Where to Eat in Oslo Discover the Best Restaurants in Norway's Capital

Oslo is the capital of Norway and home to the greatest selection of restaurants in the country. The success and spread of the New Nordic cuisine, combined with chefs gathering inspiration from all over the world, has led to a revolution of the Oslo food scene. Unlike the other Scandinavian capitals, the city is more about affordable and accessible places, and less about fine dining and white tablecloths (there are exceptions; see Maaemo and À L’aise). Sustainability is another big focus area for many restaurants. Oslo is also Scandinavia’s coffee mecca, much due to the influence of pioneers like Tim Wendelboe.

In this city map, we have gathered all our favorite spots to create the best restaurant guide to Oslo. You will find coffee shops, wine and cocktail bars, bakeries, fine dining restaurants, and casual eateries. Navigate the map easily either by scrolling through the list on the right or by clicking the points on the map. Places are listed in geographical order.

If there is one restaurant that has put Oslo on the culinary map of the world, it's Maaemo. It took a Dane to re-interpret the Norwegian food traditions in a modern way. Chef Esben Holmboe Bang's cooking is rooted in the New Nordic philosophy, but his style is completely his own. Norway's first three Michelin-starred restaurant should be a mandatory experience for both local foodies and destination diners alike. Some signature dishes include Norwegian langoustine, "rømmegrøt" (sour cream porridge) with reindeer heart shavings, and brown butter ice cream. In 2020, Maaemo moved to a brand new location, further affirming its status as the epitome of fine dining in Oslo.

Varemottaket is a collaborative venture between chefs Halaigh Whelan-McManus and Peder Støylen and Annis Pølsemakeri, Oslo's best butcher shop. The restaurant is somewhat of a hidden gem in the Oslobukta neighborhood; the discreet back-alley entrance leads to an intimate space with very limited seats, and a counter overlooking the open kitchen. Specializing in top-quality meat from the butcher shop, the restaurant offers a set tasting menu featuring open-fire cooking on a fancy Australian grill. The menu showcases a balance of meat, Norwegian seafood, and seasonal vegetables. Varemottaket delivers an extremely fun and ridiculously delicious dining experience, offering exceptional value for a tasting menu in Oslo.

Betong just might be Oslo's best value-for-money tasting menu. Chef Jonathan Hagen’s aim is to make fine dining accessible to all. From teens in sweatpants to men in suits, Hagen wants everyone to break bread together in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The set menu changes frequently, with punchy flavors and a lot of spice. Don’t leave without adding on the signature "world-famous cold curry" – this aromatic, Thai-inspired dish was a standout of the meal. The diverse wine list has something for everyone, offering everything from Krug to natty favorites like La Sorga and Tschida.

Lutlaget is a brasserie, bakery, wine bar, and pizza restaurant from Lofthus Samvirkelag and Åpent Bakeri. Why should you visit? The pastries! Lutlaget is the best bakery in Oslo, offering classic pastries like perfectly laminated croissants, pain au chocolat, cheesy sausage rolls, fluffy cardamom buns, and sticky cinnamon rolls, as well as seasonal specials like lussekatter, gingerbread, and our favorite, a pumpkin whiskey pastry.

When Koie Ramen first opened up near Torggata, they drew long lines of hungry people. Koie was Oslo’s first “real” ramen shop – the first to proudly make their own broth and noodles from scratch. With a second location in Oslobukta, the menu now includes mazemen (a brothless noodle bowl) and tantanmen, in addition to their standard selection of shio, shoyu, miso, and tonkotsu ramen. Whatever you do, don't miss their crispy chicken karaage.

Madonna is a casual restaurant from the team that formerly ran the fine dining restaurant Einer. The à la carte menu features creative and playful dishes like fermented potato churros with a leek, løyrom, and lobster dip, and a mille feuille made with leeks and kohlrabi. We loved the Norwegian beef tartare with grilled cabbage, almond cream, dried apricots, and gooseberries, as well as the open-faced beet sandwich with gruyere, blue cheese, jalapeños, and crispy fries.

Vaaghals was one of the first restaurants to open in the Barcode area many years ago, serving modern variations of rustic Norwegian classics. The concept is family-style with food served on wooden boards in the middle of the table for sharing. The menu changes seasonally but always starts with house-made charcuterie and bread, and may continue with dishes like celeriac pasta with butter sauce and "løyrom" (vendace roe), and slices of entrecôte with potatoes and demi-glace sauce.

The former owners of Brutus opened a pizzeria and natural cidery inside an old car wash in the Gamlebyen neighborhood of Oslo. By day, Fredrik Husa and the Mold Sider team make cider, and by night they pack everything away and open the restaurant. But guests will be reminded that they’re dining inside a fermentation station by the bubbling sounds of the cider in the vats and the smell of yeast in the air. ZZ makes a unique style of pizza based around long fermentation, which results in a flavorful dough that has a good mix of crunch and fluffiness. Be sure to try the signature French onion soup pizza!

Maaltid is the second restaurant from the team behind Skaal Matbar, located in Tøyen. It’s their take on a neighborhood bistro, with familiar, French-inspired dishes served with a Norwegian twist. Their beef tartare comes atop a cylinder of potatoes, with an egg yolk on top and crispy fried shallots on the side. Their classic steak au poivre is juicy, peppery perfection. Don’t leave without ordering the gnocchi Parisienne, fluffy, light-as-air pastry potato pillows, served swimming in shallots and sage. Like at Skaal, you can trust Fridtjof with the wines – he’ll be sure to keep the good juices flowing.

Svanen is our favorite cocktail bar in Oslo. Owner Yunus Yildiz was previously the general manager of Himkok before opening “The Swan” in the old pharmacy building, Svaneapoteket. The venue dates back to 1896, and beautiful interior details in mahogany wood and marble are still intact, giving the bar a classy, old-school vibe. Super friendly staff in matching white uniforms shake drinks in front of you while fun oldies blast over the speakers. They excel at classic cocktails here – their Mai Tai is one of the best we’ve had. We also love their play on a Ramos Gin Fizz, the “Banana Milkshake,” with gin, rum, marsala, banana, pandan, honey, cream, egg white, soda, and shaved chocolate. Downstairs is their newly opened bar, Den Grimme Ælling (“The Ugly Duckling”), which uses the waste ingredients and leftovers from the bar upstairs.

Savage is an Oslo fine dining hotspot from executive chef Andrea Selvaggini (formerly of Maaemo, Einer), located inside the hotel Revier in Kvadraturen. The venue is absolutely stunning, with neutral tones and a sleek design, and pops of color from vibrant artwork and lush plants. The ambitious team here is aiming for the stars with their multi-course tasting menu, which features seasonal ingredients in creative dishes. Savage opened at a very strong level, and we are excited to watch the progression of this talented team.

Entering the glass box and descending the staircase feels a bit like stepping through the looking glass – but the most daring diners will be rewarded with the culinary wonderland that awaits below. The secret, subterranean Substans is the latest fine dining venture from chef Håkan Wiik. Fans of his cooking will recognize familiar elements on the tasting menu, such as sushi, luxurious lompe, and katsu sandos, though the offerings shift with the seasons, allowing for fresh discoveries on each visit. With top-quality Norwegian produce and expert execution, this is, without a doubt, Wiik’s most elevated endeavor yet.

Stranden 30 is a restaurant from chef Atli Már Yngvason, located in Aker Brygge. The venue is massive, with an outdoor terrace, a spacious dining room with fjord views, a rooftop terrace, and Vågen (“Atli’s playground”), where a set tasting menu is served from an open kitchen. If you’ve had Atli’s food before, you can expect many of the same bold flavors here – with dishes like seafood-topped tostadas, scallops in Thai curry sauce, and grilled Norwegian langoustines swimming in tarragon and garlic butter. But don’t expect a formal fine dining experience – this place is high-volume, with a bumping playlist and a buzzy, party vibe.

Many of the best chefs in the city have started their careers at this institution. Don't let the white tablecloths fool you – the food is fine dining-level, but the service is informal, and, sometimes, cheekily rude. The cramped dining room only gets louder as the waiters generously pour glass after glass of wine. The tasting menu features luxurious snacks, dishes topped with caviar and truffles, and puff pastry-wrapped proteins doused with decadent sauces. Our favorite dish was a lobster thermidor with Comte, Piment d’Espelette, and lemon – it just might be the best lobster dish we’ve ever had. As hit after hit arrived at our table and we licked our plates clean, we wondered why Palace Grill doesn’t have a Michelin star.

Punk Royale is a dining experience like no other. This restaurant is the epitome of high brow / low brow: “punk” defines the atmosphere, and “royale” defines the food. It’s not fine dining – it’s fun dining – with all the luxury ingredients you’d expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant, set in a completely inappropriate environment. Expect strobe lights, fog machines, vodka shots, a copious amount of caviar, and possibly some nudity. (Leave the kids at home!) In contrast to the rock-and-roll vibe, the menu showcases some of the world’s most luxurious ingredients. Prepare to be spoon-fed lobster by the chef and eat a scoop of caviar straight from your hand, paired with a vodka shot.

When the street food cravings hit, head to Corral’s Tacos. Norway’s best tacos were first served from a food truck in Grønland, but now Corral’s has moved to a brick-and-mortar location in Solli. The menu is simple, with just one type of taco available, but the authentic flavors instantly brought us back to Mexico. The beef birria tacos come in a double corn tortilla shell, with optional additions like onions, lime crema, cheese, cilantro, and salsa. For the full experience, add a side of consommé to dip your tacos. We recommend four tacos per person – don’t worry, they’re small!

Vinoteket is a wine bar and restaurant that serves a modern take on Neapolitan pizza, the fluffy cornichon-style of pizza that was made famous by Franco Pepe. The sourdough is soft and stretchy, with a thick, airy crust. In addition to the classic flavors, Vinoteket also has Nordic-inspired pizzas – one with Norwegian scallops, sabayonne sauce, and truffle, another with løyrom, crème fraîche, and dill. Try the pizza tasting menu to taste a bigger selection!

Eero is a fine dining restaurant on the rooftop of the former American embassy in Oslo. There’s a bar section with snacks, as well as a full tasting menu in the dining room. The menu revolves around a large wood-fired oven. We loved the hot and fluffy sourdough flatbread, brushed with beef fat and served with “Gentleman’s relish” – whipped anchovy butter with dry-aged bone marrow. Another standout was a Norwegian scallop served with a buttery sauce of chestnut, chicken stock, fermented Kampot pepper, and fennel. But our absolute favorite dish of the night was the dry-aged wild turbot, served on the bone with a French butter sauce made from Chartreuse, Champagne, and herbs. The fish came with a truffle-topped beef fat potato cake – this dish alone was worth the visit.

Oslo's best sandwich shop is a bit of a hidden gem – there is no storefront, and all orders are placed online. There are only three sandwiches on the menu, and we loved all of them. The porchetta features a textural contrast of crispy pork skin and fatty meat, served with rosemary mayo, fennel salad, and pickled lemons on a fluffy brioche bun. In the spicy meatball sub, juicy meatballs are slathered with a tangy habanero marinara sauce and blanketed in melted mozzarella and served on a pecorino-infused brioche sub. The chicken confit sandwich gives leftover Thanksgiving sandwich vibes with red cabbage, pickles, and tarragon mayo. Don't leave without getting the brown butter & Valrhona chocolate chip cookie – it might just be the best cookie in Oslo.

Katla serves some of the most flavorful and interesting dishes you'll find on a restaurant menu in Oslo. An open fire is the beating heart of the restaurant, where Nordic ingredients meet Japanese and Mexican techniques. Must-orders (if available): chicken karaage, steam buns, lamb kebab, tostadas with guacamole, and a round of yuzu margaritas. Still thirsty? Check out our guide: where to drink natural wine in Oslo.

Kafeteria August is a casual restaurant and wine bar tucked away in a charming back courtyard. The space is open all day, serving minimalistic breakfast platters, pastries, and coffee in the morning, simple vegetable dishes and small plates (like potato salad and beef tartare) alongside wine in the afternoon, and a more elaborate menu in the evening, featuring creative dishes like gochujang gnocchi or choux au craquelin filled with cheese cream.

From the swanky design, to the fun playlist, to the decadent dishes, it’s hard not to fall in love with Mon Oncle. This luxurious French bistro offers a six or nine-course tasting menu for dinner. The dishes are decadent; we loved the melt-in-your-mouth Iberico toast, the vol au vent with sweetbreads, and the Beef Wellington in a truffle sauce. Be sure to come hungry – the food is exceptionally rich and you will leave quite full!

Fuglen is a coffee bar by day and cocktail bar by night. This unique venue is worth a visit for anyone interested in vintage Scandinavian design. Most of the interior is originally from the 1950s or 1960s, and all the furniture and decorations in the café are available for purchase. Of course, they also serve some of the city's best coffee. Fuglen also has a roastery in Gamlebyen, as well as cafés in Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.

We knew Oslo was in for a treat when the dynamic duo Maciek Sulk and Anders Erlandsson opened a restaurant together, and we weren’t wrong. Panu exceeded our already sky-high expectations, instantly soaring its way into the top tier of Norwegian restaurants. The cozy space is brimming with energy and good flavors. The seven-course tasting menu showcases innovative dishes like a squid "pasta" in a buttery sauce, and a stellar turbot dish with a whey and mussel sauce. Not in the mood for a full menu? Drop into the bar to feast on the à la carte offerings, including dumplings and fried chicken, and stay for the party vibe with DJs performing on Fridays and Saturdays. Panu is a must-visit in Oslo.

Argentinian couple Romina Yanarello and Nico Perland started De Mi Tierra as a lockdown project, making empanadas in their home kitchen and delivering them by bike to their customers. Now, you can buy them in a shop inside Oslo Street Food. These are some of the absolute best empanadas we’ve ever had – flavors include ham and cheese, creamy corn, beef, chicken, and mushroom and cheese. For breakfast, they serve Argentinian croissants (medialunas) with a dulce de leche filling.

Arakataka has been the budget fine dining option in Oslo for over a decade. Their five-course, seasonal menu based on Nordic ingredients, is a steal. Don't miss the signature spaghetti with butter sauce and "løyrom" (vendace roe). We also love "Matbaren" (the food bar), a no reservation zone with a limited snack menu. Their wine list is mostly natural with producers like Lucy Margaux, Mother Rock, and Frank Cornelissen. Still thirsty? Check out our guide: where to drink natural wine in Oslo.

Inspired by popular London restaurants like St. John and The Laughing Heart, The Little Pickle is a relaxed restaurant with large sharing plates and small dishes. The concept is simple – focused on good, honest cooking and local, organic produce. On Sundays, they serve a roast dinner, with all of the hearty British fare you can dream of, like roasted meat, potatoes, cabbage, pickles, gravy, stuffing, and, of course, Yorkshire pudding. Stop by in the daytime for coffee, pastries, and sourdough bread plates.

Le Benjamin is a relaxed French bistro in Oslo and a popular industry hangout. This rustic eatery serves classic French dishes, using local and seasonal produce. When in season, don't miss the langoustine with garlic butter, the pigeon, or the witch flounder with spaghetti, beurre blanc, and caviar. Tarte Flambée is a classic that's always on the menu. Book early if you want a table! Bar seats are limited.

Territoriet is one of our favorite hangouts in Oslo. Let the knowledgeable sommeliers behind the bar guide your choice, whether you prefer conventional or natural wine. More than 300 wines are available by the glass, thanks to the Coravin extraction method. Our go-to wine here is the Roter Traminer Freyheit from Weingut Heinrich in Austria. Just sit back, relax, and listen to the vinyl record playing in this cozy, elegant space. Still thirsty? Check out our guide: where to drink natural wine in Oslo.

In the old venue of the iconic Oslo eatery Pjoltergeist, you'll now find restaurant Hyde. Don't be fooled by the casual, low-key setting, or the loud music – Matthew North's food will surprise you. His style of cooking draws on several cuisine and involves a lot of spice, salt, fat, and umami. Hyde received a Michelin star in 2022 and has already become an industry hangout and a favorite among foodies in Oslo, just like its predecessor.

Nektar is a cozy cottage restaurant and wine bar serving tasty comfort food alongside exceptional bottles. The wine list is impressive and offers something for everyone, from the finest Champagnes to funky natty Jura gems. The signature mac and cheese lives up to the hype – it’s easily the best we’ve had outside of the States. It has two types of cheese, lots of leeks which add a glorious onion flavor, mustard for a touch of acidity, and breadcrumbs for crunch. Another must-order dish is the anchovy toast – a buttered, toasted piece of bread with salty, garlicky toppings. Other plates rotate; on our visit we enjoyed a moist chicken terrine with curry, cod with a red wine butter sauce, and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

One of our favorite bowls of ramen in the world is actually in Oslo! Hrímnir Ramen specializes in a Nordic style of ramen, opting to use local ingredients instead of more traditional Japanese produce. Kaitlin’s go-to order is the “Høne Paitan,” served with chicken breast, pickled Jerusalem artichoke, and a coffee shoyu-marinated egg, in a creamy broth. Anders loves the spicier version of this bowl, which comes with pork belly and a spicy miso-peaso-ryeso broth, and, of course, Hrímnir's signature handmade noodles.

Hot Temper serves fried chicken in playful spice levels. The heat thermometer ranges from “country” (no heat) to “Norskville” all the way to “death.” (We don’t recommend that one!) We picked the Nashville level of heat for our fried chicken sandwich (slightly hotter than "Norskville"), enjoying a nice burn without overpowering the other flavors on the sandwich from the honey slaw and the pickles. The sandwich was tender and juicy, with all the ingredients nestled in a buttery bun. A solid option for when those hot chicken cravings hit.

Jonathan Larsson started selling waffles out of his apartment window at Harald Hardrådes plass in Gamlebyen. Today, the waffle lover has his own brick and mortar shop at Olav Ryes Plass at Grünerløkka, in cooperation with the ice cream brand Ice Crime. Jonathan has a genuine wish to make the Norwegian waffle more known in the world, and you’ll find bold combinations like blue cheese and bacon, and toppings like brown cheese ice cream on the menu.

This American-style deli is a cute addition to the Grünerløkka neighborhood. Swing by for all kinds of hot, tasty sandwiches like Cubanos, Pastrami reubens, mushroom grilled cheese, and even fried chicken sandos. On the side, be sure to get an order of the fried pickles. You can also pick up other provisions in the shop, such as bottles of natural wine, loaves of Ille Brød sourdough, and bags of Tim Wendleboe coffee. In the evening, the shop becomes Løkka Bistro, with a more robust dinner menu.

Kontrast received its first Michelin star in 2016 and a second star in 2024. Swedish chef Mikael Svensson and his team deliver a solid tasting menu with New Nordic flavors and elegant-looking presentations. Highlights from our last meal included the cured quail egg, which comes served in a potato "nest," and the oxidated sunflower seed sorbet with birch sap.

Tim Wendelboe is Norway's most internationally acclaimed barista. Ever since he won the World Barista Championship in 2004 he has dominated the industry. His small and elegantly-designed coffee bar in Grünerløkka is a tourist destination for coffee lovers from all over the world. There is nowhere in town where you get a more consistent quality of coffee, from espresso-based drinks to hand brews. A summer must-try is the frozen Cappuccino Al Freddo.

Skaal Matbar is a food bar (a restaurant with a bar vibe) where you can pop by for a drink, a snack, or have a full meal. Some of the highlights on the menu include Skaal's layered potato "fries" with whipped crème fraîche and dill oil, and the grilled cheese with cheddar and jalapeños. Come thirsty – their natural wine list includes Gut Oggau, La Sorga, Gabrio Bini, and Christian Tschida. Still thirsty? Check out our guide: where to drink natural wine in Oslo.

Dumpling AS is the newest restaurant from the team that started Hitchhiker and The Golden Chimp. Don’t expect traditional dumplings here – these are modern Nordic twists on Chinese classics. For example, one crispy dumpling is filled with sour cream and løyrom. Our favorites on the menu were the Sheng Jian Bao (pan-fried dumplings filled with juicy pork meat and topped with five spice), the pan-fried green pea dumplings with XO sauce, and the Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Be sure to order a side of the layered, fried radish cakes with ginger chili sauce.

Supreme Roastworks is a go-to place to get your caffeine fix in Grünerløkka and a popular meeting spot for locals. The vibe is slightly hipster, and you can always expect great service paired with superb coffee. Ask for a cup of the daily batch brew if you're in a rush, or take a seat and enjoy a meticulously-crafted V60 hand brew.

Render Burger, a laid-back burger joint, serves our favorite burger in Oslo. The shop was opened by the Aussies behind the popular fried chicken spot, Hot Temper. Our order here is the “Oslohoma,” their take on the famous Oklahoma-style burger with griddled onions. Served on a buttery, sesame-studded bun, it comes with cheddar cheese, a good heap of onions, and a tangy “special sauce.” The edges of the burger are crispy with caramelization while still retaining a pink, beefy center.

Hot Shop was a former sex toy shop on a corner in Oslo. When a Noma alumnus decided to take over the space, he kept the cheeky name, and Hot Shop was born. Chef Jo Bøe Klakegg cooks simple Scandinavian fare – we enjoyed white asparagus in a parsley and spinach sauce, Norwegian scallops, and a milk ice cream dessert with black currants. Hot Shop received a Michelin star in 2022.

Liminal is a neighborhood gem in Torshov from chefs Oskar Andreas Høve Ørskog and Audun Blystad. They strive to be highly sustainable and use local, seasonal produce when crafting their tasting menu, including lots of ingredients from their own farm. In the winter, there are lots of fish and root vegetables on the menu, while summer is their veggie season. Our favorite dish was a pan-fried Bergen scallop served with coffee shoyu, caramelized onion purée, and fried buckwheat. Book the counter seats for the best view of the action – and a chance to ask for second helpings of ice cream.

Daegens in Lilleborg just might serve the best cardamom bun in Norway. The owner, Anta Stinnerbom, previously worked in the coffee world before he started making sourdough at home as a hobby. Stinnerbom makes all the buns by hand himself each day. He enhanced his cardamom-studded dough by adding vanilla and star anise, as well as fresh-pressed lemon juice and zest in the syrup, which add a compelling brightness. The bun is sourdough-based, so there’s a real tang, a distinct and delightful sourness to the dough. It has a lot more complexity than your average bun, and wonderful textural contrasts with a slightly crispy top and a soft fluffy bottom. In addition to the sweet bun, Daegens serves a classic sourdough BMO (“bolle med ost”), the sliced bun with butter and cheese made popular in Copenhagen. Go early to make sure they’re not sold out!

Chef Leopold Prytz Roze worked at renowned restaurants such as Credo, Noma, Kontrast, and Rest, before opening the cozy, candlelit Roze Gastro in Bislett. The affordably priced six-course tasting menu is seasonal and highlights Norwegian produce, with the option to add on extra dishes like the signature duck pie. That’s one dish that is not to be missed – an amazingly buttery pastry filled with braised duck, served in a sweet sauce made with duck jus, rum, and honey. Other highlights from our meal included Frøya scallops with baked Jerusalem artichokes, potato bread with langoustine butter, and pecan pie with brown butter ice cream and maple syrup.

St. Lars is a carnivore's paradise in Oslo. Rock and roll chefs get back to their roots, largely relying on an open fire to cook their meat-centric dishes. Must-try dishes include the horse tartare, côte de boeuf (with an unhealthy amount of béarnaise sauce), and Oslo's best cheeseburger. Don't miss out on the crispy suckling pig around Christmas time.

Smalhans is a casual neighborhood restaurant in St. Hanshaugen, and one of the first places to serve natural wine in Oslo. Go here for simple lunch dishes in the morning, the daily special in the afternoon (4pm-6pm), or the full tasting menu in the evening. You can also just drop by and grab a seat in the bar.

Grotto started as a pop-up garage wine bar before opening as a full bistro on a side street in St. Hanshaugen. The vibe feels authentically Parisian, with white tablecloth-covered tables closely crammed together, an open kitchen, chalkboard menus, and dim, moody lighting. And the food is sure to satisfy any French cravings, with classic dishes like chicken liver mousse, tartiflette (potatoes with bacon, caramelized onions, and cheese), escargot in a chartreuse sauce, and steak au poivre with buttery pommes purée on the side. Wash it all down with an excellent daiquiri (maybe Oslo’s best?) or a bottle of Champagne – both Selosse and Krug are on the impressive wine list.

Restaurant À L'aise is a French-Nordic fine dining restaurant that reintroduced a dress code, a classic interior, and luxury to Oslo. Chef Ulrik Jepsen is a master of French cooking techniques and Danish plating aesthetics. He's fearless of using butter, truffle, and foie gras, and also not afraid of flowers or stunning presentations. Try the full tasting menu, or order the canard à la presse! À L'aise received a Michelin star in 2023.