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$$$ | Sentrum |
As its name suggests, this wine bar is straight out of Paris: the long white aprons on the waiters, the Art Nouveau flourishes in the dining room, the old French posters on the walls, and the closely packed tables all add to the illusion. The sumptuous menu includes the classics: steak tartare, entrecôte, and duck confit. There is also, in true Gallic style, a strong wine list. Built on levels, from the cellar to the third floor, each section has a distinctive ambience. Popular with the after-theater crowd, the restaurant's kitchen offers a full menu until 10:30 pm on weekdays. Reservations are a good idea.
Øvre Slottsgt. 16, Oslo, Oslo, 0157, Norway
Known For
- An indulgent "bouillabaisse a la maison"
- An impressive vegetarian set menu
- Perfect location near Parliament
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed July and Sun. No lunch weekdays
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$$$ | Holmenkollen |
Near the famous Holmenkollen ski jump, in the historic and recently renovated Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel, this highly regarded restaurant serves first-rate food in a grand setting, with stunning views over Oslo. Modern Nordic and international dishes blend classic ingredients with more exotic ones. The restaurant's famous tasting menu comprises dishes made with ingredients from small-scale Norwegian farmers and local food purveyors.
Kongevn. 26, Oslo, Oslo, 0787, Norway
Known For
- One of Oslo's most beautiful buildings
- Exquisite dining room
- Award-winning chef
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$$$ | Sentrum |
If you're in Oslo for just one night and want an authentic dining experience, head to the city's oldest restaurant—housed in Oslo's first town hall, a building that dates from 1641. It is known for its traditional fish and game dishes that take full advantage of the city's access to the best seasonal produce. An absolute must, if you're lucky enough to be visiting in December, is the house specialty, the lutefisk. Reserve well in advance for the julebord (pre-Christmas) season.
Nedre Slottsgt. 1, Oslo, Oslo, 0157, Norway
Known For
- Reliably robust and salty catch prepared to perfection
- Elegant paneled surroundings lit by candles
- The unparalleled delicacy is lutefisk
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$ | Frogner |
With a resident chef who authored an exquisitely illustrated book on foraging, this leafy courtyard restaurant offers an ever-changing menu of unpretentious comfort food with a Nordic twist. It also has plenty of indoor seating for cozy evenings dining by candlelight. The staff knows the menu inside out, and the owners are often on hand to explain the hearty roster of meat, fish, and vegetarian options.
Frognerveien 33, Oslo, Oslo, 0263, Norway
Known For
- Extensive wine list
- Botanical cocktails
- Vegan-friendly options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$$ | Frogner |
An eight-table restaurant near the Royal Palace, this is one of the most fashionable spots in Oslo. Don’t let the “grill” in the name fool you—the atmosphere may be relaxed, but the French-inspired cuisine is taken very seriously. The set menu changes daily according to the whims of the chef, so it's always a surprise. It doesn’t take reservations, so try to get here early to have any hope of snagging a table.
Solligaten 2, Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Known For
- Late-night camaraderie
- So many wonderful courses
- Not far from the Sentrum
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | Aker Brygge |
Sunny with a wow-factor and scrumptious. Don't sleep on this institution. Owner Lars Jon Amundsen converted an old soap factory into "the sunny side" back in 1993 after running award-winning shellfish festivals and sushi bars, and inspired by everywhere from Californian coastal gems to Parisian bistros. With its high ceiling and huge windows facing the sunny side of the capital, this summer-only seafood restaurant is housed in a former warehouse right by the harbor.
Here, it's an open-to-all, smart-casual affair where you'll see families, dates, and celebrities tucking into shellfish side by side. Follow the lead of the many locals who call this their favorite spot and indulge yourself with a plateau de fruits de mer (seafood platter, the house specialty) or opt for one of the other longtime favorites like the turbot with horseradish puree, the king crab au gratin, or the vegetarian-friendly salt-baked celeriac with walnuts.
In typical Oslo fashion the dining room isn't at all showy, allowing the seafood to shine. There are two sittings after 6:30, and the place is open May through September (closed Sunday) only making it all the more special.
Akershusstranda 13, Oslo, Oslo, 0150, Norway
Known For
- Celebrity sightings are common
- Good list of wines by the glass
- Desserts are decadent
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sept.–mid-May
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$$$ | Sentrum |
An Oslo institution, Theatercafeen has been a meeting place for artists and intellectuals for more than a century. Today it still attracts Oslo's beau monde, and as it's right across the street from the National Theater, it's a good bet for celebrity spotting. The menu varies with the seasons; the oysters and seafood platters are impressive, as are the cheese and charcuterie boards. To have any chance of getting a table during the super-busy julebord (pre-Christmas) season, book well in advance.
Stortingsgt. 24–26, Oslo, Oslo, 0161, Norway
Known For
- Traditional dishes like spicy moules frites
- Desserts like wild strawberry sorbet
- Sublime fish cakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed July
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$$$ | Frogner |
Restaurateurs Toralf Bølgen and Trond Moi have a winner in this minimalist restaurant. If you're tired of eating breakfast in your hotel, rise and shine here instead. Well-known Norwegian artists such as photographer Knut Bry showcase their work in the restaurant's bar, brasserie, and formal dining room. Try the oversize Thorenfeldt burger, or the three-course set menu, which changes daily. Most dishes are cooked in the wood-burning oven in the corner.
Bygdøy Allé 53, Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Known For
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Award-winning chefs
- Extensive wine list
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$$$ | Majorstuen |
A well-heeled arrival on the city's gastronomic scene, this bistro has a candlelit dining room with brick walls, an arched ceiling, and a huge terrace shaded with umbrellas. From the platters of fresh shellfish to the grilled-to-perfection steaks, this place is an all-around winner for those who want Nordic fare served with flair. The service is very friendly and professional.
Underhaugsveien 28, Oslo, Oslo, 0354, Norway
Known For
- Satisfying, generous portions
- A cloisterlike atmosphere
- Affordable bar menu
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$$$ | Frogner |
An intimate yet lively dining experience awaits in this longtime favorite with a blue-and-white fleur-de-lis motif. From the open kitchen, Sergio Barcilon and the other chefs often serve the French and Spanish dishes themselves. The small menu lists just four entrée choices, but dishes like deer with blackberry sauce or redfish with a sweet red pepper sauce are always superbly prepared.
Gabelsgt. 11, Oslo, Oslo, 0272, Norway
Known For
- Short walk from the city center
- Desserts are to die for
- Elegant surroundings
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$$$ | Sentrum |
Modeled on a church cloister, complete with chanting monks and hundreds of twinkling candles, this underground lair dates back to 1899. (Its real history is more profane: it was a waffle bakery in the early 1900s.) A favorite for more than three decades, this Nordic-Germanic restaurant is a divine experience. Expect a heavy meal, with the seasonal menu focusing on meat and fish options served either à la carte or part of a set menu of three, five, or six courses, along with wine pairings. Smoked halibut and veal escalopes often make an appearance.
Fredensborgveien 13, Oslo, Oslo, 0177, Norway
Known For
- Decadent desserts
- Great sparkling wines
- One-of-a-kind decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., July, and early Aug.
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$$$ | Sentrum |
Despite being located on the ground floor of a chain hotel, this unexpectedly creative bistro satisfies hungry foodies with its incredible fjord-, farm-, and forest-inspired smorgasbord of dishes ranging from pine-smoked scallops to venison with sweet sausage. "Boards from the Fjords" is what it calls its small plates combining several different dishes meant to share. There are plenty of local cheeses, craft beers, and other happy-making fare.
Holbergsplass 30, Oslo, Oslo, 0166, Norway
Known For
- Warm welcome from the staff
- Well-traveled wine list
- Casual dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
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$$$ | Aker Brygge |
Named for the remote Lofoten Islands, this Aker Brygge mainstay is considered one of Oslo’s best destinations for seafood, from Maine lobster to Greenland shrimp. It has a bright, minimalistic interior with harbor views and a sunny patio. Depending on the season, you can try the mellow cod served with its own liver and roe or the pungent lutefisk. There's an excellent three-course menu if you can't decide.
Stranden 75, Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Known For
- Platters of seafood big enough to share
- Traditional fish soup
- Outdoor seating
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$$$ | Grünerløkka |
Looking for all the world like a Parisian bistro, this restaurant in the heart of Grünerløkka serves French-inspired cuisine to a bohemian crowd. It’s a relaxed, artsy place with paintings and prints covering the sunny walls, and candlelit tables. The menu lists delicacies such as Russian crab and Norwegian quail.
Torvbakkgata 12, Oslo, Oslo, 0550, Norway
Known For
- For a treat, try the homemade cheesecake
- Dining room has a warm glow
- Continental flair
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$ | Sentrum |
The Grand Cafe gets all the attention, but the Grand Hotel's more casual—but still quite beautiful—lobby restaurant is what Bohemian dreams are made of, with marble, gold, crystal, and velvet adding a luxurious touch. Underneath a spectacular glass ceiling, the dining room is a place where locals come to see and be seen. Steaks are among the favorites here, served with béarnaise sauce and platters of fries.
Karl Johans gt. 31, Oslo, Oslo, 0159, Norway
Known For
- Afternoon tea is a tradition here
- Dry martinis at the bar
- A more relaxed affair
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$$$ | Sentrum |
A speedy elevator takes you to the 34th floor of the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, where you'll have panoramic views of the city's unmistakable skyline. (Request a window seat if you can handle heights.) The sleek, modern dining room is all about raising Nordic cuisine to it highest level, and you can choose between à la carte offerings and three- or six-course tasting menus. There's no better way to celebrate than with one of the showy cocktails from the bar.
Sonja Henies pl. 3, Oslo, Oslo, 0185, Norway
Known For
- Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities
- Some of the best views in Oslo
- Unusual desserts like licorice macarons
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. and most of July. No lunch
