Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Kitchen Menus (Including Vegan Options)
Hurtigruten is well known for showcasing Norway’s regional ingredients through its Norwegian Coastal Kitchen concept. Rather than offering the same menu every evening, the cruise line rotates seasonal dishes featuring local seafood, meats, vegetables, and desserts sourced from suppliers along the Norwegian coast.
The menus shown here come from aboard MS Polarlys and highlight several dinner menus, including dedicated vegan selections available throughout the voyage.
Norwegian Coastal Kitchen Dining
One of Hurtigruten’s signature dining experiences is the Norwegian Coastal Kitchen, a culinary program focused on locally sourced ingredients from communities visited during the voyage.
Menus typically feature fresh seafood, Norwegian lamb, Arctic fish, root vegetables, berries, cheeses, and regional specialties. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available, allowing guests with different dietary preferences to enjoy meals inspired by Norwegian cuisine.
Vegan Menu Example
The first menu focuses entirely on vegan dishes available for dinner.
This menu includes:
Starters
- Beet tartare with potato chips, vegan horseradish cream, and fresh sprouts
- Vegan Norwegian pea soup with gratinated croutons and plant-based crème fraîche
Main Course
- Nut Wellington with grilled vegetables and leek glaze
Dessert
- Vegan ice cream cake with cloudberry syrup, Gryr cream, and roasted hazelnuts
This demonstrates that vegan guests are offered a complete multi-course dinner rather than simply modifying standard menu items.
Norwegian Regional Dinner Menu
Another evening menu highlights traditional Norwegian ingredients.
Featured dishes include:
Starters
- Pastrami salmon
- Root vegetable terrine
- Sodd with skjenning flatbread
Main Courses
- Slow-braised reindeer shank
- Hot-smoked tusk
- Sweet potato and chickpea patties
Desserts
- Traditional Røros pudding
- Vanilla pudding
- Ice cream of the day
- Cheese of the day
The menu combines classic Norwegian meat and seafood dishes with a vegetarian main course.
Another Evening Featuring Arctic Ingredients
This dinner showcases more regional specialties.
Highlights include:
Starters
- Skrei roe cream
- Norwegian vegan bowl
- Bidos
Main Courses
- Herb-roasted pork fillet
- Arctic char
- Vegan nut roast
Desserts
- Cloudberry cream
- Vegan cloudberry cream
- Ice cream of the day
- Cheese of the day
Cloudberries are one of Norway’s best-known native berries and frequently appear in Hurtigruten desserts.
Norwegian Farm-to-Table Inspired Menu
Another menu features ingredients sourced from Norwegian farms and fisheries.
Selections include:
Starters
- Smoked reindeer cheese
- Roasted cauliflower florets
- Barley groats soup
Main Courses
- Pork shank
- Salmon from Aukra
- “Byggotto” barley risotto
Desserts
- Nýr cheesecake
- Vegan cheesecake
- Ice cream of the day
- Cheese of the day
This menu continues Hurtigruten’s emphasis on regional produce while including a vegan entrée and dessert.
German Language Version of the Menu
INSERT PHOTO 6 – German Menu
One of the menus is presented in German, illustrating that Hurtigruten may provide menus in different languages depending on the passenger mix or itinerary.
The structure remains the same, with appetizers, main courses, and desserts, including a vegan main course and vegan dessert option.
Consistent Vegan Dining Throughout the Voyage
INSERT PHOTO 7 – Additional Vegan Menu
Across the menus shown, vegan guests can regularly choose:
- Vegan appetizers
- Vegan soups
- Plant-based main courses
- Vegan desserts
Examples include Nut Wellington, Vegan Nut Roast, Sweet Potato and Chickpea Patties, Beet Tartare, Vegan Norwegian Pea Soup, Vegan Cheesecake, Vegan Cloudberry Cream, and Vegan Ice Cream Cake.
Rather than offering only one substitute dish, Hurtigruten presents thoughtfully designed vegan meals that complement the overall Norwegian Coastal Kitchen experience.
Norwegian Ingredients Featured
Throughout these menus, guests can find many ingredients associated with Norwegian cuisine, including:
- Arctic char
- Skrei cod products
- Salmon
- Reindeer
- Pork
- Root vegetables
- Cloudberries
- Barley
- Potatoes
- Hazelnuts
- Norwegian cheeses
These ingredients reflect Hurtigruten’s commitment to serving food inspired by the regions visited during its coastal voyages.
What These Menus Show
These menus demonstrate several aspects of dining aboard MS Polarlys:
- Multi-course dinners
- Rotating nightly menus
- Norwegian regional cuisine
- Clearly marked vegan dishes
- Dedicated vegetarian and vegan options
- Daily desserts, cheeses, and ice cream selections
While individual menus vary by sailing and season, the Norwegian Coastal Kitchen concept remains one of Hurtigruten’s defining onboard experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ship are these menus from?
These menus were photographed aboard MS Polarlys, one of Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Express ships.
Does Hurtigruten offer vegan meals?
Yes. These menus clearly show dedicated vegan appetizers, soups, main courses, and desserts available during the voyage.
Are the dinner menus the same every night?
No. Hurtigruten rotates its Norwegian Coastal Kitchen menus, featuring different regional ingredients and seasonal dishes throughout the cruise.
Does Hurtigruten serve traditional Norwegian food?
Yes. The menus feature Norwegian specialties such as reindeer, Arctic char, salmon, cloudberries, barley, root vegetables, and regional cheeses alongside internationally inspired vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Are menus available in multiple languages?
The photos include both English and German versions of the dinner menu, indicating that menus may be available in different languages depending on the sailing.
Conclusion
These MS Polarlys dinner menus offer an excellent look at Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Kitchen philosophy. Guests can expect changing nightly menus featuring regional seafood, meats, locally sourced produce, and classic Norwegian desserts, while vegan travelers are also well catered for with complete multi-course meals. For anyone planning a Hurtigruten voyage, these menus provide a helpful preview of the diverse dining experience available onboard.
