Open Mondays in Oslo

This sushi restaurant is a local favorite in Oslo! You’ll find seating on tall bar stools around the kitchen, where you can watch the chefs craft each dish. If you’re lucky, you might get to try whale tataki, sea bass with truffle sauce and hiramasa kingfish. It’s probably the priciest sushi option in town, but definitely worth every penny!

One of Oslo’s safest bets when you’re after seasonal, modern Norwegian cuisine. The restaurant strikes a fine balance between down-to-earth and polished. The walls are lined with modern art, the atmosphere is cozy and informal, but the plates arrive like small works of art. Choose from à la carte or a four- or six-course menu. It often starts light and green before moving into meat from Holte Gård, fresh fish, and seafood. On our last visit we went for the six-course and enjoyed tartare, squash with lovage and Amalfi lemon, corn with razor clams and chili, the catch of the day with mussels, chicken with wild mushrooms, and a refreshing apple dessert. Truly delicious from start to finish! The wine list is among the city’s finest, with a backbone of French regions like Jura, Champagne, Loire, and Burgundy, alongside German riesling favorites and Italian reds. If you want to keep it more casual, grab a spot in the bar area and order from the small plates menu instead.

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.

At the top of Grünerløkka you’ll find high quality dumplings at a fair price, along with plenty of tasty sides. The space has a simple yet stylish interior with light wood, concrete and minimalist furniture. It’s shaped like an L, which helps keep the noise level comfortable even when it gets busy. They also have an exciting drink menu, featuring sake, cocktails and several wines on tap, which has become an increasingly popular trend in the city.

What could be better than a generous bowl of rich broth seasoned with umami sauces, various toppings and wheat noodles? Mm, yes please. At the bottom of Maridalsveien you’ll find this wildly popular restaurant that has truly mastered the art of ramen. The space features modern Japanese design, with minimalist interiors in light wood. They do offer drop in, but be prepared to wait a little – it’s a favorite for a reason.

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 ramen spot has long been a favourite in Oslo. Here you will find hand-pulled noodles, steaming bowls, and plenty of happy slurps. We really enjoyed the bestseller 'Tonkotsu', made with tender slices of pork belly, noodles, and a rich broth, topped with corn, egg, spring onion, and bamboo shoots. A true classic! If that doesn’t tempt you, the 'Tantamen' with minced pork and bok choy is both a little spicier and very tasty. You can also get gyoza, fried chicken, and even a refreshing yuzu slush. The atmosphere is simple, friendly, and laid-back. The concept has become so popular that they now have locations here in Torggata, on Løkka, and in Bjørvika.

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.

A little taste of Italy just steps from Karl Johans gate, with pizza, pasta, and wine! This has quickly become one of the city’s most popular Italian restaurants, so don’t be surprised if there’s a line at the door. The pizzas come with thin, crispy crusts and generous toppings. The menu goes beyond pizza, offering various pasta dishes and bruschetta. The interior features checkered tablecloths, plenty of plants, and a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for enjoying pizza, pasta, and wine. For dessert, you absolutely have to try their Nutella pizza or tiramisu! They also have a cozy wine bar with ambitions to stock 100 Italian wines on their shelves.

Curious about traditional dishes from Uzbekistan? The national dish is plov, a hearty rice stew made with carrots, onions and meat. It’s both delicious and full of flavor, and the portions are generous. The space is decorated with patterned textiles along the walls and traditional Uzbek hats called doppa, adding to the authentic feel. A fun and slightly different food experience that’s well worth trying!

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.

A natural gathering spot on St. Hanshaugen since 2012! Smalhans is the place for flavorful shared meals, natural wine and that true neighborhood vibe. They even earned a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide in 2015 for serving great, tasty food at a friendly price. With a focus on Norwegian ingredients, they offer three different concepts throughout the day: lunch, ‘Dagens husmann’ (today’s traditional dish) and a couple of set menus for sharing in the afternoon and evening. The interior is framed by vintage wallpaper, dark wooden furniture and green plants. ‘Dagens husmann’ is especially popular and helps put them high on our list of great traditional dining spots in Oslo.

Fiery peppercorns, a slightly worn interior and top tier food. Make no mistake, this place is absolutely worth the long standing hype. And don’t forget to ask about the secret menu. The selection ranges from classics like spring rolls and dumplings to crispy duck and fried rice or noodles – all familiar favorites. The only thing they have in common with most Chinese restaurants in town is the massive and extensive menu. The space might not scream Michelin, but this is without a doubt a spot you need to check out.

They started as a pop up a few days a week at Trekanten, but quickly became so popular that it turned into a permanent concept. Which we are very happy about. Ramen is served from Sunday to Tuesday, while udon is on the menu from Wednesday to Saturday. The menu changes depending on the day of the week, with homemade noodles at the center. We enjoyed the 'Umami Miso Ramen' with pork, served in a rich and flavorful broth. On the drinks menu you will find Japanese beer and several types of sake. The large and open space has a raw concrete feel, but still comes across as bright and welcoming.

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!

Right in the heart of Barcode, you’ll find this bright and inviting restaurant. The food is rooted in Norwegian cuisine with a modern twist. Think homemade cured meats, creamy pasta salad with roe, chicken from local farms and juicy entrecôte. Their focus on carefully selected ingredients, prepared with love and respect for tradition, offers a unique Norwegian dining experience you won’t find many others matching in Oslo. The menu changes with the seasons, and for dinner you can choose from 4, 5 or 8-course sharing menus. The interior feels urban and warm with Scandinavian wooden furniture, reindeer antlers and touches of concrete. They also offer both a lunch menu and Saturday brunch!