Where to eat in Oslo
Oslo eats Norwegian: fish and shrimp from the fjord, meatballs and stews from home cooking, brown cheese and cinnamon buns. The best value is at lunch and in food halls. Book dinner ahead, and expect to pay more than almost anywhere in Europe.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- Grünerløkka and Vulkan for a food hall and cafes, the center for traditional Norwegian cooking.
- Order this
- Shrimp from the harbor, kjøttkaker with gravy, and a cinnamon bun with coffee.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 11:00, dinner from 17:00. Norwegians eat early, so kitchens often close by 21:00.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner at most sit-down places. Food halls and bakeries take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Service is included. Rounding up or adding a small tip for good service is optional.
What to eat in Oslo
- RekerBoiled fjord shrimp eaten whole with bread, mayonnaise and lemon. Sold from boats at the harbor in season.
- KjøttkakerNorwegian meatballs, usually served with potatoes, gravy and lingonberry. Home cooking in restaurants.
- FårikålA slow-cooked stew of lamb and cabbage with whole peppercorns, served in autumn.
- GravlaksSalmon cured with salt, sugar and dill, served with mustard sauce and flatbread.
- BrunostBrown whey cheese with a sweet, caramel taste, shaved on bread or waffles.
- SkillingsbollerCinnamon buns from a bakery, best eaten fresh with coffee.
- VaflerHeart-shaped waffles with jam or brown cheese, served at cafes and on hikes.
Where to eat in Oslo, by neighborhood
Sentrum and Karl Johans gate
Traditional restaurants around the main street and the station. Good for Norwegian home cooking, but check prices before you sit.
Grünerløkka and Vulkan
Cafes, bars and the Mathallen food hall beside the Akerselva river. A good place to eat without a booking.
Bjørvika and the waterfront
Seafood restaurants and new places near the Opera House and the harbor.
St. Hanshaugen and Majorstuen
Neighborhood restaurants and bakeries a short tram ride from the center, with a local crowd.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Kaffistova
krkrkrNorwegian restaurant · Sentrum
OrderKjøttkaker or fårikål
A home-cooking restaurant open since 1901 near Karl Johans gate, serving raspeballer, kjøttkaker and fårikål. The kitchen closes at 21:00.
- Book
- Book online or by phone
- Closed
- Sunday
Confirmed open: bondeheimen.no
-
Fiskeriet Youngstorget
krkrkrSeafood restaurant · Youngstorget
OrderA shellfish platter
A fish restaurant and shop with a small dining room on Youngstorget, serving fresh wild fish and shellfish.
- Book
- Book online; check the opening hours
Confirmed open: fiskeriet.net
-
Smalhans
krkrkrNorwegian restaurant · St. Hanshaugen
OrderThe tasting menu
A neighborhood restaurant in the Michelin Guide, serving seasonal rustic dishes, with daily lunch specials. Open from 15:00 on weekdays and from 12:00 at weekends.
- Book
- Book through the restaurant
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
-
Tim Wendelboe
krkrCoffee bar · Grünerløkka
OrderA filter coffee
A specialty roaster with an espresso bar in Oslo, known for lightly roasted coffee. A short stop rather than a meal.
- Book
- Walk in; check the opening hours
Confirmed open: timwendelboe.no
Food markets in Oslo
- MathallenA food hall in the old Vulkan area with butchers, fishmongers, cheese stalls, bakeries and restaurants. Come for lunch or a snack.Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm, closed Monday; some restaurants stay open laterSource: mathallenoslo.no
- VippaA food hall on the waterfront near the fortress, with stalls from around the world and seats overlooking the fjord.Wednesday to Saturday from noon, Sunday noon to 8pm; the site lists two sets of hours, so check before you goSource: vippa.no
How Oslo eats
- Meal timesLunch from 11:00 and dinner from 17:00. Kitchens often close by 21:00.
- TippingService is included. A small tip for good service is optional.
- AlcoholWine, beer and spirits cost far more than in most countries. Strong alcohol is sold only in state shops, and bars are costly.
- CashCards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere. Carrying cash is rarely needed.
Signs of a place to walk past
A Karl Johans gate cafe with a picture menu and no Norwegian customers.
A harbor stall with no price shown for seafood sold by weight.
A restaurant that advertises 'traditional Norwegian food' in six languages.
Eating in Oslo: questions people ask
What food is Oslo known for?
Fjord shrimp, kjøttkaker, fårikål, cured salmon, brown cheese and cinnamon buns.
Where should I eat in Oslo?
The center for Norwegian home cooking, and Grünerløkka and Mathallen for lunch and a relaxed dinner.
Is food expensive in Oslo?
Yes. Lunch and food halls are the best value. Dinner with drinks is among the dearest in Europe.
Do I need to book in Oslo?
For dinner at sit-down places, yes. Food halls, bakeries and coffee bars take walk-ins.
What is brunost?
A sweet brown cheese made from whey, sliced thin and eaten on bread or waffles.