Food Experiences in Farsund and Lista

Local food and traditions meet the world

Farsund by .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen

Food experiences in Farsund and Lista are a unique combination of local ingredients and rich traditions that provide an authentic taste of Southern Norway.

Here, you can experience local cuisine at its finest, with fresh ingredients straight from the sea and the lush fields of the area, while the dishes are also inspired by other parts of the world.

The result: an exciting culinary journey through several corners of the globe.

Fiskesuppe Rederiet Hotell .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen

Spanish vibes in the city's gathering hall

In the heart of the quay in Farsund's town center, restaurant manager Hege Øslebø stands ready to welcome both locals and visitors to the city's most charming venue, Torvets.

The interior is characterized by upcycled materials, and among the brick walls, original ceiling beams, and atmospheric lighting, you can enjoy a good meal even if it's stormy outside.

A stormy evening here is just as pleasant as sitting outside on the terrace enjoying the sun, which stays up until nine o'clock in the summer.

Torvets i Farsund .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen

"We aim to be a natural gathering place for everyone. Here, you should feel welcome, and everyone should find something they like on the menu. You can choose the best from both sea and land, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers.

Our bestsellers are fish and chips and bacon sandwiches for lunch, while the à la carte menu features delicious creamy mussels and Spanish skewers as a sure winner. All dishes can be made in halved portions for children," says Maberg.

"We are committed to using local ingredients and producers. We use vegetables from Farmor's Market, potatoes from Vanse, and berries from Vinland Farm in Lyngdal, to name a few," Maberg continues.

Torvets i Farsund .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen

The Spanish chefs Ana and Juanjo, with experience from Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain, London, and Norway, ensure that each meal is prepared with great care. They have put their mark on the menu with Spanish skewers and other Spanish specialties.

Sommelier Kevin selects delicious drinks that perfectly complement each dish without breaking the bank.

"We are committed to recommending good drinks to accompany the meal, as it enhances the experience significantly without costing a fortune," says Øslebø.

Dessert på Torvets i Farsund .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen

The restaurant also has its own country store, Torvets Landhandel, where you can buy fresh fish, shellfish, and meat products directly from local producers. Starting from the first week of July, the fishing boat begins delivering fresh fish directly from the quay outside. This offers a unique opportunity to take local specialties home with you.

Torvets Landhandel .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen

Japanese Wagyu meat meets local favorites

Just up the hill, at Rederiet Hotel, Head Chef Mads Ueland focuses on using the best seasonal local ingredients in his dishes.

The menu is carefully crafted to offer guests the finest culinary experiences, featuring fresh ingredients from the region.

Rederiet hotell og restaurant .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen

"An exciting new addition is that we are using local Wagyu beef in our burger and meat dishes. The meat is known for its exceptional quality and unique flavor, bringing the exclusive Japanese Wagyu experience to Norway," Ueland says.

- We source our meat from Ninjaku on Lista. They are operated organically and aim to establish a sustainable Wagyu herd on Lista.

Burger Rederiet Farsund .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen | Visit Sørlandet

And Mads Ueland knows what he's talking about. He is a prominent chef with an impressive background in culinary arts, with experience from both national and international competitions as well as Michelin-starred restaurants. Ueland was part of the Norwegian Junior National Team that participated in the IKA Culinary Olympics in 2012, where the team secured an impressive second place.

"In the 2.5 years I've worked here, we've been working on tailoring the concept and perfecting the crowd favorites that people expect to find at a restaurant like this. In addition to the burger and steak, our fish soup and shrimp sandwich are also very popular," Ueland concludes.

Rederiet Hotell .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen, Visit Sørlandet

Florida meets Farsund

Farsund Fjordhotel also offers a culinary experience that emphasizes the use of local ingredients. The hotel's restaurant, Floridaodden Bistro, features an à la carte menu that is regularly updated in line with seasonal ingredients. This ensures that guests are served fresh and flavorful dishes based on the best the region has to offer.

Farsund Fjordhotell .
Photo: Farsund Fjordhotell

"We have had great success with our 'all you can eat' buffet, where you can find all the American favorites. We wanted to keep the American theme, and since the point where the hotel is located is called Floridaodden, it felt natural to continue this theme on the menu," says Therese Malmo, hotel manager at Farsund Fjordhotel.

Farsund Fjordhotell .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen, Visit Sørlandet

The restaurant is known for combining local ingredients with flavors inspired by American culture, a nod to the area's history of emigration to America. This results in an exciting and varied menu that includes everything from juicy spare ribs and chicken wings to more traditional Norwegian dishes like fish and seafood.

The bistro also features a large terrace overlooking the Farsund Fjord, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal while watching the activity on the fjord.

Farsund Fjordhotell .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen, Visit Sørlandet

Challenging local Norwegian traditions

While his twin brother was out on the farm with their grandfather, Joakim Berntsen preferred to help his grandmother in the kitchen. His passion for food and drink has only grown stronger since then, and today he serves local traditional dishes at Enli Vestheim in Vanse.

Joakim Berntsen .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen, Visit Sørlandet

"Here, we serve homemade sausages, cold cuts, bacon, and meat dishes. The ingredients are locally sourced, with lamb, pork, and beef all coming from nearby farms and producers," Berntsen explains while standing behind the workbench, slicing the meat.

Joakim's approach to cooking emphasizes the importance of sustainability and supporting local farmers, with food prepared using simple yet flavorful techniques that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Enli Vestheim .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen, Visit Sørlandet

At the Sunday buffet, we typically serve traditional Norwegian comfort food like roast meat and meatballs, and on Thursdays, we offer the well-known Southern Norwegian favorite, kompe. Berntsen adds his own twist to the dish, drawing inspiration from the West Norwegian version, komle, with a focus on sides like mashed root vegetables and salted sausage.

"I enjoy challenging local traditions while still offering our guests the best local ingredients we have. And we have plenty of excellent ingredients here in Lista," Berntsen concludes.

Enli Vestheim has an open restaurant for drop-in guests on Thursdays and Sundays. On Thursdays, they serve komper with a West Norwegian twist, and on Sundays, it's all about the traditional Sunday buffet. Outside of these times, the restaurant is available for catering and private events.

Enli Vestheim .
Photo: Iselinn Andersen, Visit Sørlandet