Designed by Norm Architects within the iconic Salmon Eye, Restaurant Iris redefines the concept of sustainable fine dining with an immersive experience that fuses landscape, architecture and flavour.
A sensory journey from the Fjord
Nestled in Norway’s stunning Hardangerfjord, Restaurant Iris is more than just a place to eat — it’s an architectural, scenic and culinary expedition like no other. Located inside the Salmon Eye, a floating art installation and aquaculture knowledge centre, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers an experience that begins long before reaching the table: an electric boat journey from the picturesque village of Rosendal, a stop at chef Anika Madsen’s cabin on the island of Snilstveitøy, and a multi-sensory underwater walkthrough culminating in a dinner with panoramic views of the fjord, glaciers and mountains.
The art of inhabiting the landscape: interiors by Norm Architects
The interior design of Iris is the work of renowned Danish studio Norm Architects, who have achieved a delicate balance between the brutalist architecture of the building and a warm, intimate, and deeply human atmosphere. While the exterior of Salmon Eye — designed by Kvorning Design — is clad in stainless steel scales evoking salmon skin, the interior provides a cosy refuge where natural materials such as walnut wood, soft carpets and upholstered furnishings take centre stage.
Instead of imposing conventional forms, the furniture was custom-designed to flow with the space, respecting the elipsoidal volume’s curves and preserving visual harmony. Portable lamps, integrated service stations and bespoke divider panels not only organise the space but also create a sense of gradual discovery, revealing each corner in its own time.
Design in dialogue with nature
The approach taken by Norm Architects goes beyond aesthetics; it seeks to connect diners emotionally and physically with their surroundings. Organic shapes, natural textures and soft lighting create a sense of shelter from the harsh Nordic elements. Every detail, from material selection to the spatial rhythm, is designed to frame the ever-changing landscape of the fjord and heighten the multisensory experience.
“The approach taken by Norm Architects goes beyond aesthetics; it seeks to connect diners with their surroundings.”
A table that tells Stories of sea and mountain
The Iris dining experience centres on a set tasting menu that changes with the seasons and is grounded in two pillars: sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Priced at 4,700 NOK (€427), the menu is conceived as a narrative — a culinary story that addresses the challenges of today’s global food system, while offering innovative solutions rooted in respect for nature and responsible marine exploration.
A phrase that captures the restaurant’s soul says it all: “We have the privilege of bringing guests to the ingredients, rather than bringing the ingredients to the guests”. At Iris, the journey is no metaphor — it is essential to the experience.
Tailored pairings: a wine journey
To accompany the menu, Iris offers five types of drink pairings, ranging from non-alcoholic options (1,500 NOK · €136) to the sophisticated Sommelier’s Expedition (17,900 NOK · €1,627), a curated selection of rare wines with personal attention from the sommelier team.
Each pairing is thoughtfully crafted to enhance the nuances of the menu and elevate the overall experience.
Floating architecture that serves a purpose
The Salmon Eye, which houses the restaurant, is a 1,000 m² floating structure that combines art, architecture and marine education.
Its ellipsoidal shape and scaled surface are striking from both above and within the fjord, symbolising the project’s essence: to raise awareness of the challenges in ocean-based food production through direct, impactful experience.
Constructed by Marketex Marine OÜ and designed in collaboration with several European firms, the building exemplifies how architecture can become a tool for communication and social change.
A gastronomic destination beyond the plate
Iris is no ordinary restaurant. It is a spatial narrative, a floating artwork, a manifesto. Guests don’t merely dine — they embark on a journey that connects them with the land, sustainability, architecture and contemporary Scandinavian design.
Norm Architects have transformed a space for science and research into a sensory sanctuary, avoiding both predictability and cold minimalism. Every curve, shadow and texture is designed to stir emotion, awaken the senses, and quietly accompany the raw beauty of the Norwegian landscape.
How to reach Iris
To embark on the Iris experience, guests must first arrive in Rosendal, a town accessible by ferry from Bergen, the nearest city with an international airport. From there, the restaurant organises the boat journey to Salmon Eye, including the island stop and pre-dinner experience.
For those seeking a transformative, immersive dining experience with profound respect for nature, Iris represents a new paradigm. It’s not just the future of fine dining — it’s a radically different way of inhabiting and tasting the world.
A truly remarkable experience.
(*) Photos courtesy of Norm Architects and Restaurant Iris. Photographer: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen.
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