Our story

From general store and steamship landing in 1923 to a restaurant and events destination today. Mandelhuset has always been — and always will be — part of the coastal culture of Tysnes. Our focus today is the same as ever: warmth, good food and good company.

The trading house (1920–1967)

The building that is Mandelhuset today has not, of course, always been a restaurant. The property was separated from plot no. 6 in 1920. Kristoffer Berntin Johnsen (1880–1953) was granted the deed that same year and built a quay here shortly afterwards — a landing for Det Midthordlandske Dampskibsselskab, the local steamship company.

Kristoffer had traded in the cooperative store after his father-in-law from 1915, but was let go in 1920. He then rented premises from Ole Bruntveit for three years, until his own shop was ready in 1923. His father-in-law had already begun handling the steamship line's traffic, and Kristoffer continued this work alongside the general store.

In 1959 his son, Kåre Johnsen, took over the deed. He restored the trading house in 1960 and ran the store for some years. Kåre handled the steamship traffic until around 1961; the company merged into HSD in 1962. Both before and after, he went to sea as a ship's steward.

A new shopkeeper (1967–1994)

Torvald Hillesvik took over the deed in 1967 and the shop from Kåre on 1 January 1968. He and his wife Nelly carried on trading at Uggdalseidet for a few years, but from 1973 they ran only the Våge shop — where they also lived.

When the general store on the Våge quay closed in 1994, the premises stood empty.

The restaurant takes shape (1995)

It was while Liv and Arvid Arnesen were waiting in the ferry queue during this period that the idea of opening a restaurant first stirred in the family. The location was beautiful and central — as if made for a snug, maritime restaurant.

Mandelhuset was a family business already trading in Bergen, selling confectionery and making roasted almonds — hence the name (mandel means almond). The company, owned by Liv and Arvid Arnesen and Randi Beate Bjørge, was looking to expand.

When Mandelhuset AS opened its restaurant in Våge in 1995, the place was actually meant to be called “One Room and a Kitchen”. The name never caught on, and locally it became “Mandelhuset”, “Mandelen” or “Mandelstova”.

The premises were refurbished and turned into a restaurant, and the company was granted a licence to serve alcohol. After just over a year, Mandelhuset also won permission for outdoor service on the quay.

A much-loved meeting place

The business was built on hard graft and determination, and over the years Mandelhuset became a favourite for everyone. The place took root with the people of Tysnes, and for those travelling by boat the stop became a natural part of the trip. Mandelhuset gathered many loyal guests, summer and winter alike — and without them the story would have been a very different one.

With a footing for year-round trade, the house also became a place to celebrate life: confirmations, weddings, and birthdays great and small.

New hands (2003–2012)

In 2003 Mandelhuset changed hands as the business was sold to Waldemar Solheim, who in turn sold it to Christine Bakkane and Tor Erik Thunold. The same year, Torleif Hillesvik sold the property to Karl Åge Tvedt.

Sigvard Madsen, Anders Dalland and Morten Storetvedt took over the running in 2005. They kept at it for a year before Dalland and Storetvedt stepped out. Sigvard brought in Patrick Madsen, and the following years went into developing the place into a restaurant and events venue. In 2012 Sigvard and Patrick bought into the property together with Karl Åge Tvedt.

The people's restaurant — and the future

In 2022, after the pandemic, we brought in 145 new shareholders to secure the business. That is how we became a true people's restaurant.

Today Mandelhuset is open for much of the year. Hospitality, good food and private functions are our main trade, but the pub is an important part of the house too. The property is owned today by Patrick Madsen, Sigvard Madsen and Espen Aspenes — Espen joined the team when we began looking at hotel plans. What the future holds, with or without a hotel, only time will tell.

We look forward to many more adventures on the west coast of Norway, with Tysnes as the melting pot.