Bergen: where to sit outside when the sun comes out

The most central outdoor restaurant in Bergen is Haven by Ole Bulls plass, open outside all year with a roof, heaters and blankets. In summer you can add the terrace at Skostredet Hage and the garden at Villa Terminus. Here are our places, and what to know before you sit down outside in Bergen.

Book a table at Haven

Outdoor dining in Bergen: a little different

In most cities, outdoor dining is about sunshine. In Bergen it is just as much about a roof. The city gets plenty of rainy days, and the weather can change several times in one afternoon. Locals make the most of every sunny moment, but the best outdoor spots are the ones that still work when the sun disappears.

Three things are worth looking for:

• A roof or canopy, so you can stay put when the showers arrive.

• Heaters and blankets, which stretch the season well into autumn.

• A central location, so you can enjoy a drink outside between museums, shopping and dinner.

When the sun does come out, outdoor tables fill up fast. It helps to know where to go, and ideally to have booked.

Haven: outdoor dining all year in the city centre

Haven is a year-round outdoor restaurant in the middle of Bergen, and it is the closest thing to a guarantee of sitting outside you will find in this city. In proper Bergen rain you stay dry under the roof, and on cold winter days the heaters are on and blankets are ready.

Haven is at Øvre Ole Bulls plass 6, the same address as Wesselstuen, and a stone's throw from the National Theatre, Den blå stein and Torgallmenningen. The menu is simple and made for sharing: open sandwiches, salads, burgers, small plates and desserts.

• Monday to Wednesday: 12 noon to 11 pm

• Thursday to Saturday: 12 noon to 3 am

• Sunday: closed

Christmas and New Year have their own hours, so check Haven before you go.

Haven after dark

When night falls, Haven changes gear. The DJ arrives, the cocktails come out and it becomes one of the most popular places in the centre to start, or finish, the evening.

It works as well for after-work drinks with colleagues as for a Saturday night with friends. Because everything happens outdoors under a roof, it is one of the few places in Bergen where you can celebrate outside in November.

Coming as a larger group? Send a request in advance. Haven takes both table bookings and private event enquiries, and if you are planning a summer party for work, our guide to summer parties in Bergen has more ideas.

Izakaya Skostredet: the terrace at Skostredet Hage

In the heart of Skostredet, one of the most charming corners of the city centre, Izakaya Skostredet has a terrace in Skostredet Hage. In the restaurant's own words, guests are welcome in all conditions.

An izakaya is a relaxed Japanese place for eating and drinking, and the idea suits outdoor dining well: Japanese small plates and sushi to share, ideally with something cold in your glass. Lunch is served during the day, with dinner from 4 pm.

• Address: Domkirkegaten 6

• Dinner: Monday to Saturday 4 pm to 11 pm, Sunday 4 pm to 10 pm

• Lunch: ask about the day's lunch specials and grill dishes

Staying at Skostredet Hotel? Then you only have a few steps to go. [SJEKK: whether the terrace has a roof and heaters, and outdoor season]

Villahagen: the garden at Villa Terminus

Villahagen is the garden of Villa Terminus, a green oasis in the middle of Bergen. It is used for parties, weddings, concerts, private dinners and events, either on its own or together with rooms in the villa or an event at Grand Hotel Terminus.

Villahagen is not a drop-in outdoor café. It is a place you book. A popular set-up is a welcome drink in the garden followed by the party indoors at Grand Hotel Terminus. For weddings, anniversaries and larger groups, the whole of Villa Terminus can be hired, with its own chef, 18 historic rooms and the garden.

Find out more on the Villahagen page. [SJEKK: whether Villahagen offers drop-in service in summer]

Summer concerts at Villahagen

In summer, Villahagen becomes an open-air concert stage. In August 2026, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Morten Abel, Åge Aleksandersen and Espen Lind played in the garden, with an optional dinner at Restaurant Terminus before the shows.

It is one of the best ways to spend a summer evening outdoors in Bergen: dinner, an artist whose songs you know and a garden full of people singing along.

• Age limit: 18

• Doors open: one hour before the concert

• 2027 line-up: Artists and dates will be announced at debergenske.no.

Read more in our article on summer concerts at Villahagen.

Outdoor dining through the year

The outdoor season in Bergen is longer than you might think, as long as you pick the right place.

• Spring (April and May): The first warm days often arrive in May, and outdoor tables fill in no time. Around 17 May, Norway's national day, every terrace in town is packed.

• Summer (June to August): Long, light evenings and the season for concerts at Villahagen. Book ahead if you want an outdoor table on a sunny Friday.

• Autumn (September and October): Crisp air and fewer people. With heaters and blankets, this is an underrated time to sit outside.

• Winter: Haven is the place. A roof, heaters and blankets mean you can enjoy a drink outdoors even in December.

When the weather turns: move inside without going far

The beauty of sitting outside in central Bergen is that you are never far from a table indoors. Haven shares its address with Wesselstuen, so if the evening gets long and cold, just move inside for traditional Bergen food.

From Skostredet Hage it is only a few steps into the Izakaya Skostredet dining room. And on concert nights at Villahagen, dinner can be enjoyed indoors at Restaurant Terminus before you head out to the garden.

Where locals sit outside

Beyond our own places, a few areas fill up with outdoor tables once summer arrives:

• The harbour and Bryggen: Bergen's best-known outdoor dining, with views of the boats and Mount Fløyen. Busy in summer, so arrive early.

• Ole Bulls plass and Festplassen: Right in the centre, close to the theatre and the Lille Lungegårdsvann lake.

• Skostredet: Narrow streets, small venues and a more local feel.

• Nordnes: A short walk from the centre, with parks and the sea all around.

Bring an extra layer, even on sunny days. It gets chilly quickly once the sun drops behind the mountains.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you sit outside in Bergen in winter?

Haven by Ole Bulls plass is a year-round outdoor restaurant where you can sit outside even in winter. The whole area is under a roof, and on cold days the heaters are on and blankets are ready for guests. Haven opens at noon Monday to Saturday, stays open late Thursday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays.

Does Haven have a roof over the outdoor seating?

Yes, Haven has a roof over its outdoor seating, so you stay dry when it rains. The restaurant itself says you sit dry under the roof in real Bergen rain. Heaters and blankets on cold days make Haven one of the few places in Bergen city centre where you can eat and drink outside all year.

Can you hire Villahagen for a private event?

Yes, Villahagen at Villa Terminus can be hired for parties, weddings, concerts, private dinners and other events. The garden can be used on its own, with rooms in the villa or combined with an event at Grand Hotel Terminus. Contact Villa Terminus at booking@villaterminus.no or +47 55 21 25 00 to plan your event.

Is Haven open on Sundays?

No, Haven is closed on Sundays. It is open from 12 noon to 11 pm Monday to Wednesday and from 12 noon to 3 am Thursday to Saturday. Special hours apply over Christmas and New Year, when it is closed for much of the period, so check Haven's page before planning a visit during the holidays.

Which restaurants in Bergen have a terrace?

Among De Bergenske's restaurants, Izakaya Skostredet has a terrace in Skostredet Hage, at Domkirkegaten 6, where guests are welcome in all conditions. Haven by Ole Bulls plass is a fully outdoor restaurant with a roof. In summer there are also plenty of terraces along the harbour and Bryggen, but they fill quickly on sunny days.

Rain or shine, Bergen has a place to sit outside. Book ahead when the weather is good, so you are not hunting for a free chair when the whole city has had the same idea.

Book a table in Bergen city centre