The coastal waters have given many people a profession, and fish has always been an important part of Southern Norwegian fare. Today fresh fish is available in fish markets in the southern towns, where some kinds of fish are quite expensive and exclusive, and others more affordable. Many locals go fishing and prepare their catch themselves - and so do many visitors too.

Shrimps

A typical summer "dish" is shrimps. Do like the locals, buy a bag of fresh, cooked shrimps and find a spot with a sea view to enjoy them. You eat the shrimps with white bread, mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon juice. During the high season, the shrimps can be rather expensive due to the massive demand; however, it will be cheaper than a regular meal in a restaurant.

Top restaurants

Sørlandet has a number of great fish restaurants; you will find many of them down by the fish market in Kristiansand, or in other towns along the coast like Arendal, Flekkefjord and Risør. There are also other types of restaurants offering quality meals, with good service and breathtaking locations. Here is a  list of the best restaurants in the region.

Food festivals and local products

There are several food festivals in Sørlandet, the most famous of which is probably the Mandal Seafood Festival. The Setesdal region also has two festivals focusing on local food and culture, where traditional food from the valley and the mountains, like lefse, elk and cold-cured brown trout, feature prominently.

Local delicacies are often found in small cafés with arts and crafts shops while travelling around the countryside in Southern Norway.