World City Guide

Restaurants

Introduction
We have selected 15 of the best restaurants in Oslo, which we have listed under five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. These restaurants are divided into four different pricing categories (the prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal and for half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they do not include tax or tip):

$ (up to NOK500)
$$ (NOK500 to NOK750)
$$$ (NOK750 to NOK1,000)
$$$$ (over NOK1,000)

The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. Reservations are recommended wherever possible; in the case of upscale and popular restaurants, they are essential.

Gastronomic

Annen Etage
Located in the Continental Hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant is something of an Oslo institution. Offering what it describes as an ‘international menu inspired by French cuisine’, it is located centrally close to the National Theatre. It has capacity for 90, and there is also a bar attached that is popular with theatre-goers.

Stortingsgata 24-26
Tel: 22 82 40 70.
Website: www.hotel-continental.no
Price range: $$$$

Bagatelle
Probably Norway’s best-known restaurant, Bagatelle boasts two Michelin stars – and its prices reflect this. French style is very much the order of the day here. The menu contains a broad selection of set meals and la carte dishes, and a choice of more than 400 wines is available. The interior is decorated with works by well-known artists.

Bygdy All 3
Tel: 22 12 14 40.
Website: www.bagatelle.no
Price range: $$$$

Spisestedet Feinschmecker
Also honoured with a Michelin star, Feinschmecker opened in 1990 and rapidly gained a top reputation. It is located in the Frogner district to the east of the city centre. In addition to its la carte menu, it offers a fixed priced daily five-course meal. And extensive wine list, and a daily vegetarian alternative, are available.

Balchens Gate 5
Tel: 22 12 93 80.
Website: www.feinschmecker.no
Price range: $$$$

Business

Lofoten Fish Restaurant
This is a 400-seat seafood outlet situated on the quayside at Aker Brygge. In summer, a large open-air dining area is available. This restaurant specialises in seasonal local delicacies – such as cod served with liver and roe in winter, and a wide range of shellfish and crustaceans during the summer months. Set menus are offered in addition to the la carte menu.

Stranden 75
Tel: 22 83 08 08.
Website: www.lofotenfiskerestaurant.com
Price range: $$$

The Mandarin
Located in the Majorstuen business district to the north of the Royal Palace, the Mandarin offers food based primarily on the Cantonese style, with a good range of familiar dishes. Informal atmosphere, but perfect for a business lunch or dinner.

Srkedalsveien 5
Tel: 22 60 20 00.
Website: www.restaurantmandarin.no
Price range: $$$

Restaurant D/S Louise
Again on the quayside, the D/S Louise offers a varied menu and an extensive wine list. Open air seating is available in summer to make use of its pleasant quayside location on Aker Brygge. There are 350 seats in the restaurant, plus 90 more in the bar area, with space for 200 more outside.

Stranden 3
Tel: 22 83 00 60.
Website: www.dslouise.no
Price range: $$$

Trendy

Christian Kvart
Featuring a Creole-style cuisine, Christian Kvart is an informal venue combining a bar and restaurant with music and stand-up comedy. Named for a 17th century Danish king, the restaurant is decorated in a baroque style. There is an open air dining area available during the summer months. Located between the cathedral and the royal palace.

Rosenkrantz’ Gate 7
Tel: 22 41 11 10.
Website: www.christian-kvart.com
Price range: $$

Mona Lisa
Described as an ‘adult’ venue, Mona Lisa offers live music and a nightclub as well as its restaurants, not to mention belly dancers. The menu contains a selection of items in Norwegian, French and Italian styles. A fixed price three-course menu changes daily. Centrally located close to the cathedral.

Grensen 10
Tel: 22 42 89 14.
Website: www.monalisa.as
Price range: $$

Pasta Basta
Pasta Basta restaurants are bright, breezy and with a fairly simple menu based on pizza and pasta main dishes, with a limited selection of starters and desserts. There are two outlets in Oslo, one at Aker Brygge and the other in Bogstadveien near Majorstua to the north of the Royal Palace.

Stranden 3
Tel: 22 01 48 50.
Website: www.pastabasta.no
Price range: $$

Budget

Angus Steakhouse
Attached to the Scotsman pub, the Angus Steakhouse has a straightforward menu of pizzas and steaks presented in a basic way at a basic price – cheap (by Oslo standards) and cheerful is the order of the day here. Reached through the bar upstairs, it offers differing fixed menus at various times of the day.

Karl Johans gate 17
Tel: 22 47 44 77.
Website: www.scotsman.no
Price range: $

TGI Friday's
One step up from fast food, this chain has two outlets in Oslo, one of them in Karl Johans gate in the city centre. For those in search of the familiar at a reasonably low price, this is the place. American-style food in the burgers and steaks mould, and a wide choice of drinks and cocktails from the bar.

Karl Johan’s Gate 35
Tel: 22 33 32 00.
Website: www.fridays.com
Price range: $

Will's Bar and Restaurant
This is a pleasant informal eatery with a French theme, leather sofas, white tablecloths and wooden floors, and located between the City Hall and the National Theatre. Will’s serves a ‘lunch of the day’ and a cold buffet between 1100 and 1600, then switches to an la carte menu from 1600 until 2300. The selection ranges from burgers to bouillabaisse. Closed on Sundays.

Stortingsgaten 20
Tel: 22 11 12 33.
Website: www.wills.no
Price range: $

Personal Recommendations

Agra
Indian tandoori and balti restaurant at Aker Brygge, offering a reasonable range of dishes. However, Norwegians are not used to spicy food, so visitors are warned to ask for their food to be prepared with considerably more spice than is normal for Oslo customers. Situated at Aker Brygge near the castle.

Verkstedhallen 3
Tel: 22 83 07 12.
Website: www.agra.nu
Price range: $$

Dionysos Taverna
Pleasant city centre Greek style restaurant, offering the usual combination of food and dancing, with live music Thursday to Saturday. All the usual ‘standard’ Greek dishes are available. Operated by Greek staff.

Calmeyersgate 11
Tel: 22 60 78 64.
Website: www.dionysostaverna.com
Price range: $$

Oslo Spiseforretning
Located by the Middelalderpark (Medieval Park) in the Gamle Byen area immediately south east of the central station, this is an unusual venue offering traditional Norwegian fare such as reindeer and various seasonal fish. The dcor is in 1920s Norwegian style.

Oslogate 15
Tel: 22 62 62 10.
Website: www.oslo-spiseforretning.no
Price range: $$$