Floating Restaurant in Norway Closes Despite Global Fame
Norway's famous floating Michelin-starred Restaurant Iris is temporarily closing despite global fame, high prices and long waiting lists.
Imagine taking a boat through Norway's breathtaking fjords just to have dinner. That's exactly what guests experience at Restaurant Iris, a unique fine-dining restaurant inside the floating Salmon Eye, a giant silver eye-shaped building on the water.
Opened in June 2023, the journey is part of the attraction. Guests travel by boat before enjoying an 18-course meal featuring fresh Norwegian seafood, seaweed, seasonal vegetables and local ingredients.
Only 24 guests are served each night, and the experience costs around ?48,000 per person.
The restaurant became a social media sensation, with many comparing it to the 2022 film The Menu. In 2024, it earned a prestigious Michelin Star, one of the world's highest honours for restaurants.
Despite its global fame, awards and months-long waiting list, Restaurant Iris announced in 2026 that it would temporarily close due to financial challenges.
The owners plan to return with a new concept focused on local produce, sustainability and reducing food waste.
Its story proves that even a world-famous, Michelin-starred restaurant is not always guaranteed long-term success.
