Iris Restaurant takes the fine dining experience to another level. Located inside the floating art installation Salmon Eye in the Hardanger fjord, its facility can only be accessed on boats from the Rosendal town. Once there, guests get to experience a gourmet menu for no less than six hours, because that’s how long the dining experience will last.
The restaurant management calls it an Expedition Dining, as in order to get here guests need to go through quite a journey. By first taking a boat to Chef Anika Madsen’s boathouse on the island of Snilstveitøy for a snack, guests further arrive at the Salmon Eye to go through “a multisensory underwater experience”. Then they are invited to begin their six-hour dining experience in the space with a spectacular view of the fjord and mountains. At the end of the dining experience, the guests will be taken back to Rosendal by boat.
Our location guides every step we take at Iris, and we want our guests to experience the fiord, the mountains, and the ever-changing elements in the same all-encompassing way that we do every day. Here, we have the great privilege of bringing our guests to the ingredients, instead of the other way around
– Restaurant Iris
The interior design of the restaurant combines minimalism and exquisite luxurious details. Designed by Norm Architects, Iris is an intimate restaurant with neutral colors seamlessly blending in with the natural textures and organic materials, such as walnut wood, while soft lighting creates an atmosphere of a warm and harmonious place.
The ellipsoid architecture designed by Kvorning Design was called Salmon Eye due to its resemblance to a fish eye and its stainless steel imitating the silvery skin of salmon. This vivid landmark certainly captures the attention of future guests, however, it is the interior that makes the experience worth venturing into. Inside you will find curves and smooth arches complemented by custom-made furniture, carpets, service stations, and portable lamps. The natural flow in the space is emphasized by the breathtaking view which is one of the main reasons worth discovering this restaurant.
Iris is a celebration of high-dining cuisine enhanced by the lush landscape, connecting guests to nature and the raw beauty of the Hardangerfjord. While enjoying the stunning panoramic views of glaciers and mountains, guests can indulge in a set tasting menu consisting of local ingredients, a tribute to Nordic cuisine. All that is embraced by the earthy tones and minimalist design of the table setting enhancing the dining experience.
The brutalist architecture of the steel construction is contrasted by the modern and warm interior with elements of cozy home decor—from soft carpets and comfortable couches to minimalistic wooden furniture. The restaurant’s location in such a unique location is accompanied by the area inside being divided into smaller spaces, making the restaurant even more calming and welcoming.
In order to participate in this unique dining experience you don’t need to do anything extraordinary. There’s no dress code, besides the life jacket that you would need to wear during your journey to the restaurant. All it takes to book a dinner with the Iris Restaurant is to pay a deposit, with the total price finalized at the restaurant. According to the official website, the menu will cost NOK 4 600 (USD 432), while the set menu “accompanied by a unique wine pairing” called the Sommelier’s Expedition will be NOK 17 500 (USD 1646).
