It takes its name after the naval ship commanded by Niels Juel in the Battle of Køge Bay in 1677.

An earlier building at the site was known as Ravnsborg after Mads Tavn, Køge's mayor, who owned it from 1630.

It was given the name Norske Løve after one of the naval ships that participated in the Battle of Køge Bay on 1 July 1767.

The large garden, with fishing pond, music pavilion and an estrade for dancing, was often frequented by travelling fun fairs in the summer time.

When the equestrian statue of Frederik VII was unveiled in 1862, Norske Løve hosted a dinner with 800 guests.