Good Food on the Journey – and to Take Home
Looking for local food? Vesterålen offers a rich selection of seafood, farm products, and artisanal specialties from passionate local producers across the region.
Vesteraalens
Vesteraalens was established in 1912 and has, for more than a hundred years, delivered fish balls and similar canned products to customers all over Norway, with a strong focus on high quality. They also produce Omega-3 products that contribute positively to the normal function of the heart, brain, and eyes.
Read more here.
Sigerford Fisk
Sigerfjord Fisk AS is located in the beautiful Sigerfjord in the municipality of Sortland and is Norway’s largest supplier of Arctic char. Arctic char from Sigerfjord Fisk is a protected designation of origin. The company supplies fresh, locally sourced Arctic char to Hurtigruten when the ships call at Sortland.
Visit their website here.
Melbukaviar
The story of Melbukaviar began in 1982, but it was after 2012 that the modern tubes appeared in stores. The caviar was rated “Best in Test” in the major Norwegian Caviar Test by Mat fra Norge. Melbukaviar is sold in shops all over Norway – and even in Svalbard.
Read more here.
Hindø Kaffebrænderi
Rune Tjønsø started roasting his own coffee on a small scale in 2013, and since then both sales and popularity of Hindø Kaffebrænderi have grown steadily. You can buy their products in Sigerfjord, Sortland, and Tromsø.
Visit the website of Hindø Kaffebrænderi here.
Alveland
In beautiful Dverberg on Andøy you’ll find Alveland Shop & Café. Here you can taste their famous cinnamon buns, enjoy the view, and buy handmade, natural soaps made with local ingredients. Northern Lights soap, lingonberry soap, blueberry soap, bunad soap, Christmas soap, and much more. A selection of their soaps is also available at the tourist information office in Sortland.
Visit their website here.
Jorids Lefsebakeri
Lefse from Jorids Lefsebakeri has become a beloved tradition for birthdays, holidays, and Sunday coffee. With many varieties and made using traditional methods, their lefse is often found at markets. Products are also available at the farm outlet at Grytting, Joker Risøyhamn, Coop Mega Sortland, Coop Prix Straume, Rema 1000 Stokmarknes, and Coop Prix Stokmarknes.
Visit their Facebook page here.
Den Sorte Gryte Ysteri & Gårdsmat
At Den Sorte Gryte Ysteri & Gårdsmat you’ll find peace and quiet, with animals close by – a place where time seems to slow down and all your senses are engaged: seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, and tasting. Playful young goats welcome visitors, and anyone who wishes can take a walk with a baby goat on a leash. Close encounters with goats, local cheese production, and a unique farm restaurant with views down into the goat barn are just some of the experiences on offer.
Read more here.
Mathahaugen Gård
Marthahaugen is an organic farm focusing on wild sheep, wild sheep products, natural cosmetics, and baked goods. The natural cosmetics are made with pure, natural ingredients and include soaps, oils, creams, and hair products.
Find out more about Marthahaugen here.
Viltkroa
Viltkroa is based in Langvassbukt, but you’ll often find them at local markets with their sales trailer. They sell their own handcrafted sausages, fillets, fish cakes, moose burgers, dried products, and more – mainly made from moose, reindeer, small game, and lamb.
See more on Viltkroa’s Facebook page here.
Håven
Norway has exceptional conditions for seafood production, and Northern Norway offers the very best in the country. Håven is Nordlaks’ own seafood outlet, where you’ll find high-quality products made from salmon, trout, cod, and halibut.
Read more here.
Eldhusbakeriet
A farm bakery with a wood-fired stone oven. Eldhusbakeriet at Elvenes, just south of Sortland, fills the air with wonderful aromas and fresh baked goods straight from the oven. The dough is often left to mature overnight and is made without any artificial additives. Baking to order is also available.
For selection and opening hours, see their website here.
Bø Gårdsslakteri – Edel Gårdsmat
Bø Gårdsslakteri, located south of Sortland, is a sustainable business focusing on locally sourced food and good animal welfare. They offer meat from sheep, goat, and calf. The range also includes grill sausages, dinner sausages, meat patties, cured meats, and traditional products such as rolled meats and pinnekjøtt. Hot-smoked products are also available, including leg of lamb, lamb shoulder, and pork neck. In 2020, hot-smoked saithe fillet was added to the selection.
More information and opening hours here.
Indrejord Gård
This farm on Hadseløya has long supplied Vesterålen eggs to local grocery stores. In their farm shop, they now also offer meat and skins from their own Spælsau sheep. You’ll also find a wide selection of local food from other farms and producers in Vesterålen.
Read more on their website here.
Gimstad Gård
At Gimstad in Bø, the farm has its own dairy where milk from their own cows is processed. Here they produce white cheese, brown cheese, butter, gomme, whey porridge, and colostrum products.
Read more here.
Godviking Mat
At Gimstad in Bø, Godviking Mat produces traditional cured sausages, fenalår, pinnekjøtt, rolled meats, and similar products made from wild sheep, goat, and moose.
Read more here.
Several of the local producers participate in Bondens Marked (the Farmers’ Market) and the REKO Ring Vesterålen. Follow the links for information on locations and regular market days or pickup points.
If you wish to buy local products, contact the producers directly, visit markets in the region, or ask about retail outlets at the regional tourist information office in Sortland.
