Sjøhuset Skagen

In the iconic area in Stavanger, where the historic sea houses are lined up next to one another, is also the restaurant Matkontoret. They literally give you the taste of here and now.

Sjøhuset Skagen - a house with history

This warehouse at Skagenkaien is part of a magnificent Stavanger property, built before 1710. The warehouse itself vas built around 1770, after mr. Ole Smith Plough had founded his trading company here in 1768. They were dealing with timber, salt, stockfish and herring. Mr. Pough built ships at his own shipyard and he also had shipping contracts outside Europe.

In 1791 his adopted son, Hans B. G. Sundt, became his partner and the trading house was named Plough & Sundt. Mr. Sundt's son-in-law, Lauritz Hansen, became the dynamic leader of the firm from 1840, and at that time both trade and shipping were prospering. He was one of the most prominent men i town and he was also the mayor of Stavanger. Among other things he established Stavanger first theatre in town in one of the buildings at his property.

All the "time of depression" at the end of the 19 century the herring fisheries failed, and steamships took over the business from the sailing ships. Many companies were having difficulties and Plough & Sundt went bankrupt. However, the family was able to keep the estate and they established new trading business within wholesale and ship chandling. In the 197ties the warehouse was no longer used as such, and the house was rehabilitated to one of Norway's nicest and most original retaurants - Sjøhuset Skagen.

Even though the house went thorugh a large change from being a warehouse to what it is today, a restaurant, the smell of salt sea and maritime history is maintained. There are 8 different floorlevels, and there is a countless number of small rooms, niches, bays and balconies, and in the decoration stress has been laid on old, maritime objects like models of sailing ships and fishing tackle.

Sjøhuset Skagen has a rational and good kitchen, you will find that they have a comprehensive Norwegian and international meny, and you will surely find dishes that are to your taste. If you want to experience the old building practice and history of Stavanger, and at the same time have an adventurous day in very special surroundings, no doubt Sjøhuset Skagen will be the correct choise.