Helmersen — Restaurant in Tromsø

Helmersen is one of Tromsøs top-tier places for foodies. I have been there so many times that I have lost count, and have simply forgotten to give them a good rating. These 5 stars are therefore long overdue.

This is a true gem. They are four things in one: a delicacy shop, a wine bar, a brunch place, and a restaurant. Whether you're out for a saturday morning brunch, a lunch and a cup of coffee, a dinner with your partner, or a glass of wine with friends, you will be satisfied here. And that is saying something: usually, places who try to cater to everyone's needs end up failing in all aspects. Helmersen don't: instead, they excel.

Being basically the only delicacy-shop in the city center, they sell a wide and mouth-watering variety of imported and local hams and cheeses, as well as other high-quality products such as olives and pasta.

They also have a la carte, and the menu changes continuously based on the seasons and what's in fashion, making it exciting to follow them as they develop and change their focus through the year. They take a lot of their inspiration from Southern Europe, so you can expect to be served anything from fresh oysters to pasta to white asparagus to deep-fried artichoke.

The interior was recently redone, and is tastefully decorated in a minimalistic art deco-style. It is clean, well-kept and pleasant. And the music, thankfully, is not too loud, as in many other places.

They even do events, with wine tastings, one-night-only menus and such.

A special shout out goes to Adam, a wonderfully attentative waiter who is always in a good mood whenever I drop by, and who is both knowledgeable and pleasant...

OMG worst restaurant I’ve been to in a while!!! All started on bad footing when they couldn’t find my reservation and then just plopped me down on some random table. The menu itself is mostly in Norwegian (which I am fine with). I tried to get clarification from the waiter about what each dish/drink was and he got annoyed and said, what you want me to translate everything?!? Well kinda bc I don’t know what it is I’m ordering! Given that I’m allergic to alcoholic, 3/4 main dishes were out bc of sulfites. I ended up getting some creamy carpaccio look alike dish, a cheese plate, and oysters. The oysters tasted fresh but nothing out of this world. The cheese plate I couldn’t eat 2/3 of the selections - they were just bad. And the carpaccio was bland and creamy and nasty. I prob stayed 30 mins and left. Didn’t get a drink bc waiter wouldn’t explain anything to me. Just stuck with water. The insult is that everything cost over Kr 500. So nearly $100 for one of the worst meals I’ve had in recent recollection. The thing is the food is one thing, but the service was just bad. Waiters that didn’t care, weren’t friendly at all. Terrible experience, would never go again. Highly do not recommend. I literally had to go to BK afterwards bc I was...

A warm cappuccino and even warmer service!

We’re on a 17-day cruise through Norway, and Tromsø was today’s port of call. After walking extensively—including all the way across the Tromsø Bridge and back—my husband had a serious craving for a cappuccino.

We tried two coffee shops before this one. The first had a 10-minute wait. The second told us they couldn’t make the cappuccino hot enough and offered to microwave it (no thanks!).

Then we found Helmersen, right next door. A young man behind the counter confidently told my husband he could make it extra hot. He absolutely delivered—my husband was so happy.

This place turned our afternoon around. Friendly service, a cozy atmosphere, and most importantly, a cappuccino made just right. Highly recommend if you’re in Tromsø and in need of a great coffee and even...