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Where to go shopping?

Because restaurants in Norway are expensive you will probably want to prepare your own meals. That’s no problem in the Lofoten Islands as whatever your accommodation you will find food stores in most villages.

Here are a few ideas:
 
•  food stores
•  shops selling hiking equipment
•  a few useful addresses
•  places where you can have a drink or something to eat without ruining yourself

shops lofoten

N.B. the opening times are given as an indication only (they are correct as of 2014).
See the short English/Norwegian food glossary

Laukvik

Food stores:

This tiny village has a “Coop Marked” food store.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.


 Svolvaer

Food stores:
Given that this is the capital of the Lofoten Islands there are many supermarkets. The “Kiwi” shop is just before you enter the town from the south, next to one of the town’s petrol stations on the E10 road. The other supermarkets are in the town centre, including the very large “Coop Mega” in the Amphi shopping mall. The Vinmonopol State shop, which is the only store authorised to sell spirits over 5° (food stores only sell low-alcohol beer) is in the same mall. There is also a pharmacy. The prices of the same product vary enormously from one supermarket to another so if you are not in a hurry and find that certain products are really too expensive, check out the other shops because all three main supermarkets are located in the same square (Coop Mega, Rimi and Rema 1000). On the whole Rema 1000 is the cheapest in the town.

Opening hours:
Kiwi: Monday to Saturday 7am to 11pm and Sunday 10am to 9pm.
Coop mega: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 8pm.
Vinmonopol: Monday to Wednesday 10am to 4:30pm, Thursday/Friday 10am to 6pm, and Saturday 10am to 3pm.
Rema 1000: Monday to Saturday 7am to 11pm.

Sports shop
Skandinavisk, the shop with the best range of hiking, climbing and kayak equipment in the town (unfortunately everything is on the expensive side).

Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Cafés & Restaurants :
Bacalao, if you fancy a drink or a bite to eat we recommend this café (both friendly and classy) on the port. They serve very good coffee and excellent hot chocolate with whipped cream (the best in the archipelago). You will also find hot dishes and snacks (soup, bacalao (dried salt cod), burgers, potatoes stuffed with shrimps, etc.).

Kringla Bakeri og Konditori, if you have a sweet tooth try this good bakery located in the main square that sells cakes and Norwegian sandwiches either to take away or eat-in.

Opening hours:
Bacalao: Monday to Thursday 10am to 1am, Friday and Saturday 10am to 3am and Sunday noon to 1am.
Kringla Bakeri og Konditori: Monday to Friday 7.3am to 7pm, Saturday 7.3am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm..

 


 Kabelvåg

Food stores:
In the town centre there is quite a large square where there is the Coop Prix supermarket. Just opposite in the same square, by the water’s edge, is a friendly bar/restaurant with a large room upstairs which is particularly welcome when it is raining.

Opening hours:
Coop prix: Monday to Friday 8am to 11pm, Saturday 9am to 9am.

 


 Henningsvaer

Food stores:
On the left bank of the port there is a small Joker supermarket. The village also has several restaurants that are open in the tourist season and interesting souvenir shops including the Engelmannsbrygga gallery (glasswork, ceramics and photos).

Opening hours:
Joker: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.


 Borg/ Bøstad 

Food stores:
There is the small Spar supermarket.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm.


 Leknes 

Food stores:

SLeknes is located in the centre of the Lofoten archipelago and is not an immediately attractive town. Its main interest for travellers is its many shopping centres. You will find virtually everything you need here, two petrol stations and several supermarkets some of which stay open until 11 pm and others that are even open on Sunday. “Coop Extra”, which is the biggest and best stocked, “Bunnpris”, “Coop prix” and “Coop Marked” are located in the same shopping centre (in the Storgata high street). The “Rema 1000” and “Rimi” supermarkets are a two-minute walk away. The shopping also includes shoe and clothes shops, a “Vinmonopol”, a pharmacy, and a “Mekk” DIY shop (on the first floor) that sells some useful equipment for camping. Lastly, we should mention “Europris” in Leknes, a shop that sells everything at reasonable prices.

Opening hours:
Coop Extra : Monday to Friday 9am to 10pm, Saturday 9am to 8pm.
Bunnpris: Monday to Saturday 8am to 11pm, Sunday 10am to 11pm.
Coop prix et Coop Marked: Monday to Friday 8am to 11pm, Saturday to Sunday 11am to 11pm.
Rema 1000: Monday to Friday 8am to 11pm, Saturday 8am to 10pm.
Rimi: Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm, Saturday 9am to 10pm.
Vinmonopol:  Monday to Wednesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.
Mekk: Monday to Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.

Sports shop
«Sport1» is on the 1st floor of the Lofotsenteret shopping centre and " Intersport" is in the building opposite.

Opening hours:
Sport1: Monday to Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.
Intersport: Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Cafés & Restaurants :
We recommend "Huset Kafé", a small café near the roundabout on Storgata. The café, which is run by friendly young women, sells very good coffee (cappuccino, etc.), good sandwiches and cakes and, what is more, free Wi-Fi! If you are looking for something a little more filling go to "Meieriet Pub og Kaffebar", a café which might not look much at first sight but which serves good bacalao at a reasonable price. The beer is also cheaper than in other restaurants, even though the lady who owns it is not particularly welcoming.

Opening hours:
Huset Kafé: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm.
Meieriet Pub og Kaffebar: see when you get there.


 Stamsund 

Food stores:
"Matkroken" is a small supermarket in the village centre along the main road.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm.


 Ballstad 

Food stores:
The food store (a small Joker supermarket) is located in the peninsula part of the village called Ballstadoya, a stone’s throw from the immense boat hangar that can be seen from the other side of the village (Ballstadlandet).

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm.

Cafés & Restaurants :
If you fancy a drink or a bite to eat (in summer) you have to go to the Kremmervika complex of rorbus in a sort of creek at the end of the village (Ballstadlandet). The “Havets helter” bar-restaurant has taken over old rorbus and also has tables outside on the terrace on the same level as the wharfs, perfect for a cool beer (whether permitting!) after a hike nearby.

Opening times: variable.


Ramberg

Food stores:

The "Bunnpris" supermarket is in the centre of the village together with other DIY shops and the petrol station.
Opening times:
Bunnpris: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm.

 Our favourite shop:
When you head southwards out of the village you come across a Husflid, a type of shop found throughout Norway selling regional, hand-made, “Made in Norway” handicrafts. The items on sale include traditional or Bunad costumes from the area. The shop in Ramberg is tiny and less flashy than those in larger towns, but don’t be put off by appearances if you are fond of quality knitwear (pure Norwegian wool). You will also find sweaters with typical Norwegian patterns, hats, scarves, mittens and a wide range of stockings and felt slippers as well as decorative crocheted objects. This shop is a cooperative that brings together the work of women from the village and surrounding area. They don’t earn their living from this work but knit for their own pleasure and to pass the time during the very long arctic winters. The prices are therefore reasonable, particularly when you realise how long it takes to produce such masterpieces.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saterday 11am to 2pm.

Cafés & Restaurants :
Friisgarden
, un café-restaurant in an old house typical of the region of Nordland, serves a dish of the day (a bit expensive) and good coffee and tea in a charming setting. Cheaper but also less charming, the Ramberg Camping restaurant serves acceptable coffee and dishes.
Opening times:
Friisgarden: in summer, afternoon only.
Ramberg Camping: variable.


Fredvang 

 There are no food stores, cafés or restaurants in this village (they all closed in 2013). So if you are staying in Fredvang remember to do your shopping beforehand (in Ramberg for example)!


Reine 

Food stores:
In the centre of Reine the Kiosk, as the Norwegians call it, adjacent to the petrol station (Statoil) sells everything you usually find in a petrol station in Norway, i.e. car maintenance products, last-minute groceries (over-priced), DVDs, confectionery, Italian-style ice-creams (Soft-is) and hot dogs, but also souvenirs some of which are quite tasteful. There is also a cash distributor in the Kiosk. “Coop Prix”, the small village supermarket, is not in the centre but on the E10 heading northwards (2km from the centre).

Opening hours:
Coop Prix: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm.
Kiosk/Statoil: Monday to Saterday 9am to 10pm, Sunday 10am to 10pm.

Cafés & Restaurants :
"Bringen Blomsteris located in the central square and is run by what appears to be a group of women friends. The café also serves as a florists and a showroom for home décor. The hot drinks are good and you can enjoy them with cakes and snacks of acceptable quality.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.


Sørvågen

Food stores:
Despite being small, Sørvågen nevertheless boasts two small supermarkets that are also open on Sunday (summer only, opening times displayed on the store fronts), which is very useful because the closest food store open on Sunday is in Leknes (1h15 drive). Joker also serves as the post office and is 300m from Matkroken, the other smaller supermarket also on the E10 heading southwards.

Opening hours:
Joker: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm.
Matkroken: Monday to Friday 9am to 20pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 5pm to 8pm.

Cafés & Restaurants :
"Maren Anna" is a good bar-restaurant in a beautiful setting on the port. You will find very good fish dishes (a bit expensive), good fish/meat burgers, toasted sandwiches and tasty salads. The desserts are less good because they are mass-produced. The restaurant, half of which is on stilts, offers a very reasonable buffet on certain days of the week before 18 h that is perfect for hungry hikers. You can also enjoy a coffee or soft drink and a waffle (vaffel) in the very old “Kino” cinema heading southwards out of the village. The cinema has recently been restored and exhibits paintings (closed on Monday).

Opening hours:
Maren Anna: Monday to Friday 1pm to 11:30pm, Saturday 1pm to 2am.
Kino: see when you get there.
 


 Å i Lofoten

Food stores:
A small "Gammelbutikken" shop, half souvenirs  – half grocers, is located on the 1st floor of a building in the village centre. There’s not much choice for shopping but may be useful if you run out or suddenly have a craving for an ice-cream because the temperature has climbed to over 15°C. For more general shopping you are better off going to the small supermarkets in Sørvågen (less than 3 km away).

Opening hours
:

Gammelbutikken: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.

 Cafés & Restaurants :
Bakeriet, a small bakery in the village centre sells small cinnamon rolls baked in a wood oven (open summer only). You can enjoy a drink on the port on the ground floor of a hotel which serves food at certain times (see when you get there).
Opening hours: variable.

Small English/Norwegian glossary to help with your shopping
(also to help you identify the (correct) price, amidst all the prices shown, for what you want to buy)

MEAT/Kjøtt

Reindeer/Reinsdyr or Finnbiff
Pork/Svin
Ham/Skinke
Veal/Kalv
Beef/Storfe
Turkey/Kalkun
Moose/Elg
Chicken/Kylling
Hen/Høne
Lamb/Lam
Sheep/ Får
Heart/Hjerte
Liver/Lever
Brain/Hjerne
Skin/Skin
Fat (grease)/Fett
Salty-savoury/Saltet
In strips/Strimlet or Snadder


 

 

 

 

 

 

FISH/Fisk

Cod/Torsk
Dried cod/ Tørrfisk or Stokkfisk
(Lofoten speciality)
Salt cod/ Saltet torsk, klippfisk
Salmon/Laks
Haddock/Hyse
Halibut/Kveite
Saithe/Sei
Pollock/Lur
Mackerel/Makrell
Smoked mackerel/Royktmakrell
Peppered mackerel/Peppermakrell
Herring/Sild
Marinated herring/Sursild
Sea trout/ Sjø-ørret
Fishcakes/Fiskekaker
Fish egg/ Rogn

SHELLFISH AND SEAFOOD/Skaldyr
Shrimps/Reker
Lobster/Kreps
Mussel/ Blåskjell

 

 

 

DAIRY PRODUCTS/ Melkeprodukter

Milk/Melk (always fresh in Norway!)
Full fat milk/Helmelk
Semi-skimmed milk/Lettmelk
Skimmed milk/Skummetmelk
Buttermilk/Kulturmelk or Surmelk
Crème fraiche/Rømme
Low fat crème fraiche/Lett rømme
Liquid cream/Fløte
Butter/Smør
Hard cheese made from cows’ milk/Hvitost or Gulost
Brown cheese/Brunost (Norwegian speciality)
Yoghurt/Yugurt
Powdered milk/Tørrmelk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES/Frukt og Grønnsaker

Carrot/Gulerot
Kohlrabi/Kålrabi
Green-Red Peppers/Paprika
Leek/Purre
Onion/Løk
Garlic/Hvitløk
Cauliflower/Blomkål
Chinese cabbage/Kinakål
Grapes/Druer
Raisins /Rosiner
Orange/Appelsin
Apple/Epple
Plum/Plomme
Strawberry/Jordbær
Raspberry/Bringebær
Blueberry/Blåbær
Cranberry/Tytbær

 MISCELLANEOUS

Flour/Mel
Wheat flour/Hvetemel
Barley flour/Byggmel
Rye flour/Rugmel
Buckwheat flour/ Bokhvetemel
Sugar/Sukker
Jam/Syltetøy
Cereals/Korn

  Add “kjøtt” after the name of the animal, e.g. cow meat (beef) = Storfekjøtt