Great outdoor seating in Oslo

Mamma Mia! At Lilleborg Torg, under umbrellas and lemon-patterned tablecloths, you’ll find this Greek Mediterranean oasis. Before you know it, you’ll have your own spread of calamari, shrimp croquettes, tzatziki, Greek salad and spanakopita in front of you. Here, you can enjoy fresh Mediterranean food, Danish pastries, Greek wines, local ice cream or an orange-flavored iced coffee. As daylight fades to evening, the café transforms into a neighborhood bar with local beers, creative cocktails and small events like quizzes, music and standup.

This charming café is tucked away right in the heart of Frogner Park. The perfect spot for a cozy coffee date. Housed in a beautiful old white wooden building, it offers a warm, peaceful atmosphere and a lovely little break from the city buzz. They serve brunch, both hot and cold lunch dishes, fresh baked goods, and even beer and wine. On sunny days, it can get pretty busy. The outdoor seating is super charming, so don’t be surprised if there’s a line out the door on weekends. Looking for something a bit more private? Grab your coffee to-go and enjoy a stroll through the park. Just as lovely!

A little hidden behind a charming facade, one of Grünerløkka’s best surprises awaits! Check out the omakase menu with 10 courses and a matching drink package—many consider this one of the city’s top dining experiences. The outdoor seating is very charming during the summer months, while indoors you’ll find a cozy atmosphere with dark wood and velvet. You’ll be seated close enough to feel the buzz from the neighboring tables. A perfect spot to visit before or after a stroll along Akerselva!

Tucked into one of the city’s oldest buildings, you’ll discover this charming café, pub, and restaurant. All housed in an original wooden building on Grønland that dates back to 1730! Inside, they dish up classic Norwegian home-cooked favorites like pickled herring, meatballs, and fresh trout. Step outside into the spacious courtyard, where long communal tables, twinkling lanterns, and lush greenery create a warm, inviting atmosphere. And indoors? Think rustic décor and worn wooden floors that perfectly balance urban cool with historic charm. It’s the ideal spot to grab a beer on a sunny day!

This hidden little Japanese cocktail bar at St. Olavs plass has genuine urban charm. The spot gives off a real neighborhood vibe, nestled in a classic Oslo courtyard between yellow buildings. The courtyard, together with Happolati, is open from May to October and is absolutely fantastic during the summer months! Here, you can enjoy summer drinks or something else tasty in your glass, surrounded by cobblestones and Japanese lanterns under the open sky. Feeling hungry? Happolati has fired up the grill, serving up some seriously good food. You simply have to try the grilled lobster, Happo Sandwich, or their Udon Noodles. Yum! And if you’re an oyster lover, you’re in luck, there are oysters here too.

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.

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.

[Temporarily closed due to fire] Here you’ll find one of the city’s coziest outdoor seating areas, nestled under large green trees that offer a refreshing shade on hot summer days. It’s easy to forget you’re right in the middle of Bogstadveien, which is why they’ve fittingly named this spot “FYR Park.”

The former lighthouse building sits in one of the city’s green pockets, Kubaparken. And yes, it really did serve as a lighthouse back in the day. The café opened in the early 2000s. The terracotta colored building glows in the evening sun during summer, and blends beautifully with the colors of nature in the autumn months. The outdoor seating area has become a popular gathering spot, and when night falls, string lights above the tables make it extra cozy. This is a laidback and welcoming place to visit all year round.

A little summer paradise out in the fjord, offering one of the city’s best combos of sea views, simple seafood and relaxed island vibes. The spot is housed in a red-painted building with large windows, and the outdoor seating stretches along the water with room for over 200 guests. Perfect for sunny days! The menu has a bit of everything, but naturally focuses on seafood like mussels and shrimp. One of our favorite summer traditions is to take a trip here!

Hammerhai made a stylish debut in 2022, and since then we’ve kept coming back, again and again. Terracotta, mosaic and velour welcome you into a playful, art-filled space where sea air meets soft background music. The stunning interior, bursting with color and unique aesthetics, really makes this place stand out among the many bars and cafés in the capital. In the mornings, it’s the perfect spot for coffee, light bites and a bit of remote work vibe. When evening rolls around, the menu shifts to cocktails, wine, beer and snacks. Alongside the distinctive interior, they offer a vibrant and sunny outdoor seating area. This fills up quickly during the summer months. Tip! Try the ‘Slush Sour’ with pear.

On a walk along the Akerselva river, it’s hard not to be charmed by Hønse-Lovisas hus. In Sagene, right where Biermannsgate meets Thorvald Meyers gate, sits a small red house filled with history. A visit here pretty much calls for a waffle. Outside you’ll find a sweet and one of a kind seating area right by the waterfall, making this spot especially idyllic during the summer months. Along with a bit of food, they also offer a selection of cakes and sweet treats to go with your coffee.

In Adamstuen, a bit away from the noisy city center but still close by, you’ll find the neighborhood bar and restaurant Jubel. When the sun finally shows up, they open their rooftop terrace, which feels almost like discovering a secret garden above the city. It’s a relaxed and cozy oasis with garden furniture, lush surroundings, a warm atmosphere and just the right amount of view to remind you you’re still in Oslo.

In the Gamle Oslo district, you’ll find this cultural hub offering a lovely mix of café by day and bar by night. You can soak up the relaxed atmosphere right by the Alna river. Choose from a wide selection of coffee, fresh baked goods, grilled cheese, snacks, cold drinks, beer, wine and cocktails. Its location right next to Svartdalsparken makes it easy to combine your visit with a nice walk in the area. There’s a year round sauna here and in the summer the outdoor seating is unlike anywhere else in Oslo.

Are you vegetarian, vegan or just looking for a healthy and tasty meal? Then this Japan-inspired café is just the place for you! It’s a plant based eatery, juice bar and café serving breakfast, brunch and lunch all day long. All the food is made from organic, local ingredients, free from additives, chemicals and refined sugar. The interior and aesthetic are inspired by Japan – bright, airy and minimalist with white walls and light wood.

Art, coffee and something good in your glass right next to the Royal Palace Park! Juret Bar has moved into Kunstnernes Hus, bringing new life to the foyer and the terrace. The result is a mix of bar and café that fits very well in this iconic functionalist building. Behind the concept is the team who started Oslo’s smallest jazz bar, and after three years with over 300 concerts, they have become an important stage for young jazz musicians. Now they bring that experience into Kunstnernes Hus, where you can expect both a laid-back atmosphere and a mix of good drinks and music. If you feel like a bite, they serve pizza, bread with different toppings, sardines and anchovies, and some baked goods from Mjøl. A bonus is their “jazzpils” every day until 9 pm, with beer at a very friendly price!

Summer bliss! Just outside Bygdøy you’ll find a true hidden gem. This seaside restaurant sits on a small island, so you’ll need to hop on their taxi boat to reach this idyllic summer escape. Luckily, it doesn’t cost much, and once you arrive at the outdoor seating, you’re surrounded by the sea, lilacs and the delicious scent of the grill. You pretty much have to go for oysters, mussels, shrimp or their impressive seafood platter. Enjoy!

Calm, green, and perfect for when summer rolls into Oslo! Nestled in lush surroundings at Storo, you’ll find a bright and cozy restaurant in a beautiful old farmhouse. Here you can enjoy dishes like pasta, pizza, or the weekly lunch special in a peaceful setting filled with birdsong and soft summer light all around you. The drink selection is broad, from beer and wine to gin and tonic. Inside, the old farmhouse is painted in a lovely palette of olive green walls with brown and white accents. A modern touch with a hint of the history embedded in the walls.

At Lillo Gård, in the northern part of Sagene, you’ll find this charming and historic courtyard with a sunny outdoor seating area. Surrounded by green grass and birdsong, yet still relatively central in the city. Lunch might be a simple burger or pasta, while evenings feature three- or four-course menus. Indoors, the old manor house is painted in a beautiful palette of olive green walls, brown and white details, along with a pink bar. The interior blends a modern touch with hints of the history held within the walls. Bookshelves fill the wide walls, delicate rattan chairs and round white leather sofas complete the look. It’s a truly unique and cool style, but mostly, we keep coming back for the outdoor seating!

Right by Vulkan you’ll find this beautiful historic area. The outdoor seating is tucked away in the backyard, creating an elegant and intimate atmosphere. There aren’t many seats—about 30—so when the sun is out it fills up quickly. In the same backyard, you’ll also find one of the city’s best wine bars, Radegast. The perfect spot to wrap up a lovely evening with a date or good friends.

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.

Right behind the castle stands Oslo’s oldest wooden villa, featuring a lovely outdoor seating area filled with fragrant lilacs and enclosed by a quaint white picket fence. It’s simply a very charming spot in the summer and easily ranks among the top five in the city for outdoor dining experiences.

Tucked away on a quiet side street in Sagene, you’ll find this hidden garden café. It’s located in an old house from 1855 that has been home to seven generations over the years. The authentic atmosphere and historic charm add something truly special to the place. Every Sunday they open the doors to the backyard and serve homemade sveler fresh off the griddle. Inside the café there are just a few cozy seats, but out in the garden you’ll find sun loungers, benches and seating areas where you can soak up the sun surrounded by lush greenery. Fresh sveler and a relaxed vibe are guaranteed here.

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.

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!

This bar and pizza restaurant is easily one of the most popular spots in Frogner and definitely worth the visit. The first thing you’ll see when you walk in is the open bar, and both the pizza and the atmosphere here are top notch. They don’t hold back on quality ingredients or creativity, so you’ll find plenty of exciting flavor combos on the menu. Our favorite is the one with seasonal tomatoes, packed with rich flavor and topped with a creamy burrata in the center. The space is divided into several cozy rooms and there’s outdoor seating for sunny days.

In Vålerenga, inside an old smithy from 1878, you’ll find this beautiful and historic courtyard restaurant. Or perhaps more accurately, a front-yard restaurant! The outdoor seating overlooking Vålerenga Park and the church is truly one of a kind, nestled in a cozy courtyard surrounded by beautiful scenery. The atmosphere stays warm and rustic all year round, with brick walls, colorful stained glass windows and decorative stucco. They serve lunch, à la carte and their own three, four and five-course menus. Jazz nights here are a must-try, especially when they serve their famous “jazz soup” alongside the music. Fun!

Grünerløkka’s sunny beer garden! Hidden behind the trees along Akerselva, you’ll find this charming outdoor spot with a mix of chairs, hammocks and a bit of sandy beach vibe. When the sun shines, it’s the perfect place to enjoy beer, pretzels and plenty of laughter. Orders are easy to place through the service window, and the menu offers everything from local IPAs to classic German brews. There’s no stiffness here—just genuine everyday joy and beer happiness with true Grünerløkka spirit!

Never been to Svovelstikka before? You’re not alone. This isn’t exactly a place you stumble upon by chance. Tucked away at Fyrstikktorget in Helsfyr, it’s a quietly charming neighborhood spot with plenty of soul and a well-hidden gem. As soon as you step into the square, you’re surrounded by warm brown brick walls that give the place a cozy, inviting, and historic vibe. The menu offers both lunch and dinner options, including Reef & Beef with tenderloin, shrimp, and calamari, as well as burgers, salads, soups, and various gyros. The spot feels well sheltered inside the plaza, creating a little oasis amidst the busy surroundings.

An Italian summer favorite and trattoria tucked away at the bottom of Grünerløkka. Here, you can enjoy fresh pasta, a large wine selection (featuring over 600 Italian varieties), and a cozy atmosphere right by the sidewalk. Just like at a true trattoria! The outdoor seating is definitely a local favorite, but indoors it’s equally charming with wooden paneling, plants, and wine bottles as decor. They serve lunch during the day and a more tailored dinner menu in the evening. Choose from pasta dishes like linguini, ravioli, or the risotto options, alongside the catch of the day fish and meat options. We keep coming back every summer for a reason. PS! The oxtail ravioli is recommended!

This bar, just a short walk from the sea, boasts one of Oslo’s freshest interiors and a beautiful outdoor seating area. A must visit during the summer months! The drink menu is full of tempting options, and their slush is a favorite on the hottest days. The decor takes you back to grandparents’ summer holidays on the French Riviera in the 70s and 80s. Classic orange stripes mix with pool blue from floor to ceiling and brown leather under a sparkling disco ball – creative and refreshingly unique.

Tucked away in Rodeløkka near Grünerløkka, you’ll find this local gem. They serve a delicious brunch on wooden boards, which adds a fun little twist, all in relaxed and charming surroundings. In summer, the outdoor seating by the street is cozy and gets great sun. In the evenings from Thursday to Saturday, they serve sourdough pizza and craft beer from Grünerløkka Brygghus, which just so happens to be located right in the backyard.

Danish 'smørrebrød' for lunch, wine bar and restaurant by night! Stepping into this yellow house by the Akerselva feels a little like stumbling into a Copenhagen tavern. If you’re a fan of open-faced sandwiches, these are right up your alley. Expect delights like crispy breaded plaice with hand-peeled shrimp and remoulade, roast beef with horseradish and crispy onions, smoked eel with soft-boiled egg, or a slice topped with roast pork and marinated red cabbage. In the evening, the wine bar opens with small bites and snacks, or you can settle into the restaurant and enjoy everything from duck gyoza with ponzu to gratinated snails, cavatelli with mussels, and handpicked scallops with beurre blanc. Inside you’ll find dark wooden surfaces and glass cabinets filled with bottles, and there’s also a very charming outdoor seating.