Culinary delights and winter adventures in Stranda and Geiranger

The days are getting brighter, and the Sunnmøre Alps are becoming a vast playground with summit tours, ski centres, and refreshing fjord air. To top it all off, you can treat your taste buds to a gourmet pop-up experience in Stranda’s town centre. Renowned chefs will arrive to use local ingredients, creating unforgettable flavours.

“We're packing our bags with wine, waiters, interior designers, and most importantly, chefs who will craft unique experiences using local produce and great stories,” says Jannet Aksnes, founder and manager of PopUp Norway.

Writing for the travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, Toby Skinner has named Stranda one of the best ski destinations in Europe. The mountains of the Sunnmøre Alps are breathtaking, as are the fjord views and the experiences awaiting you.

From 28 February to 29 March 2025, the fjord and mountain village of Stranda will offer something truly special. The former bank and town hall, “Skinkerådhuset”, will be transformed into an inviting restaurant featuring top-class chefs and exquisite menus.

Jannet Aksnes and her team at PopUp Norway love travelling nationwide and creating top-notch restaurants in new and unexpected locations.

“We’ll bring chefs, waiters, interior designers and wine. The village provides a beautifully decorated venue, local ingredients, stunning scenery and, in Stranda’s case, a rich industrial history and wonderfully welcoming inhabitants,” says Jannet enthusiastically. She has also gathered locals to share the village’s industrial history.

“Our restaurant will become a meeting point for visitors and residents alike. That's been the case everywhere we've been, from Svalbard in the north to Otternes in Aurland in southern Norway. With new chefs and exciting offerings each week, there’s always something new to experience,” explains the food and tourism enthusiast.

Top chefs will come to Stranda, bring their ideas and favourite ingredients, and be inspired by the natural surroundings, local stories, and regional produce to create exceptional dining experiences in this fjord-side village in the Sunnmøre Alps.

“It’s when the chefs meet local producers that the magic happens – leading to the finest dishes,” says Jannet.

Program for the PopUp in Stranda

The Skinkerådhuset becomes a restaurant from February 28 to March 29.
Here are more details about what’s happening and when:

• Every Saturday from 12:00 - 16:00, enjoy Afternoon Tea.
• Monday–Saturday at 19:00, the PopUp chef serves a 4-course menu, except on March 6-8 and March 20-22.
• March 6-8, a guest chef presents a 7-10 course menu.
• March 20-22, another guest chef offers a 7-10 course menu.

An alpine landscape with fjord views

Stranda is located in the heart of the Sunnmøre Alps, offering excellent skiing conditions. Join a guided ski touring trip with Ræin Adventures or Uteguiden, or enjoy a day at a ski resort where you can admire the fjord while gliding down fantastic mountain slopes.

“Stranda is not just about dining; it's a prime skiing destination,” Jannet explains. While in the Sunnmøre Alps, you should not miss the chance to glide through the snow. Both Strandafjellet and Fjellsætra boast world-class ski resorts with stunning fjord views and trails for every ski level. For powder skiing enthusiasts, there are plenty of off-piste opportunities. Experienced guides can also help you find the perfect summit tour tailored to you and your group.

The taste of land and air

A short drive south of Stranda’s town centre lies the Skarbø farm, where Kristine Skarbø's family has cared for the landscape and the livestock for eight generations. The crisp fjord and mountain air have sustained both the people and the produce here.

“It's fantastic that chefs are highlighting the exceptional ingredients that travel just a short distance from our farm to the table at Skinkerådhuset,” says Kristine, farmer and producer of cider and cheese at Skarbø Gard.

“Here at the farm, we take pride in seeing our work through from soil to table. The taste of our apples and milk directly results from this unique landscape. Chefs use our cider, juice, and cheese to create even more remarkable dining experiences,” Kristine explains.

She is excited to showcase the region’s bounty and let visitors experience the fjord landscape. Jannet from PopUp Norway is equally enthusiastic. “The chefs will enjoy working with these unique, local flavours: the ham, fish, cider, juices, cheeses, and even the famous Grandiosa pizza,” Jannet smiles.

Winter visitors can buy cheese and cider at the year-round farm shop at Skarbø Gard, just a few minutes' drive from Stranda town center.

Chefs are given a few days to get acquainted with the ingredients and meet local producers before finalising their menus. Often, they are inspired by what they see and taste upon arrival and adapt the dishes to make them even more appealing to guests. Meeting local producers like Carlos, Kristine, and others who cultivate, harvest, and fish in Stranda helps them discover the best ways to highlight these special ingredients.

This winter, several local farmers, foragers, and fishermen will supply first-class ingredients featured at PopUp Stranda. Join us for Afternoon Tea, a four-course menu using the finest local produce, or a 7–10-course tasting menu created by an exciting guest chef.

Read more about PopUp Stranda.

Let the fjord and light guide you to Geiranger

Heading along Storfjorden towards Stranda, you will arrive at Geirangerfjord's UNESCO World Heritage site. The ferry terminal at Hellesylt is just half an hour from Stranda. The car ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger also operates during the winter months. The journey from Stranda to Geiranger has never been more accessible – and before you board the ferry at Hellesylt, you can stop by Hellesylt Boutique & Bar for a delightful shopping experience. You can also leave your car behind and take a day trip to Geiranger aboard the fjord cruise connecting Ålesund, Stranda and Geiranger. Remember to book your ticket in advance.

The fjord and mountains reveal their beautiful and mystical sides, especially in winter. For food enthusiasts, restaurants like Brasserie Posten offer delicious local flavours, but you can also enjoy a range of other experiences in this UNESCO-listed village – and, of course, stay overnight. It’s not just scents and flavours that will make your eyes light up. During the Geiranger Light Art Festival in mid-February, Norwegian and international light artists create stunning installations, concerts, and light art projections on buildings and nature in this World Heritage-listed village.