The Best Restaurants in Oslo, Norway
We ate well in Oslo. Really, genuinely well.. and we’re excited to share our top restaurants in the city with you. Norway isn’t always the first destination that springs to mind when you think of a food trip, but for a short weekend trip away, it absolutely should be. From refined tasting menus to the juiciest smash burger we’ve had in a long time, Oslo delivered!
A heads up: we were visiting over a major public holiday, Constitution Day on the 17th May, which meant a few of the places on our hit list were closed. We did manage to pop into a few of them whilst they were open, though, and can confirm they looked and smelled wonderful. We’ve included them below and hope they live up to expectations — do let us know if you get there first!
Restaurants in This Guide
Panu
Grotto
Smalhans
Fiskeriet
Pillefyken
Render Burger
Ugly Duckling
The Little Pickle
Izakaya (wine bar / late night)
ZZ Pizza Tøyen
Frognersætera Café & Restaurant
Others
Restaurants We Dined In
Panu
Panu was already on our radar as it doubles up as a listening bar, and if you know Zaeem, you’ll know he cannot walk past vinyl without investigating further. We happened to stroll past on the way to a dinner booking elsewhere, popped in for a quick pre-dinner drink, and ended up chatting to the wonderful waiter Aube and co-owner Maciek.
One, two, skip a few.. and we found ourselves booking a table for dinner the following evening (despite it being fully booked online). One glance at the menu and the warmth of the welcome made it a very easy decision.
We later discovered that the head chef has cooked at both Geranium and Alchemist in Copenhagen, and you can really tell. The food is refined, technically accomplished, and beautifully balanced. We don’t say this lightly: this was one of our favourite meals in a long time. It’s already firmly in our top five meals of 2026, and we’re still talking about it.
Set menu or à la carte. Think Asian fusion but not as you’d expect
Note: Panu cannot accommodate a fully vegan diet.
Address: St. Olavs Plass 3, 0165 Oslo
Phone: +47 40 44 65 38
Email: panu@lofthussamvirkelag.no
Opening Hours: Wed–Sat 5:30 pm–midnight (Kitchen open until 9:30 pm; open late on Fri & Sat)
Instagram | Website | Book a Table
Grotto
A restaurant with a chalkboard menu. There is a relaxed atmosphere in one dining area and a buzzy vibe in the open-plan kitchen dining room. Simple pleasures of good food and good wine. Originally a wine bar, it evolved into a cocktail and seafood bar before becoming the well-loved restaurant it is today.
We particularly enjoyed the goat’s cheese and artichoke dip and the crab pancake to start. For mains, the halibut meunière was beautifully cooked. The kind of dish that doesn’t need to show off, when it's done well like this.
Address: Hallingsgate 5, 0170 Oslo
Phone: +47 408 41 649
Opening Hours: Tue–Sun 5 pm–11:30 pm | Tue–Sat 9 pm, Sun 8 pm (Closed Monday)
Smalhans
We booked Smalhans well in advance; a wise move given the Constitution Day crowds. This is exactly the kind of neighbourhood restaurant we gravitate towards: relaxed, unpretentious, but all about what’s on the plate.
Mornings bring coffee and homemade cakes; lunch is a short, considered menu of soup and a burger; and in the evening, the kitchen steps things up with a tasting menu rooted in rustic Norwegian cooking with a nose-to-tail philosophy. It holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand (awarded in both 2024 and 2025), which tells you everything about the value on offer. Expect great produce, good beer, and natural wines.
Address: Ullevålsveien 43, 0171 Oslo
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 1 pm–11 pm | Sat & Sun 12 pm–midnight
Fiskeriet
A dedicated seafood spot with two locations, Fiskeriet has been running fish markets and bistros since 2010. All seafood is wild caught, with daily deliveries keeping things as fresh as it gets. The seafood soup is a must; a Norwegian staple done properly. We also enjoyed the fish croquettes.
If the weather plays ball, head to their Bjørvika location: the terrace overlooks the water and catches the sun beautifully.
Addresses:
Bjørvika Operagata 69b, 0194 Oslo | Tel: 99 09 33 70 | bjorvika@fiskeriet.com
Youngstorget Youngstorget 2b, 0181 Oslo | Tel: 22 42 45 40 | youngstorget@fiskeriet.com
Pillefyken
Here you’'ll find a vast wine list from an experienced Norwegian duo, with a relaxed food offering. This place was recommended to us by Maciek (co-owner of Panu). A relaxed neighbourhood spot in the East end, which only opens two days a week. The menu changes daily and features pickled veg, cheeses, sardines and a handful of hot dishes. We’d recommend only visiting here if you’re ready to relax, it’s not a place to go if you’re in a rush. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
Address: Monrads gate 1, 0577 Oslo, Norway
Opening Hours: Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (check their website: they are open for a handful of Sunday over summer)
Render Burger
Sometimes the best meals come from the most straightforward of places, and Render Burger is a perfect example. A smash-burger spot in Grünerløkka, their fresh meat is ground daily, the buns hold up, and the condiments are delicious. There are only a couple of tables inside; it’s a takeaway joint at heart but don’t let that put you off.
We had the Oslohoma Smash: a soft bun, tender and juicy meat (served medium), brilliant onions and sauce, and sharp pickles cutting through it all. Satisfaction, need we say more!
Address: Toftes Gate 19B, 0556 Oslo, Norway
Opening Hours: Daily 12 pm–9:30 pm
Ugly Duckling
A casual lunch spot with what sounds like legendary sandwiches and burgers (think duck, pork, grilled cheese) and a single dessert: a choc-chip cookie. We actually did manage to stop by as they were closing and grabbed some duck croquettes and said cookie. The burgers looked incredible, and we’re gutted we didn’t get the full experience, but we trust, from the small offerings we ordered, that the burgers will just be as good.
Address: Torggata 21b, 0183 Oslo
Phone: +47 466 63 883
Email: quack@udoslo.com
Opening Hours: Mon–Tue 11 am–3 pm | Wed–Thu 11 am–7 pm | Fri 11 am–8 pm | Sat 12 pm–8 pm | Sun 1 pm–7 pm
Restaurants We Didn’t Get To.. But You Should
These were on our list, but closed during the public holiday. We peeked in where we could, and they absolutely looked the part. We’d love to hear your verdict if you make it.
The Little Pickle
The comparison that keeps coming up for The Little Pickle is St. JOHN in London, a nose-to-tail, ingredient-led restaurant that also happens to do excellent bread. Part bakery, part restaurant, The Little Pickle serves breakfast and lunch during the day and dinner from the early evening. It looked bright, airy, and exactly our kind of place.
Addresses: Jens Bjelkes gate 9a, 0562 Oslo, Norway
Opening Hours: Breakfast/Lunch: Wed–Fri 9 am–3 pm | Sat 10 am–3 pm | Sun 10 am–2:30 pm
Dinner: Wed–Sat 5pm–9 pm | Sun 3 pm–5:30 pm (Closed Mon & Tue)
Izakaya
We walked past and it immediately caught our attention. A proper late-night spot. Expect no reservations, vinyl on the decks; with the spirit of its name fully intact: an izakaya is a Japanese-style tavern serving drinks alongside shared plates of food. The menu is worth exploring properly on their website. There’s also a second location called Knoji.
Address: St. Olavs Gate 7, 0165 Oslo
Opening Hours: Mon–Thu 5 pm–midnight | Fri & Sat 5 pm–1 am (Closed Sunday)
ZZ Pizza Tøyen
We desperately wanted to try the French onion soup pizza here, which sounds completely delicious and entirely unmissable. Google Maps had us convinced it was open during Constitution Day; it sadly was not. Consider it unfinished business.
Address: Eiriks gate 2, 0650 Oslo
Opening Hours: Daily 12 pm–9:30 pm (Sun until 8:30 pm)
Frognersætera Café & Restaurant
Worth including for the sheer setting alone. An alpine-style restaurant with a fireplace and old rustic interiors, perched atop Holmenkollen with panoramic views over Oslo and the fjord. The oldest part of the building dates back to 1891, and it’s the kind of place that earns its reputation through atmosphere as much as food. This is the spot to try Rømmegrøt (Norway’s traditional sour cream porridge), and it seems perfectly suited to a post-hike reward or a cosy winter afternoon.
Address: Holmenkollveien 200, 0791 Oslo
Cafe Seterstua Opening Hours: Mon–Sat 11 am–10 pm | Sun 11 am–9 pm
Restaurant Finstua Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 12 pm–10 pm | Sat 1 pm–10 pm | Sun 1 pm–9 pm (Sunday dinner menu served all day)
Other Spots Worth a Mention
A few more places that found their way into our trip and are worth knowing about:
SALT is a waterfront complex of pyramidal wooden structures (inspired by traditional Norwegian fish-drying racks) housing saunas, open-air fireplaces, art installations, and a street food market. The real draw is the BÅL campfire menu: Nordic tapas of lamb, reindeer sausages, vegetables, and regional Norwegian cheeses, all grilled over an open fire. We took shelter here from heavy rain on day one, ordered some surprisingly good sushi, and spent far too long watching people stagger out of the sauna and brace themselves for the cold, cold sea.
Mathallen is Oslo’s indoor food market. We’ll be honest — living in London has made us slightly particular about food markets unless they’re really showcasing local produce. We didn’t sit down to eat, but the salmon poke bowl we grabbed before our concert was excellent. That Norwegian salmon just melts in the mouth!
Oslo Street Food is an indoor food market with some outdoor seating, offering a range of global dishes. We had some really tasty birria tacos, which had the taste and smells of Mexico.
Hønse-Lovisas Hus is an old waffle house where you can sit on the terrace overlooking the river. Charming and worth a stop if you’re nearby. Have a drink, waffle (we had the strawberry sauce & cream) or a slice of cake.
And finally.. we grabbed a moose burger from a fast food truck at the harbour. It really hit the spot. However, we were so hungry and in a rush to catch the ferry that we didn’t catch the name of it (sorry!).
SALT
Mathallen
Street Food Oslo
Hønse-Lovisas Hus
Oslo Restaurant Tips
Book ahead: Oslo’s best spots fill up quickly. Smalhans, Grotto and Panu in particular are worth reserving in advance, especially at the weekends or public holidays.
Constitution Day (17th May): If you’re visiting around Norway’s national holiday, be aware that many restaurants will be closed or operating reduced hours — plan accordingly and book well in advance to avoid disappointment!
Natural wine: Oslo has a genuinely good natural wine scene.
Cashless payments: As with most of Scandinavia, card or mobile payment is the norm. Don’t rely on cash.
Oslo’s food scene is confident, creative, and full of quality produce. Whether you’re after a tasting menu, a perfect smash burger, or a traditional seafood soup, the city has it covered. Just be prepared for the prices!
Oslo Restaurant Map
How to use our maps
Click on the menu icon on the top left to see a full list of places. You’ll find our notes by clicking on each location. Click the fullscreen icon on the top right to open in Google Maps.