The restaurant is set in beautiful surroundings in the middle of the old farmyard Nordetun in Fykse.
Restaurant of the Month, Norway
Where a meal is more than just food Situated in the heart of one of Norway’s most beautiful cultural landscapes, surrounded by lush farmland, majestic mountains and spectacular fjords, you will find Gamlastovo Gardsrestaurant. At this secluded and charming farm restaurant, where local traditions are kept alive with fierce authenticity, you are guaranteed a gastronomic and cultural experience like no other. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen
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Photos: Arne Fykse
Located in the small picturesque village of Fykse on the north side of the famous Hardangerfjord, Gamlastovo Gardsrestaurant is the poster child of deep-rooted Norwegian traditions and culture. The country’s rich heritage is vividly present in the timber cottage from 1810, with interiors made by local craftsmen. Rustic wooden furniture, traditional patterns, and folklore artefacts such as the Hardanger fiddle and old agricultural equipment adorn the walls.
Homemade food full of tradition The restaurant, which resides in a restored farm building at Fykse farm, 118
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Issue 101
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June 2017
takes its name, which translates into ‘the old living room farm restaurant’, from the original name and function of the building. Today, Gamlastovo hosts groups of all kinds and sizes, offering guests homemade, traditional food made from local ingredients. “We take great pride in authenticity, and the food we serve is grown and produced here – everything from the meat to the fruit and berries used in our desserts comes from either our farm or the community farms,” explains owner Arne Fykse. It is easy to understand why Gamlastovo has achieved a reputation as one of the
most unique restaurants in Hardanger. Here, you will get so much more than just a nice meal. Guests are welcomed in a beautiful setting right by one of Norway’s most spectacular fjord arms, Fyksesund, where towering mountains and a lush farmland dominate the landscape. They will get an opportunity to learn about the village as well as farming history, while enjoying a taste of cured meats and apple cider made on site. The main event takes place in the charming timber cottage, where a menu of wholesome meals such as herb-roasted leg of lamb marinated in cider, homemade sausage and housecured salmon is served in an intimate setting. “What sets us apart is that we have all these amazing raw materials at our fingertips, making a true farm-totable concept possible. It is something our guests really appreciate, and part of what makes us unique,” says Fykse.