The Story of Huset
In 2026, Huset Restaurant entered a new era.
Following a complete transformation by internationally acclaimed Norwegian architects Snøhetta, the restaurant was reimagined for a new generation of travellers while preserving the character and history that make Huset so special.
Drawing inspiration from the dramatic contrasts that define life in Svalbard, polar night and midnight sun, wilderness and refinement, openness and intimacy, the new interior creates a warm and contemporary dining experience deeply connected to its surroundings.
"At Huset, the building's history became a resource for shaping its future."
Marlene Fenger Vedal, Team Lead Interior, Snøhetta
Natural materials, carefully layered lighting and subtle references to the Arctic landscape create a space that feels both timeless and distinctly Svalbard.
The redesign reflects a shared ambition: to create a restaurant that can stand alongside some of the world's most celebrated dining destinations while remaining unmistakably Huset.
THE HEART OF LONGYEARBYEN SINCE 1951
For more than 70 years, Huset has been woven into the fabric of life in Longyearbyen.
Long before it became known for fine dining and one of Scandinavia's most remarkable wine cellars, Huset was where the community came together. It was a place for celebrations and everyday life, for concerts and cinema screenings, for meetings, milestones and moments that shaped generations of Svalbard residents.
Originally built by Store Norske and completed in 1951, Huset quickly became known as the heart of the town. As Longyearbyen grew, so did Huset, evolving alongside the community it served.
Today, under the stewardship of Hurtigruten Svalbard, Huset continues to honour its heritage while welcoming visitors from around the world to experience a unique part of Svalbard's history.
FROM COMMUNITY HOUSE TO CULTURAL LANDMARK
When Huset first opened its doors, Longyearbyen was a small mining town in the High Arctic. Life was shaped by the rhythms of the mine, and Huset quickly became the place where people gathered.
Over the decades, the building served many purposes. It housed a café and kiosk, welcomed church services, functioned as a school and post office, and even acted as a temporary hospital and airport terminal. It was a cinema, a concert venue and a social hub for the entire community.
For generations of residents, Huset wasn't simply a building. It was where life happened.
Today, that same spirit remains. While the building has changed over the years, its role as a gathering place continues.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR AN ARCTIC ICON
A RESTAURANT WORTH TRAVELLING FOR
Today, guests travel from around the world to dine at Huset.
Led by Head Chef Alberto Lozano and Restaurant Manager & Head Sommelier Maxime Resse, the restaurant combines Arctic ingredients, Nordic techniques and international expertise to create a dining experience unlike any other.
The menu is shaped by the landscapes surrounding Longyearbyen. Local game, Arctic seafood, foraged plants and carefully preserved ingredients tell the story of Svalbard through flavour, while the wine cellar beneath the restaurant offers one of the most respected wine collections in Northern Europe.
What makes Huset unique is not only the food, the wine or the design.
It is the contrast.
Outside, glaciers, mountains and Arctic wilderness stretch towards the horizon.
Inside, candlelight, conversation, craftsmanship and hospitality await.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
For more than seven decades, Huset has evolved alongside Longyearbyen.
What began as a community house in a remote mining town has become an internationally recognised restaurant and cultural landmark. Yet its purpose remains remarkably unchanged: bringing people together.
As Huset enters its next chapter, we remain committed to preserving the building's history, celebrating Arctic culture and sharing the stories of Svalbard with guests from around the world.
Because while much has changed since 1951, Huset is still what it has always been:
A place where people gather.
1940's & 1950's
Huset was planned in 1948 and officially opened in 1951. It quickly became the heart of Longyearbyen, serving as a café, shop, cinema, church, school, post office and more for the growing Arctic community.
