Baklandet Skydsstation
Kafé i et av Bakklandets best bevarte hus fra 1791, åpnet 8. mars 1997. Kåret til Årets kafé av National Geographic i 2012.
History
The name 'Skydsstation' refers to the building's historical function as a horse relay station: in the early 1800s, farmers coming to town for market trade would rest their horses here — a trick to avoid paying tolls at the Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge). The venue has its own secret house blend called 'Svele-akevitt,' a proprietary mix of two secret aquavit varieties. The aquavit collection counts over 191 varieties (authorized by NAV in 2016), though some sources cite over 350 — the number varies as the collection expands.
Norske Akevitters Venner / skydsstation.no / Visit Trondheim
Baklandet Skydsstation was originally a coaching inn from the 1800s where travelers could change horses and stay overnight. The building has been restored with respect for the original style.
People
Architect Trond Eide purchased the property in 1995 and restored it according to conservation principles. The café opened March 8, 1997, after volunteer work by eight idealists. Gurli Riis Holmen (Danish) and Olaf Holmen took over operations in 2009 and purchased the entire property nine months later, in 2010. Gurli runs the café with a staff of approximately 16 employees (7.5 full-time equivalents). The couple live on the second floor above the café. The venue operates as a 'public living room' where guests are seated closely together to encourage conversation between locals and visitors.
Awards
On New Year's Eve 2012, Baklandet Skydsstation was named 'Best Cafe of the Year' by National Geographic, which described it as 'an old fisherman's café turned student hangout, this may be the cosiest place in Scandinavia.' Lonely Planet has described the fish soup as 'probably the best fish soup in Norway.' The venue was authorized by Norske Akevitters Venner (NAV) in November 2016, as Trondheim's first authorized aquavit venue in modern times. The application was described as the best NAV had ever received. Staff conduct regular aquavit tastings to recommend pairings with different dishes.
Serves homemade Norwegian food focusing on traditional dishes like potato dumplings and lamb stew in season. Sveler with brown cheese is a local favorite.
Architecture
The main building facing the street was likely built in 1791 and underwent major reconstruction in 1873, when the shop fittings that still characterize the interior were installed. The building has three small rooms with paneled walls, uneven floors, and low ceilings. Windows on the courtyard side date from the late 1700s. The building was heritage-listed in 2008 — the only protected property in this part of Bakklandet — specifically because of its well-preserved rear courtyard showing what a Bakklandet property looked like in the 1800s, a type of courtyard space no longer found elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Location
Baklandet Skydsstation is situated on the east bank of the Nidelva river with views across the water to Nidaros Cathedral. The well-preserved courtyard serves as an outdoor dining area in summer, surrounded by the original 19th-century outbuildings. The property includes a storeroom (størhus) in the courtyard. The Bakklandet neighborhood stretches between Bakke bru and Elgeseter bru, with continuous rows of wooden houses along the riverbank and cobblestone streets.
Located in the heart of Bakklandet, Trondheim's most charming neighborhood with colorful wooden houses along the Nidelva river. The Old Town Bridge is right nearby.
Accessibility
The 1791 building has uneven floors, low ceilings, and narrow rooms — not wheelchair accessible. Table reservations can be made through the website skydsstation.no. Guests sit closely together across three small rooms, a deliberate concept to foster conversation. Food is served in two portion sizes. The herring buffet is served Friday through Sunday year-round.
Opening Hours
- Monday: 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Local Tip
Akevittsamlingen teller over 350 varianter — trolig Norges største under ett tak. Sildebuffeten er en klassiker.
