Restaurant of the Month, Norway
Le Mathis Bistro: a piece of France in the heart of Bergen In Bergen, a city known for its dramatic landscapes, rain-soaked charm, and rich cultural heritage, Le Mathis Bistro stands out as a warm and elegant slice of continental Europe. By Celina Tran
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Photos: Le Mathis bistro
As a UNESCO World Heritage City, European City of Culture, and City of Gastronomy, Bergen hardly needs an introduction. Despite its many rain-soaked days, people from all over flock to see the beautiful sights and bustling cultural life. However, should puddles and downpour ever become too much, find a Mediterranean escape in the city’s Skostredet district, where a French bistro offers a contrast to the city’s rugged coastline and Nordic flavours. “I lived several years in France, speak French and have always had a lot of love for the French culture, food, and wine. Along with my partner, Odd Einar Tuft84
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Issue 180
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July 2025
eland, I opened Le Mathis in May of 2022,” says manager and co-founder Hildegunn Aga Jensen. “We wanted to add something new to Bergen. We wanted to create a genuine French bistro, a place where good food, fine wines, and a relaxed, continental atmosphere take centre stage.” Step inside the bistro, and you are transported to Paris. The interior boasts authentic French touches: small marble tables, dark wood, mirrors, and details that evoke a Parisian street bistro. And the menu, of course, is a love letter to French cuisine, featuring time-honoured dishes like escargots in garlic butter, tartare, oysters, moules frites, and the signature Le Mathis entrecôte classique with béarnaise sauce and pommes frites. “With the season, I recommend Asperges Françaises, butter-fried Norwegian asparagus with hollandaise and cured ham.