Eye-opening Dining – Restaurant Iris at the Salmon Eye

Floating in Norway’s Hardangerfjord, the gleaming silver orb seems almost to hover over the surface of the water. As the name suggests, the design of the Salmon Eye was inspired by the shape of a fisheye. Located just outside the village of Rosendal in the west of Norway, the project was launched in 2019 by Eide Fjordbruk, a certified carbon-neutral salmon producer committed to sustainable and innovative seafood production. The spectacular building was completed in August 2022: The silver sphere has a facade consisting of 9,250 individual steel elements and approx. 1,000 square meters of floor space spread over four levels, one of which is under water.

An electric boat brings visitors to the Salmon Eye, which houses an experience center dedicated to sustainable marine life and the future of aquaculture. The culinary highlight: “Expedition Dining” in the Iris restaurant, where a panoramic view of the fjord, glaciers and mountains provides the backdrop for a six-hour happening with an 18-course menu that focuses on sustainability and the challenges facing the global food system. Danish chef Anika Madsen, previously head chef at Copenhagen’s renowned Fasangården restaurant, shines a spotlight on lesser known ingredients and regional products – including red sea urchins, local seaweed, game and apple wine (set menu from approx. $ 300 per person).