Grand Café
At 11am sharp, Henrik Ibsen would leave his apartment and walk to Grand Café for a lunch of herring, beer and one shot of aquavit (alcoholic drink made from potatoes and caraway liquor). His table is still here. Don’t worry, though, there’s more than herring on the menu. Take your pick from reindeer, Arctic char, and mussels and chips.
Markveien Mat & Vinhus
For cosy Norwegian dining, this lovely spot on the southern edge of Grünerløkka is hard to better. Settle in at one of the candlelit tables and tuck into hearty, traditional dishes such as lamb shank with root vegetables, green-crab soup or monkfish with roasted squash.
Hos Thea
Krone for Krone, this place, with its creative dishes such as locally caught lobster ravioli with an apple and curry sauce or duck in rosehip sauce, is arguably the best place to eat in Oslo.
What’s so refreshing about a place with such good food is that the atmosphere is totally casual, the dining room is intimate and the staff are delightfully friendly.
Punjab Tandoori
Full of the richness and flavours of the north of the subcontinent, this simple canteen-style affair serves spot-on curries that would stand out in India let alone Oslo. It’s a real neighbourhood institution for the local Asian community and Norwegians in the know, and is as authentic an Indian restaurant as you’ll get in Europe.
Ekebergrestauranten
Restaurant and banquet facilities in a historic functionalist-style building with stunning views of the city and the fjord. The à la carte restaurant on the ground floor serves seasonal menu made from fresh ingredients. There is also a chambre séparée with room for 12 guests and a mezzanine with seating for 30. On the second floor there is a banquet hall with room for 170 people for dinner and two rooms suitable for smaller events. The terrace in front of the house has 300 chairs and an outdoor kitchen with a wood-fired oven. The kitchen closes at 11 pm on Monday-Saturday and 9 pm on Sunday.
Festningen Restaurant
Elegant brasserie at Akershus Fortress with views of City Hall Square and Aker Brygge. Festningen Restaurant offers à la carte and multi-course menus for lunch and dinner. The dishes are made of unique, seasonal ingredients from various parts of Norway. Here you can pop in for a quick lunch or enjoy a long dinner with excellent wines. Outdoor serving area open for lunch all summer. Outdoor bar with views of the Oslo Fjord. Banquet facilities with room for approx. 50 persons. Chambre séparée with room for 12 guests. The restaurant can be reached by following Myntgata from the police horse stables along the fortress walls. Taxis can drive right up to the restaurant along the fortress walls. The main restaurant is closed for summer holidays between early July and early August.
Skur 33
Italian seafood restaurant by the harbour, overlooking the Oslo Fjord. The menu at Skur 33 (“Shed 33”) is varied, but fish and shellfish are key elements in most of the dishes. The restaurant has a large Italian fish grill for grilling whole fish and shellfish, but also serves pizza, meat dishes and homemade ice cream. The bread and pizza are baked on site, and there is a wine bar with a great selection of Italian wines. Private dining facilities available.
