Restaurants in Oslo
Copenhagen might have René Redzepi, but Oslo has no shortage of talented chefs and top places to eat. Boasting a number of Michelin-starred restaurants, the cuisine varies wildly with everything from local Norwegian fare to Indian, Thai, Japanese and even Ethiopian eats. Prices are generally pretty steep but there is a small band of Oslo eateries where fine food and low prices co-exist.
The Oslo restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over Kr1,000)
Moderate (Kr500 to Kr1,000)
Cheap (up to Kr500)
These Oslo restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal and for half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they do not include tax or tip. Reservations are recommended wherever possible - and in the case of upscale and popular restaurants, they are essential.
Expensive
Grefsenkollen
Cuisine: NorwegianSet in a building that dates from 1926, Grefsenkollen offers supper with spectacular views of Oslo as standard. Only using locally produced ingredients, the menu changes depending on what is in season, which can make deciding what to try confusing at times, particularly when confronted by an obscure Norwegian dish. Try the tasting menu instead.
Address: Grefsen, Grefsenkollveien 100, Oslo, 0490Telephone: +47 2 279 7060.
Website: http://www.grefsenkollen.no
Maaemo
Cuisine: ScandinavianOne of the new wave of top-end Scandinavian restaurants, the seriously chic Maaemo boasts a brace of Michelin stars and some seriously eye-watering prices. Lucky, then, that the food, all of which is made using locally sourced produce, is utterly delicious and well worth splurging on.
Address: Grønland, Schweigaards gate 15B, Oslo, 0191Telephone: +47 2 217 9969.
Website: http://www.maaemo.no
Spisestedet Feinschmecker
Cuisine: NorwegianOne of Oslo’s Michelin-starred restaurants, Feinschmecker opened in 1990 and rapidly gained a reputation as one of the city's best eateries. In addition to its à la carte menu, it offers a daily, fixed priced five-course meal. An extensive wine list and daily vegetarian specials are available.
Address: Frogner, Balchens gate 5, Oslo, 0265Telephone: +47 2 212 9380.
Website: http://www.feinschmecker.no
Moderate
Markveien Mat & Vinhus
Cuisine: EuropeanOne of Oslo’s cooler mid-range eateries, Markveien Mat & Vinhus looks like an upmarket Parisian brasserie and serves the food to match. Wine is also a big selling point here, although the menu, which features plenty of veal and freshly cooked vegetables, runs it pretty close.
Address: Grünerløkka, Torvbakkgata 12, Oslo, 0550Telephone: +47 2 237 2297.
Website: http://www.markveien.no
Südøst
Cuisine: Asian fusionNorwegian classics given an Asian makeover might not sound especially appetising, but Südøst manage to make them so. Housed in a pretty old building in the upmarket Grünerløkka district, its minimalist interior and reliably good food has made it a favourite with the local cool crowd.
Address: Grünerløkka, Trondheimsveien 5, Oslo, 0560Telephone: +47 2 335 3070.
Website: http://www.sudost.no
Theatercafeen
Cuisine: EuropeanLocated next to the National Theatre, Theatercafeen is one of the best places to spot a star in Oslo, although locals are generally more interested in the excellent food than the chance to ogle Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. A Viennese-style establishment, it's a good bet if you fancy a decent sandwich or salad.
Address: Sentrum, Stortingsgata 24-26, Oslo, 0117Telephone: +47 2 282 4050.
Website: http://www.theatercafeen.no
Cheap
Bør & Børsen
Cuisine: NorwegianThis chirpy local institution serves up tasty versions of classic pizza, pasta, burgers and just about every other sort of junk food you can think of. The décor isn't particularly exciting but who's complaining when the daily specials are a serious bargain in expensive Oslo.
Address: Sofienberg, Trondheimsveien 13, Oslo, 0560Telephone: +47 2 268 8648.
Website: http://www.borsenbar.no
Dovrehallen
Cuisine: NorwegianDouvrehallen is a bar and restaurant which offers traditional home cooked Norwegian food at affordable prices. The ambience is very informal and there is live music and dance most Friday and Saturday nights.
Address: , Storgata 22, Oslo, 0184Telephone: +47 22 17 21 01
Website: http://www.dovrehallen.no/
Lorry
Cuisine: Norwegian and EuropeanWith an eclectic mix of interior design fittings that range from bicycles swinging from the ceiling to the ceramic busts adorning the walls, Lorry provides its clientele with hearty local and European fare. Doorstep sandwiches, quiche and burgers are popular choices among its many punters.
Address: Homansbyen, Parkveien 12, Oslo, 0350Telephone: +47 2 269 6904.
Website: http://www.lorry.no
The Scotsman
Cuisine: ScottishThe popular Scotsman pub has a straightforward menu of pizzas and steaks. Presentation may be no frills, but meals here are cheap (by Oslo standards) and cheerful. The four-storey wood-panelled pub also does a good selection of beer and has a reliably bustling atmosphere.
Address: Sentrum, Karl Johans gate 17, Oslo, 0159Telephone: +47 2 247 4477.
Website: http://www.scotsman.no
