Escalón Tapas Restaurant

Frommer's Review

Set immediately adjacent to the lowest stage of the Fløibanen cable car, this is a charming, convivial, and unpretentious bar and tapas joint that has consistently won awards as one of the best restaurants of its type in Bergen. The setting lies a few steps down from street level, allowing diners a pavement-level view out over the neighborhood outside or, if they progress into the back of the place, a cavelike interior that's cozy, warm, and dotted with mostly Iberian paintings. Two or -- more often -- three tapas platters comprise a full meal, depending on your hunger level. The best examples include grilled mushrooms filled with Manchego cheese, Spanish-style potato omelets, meatballs in salsa, scampi in a garlic wine sauce, tuna marinated in olive oil and capers, and shellfish crepes. A wide assortment of Spanish wines is also available.

In 2005, management opened a second branch (Lilla Escalón) at Neumannsgate 5 (tel. 55-32-90-99), with the same tapas-based food choices and similar prices. Ironically, despite its name (lilla means small), it's almost twice the size of its original counterpart and sits over a cellar that was built in the 18th century for the storage of wine. Lilla Escalón is open daily from noon to 1am.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Back to Top