About Allmuen Bistro
Text: Jana Bergmann, General Manager · Last updated
Allmuen means “the people.” We opened on December 10, 2016, at Valkendorfsgaten 1B, near Torgallmenningen in downtown Bergen, as the restaurant we’d always dreamed of: informal, with good fish, good vegetables and a wine list that stands up to a read. The menu changes with what Western Norway has to offer, about ten dishes each day, which you can put together yourself or let us choose for you.
The Kitchen
We source wild-caught fish with the catch date specified, as well as vegetables and meat from producers in Western Norway: dry-aged beef from Larsastova and Selheim Gård in Voss, seafood from Lerøy Alfheim, and vegetables from Toppe Gartneri. The fish is grilled briefly in a Josper oven at high, dry heat, so it stays juicy and flakes apart easily. A Josper is a closed charcoal grill that gets hotter than a regular grill.
We ferment our own produce for acidity and aroma, including tomatoes, onions and beets. We use the whole fish: the fillets are served as separate dishes, and the rest becomes plukkfisk (fish stew), stock and soup. Our signature dish is grilled sourdough bread.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes are on the menu every day.
"We use the whole fish. Whatever isn't served as a fillet is used to make broth, soup, or other dishes."
The people behind Allmuen
Four people are responsible for ensuring that the food, the dining room, and the overall operations run smoothly.
We are an approved training company for the culinary and waitstaff trades. The apprentices work alongside the head chef and restaurant manager in their day-to-day duties.
Jana Bergmann
General Manager
Runs the daily operations and is the contact for press and private events.
Hannah Åsnes
Restaurant Manager and Sommelier, WSET Levels 1, 2, and 3
Is responsible for the dining room and the beverage menu, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. WSET is the British wine and spirits education program.
Tobias Stavang Gaarden
Head Chef
He runs the kitchen and creates the menu based on what Western Norway has to offer.
Hildegunn Hauge
State-Certified Public Accountant
Is responsible for accounting and finance.
What others have said
"Cooked to perfection!"
"One of Bergen's best restaurants."
"Allmuen is everyone's favorite."
In 2023, Matarena named us Local Food Restaurant of the Year for our consistent focus on local ingredients and producers, wild-caught seafood and sustainability. Bergens Tidende has given us 6 out of 6 hearts twice, in 2017 and 2020, and 5 out of 6 in 2022 and 2025. Dagens Næringsliv gave the food 5 out of 5 in 2020. Bergensavisen gave us 5 out of 6 on its dice scale in the fall of 2025. Our wine list won a Silver Star in Star Wine List of the Year Norway 2025, in the category for lists under 200 references. Falstaff Nordics 2026 gave us 84 out of 100.
In 2018, Simon Selliseth, head chef at Restaurant Naert in Copenhagen, recommended Allmuen in Politiken as one of eight places to eat in the Nordic countries. His advice was simple: order the fish.
Schøtstuene
Since the fall of 2019, we have been the restaurateur at Schøtstuene on Bryggen, in collaboration with Museum Vest and the Hanseatic Museum. The rooms served as gathering places for the Hanseatic merchants in the 1500s and were rebuilt after the city fire of 1702. Today, we host weddings, Christmas parties, corporate dinners, and private events there, for 30 to 130 guests. The fireplace room (Peisestuen) seats about 45 guests.
Questions and Answers
What does Allmuen mean?
Allmuen means "the people."
When did Allmuen Bistro open?
December 10, 2016, at Valkendorfsgaten 1B near Torgallmenningen.
Who prepares the food at Allmuen?
The kitchen is led by head chef Tobias Stavang Gaarden. The menu changes with what Western Norway has to offer, with about ten dishes each day.
Where is Allmuen Bistro?
At Valkendorfsgaten 1B, 5012 Bergen, near Torgallmenningen in downtown Bergen.
Do you have vegetarian and vegan food?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are on the menu every day.
Does Allmuen take on apprentices?
Yes. We are an approved training provider for the culinary arts and the hospitality industry. Please send your application to post@allmuenbistro.no.
Can we hold a private event with you?
Yes. In the restaurant, we can accommodate groups of up to 35 guests, and at Schøtstuene at Bryggen, we can accommodate groups of 30 to 130. Please email post@allmuenbistro.no.
Is " Allmuen " a steakhouse?
No, we’re a seasonal bistro. The menu features about ten dishes, both large and small, and vegetarian and vegan options are available every day. Dry-aged steak is one of the dishes—aged for 8 to 12 weeks and grilled on a Josper—but it doesn’t make up the entire menu. You can order the steak on its own.
Who runs Allmuen?
Jana Bergmann is the general manager, Tobias Stavang Gaarden is the head chef, and Hannah Åsnes is the restaurant manager and sommelier. Hildegunn Hauge is in charge of accounting and finance. The kitchen prepares a seasonal menu featuring ingredients from producers in Western Norway and grilled dishes cooked on a Josper oven. You can read more about each of them further up on this page.
What is Åpen Mat?
Åpen Mat is our five-course tasting menu for 995 kr per person. It is curated seasonally using local ingredients from Western Norway and therefore changes throughout the year. You can find it under "Food and Drink," and you can reserve a table on our website.
Does the menu change with the seasons?
Yes. We source fresh ingredients from local producers and let what’s at its best determine what ends up on the plate. That’s why the dishes can vary from day to day, and we don’t publish individual dishes. On the Food and Drink page, we describe how the menu is structured, and vegetarian and vegan dishes are listed there every day.
Written by Jana Bergmann, General Manager of Allmuen Bistro
Last updated . Questions about the text: post@allmuenbistro.no
Find Us
Valkendorfsgaten 1B, 5012 Bergen, at Torgallmenningen in downtown Bergen.
Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Friday through Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Saturday brunch, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Phone: 919 18 008, post@allmuenbistro.no
AS Walkendorff, corporate ID No. 986 653 503
Valkendorfsgaten 1B, 5012 Bergen
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