Sør-Hidle Island Gardens Visit & Dinner, Stavanger

Cruise to the tiny island of Sør-Hidle to enjoy the flower-filled efforts of the Bryn family and a delicious three-course dinner. After a 20-minute crossing from Stavanger, you'll meet your guide, following them as they lead you through the colorful local and exotic flora. Next, you'll sit down to a meal of internationally inspired fare with fresh ingredients grown right on the island. Before you catch the boat back to Stavanger, you'll have free time to wander the gardens independently or order a drink from the beach bar to savor it and the idyllic view—a perfect experience for those looking for a unique dinner venue.

Your visit to the family-run Flor & Fjære gardens begins with a 20-minute boat ride from Stavanger's Bekhuskaien pier to Sør-Hidle. You'll cruise north through the Boknafjord, where you'll disembark and be greeted by a friendly guide who will lead you on a 40-minute walk through the impressive gardens, painstakingly cared for by three generations of the Bryn family, the first of whom bought the island in the 60s. As you stroll along the cobblestone and gravel paths, you'll learn horticultural tips and the history of how the famous gardens came to be, starting from a barren, windswept island, to the lush floral oasis it is today.

After exploring the gardens, you'll sit down to a three-course dinner surrounded by exotic flora prepared by Chef André Mulder and his team (every summer he brings back his kitchen staff from Chang Rai, where he winters). The family began serving food in 1995 when visitor numbers began to grow. The menu features fresh, beautifully prepared dishes inspired by global cuisines, using self-produced and locally sourced ingredients. Your meal will consist of an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert, accompanied by coffee or tea.

Once you've finished your meal, you can explore the expansive 12-acre (5 ha) gardens at your own speed. You'll find more trails to wander, sun loungers to relax from, or benches to sit on while you take in the colorful displays. On sunny days, you can also order a drink from the mint green beach bar. The experience comes to an end with a return cruise across the glassy waters to Stavanger.