Sølvi Skar opens Norway’s first dedicated gluten-free café, Noko Attåt, in Vestnes

Sølvi Skar has launched a dedicated gluten-free café, Noko Attåt, in Vestnes, making it the only fully gluten-free café in Møre and Romsdal and one of the few in Norway. To ensure all offerings are gluten-free, Skar has opted not to bake anything containing gluten.

Since opening, the café has experienced a remarkable influx of customers, many traveling long distances to purchase freshly baked gluten-free goods. Noko Attåt aims to attract a broad audience by pricing its items comparably to regular baked goods, rather than solely targeting those with celiac disease.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries fills the café as Skar expresses her long-held dream of starting this venture. With nearly 20 years of baking experience as a hobby, she is now fully committed to her café, offering an extensive selection of gluten-free breads, rolls, and cakes.

The overwhelming response from patrons, including many from surrounding regions and tourists who have discovered the café online, highlights the demand for gluten-free options. Skar has noted the emotional impact her café has had on customers, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy baked goods they previously could not access.

While the café thrives, Skar acknowledges the financial challenges of operating a gluten-free establishment and emphasizes the need for community support beyond just those with celiac disease. Currently, she splits her time between her teaching job and running the café, with dreams of eventually transitioning to full-time bakery operations, supported by her son, Eirik, who expresses pride in helping his mother fulfill her dream.