Oslo, Norway is a world-class city in every sense, and this quick tour of the city’s eateries will highlight its international cuisine. It may not be as well-known as food from other European countries, but Nordic cuisine is just as delicious and inviting too. (Opening photo: A dish from Sentralen restaurant)
Ett Bord and Mathallen Oslo for Lunch
With an emphasis on sustainability, community, and healthy eating, Ett Bord offers a uniquely Nordic dining experience. Being social is encouraged here as guests sit at large 24-person tables that still have an intimate feel. The menu changes daily with chefs preparing seasonal meals that use only the best local ingredients. Ett Bord is a restaurant where you’ll never have the same meal twice.
Another wonderful lunch experience can be had in the many cafes and specialty shops of Mathallen Oslo. Modelled after the finest European food courts, Mathallen Oslo offers an assemblage of eateries that is sure to satisfy even the most sophisticated of palates. Taken together, the shops of Mathallen Oslo are a celebration of food, drink, and everyday life.
Japanese Delicacies at Hanami
Located near the Thief Hotel in the Tjuvholmen, Hanami offers an East Asian change of pace in your dining itinerary. Specializing in the Robata Grill charcoal cooking style, Hanami serves authentic Japanese food and freshly caught sushi. The well-stocked bar offers spiced Japanese drinks in a relaxed setting and the desserts are all homemade.
Dinner at Der Peppern Gror and Smalhans for Dinner
Another foreign entry in the Oslo culinary scene, Der Peppern Gror serves an incredible variety of Indian food that’s prepared in a unique open kitchen—so your curiosity will be sated along with your taste buds! The world-class chefs are eager to answer any questions you have about Indian food.
Smalhans offers a very different type of dining experience. The social aspect of Norwegian dining is emphasized at Smalhans as each course is served on a single plate that the whole table can share. The menu depends on which fresh materials the chefs have on hand, but you can expect a delectable small plate experience no matter what’s available.
Craft Cocktails at the Himkok
Half Prohibition-era speakeasy, half chemistry lab, The Himkok in downtown Oslo is not so much a bar as an experience. With its al fresco dining, in-house distillery and cider bar, the Himkok “mad scientists” concoct seasonal craft cocktails you just can’t find anywhere else. The spirits are distilled on-site and only the best Norweigan ingredients are used. It’s with good reason that the Himkok was voted one of the Top 20 bars in the World in 2017.
There’s a huge variety of delicious foods to choose from in Oslo–the Nordic cuisine alone is so rich and varied it could take a lifetime to sample even half of it. But the places we mentioned above will certainly get you off to a delectable start!
