Stay at a historical boutique hotel and indulge in a four-course meal. Try traditional Norwegian mountain food at one of the summer farms, and tuck freshly-made buns into your backpack before setting off to explore the area's rich history.
A taste of Lom and
the Ottadalen valley
Tasty mountain food and cultural heritage
At the crossroad between east and west, lies the National Park Village Lom, surrounded by Norway's tallest mountains in Jotunheimen.
The unique cultural heritage of Lom and Ottadalen is visible in their old wooden buildings and historic farmhouses.
Many of the grand farms have been transformed into places to stay, ranging from warm and cosy to mountain luxury.
This area is leading the way in mountain cuisine, with the renowned chef Arne Brimi at the helm – making it a paradise for travelling gourmets.
Welcome to Lom and Ottadalen!
The Ottadalen valley – one of the side valleys that branch off from the large Gudbrandsdalen valley – lies in the municipalities of Skjåk, Lom, Vågå, and Sel.
Historically, Lom has been an important junction between east and west, and now it is a National Park Village, located a 4.5 hour drive northwest of Oslo. The village is a perfect gateway to several national parks and Norway's two highest mountains, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind.
Ottadalen and Lom are known for their heart-warming food. The famous Norwegian chef Arne Brimi, among others, has helped put the area and its produce on the culinary map.
Travel to Lom
By car: It's easy to get to Lom by car from Oslo and Bergen. If you're driving from Oslo, follow the road E6 to Otta, and take the road Rv. 15 Strynefjellet to Lom. From Bergen, follow E16 by Lærdal. If you want to rent a car near Lom, Otta is a great place to do so.
By public transport: It's possible to take the train from Oslo to Otta and continue on by bus. From Bergen, you can take the bus over the Valdresflye mountain. From Trondheim, you can travel both by bus and train.
The regional public transport system Innlandstrafikk offer Fjellruter, mountain routes, to many of the tourist cabins in the area during the Norwegian public school holidays in summer.
Brimiland – A master chef's playground
"Highly skilled farmers, the preservation of traditional mountain farming, and a proud, genuine food culture is what makes this area so unique," says master chef and author Arne Brimi.
Brimi is a famous Norwegian chef from Vågå who manages the restaurant Vianvang in Vågå. At Vianvang, the goal is not only for guests to experience gourmet dining, but also to learn about the area's food, culture, history, and nature. While the restaurant offers fine dining, the concept is warm, cosy, and down to earth. A visit to Vianvang is more of an experience than just a meal.
"We are surrounded by national parks and recreation areas, and as hosts here in the Jotunheimen mountains, we have a responsibility to run the place with the future in mind," says Brimi.
Sheep and cattle graze high up in the mountains, and there are two local domesticated reindeer associations that deliver incredible reindeer meat to the eateries. The area is also known for its high-quality vegetables, and herbs, resulting in a delectable visit.
"There are mostly family-run businesses here, and the hosts take great pride in what they offer. Fast food is not a part of the local food identity," says Brimi.
Vianvang is part of the Brimiland, "Land of Brimi", concept, and refers to an area between Vågå and Lom, where the Brimi family has established several eateries and places to stay. Here you can experience everything from mouthwatering food and unique accomodation, to summer pasture farms and outdoor activities.
Summer pasture farms
Not far from Vianvang, by the mountain lake Tesse, lies the summer pasture farm Brimi Sæter (also a part of Brimiland) – an idyllic, family-friendly farm in the mountains.
Summer pasture farms have played an important role in Norwegian agriculture. Before concentrated feed was invented, farmers had to move livestock like cows, sheep, and goats to the mountains each summer to graze.
Some of these historic mountain farms are still operating in the most incredible locations.
Pasture farms welcome guests to experience unique overnight stays and heart-warming meals. They often have shops where you can sample farm products like award-winning local cheeses, sour cream porridge, and cured meats.
Farm food at Brimi Sæter
At Brimi Sæter you can get to know the animals, visit the barn loft and learn about local cheese production. In recent years the farm has won several medals for its cheese Sæterost, which is part of their Skråpå-tå meal – a tasty raclette that they serve in the barn.
Going on a summer day-trip? Be sure to try a Norwegian waffle in the Sæter Café and sample the renowned cheese at the farm shop.
Farm adventures
Traditional Norwegian pasture farms are usually open for visits during the summer, but some farms offer overnight stays and visits all year around. Take a look at some of the unique farm experiences in the area.
Traditional mountain lodges
Tasty experiences also await in the area's many traditional mountain lodges - many situated by popular hiking areas. Fuel up on heartwarming meals before exploring the area, and spend the night in stunning surroundings.
The National Park Village Lom
Lom has been named a National Park Village, as it is a natural gateway to National Parks in the area. It stands out due to its dark, wooden buildings and the beautiful waterfall Prestefossen, running through the centre.
The village has always been an important stopover for travellers between east and west. The Lom Stave Church in the centre, built in the mid-12th century, is still used by both locals and travellers.
Due to its importance a traffic hub, the village hotels and eateries continue to develop and thrive. Some of the accommodation options and restaurants are located in restored, grand farm buildings.
In the very heart of Lom, with views of the Prestfossen waterfall, a popular bakery attracts many people with its homemade buns.
Bakeriet i Lom
"Bakeriet i Lom was one of the first craft bakeries i Norway," says owner Jeanette Schakenda.
Bakeriet i Lom has become synonymous with freshly-made cinnamon buns, and a visit is mandatory, whether you're staying in Lom or just driving through.
It was Jeanette's late husband, Morten Schakenda, who started the bakery in Lom in 2004. Morten was originally a renowned Norwegian chef and a part of the Norwegian Culinary Team, but dreamed of opening a bakery.
"The nature in this area, and the location – right by the Prestfossen waterfall – were so incredible that we just had to move here and open the bakery," says Jeanette.
The bakery quickly became a success, and the menu continues to develop – bread, buns, sweet pastries, and Norwegian fruit juice, to mention a few of the goodies!
Next to the bakery, in the village centre, awaits another delicacy – Smak i Lom, a local shop with some of the best small-scale, handmade food from the area.
Smak i Lom
Cured sausages of reindeer meat from Skjåk, handmade cloudberry jam, and award-winning brown cheese from the Gudbrandsdalen valley are just some of the delicacies found in the local shop.
Smak i Lom takes pride in offering plenty of organic products, without artificial flavours, based on traditional Norwegian recipes. In other words, a treasure trove for those interested in exciting local food.
In the summer they offer a lunch menu based on local ingredients, organic ice creams, and coffee from the roastery Sognefjord Kaffibrenneri. Dine outside on the terrace with a view of the Lom Stave Church!
Cafés and local food
Take a break at the bakery or one of the lovely cafés, or pack your backpack with local delicacies.
Fossheim hotel
Lom offers a multitude of unique accommodation. Fossheim Hotel, with its excellent restaurant, is one of Lom's historic, traditional hotels.
It was established as a coach station in 1897 by the Garmo family (who still own it, now run by Heidrun Garmo), and has been rebuilt and expanded over the years.
When Arne Brimi were a newly-graduated chef, he was hired as a head chef at Fossheim, and he contributed to making the Fossheim kitchen renowned throughout Norway.
Food at Fossheim
The flavours at the Fossheim restaurant reflect the flavours of Lom, with ingredients from the mountains, fish from the lakes, and delicacies from the farms – all put together with a modern twist.
The restaurant also has a vegetarian dinner option, just ask the server about today's menu while there!
You can visit Fossheim just for a meal, including breakfast.
Slightly southwest of Lom, there's a farm and herb garden you should stop by.
Aukrust has been run biodynamically since 1986. Wander its garden containing 200 different herbs – alone or with a guide.
Along with the herb garden, there's a farm shop where you can by herbs, cured sausages, and vegetables.
Continue southwest, and this historic place awaits!
Røisheim boutique hotel has a long tradition of being a refuge for travellers.
In the farmyard, the 14 buildings from the 1700s create a unique atmosphere, but the real magic takes place in the hotel's restaurant.
French techniques meet local ingredients
Røisheim was originally an old posting station, dating from 1858. The restored guest rooms are beautifully preserved, and each room has a unique style.
Dining at Røisheim is a must, whether you're spending the night or not. At 7:30 pm, the chef signals that dinner is served by ringing the bell in the old clock tower. Get ready for a four-course experience in the main building.
"For me, the taste of Lom is the taste of the forest. We often harvest mushrooms, berries, and herbs from the area, as well as locally-produced vegetables. Our goal is to use as many Norwegian ingredients as possible, and we get fish from the fjords and meat from the mountains," says chef and host, Tage Koch Jensen.
Jensen hosts the hotel together with Maja Hydal. They are originally from Denmark and have worked at Norwegian, French and Danish restaurants and hotels. When you taste the delicious meals at Røisheim, you notice the French techniques coming through, but paired with Norwegian ingredients.
You can book a stay at Røisheim between May and September, and a tasty breakfast buffet is included.
Pro tip: Planning on exploring the area? As a hotel guest, you can prepare a matpakke, a packed lunch to take with you, and fill your thermos with hot coffee. Then you're all set to continue your adventure!
Restaurants worth a visit
These places offer a special gastronomic experience.
It's impossible to talk about historic hotels in the area without mentioning Elveseter Art and Culture Hotel, located a 10-minute drive south of Røisheim.
“This hotel has been in the Elveseter family for nearly 150 years.”
Karine Bjørkvik Elveseter
Manager, Elveseter Hotel
Art and history in Bøverdalen
When driving through Bøverdalen, you pass by the fascinating Elveseter Hotel. It is easily noticeable from the road due to the 34-metre tall Saga column outside the hotel.
This old family estate has received visits by tourists since the 1870s – from kings and queens, to explorers and artists.
Art at Elveseter Hotel
"There's been a lot of interest in art in my family," Inger Karine Bjørkvik explains. She is the sixth generation in the family to manage the hotel.
As a guest at Elveseter, you can enjoy the family's art collection. Inside the main building, the treasures include works by Adolph Tidemand, Oscar Arnold Wergeland, and Gerhard Munthe.
"For generations, my family has collected art and antiques from renowned Norwegian art dealers and international auction houses," says Bjørkvik.
The collection consists of Norwegian artworks from the second half of the 19th century, as well as works by artists with backgrounds from Düsseldorf, Munich, and Paris.
“Some of Elveseter's guests were artists, and donated works that are now part of the collection.”
Inger Karine Bjørkvik Elveseter
The Sagasøyla column – A piece of history
The column outside the hotel is one of the hotel's art pieces. It was intended to become the new national monument for Norway, to be placed outside the parliament in Oslo. But at the end of World War II, the column had not been completed, and the sculptor had expressed sympathies with the German occupation forces.
In 1980, Amund Elveseter, the previous owner of Elveseter, discovered the elements of the unfinished column in a shed in Oslo. As a member of the Norwegian resistance during the war, and an art collector, he felt that the column deserved a better fate.
"The sculpture was completed, and in 1992 the column was raised here," says Inger Karine Bjørkvik Elveseter. It is now a popular tourist attraction and landmark.
Hungry for more? Elveseter serves a three-course meal every day, and the menu is built on local ingredients!
Art and culture
More art and culture in the area.
Historic accommodation
Find the perfect place to stay while visiting the area.
Lom
Foodie road trip
Do you want to explore more? Plan a foodie road trip through the mountains of Eastern Norway, including Valdres, Jotunheimen, Lom, and the Gudbrandsdalen valley.
Trips for gourmets
Go on a culinary journey through Norway.
2,5 Hours ・ May - AugustBook nowStavanger Dinner Cruise
A 3-course dinner and fjord cruiseEnjoy a Nordic inspired 3-course dinner with panoramic views of the skyline and archipelago on board a quiet hybrid-electric ship. / Brim ExplorerPrice From 1 490 NOK
4 Hours ・ September - MarchBook nowAurora dinner cruise
Boat tour in TromsøJoin a northern lights cruise and enjoy delicious arctic tapas from our partner in Tromsø, while hunting for the northern lights! / Brim ExplorerPrice From 1 890 NOK
3 Hours ・ All yearBook nowOslo dinner cruise
3-course meal cruise on the OslofjordEnjoy your dinner while cruising silently past the stunning skyline of Oslo with its modern and historic landmarks. A visit to Oslo is not complete without experiencing the Oslo fjord & the city from the water. / Brim ExplorerPrice From 1 490 NOK
7 Days ・ All yearBook nowNorway for foodies
A road trip in and around TrondheimThis journey includes tasty culinary experiences: tastings and talks on biodynamic farming, microbrews, local food, foraging, sustainable food production, and Norwegian culinary traditions. Delicious! / Up NorwayPrice From 42 900 NOK
3 Days ・ All yearBook nowCity break in style – Bergen
World Heritage and fjordcruiseIncludes a 2-night stay at stylish Charmante Skostredet Hôtel in Bergen, fjord cruise and historic dinner at Bryggen Tracteursted. / De HistoriskePrice From 4 500 NOK
3 Days ・ All yearBook nowThe best of Trøndelag
Røros to TrondheimExplore the World Heritage listed town of Røros and visit charming Orkanger in Trondheim. Enjoy the sights and tastes of the Trøndelag region and relax at two of our historic hotels. / De HistoriskePrice From 3 990 NOK
3 Days ・ June - AugustBook nowCider safari in Hardanger
Cider farms and historic hotelsExperience the taste of Hardanger with this unique tour that combines accommodation at historic Utne Hotel and culinary experiences at Aga Sideri. / De HistoriskePrice From 6 990 NOK
3 Days ・ July - AugustBook nowManor hotel stays near Oslo
Historic farm and estate hotelsStay at the charming Losby Gods, close to Oslo, and Hoel Gård, in Norway’s Tuscany’, with 3-course dinner included. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Mjøsa lake. / De HistoriskePrice From 4 490 NOK
