Norwegian Chocolate You Must Try

NSFD: Not Safe for Dieters! Whether you’re a dedicated chocoholic or just enjoy a sweet treat now and then, you’ll want to know which bars and bites to look out for when browsing a Norwegian supermarket.

One of the best things about travel is discovering new treats—those little indulgences that aren’t just delicious but also give you a real taste of a country’s culture.

In Norway, there are many ways to do this. For the truly curious, salty liquorice is a must-try! If that doesn’t tempt you, I can’t say I blame you! Instead, how about chocolate?

I can't quite believe I’ve been running this site for so long without diving into the world of Norwegian chocolate—but it’s time to fix that. Let’s unwrap some of Norway’s best and most beloved chocolates!

The two big Norwegian chocolate companies

Most of the chocolate you’ll find in Norwegian stores comes from just two homegrown brands: Freia and Nidar.

While international names like Mars, Twix, and Kinder are readily available, Norwegians have a strong affinity for their local favourites, which have been an integral part of the country’s chocolate culture for over a century.

Freia: Norway’s Most Iconic Chocolate Brand

It’s fair to say that Freia is the most famous and beloved chocolate brand in Norway. Founded in 1889, Freia has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality milk chocolate.

One of its most famous products, Freia Melkesjokolade, is often referred to as “Norway’s national chocolate” and has been a staple in Norwegian homes for generations.

Freia’s illuminated sign on Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s main thoroughfare, has become a city landmark. Captured in countless tourist photos, the neon-lit Freia logo is an unmistakable part of the capital’s skyline. The company has had a presence on Karl Johans gate since 1913, when it opened its first store, cementing its place in Norwegian culture.

Freia was also a pioneer in chocolate production in Norway, introducing innovations that made milk chocolate more accessible to everyday consumers.

Over the years, the brand has expanded its range to include everything from chocolate bars to seasonal confections like Freia Julemarsipan (Christmas marzipan) and Kvikk Lunsj, Norway’s answer to KitKat, which has become a must-have snack for hiking trips.

Nidar: The Trondheim-Based Rival

While Freia may be the most famous, Nidar is its biggest competitor and has an equally rich history. Based in Trondheim, Nidar was founded in 1912 and quickly gained a reputation for its marzipan treats, particularly those associated with Christmas and Easter.

In 1980, Nidar merged with a Bergen-based confectionery company to form Bergene Nidar, a move that briefly combined two of Norway’s major chocolate producers. However, by 1997, the Nidar name was restored, and all production was consolidated in Trondheim, where the company continues to operate today.

Nidar is known for a wide range of chocolates and sweets, including its popular Stratos chocolate bar, which features a light and airy texture similar to an Aero.

Another standout is Troika, a layered chocolate bar combining jelly, marzipan, and truffle—a true Norwegian classic. The company also produces Smash, the dangerously addictive sweet-salty snack made of chocolate-coated corn crisps.

Today, Nidar is part of the Orkla Group, one of Norway’s largest consumer goods companies, which owns a variety of food and confectionery brands across Scandinavia.

Despite this, Nidar retains its identity as a proud Trondheim-based chocolate maker, with its products found in nearly every supermarket and convenience store across the country.

Large chocolate bars

Many Norwegians prefer to buy their chocolate in large bar form to share or keep for a while. They're super easy to spot in the supermarkets, and are often found with a discount.

The most popular is Freia's Melkesjokolade, a creamy, sweet, milk chocolate. Simple, but a classic. I know several readers of this website like Walters Mandler, which adds in chopped, caramelised, salted almonds into the standard milk chocolate bar.

The Freia bars with pieces of Kvikk Lunsj (more on that later) are also popular. Just recently we discovered a new variant from Freia: Tutti Frutti. This delightful variant includes tiny pockets of fruit jelly buried inside the milk chocolate. I’m really hoping this one sticks around for good!

Smash

Smash is a uniquely addictive Norwegian snack, combining crispy, lightly salted corn snacks (similar to Bugles) with creamy milk chocolate.

This sweet-salty contrast makes it impossible to stop at just one piece! These little taste tornadoes are my absolute favourite Norwegian chocolate! Widely available in stores and duty-free shops in yellow bags, it’s a must-try treat!

Launched by Nidar in the 1980s, Smash has a cult following in Norway, with new variations appearing over time. The most common variant is a chocolate bar format with Smash pieces inside.

Kvikk Lunsj

I will have caused outrage among my Norwegian readers for not starting with Freia's Kvikk Lunsj, the most iconic chocolate in Norway. It has such status because it's synonymous with the one true love of all Norwegians: the outdoors.

Ever since it was launched in 1937, the four-finger chocolate-covered wafer has been marketed as a hiking or skiing tour snack. Wait, did I say four-finger chocolate-covered wafer? Isn't that the same as the KitKat? Funny you should ask!

Nestle, maker of KitKat, has argued in European courts since 2002 that it has the right to trademark the shape. The courts disagreed as KitKat isn't commonplace cross the continent. Freia couldn't buy that kind of publicity.

Because of the court cases, interest in Kvikk Lunsj has increased outside of Norway too. British newspapers the Guardian and Independent both rated the Norwegian bar higher in blind taste tests. They key? The chocolate-to-wafer ratio is higher in the KL.

Freia has introduced a dark chocolate version of the Kvikk Lunsj that is just as tasty, albeit a few kroner more expensive. It goes great with a black coffee.

Stratos

The history of Stratos is so long and varied that its maker Nidar has a webpage dedicated to it. The short version: Nidar launched Stratos in 1936, a year after the Aero. It cost 25 øre, which is a quarter of one krone!

It was engineer Jørgen Holmsen who discovered the ‘airy' Aero chocolate bar at a trade fair in Germany, and returned to the Nidar factory to try to create something similar.

While the chocolate itself has stayed fairly consistent over the years, the size of the product and design of the packaging have changed a lot.

These days, Stratos is best known for its commercials featuring the bright blue happy cow you can see on the wrapper. Just look at those udders go…

Toppris Kubbe

Launched in 1969, Freia's Toppris Kubbe is similar to the Toffee Crisp or Lion Bar. This chocolate bar is filled with light toffee and rice, so it's chewy with a slightly crispy texture to it.

It reminds me a little of the rice crispy cakes I used to make as a kid (definitely not as an adult though, no, not, definitely not)

There has also a peanut version round and about called ‘Peanøtt Kubbe' although I haven't seen it for a while. The peanut taste is much more overpowering than the rice of the original. However, I'm not sure whether that's because that's the genuine taste, or because I really don't like peanuts very much!

Troika

I've never quite been able to make up my mind about Troika. There's a lot of flavour packed into the three layers of soft raspberry jelly, truffle and marzipan, all coated in dark chocolate, but to my taste it's a somewhat strange combination.

I'm told some people nibble away the chocolate and other layers leaving the jelly to the end. Now while I used to do the same with Jaffa Cakes, I can't imagine doing that with Troika. I'd love to know if any of you do!

At the moment an orange edition is available in stores, which replaces the raspberry jelly with an orange jelly.

Small chocolate companies

Of course, it would be wrong to stop just with the big two. Norway has its fair share of entrepreneurs trying to make it in the chocolate world.

Up in Bodø, British chef Craig Alibone has made quite the name for himself with his premium chocolate brand and shop. Read this interview with him to find out more.

Located inside a former boathouse, the cozy Geiranger Sjokolade café serves rich hot chocolate made in the factory downstairs. The store sells nicely packaged sets of chocolates that make great gifts.

For a unique flavor, try the famed blue cheese chocolates, or a bar flavored with sweet berries from the region’s valleys.

On my recent trip to Svalbard, I stumbled upon Fruene cafe which did a roaring trade in its homemade chocolate. I did my bit for the cause and tested out a couple. My favourite? The creamy white chocolate bar complete with polar bear print!

This has been without doubt one of the most enjoyable posts I've ever researched for Life in Norway. Now though, if you'll excuse me, I need to call my dentist.