Inside the eccentric four-storied structure built in the shape of a fish eye, called Salmon Eye in Hardangerfjord, Norway, is a gastronomes gem. On its way to every food lover’s bucket list is the gourmet Restaurant Iris. It is the address of a new form of engagement and indulgence called Expedition Dining-journey, where one dines on the delicious prepared by Danish chef Anika Madsen. Guests arrive in the floating restaurant inside the futuristic orb by boat to savor an 18-course meal.
Norwegian opera singer Mari Eriksmoen shared her experience at the unique restaurant on TikTok, and the world hasn’t stopped salivating since. “It was so extraordinary,” Eriksmoen said. “I felt like I was going to the moon. I had this funny feeling that I was a part of something secret that soon would be a huge thing.” The menu at Iris reads like a story. It addresses the threats to the global food system but offers solace with innovative ideas. The set menu dives deep into the ocean and the mountains for ingredients and only seats 24 guests each night for $300 per person. Sounds otherworldly, right?
It doesn’t come as a surprise that Restaurant Iris is sold out for 2023. Some unique culinary creations include a breaded salmon dish that looks like it was delivered from the bottom of the ocean and an item called ‘Change of Heart’ that features tartar of reindeer heart, grilled leeks, and pickled capers. Eriksmoen told Insider that “all the dishes were composed in such an innovative way,” and there was “not one dull or uninteresting serving.””Most gourmet restaurants I’ve been to have some forgettable dishes, but I loved every part of Anika Madsen’s 18 courses,” she said. The video of this exciting restaurant on Eriksmoen’s TikTok has racked up over 8 million views since it was posted on July 21st. If you are headed to Norway, you can try your luck booking a table.
