It’s that first bite of butter-drenched lobster, with a fresh sea breeze at your back – or the first sip of syrupy ice wine, with uninterrupted glacier views. It’s the scent of slow-sizzled lamb, of custard-stuffed skolebrød, of cinnamon buns just plucked from the oven… all of them moments of pure foodie heaven, and why we can never resist a Norway cruise.

Forgive us, our stomachs are rumbling with the memory of kjøttboller: tender meatballs atop a mountain of mash, with a sweet swirl of lingonberry jam. And you haven’t lived till you’ve     dolloped cloudberry compote onto creamy goat's cheese, then scooped it all up with crisp golden rye. You know how extraordinary meals make a trip unforgettable? Well, a cruise around Norway is full of them – a feast of epic proportions.

Let’s start with seafood. Norway’s coast is over 100,000km long, ranging from Rogaland’s mountain-flanked fjords to Lofoten’s wild islands, its waters teeming with plump scallops, cod, wolffish and trout. Love salmon? So does Norway – whether it’s smoked, poached, pickled or simply dusted with dill. In Honningsvåg harbour, you can watch huge crabs being hauled from the fishing boats: destined for the ship’s restaurants, where they’ll be slathered in lemony bisque.

Then there’s the lamb, free-range and succulent, sourced from family-run farms in the mountains. Fårikål – lamb stew – is Norway’s must-try national dish, flavoured simply with black pepper and stock, its mutton layered between fresh market veg. And did we mention the cheeses? You might be familiar with nutty jarlsberg, but also competing for room on your cracker will be cumin-spiced nøkkelost, gouda-style fanaost and the unashamedly pungent gamalost – whose recipe dates back to the days of the Vikings.

For the ultimate epicurean escape, choose your cruise line carefully. We recommend those that specialise in Norway, whose chefs truly know their krumkake from their pinnekjøtt, their fenalår from their tørrfisk. These names might sound mysterious now, but there’s nothing standoffish about Norwegian food – and on a cruise, you can get to know the chefs for yourself, and learn their recipes in cooking workshops.

Whether generous buffets or gourmet restaurants, look for on-board dining that’s as authentic as possible: featuring ingredients sourced from sustainable producers and artisans, with minimal waste and food miles. Through the window, Norway’s extraordinary landscapes and islands slip by – the very origins of your supper.

The ship’s itinerary should also be stuffed with local gems: the indie bistros, harbourside cafés and street bites you’d never find on your own. In the northern town of Alta, imagine cosying up in a hand-stitched lavuu, a traditional tent used by Norway’s indigenous Sámi tribespeople, to swap stories over hot cocoa and soft gáhkko flatbread. Outside, the snow glimmers beneath a voluptuous moon – silent, but for the snuffles and stamps of the reindeer. 

In Sorrisniva, an “igloo hotel” built entirely from ice, you can toast your trip with tots of aquavit, a Scandi speciality. Even its glasses are made from ice, but the aquavit is pure fire: infused with caraway and dill, a recipe perfected over 600 years. Meanwhile, Tromsø’s trendy Bardus cocktail bar distils Arctic seaweed into elegant blends. Don’t miss the zesty Dill & Tang, a union of fresh herbs, dry gin and local honey.

Eating out can be pricey in Norway, which is why we find that cruises offer superb value for money, thanks to their dining packages and choice of restaurants. It’s also the perfect compromise if your holiday companions are vegan, vegetarian, or simply not quite as adventurous as you, or if allergens and dietary requirements are important.

On every Norway cruise, we love the opportunity to try something unexpected – such as a breakfast of rye bread with crowberry jam and sweet brunost cheese, or a lunch of lamb stew with sugar kelp seaweed, harvested in the Lofoten Islands. We love these incredible flavours drawn from the freshest produce, which support local fishermen and farmers too. True delicacies, with real soul: what could be tastier than that?

For us, Hurtigruten’s Norway cruises are simply delicious. They not only feature the nation’s finest experiences and regions, but also the opportunity to savour its greatest foodie moments – including all of those detailed in this article. Cruise Collective members enjoy 5% off all cruises with Hurtigruten.