Bodø is a city above the Arctic Circle where nature and urban life meet. Surrounded by mountains, sea, and the world's strongest tidal current at Saltstraumen, it is a gateway to the Lofoten Islands and a destination worth exploring in its own right. From artisan chocolate makers to breathtaking fjord views, Bodø surprises visitors with its growing food scene and accessible wilderness.
Bodø might not be the first place you would expect to find world-class French pastries, but Craig Alibone Pâtisserie & Champagneria proves otherwise. Situated in the heart of central Bodø on Torvgata, this artisan pâtisserie and champagne bar has become one of the city's most beloved culinary spots since it opened in 2016.
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What to expect
The display counter is a feast for the eyes: colorful macarons, cakes with names like "Red Fruits & Pistachio" and "Passion Fruit & Lemon", seasonal tarts, croissants, and selection boxes of handmade chocolates. Everything is produced in small batches using fresh, local ingredients and premium Valrhona chocolate. What makes the experience special is that the pastry kitchen is visible behind glass. You can watch the pastry chefs pipe, fold, and decorate in real time while you enjoy your coffee or dessert. It is an experience that immerses your sight, smell, and taste simultaneously: the visual beauty of the colorful creations, the aroma of fresh baking, and of course the flavor. The macaron selection changes regularly, but you will often find flavors like raspberry, salted caramel, blueberry tea, dark chocolate, passion fruit, brunost caramel, and lime and tonka.
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More than pastries
Beyond the pastries, Craig Alibone is also a champagneria. Featured on the Star Wine List, they offer a carefully curated selection of high-quality champagne and wine. On weekends, they serve brunch, and in the evenings the venue sometimes transforms into "Klubb Craig", an underground nightlife concept that has quickly become one of Bodø's most popular Saturday night destinations.
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A little bit of history
Craig Alibone is a British pastry chef from Leicester, England. After completing his culinary education in the UK, he moved to France to study at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie in Yssingeaux, where he trained under some of the world's finest pastry chefs. He then moved to Norway and opened his chocolaterie in Bodø in 2016, starting small with artisan chocolate before expanding into a full pâtisserie. Today, the company is recognized as one of the top confectionery producers in Norway.
Let's leave the city centre behind and head down toward the sea. Just downhill lies a new zone to explore: the guest-harbour promenade and Bodø's cultural quarter, with the waterfront walk, the iconic BODØ letters, and the Stormen complex with its library and concert hall.
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The promenade
The promenade is a wide, easy walk right by the water, dotted with benches facing the sea. Grab a coffee, sit down, and watch the small boats bobbing in the harbour. One warning though: the local seagulls run a highly organised surveillance operation. The second you unwrap anything edible, you will have an audience. They are bold, loud, and clearly convinced your chips were always meant for them. Eat at your own risk, and guard your chips with your life. If you survive the seagulls and want to stretch the walk, keep going to Moloen 📍, the old breakwater sheltering the harbour. It is a pleasant stroll past concrete art sculptures to a viewing platform at the very end, where you can watch ferries and yachts arrive and depart.
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The letters
One stop you should not skip on the promenade is the iconic white BODØ letters. The giant block letters stand on the paved square right in front of Stormen Library and have become one of the city's most recognisable photo spots. One of the cubes reads European Capital of Culture, a leftover from Bodø's 2024 title. For the classic shot, stand on the harbour side and frame the letters against the library, preferably early or late in the day when the square is empty.
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The library
Right next to the letters sits Stormen bibliotek 📍, Bodø's public library and the architectural heart of the city's cultural quarter. The building was opened in 2014 and designed by London-based DRDH Architects, whose "Urban Figures" concept won an international competition. The large glass facade facing the harbour is shaped like an open book, and the pale stone walls catch the Arctic light throughout the day.
Entry is free, and this is a real, working library, so take it as an invitation to slow down: browse the shelves, read the papers, or just rest your legs for a while. There is a café-bar called PåPir BibliotekBar on the ground floor, and the children's library occupies a sheltered courtyard on the upper level. And on top of all that, the upper floors offer panoramic views over the port and fjord from the reading area. It might just be the best free view in Bodø.
Opening hours: Mon 10:00–17:00, Tue–Thu 10:00–20:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–16:00, Sun 12:00–16:00 (holiday and summer hours may vary). Check stormen.no for the current schedule.
You cannot talk about the cultural quarter without mentioning the concert hall. Next door, Stormen Konserthus completes the quarter with concerts, classical music, comedy and dance. Check the program during your visit, you may find an interesting show to end the day.
Type C and Type F (standard European plug, 230V, 50Hz)
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Is tap water drinkable
Yes, Norway has some of the cleanest tap water in the world, perfectly safe to drink
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Some words
Hei 🔈(hay/hæɪ/)→ Hi / Hello Takk 🔈(tahk/tɑk/)→ Thank you Vær så snill 🔈(veh-rah sneel/ʋæːɾ ʂoː snɪl/)→ Please Ja 🔈(yah/jɑː/)→ Yes Nei 🔈(nay/næɪ/)→ No God morgen 🔈(goo mor-gen/ɡuːd ˈmɔr.ɡən/)→ Good morning God kveld 🔈(goo kvel/ɡuːd kʋɛl/)→ Good evening Beklager 🔈(beh-kla-her/ˈbɛk.lɑ.ɡəɾ/)→ Sorry / Excuse me
