Dates in Oslo

A true local neighborhood gem and Italian treasure in Adamstuen. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, perfect for getting lost in plates of pasta and bruschetta with a lovely glass of wine. The tables are dressed with classic red and white checkered cloths, and there’s a small and charming outdoor seating area during summer. All day long they serve bruschetta, antipasti, focaccia, aged cheeses and a daily dessert. From 4PM a separate dinner menu kicks in, and on weekends they also offer a special lunch menu.

Looking for flavorful Italian food, great wine and a cozy atmosphere? Then you should check out this restaurant in Fredensborg. When it comes to authentic Italian dining experiences in Oslo, few places can match the charm and bold flavors this little gem has to offer. You’ll find pasta dishes, cured meats and more on the menu. The walls are covered with photos in all kinds of colors and shapes, and there are just a few tightly spaced tables that add to the intimate feel.

Step into this little hidden gem tucked away at Alexander Kiellands plass. Behind an unassuming door on the second floor of Tranen, you’ll find a space that serves high quality food and drink in romantic surroundings. From the ceiling hang large and small lampshades casting a warm glow over the deep red wallpapered walls. The menu changes weekly and with the seasons, and you’ll find an impressive selection of luxurious and delicious wines.

Right after our first visit, we fell in love with this place, and it’s become a local favorite for many in the city. The spot has a retro vibe, and the backyard feels urban and cozy – which we absolutely love. When they also host live music from time to time, the experience feels complete! Inside, it’s bright and airy thanks to a “hole” in the ceiling leading up to the second floor, plus plenty of windows letting in natural light. Wine and music are clearly Becco’s great passions. With a wide selection of drinks and talented staff behind the bar, we think most people will find something they love here.

This Italian cocktail bar is inspired by the Italian aperitivo tradition, and it’s a popular classic down at the bottom of Grünerløkka. Expect a relaxed, informal and cozy vibe, with beautiful interiors that give off a 60s feel. There are plenty of tables for two, making it one of our top picks for first date spots in Oslo thanks to its charming atmosphere.

At the bottom of Ankerbrua in Løkka, you can get a taste of France in elegant surroundings. Inspired by the timeless bistros of Paris, it’s relaxed yet all about quality. The menu draws from classic French cuisine, built around great ingredients and traditional dishes. When it comes to drinks, there’s something for every occasion, including a selection of exciting natural wines from small scale producers.

In Tøyen, you’ll find a lush green oasis rich with plant diversity and history. This is Norway’s oldest botanical garden, established in 1814, and it’s truly beautiful. Spanning 150 acres (about 1,000 square meters), it is home to around 4,500 different species spread across themed areas including the herb garden, Scandinavian flora, tropical rainforests, and alpine mountain landscapes. You can stroll along quiet streams, step inside historic greenhouses filled with tropical plants and giant water lilies, or relax on the lawns for a peaceful picnic with friends. This spot is a popular hangout among local Oslo residents.

This is a cozy little retro wine bar filled with green plants and industrial charm. They offer carefully curated French natural wines from the Loire and other regions, as well as classic cocktails like Daiquiri and Negroni. The snacks here are excellent too, with options like large green olives from Sicily, walnuts, chips served with sour cream and jalapeño dip, cheeses like Brillat-Savarin, and shrimp rolls with shrimp, crayfish tails and pickled jalapeños. Delicious! The relaxed atmosphere is perfectly complemented by music that swings between soft techno and funk, just right for casual conversation.

What began as a small garage wine bar in a former workshop has grown into one of the city’s coziest French bistros. Charming! The space is tight and the tables are close, but that only adds to the intimate feeling and open kitchen. Even though the menu is small, it is both varied and carefully curated. Last time we visited, the selection included delicacies like fresh oysters, escargots, halibut, and grilled monkfish. The starter “Leeks Vinaigrette & Walnuts” comes highly recommended and was absolutely delicious. The wine list is compact but clever, and perfectly complements the kitchen. PS! Ever since the Norwegian influencers Vita and Wanda visited and stirred up quite a bit of bad PR for themselves, getting a table here has become a little trickier.

One of our favorites on Løkka! At this neighborhood restaurant, we always have a great time and the conversation flows as naturally as the wine. It’s all about quality ingredients and reasonable prices. The small plates draw inspiration from around the world, featuring everything from mussels with coriander, ginger and chili (perfect for summer) to steak with chimichurri, fish and tartare. You’ll find sparkling, red, white and natural wines at very friendly prices, with a curated selection that’s surprisingly good for the price. The interior showcases wooden furniture, vinyl records and soft lighting.

Tucked away below street level, you will find this cosy Japanese gem with a warm red glow, paper lanterns, and vintage film posters. The menu features Japanese small plates like edamame with sea salt, shiitake mushrooms in ponzu and butter, pork and cabbage gyoza, or warm mazemen noodles with a poached egg. Dishes are sent out as they are ready, just as it should be at a true izakaya. It feels a bit like a hidden watering hole, with shelves lined with sake bottles and low conversations drifting over the bar. Behind the bar, you will also find cocktails, a small selection of natural wines, and Japanese bottled beers. Walk-ins only, so get here early if you can!

A kilo of steak and shared delight in Grünerløkka!? Here you’ll find a warm and laid-back wine and food bar serving plenty of treats, including French-style pizza, Västerbotten cheese with roe and bone marrow tartare. If you really want to go all out, we highly recommend their entrecôte! For steak lovers, this is a seriously great dining experience with a whole kilo of meat from Galicia, Spain. It’s served on the bone with delicious chimichurri, aioli and crispy fries. It’s a bit pricey but perfect for sharing! The interior blends historic stucco with dark walls, concrete floors, vintage records and green plants. It creates a warm and hip vibe and is definitely a spot we’ve always loved! The weekend brunch is also absolutely worth checking out.

This popular restaurant and wine bar is tucked away in a courtyard off Universitetsgata, surrounded by glass, concrete and futuristic lighting. But step inside and you’ll find a much cozier and more relaxed vibe. The space feels open, with the kitchen at the heart of it all. They run a full day concept with lunch, dinner and a lively wine bar. Prices are moderate, but the quality is top notch and easily on par with similar spots. The crowd is a fun mix of the city’s trendsetters, folks in hiking gear and men in suits.

At the bottom of Hegdehaugsveien, you’ll find this vibrant wine bar, cocktail bar and restaurant. An urban favorite spread over three floors, offering great flavors, wine and atmosphere. Here you can enjoy a relatively affordable and casual menu featuring dishes like mussels, sirloin, cheeses, oysters, bread and sharing plates. The space is bright, well designed and filled with happy people as the vibe livens up into the evening.

Oslo’s oldest and most romantic restaurant? Tucked away in a cellar in Fredensborg, surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles, you’re guaranteed a truly unique atmosphere. The vibe is full of warmth and elegance, which naturally makes it incredibly romantic. The food is great too, and you can choose between two set menus, one of which is vegetarian. We’d say this place is especially magical during autumn and winter.

Between St. Hanshaugen and Bislett, you’ll find this neighborhood bistro boasting a wine list of over 800 varieties and a vibe of casual elegance. The menu is seasonal, featuring dishes like oysters, pasta and flavorful fish. The space is characterized by intimate tables, dark green walls, checkered floor tiles and bookshelves reminiscent of a classic colonial shop.

Here you step into a charming backyard in Frogner, the perfect place to sit and relax during summer. With a rustic yet modern interior and a cozy, laidback atmosphere, it feels like entering a hidden oasis. It leans toward the higher end price wise, but the food is full of flavor and made with locally sourced, organic and seasonal ingredients. Whether you're after a tasty weekday lunch, a weekend brunch or a lovely dinner in an intimate setting, this spot delivers.

This is a true wine gem in Torshov – a tiny hole in the wall with only 23 seats spread across 30 square meters. Inside, between tall bar stools, dark concrete walls and candlelight, a relaxed atmosphere awaits. With its raw and industrial style, it stands out from the rest of the city’s wine bars. It’s a charming little spot, perfect for enjoying a beautiful glass of wine in ultra thin Zalto glasses and experiencing a wine bar that’s just a little different.

A small neighbourhood restaurant with a big personality on Torshov! Inside, you’ll find just six tables, six bar stools, and a seasonal set menu that changes often based on Norwegian ingredients. Their philosophy is down-to-earth and fully committed to sustainability, with their own vegetable garden, local ingredients, near zero food waste, and even surplus egg whites donated to a nearby cocktail bar. The kitchen is tiny and does very few allergy adjustments. This is also the team behind Lasarett, close by, and one of our absolute favourite wine spots in Oslo. The wine list here is both clever and exciting, and they’re approved by Star Wine List, listed as a ‘White Star’. The whole experience may be small in size, but it’s big on flavour! In summertime, they also serve a simpler menu with small plates and drinks out on the pavement.

If you know your way around Oslo, chances are you’ve already heard of this place. This bar at Teaterplassen by Grønland Torg is a true classic among the city’s urban backyards! With a calm and relaxed vibe, cozy seating areas, and the option to bring your own food, it’s easy to feel at home here. The outdoor area is lush with greenery, featuring large plants and trees along the walls. When the evening sets in or the weather cools down, the atmosphere stays just as inviting thanks to hanging lanterns, heat lamps, and available cushions and blankets. Indoors, large sofas, long tables, green plants, and bookshelves create a cozy industrial vibe. The drink selection is solid and reasonably priced, offering everything from various coffees to cocktails, beer, and wine. It’s right in the city center near Grønland Torg, yet still feels a bit hidden.

At Osloslo, you’ll get five new dishes every month, with the interior designed to match the ‘ingredient of the month’ and a unique location to match. They describe themselves as “a proper little bistro at Youngstorget,” and they absolutely are – a very cozy one with great food too! In the summer, the small outdoor seating facing Youngstorget is simply lovely.

The perfect spot for a romantic evening! With red checkered tablecloths, string lights overhead and walls adorned with nostalgic details, it feels just like a cozy little bistro in Paris. The menu is full of French delicacies, with cheese as the star in most dishes. The atmosphere is intimate, with only a few closely spaced tables, so booking well in advance is usually a must.

Hidden “in plain sight” in the backyard of Nedre Foss Gård by Akerselva, you’ll find Grünerløkka’s very own wine gem. They offer an impressive selection, many available by the glass. The space is thoughtfully designed and atmospheric, with soft lighting. You’re literally surrounded by wine here, with glass cabinets filled with bottles lining every wall. In summer, you can enjoy your wine outside in the backyard (one of the best in the city) and when the cold sets in, the crackling fireplace makes the perfect companion.

There are very few true Lebanese dining experiences in Oslo, and this place lets you enjoy Middle Eastern flavors, beautiful meze, an open kitchen and elegant surroundings all in one. The space is decorated with gold accents, dark wood and a touch of sparkle on the walls – seriously stylish. You can expect bold flavors, generous portions and a stunning setting. Here, the caviar is suddenly vegetarian and the dessert comes smoked, so get ready for a few surprises.

A neighborhood bar in Bislett with great food and a laidback vibe. The dishes are made with Norwegian ingredients and change with the seasons. Both the menu and portions are on the smaller side, but they complement each other well and the prices are quite reasonable considering the quality. The space is stylish and warm, with a relaxed and down to earth atmosphere.

Grünerløkka’s perhaps liveliest food bar, serving up seasonal small plates with a cool bar vibe! You absolutely have to try their famous cheddar and jalapeño toast. They have quite a reputation for this! From the lunch menu, the Vitello Tonnato is a great pick, featuring thinly sliced veal, tuna mayonnaise, salad, parmesan, and toasted bread. Lunch is served until 3:30 pm daily and until 5 pm on Sundays. The evening menu offers dishes like tagliatelle with lobster, tartare, and ling (fish). Oyster lovers will also find options at friendly prices. The wine list focuses mainly on organic and natural wines. We keep coming back because of the laid-back yet elegant feel, paired with an energetic atmosphere. It’s especially popular in the summer when the sunny outdoor seating really shines!

Michelin restaurant, bakery and a solid lunch spot all in one! This place has a cozy vibe with minimalist interiors inspired by British cuisine. The lunch menu features everything from eggs and salads to sourdough bread with delicious whipped butter and a variety of small dishes. Most of the baked goods are made with sourdough. Expect an aesthetically cool spot with high quality in everything they serve, and a genuinely pleasant place to hang out!

The charming little wine bar is called Vinkassen, and that’s exactly what you’ll find inside – a big box filled with bottles available by the glass. After ten years working as chefs, two young Danes decided to open a local wine bar in Bislett, Oslo. Tired of all the cheese platters being served at the city’s wine bars, they wanted to create a spot with both great wine and proper food on the menu. Here you’ll always find a solid and varied selection by the glass, along with a food menu full of tempting small plates inspired by Italian, Spanish and French flavors.

Middle Eastern meze right in the heart of Grünerløkka! With colorful dips, heavenly hummus, warm fluffy bread, flavorful halloumi and delicious falafel, this beautiful restaurant has everything you could wish for. Inspired by the rich meze culture, they serve small, tasty dishes perfect for sharing. What makes Zarathustra Meyhane stand out is how they honor the traditions behind meze while adding their own creative twist.