Norwegians are just as likely to eat pizza, sushi and tapas as traditional Norwegian food, but Norwegian food traditions and produce still hold a strong position in many of Oslo's restaurants.
Norwegian restaurant dinner
If you want to try tasty, Norwegian everyday food such as fårikål (lamb and cabbage stew), lapskaus (brown stew), kjøttkaker (large, Norwegian meat balls), steamed salmon or fish soup, Kaffistova and Dovrehallen are good and reasonably-priced alternatives. Here they serve dishes that most Norwegians eat at home once in a while.
Traditional Norwegian specialities
If you feel like Norwegian specialities such as reindeer, moose or lutefisk (cod cured in lye) in historical surroundings, there are many good options in Oslo. East of the city centre you find the old beer hall Olympen and the restaurant Oslo Spiseforretning. In the historical city centre, Kvadraturen, you can try the institutions Gamle Raadhus Restaurant and Engebret Café - both with 150 years of restaurant history. On the other side of Karl Johans gate are Grand Café and Stortorvets Gjestgiveri in historical facilities.
Exclusive restaurants with a view
Many of Oslo's finest restaurants are found in the hills surrounding the city. Here you can enjoy delicious Norwegian food while enjoying the view. In the area around Holmenkollen you can choose between Finstua at Frognerseteren, Holmenkollen Restaurant and the hotel restaurants at Lysebu, Voksenåsen and Holmenkollen Park. Guests at the elegant Grefsenkollen restaurant and Ekebergrestauranten also have a great view.
Seafood restaurants
Norway is known for its high-quality seafood, and some of Oslo's best restaurants specialise in fresh fish and seafood. At Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen by the harbour you can enjoy good seafood and a fjord view at Lofoten, D/S Louise and Tjuvholmen Sjømagasin. Across the harbour you find Solsiden Restaurant, and in the city centre Restaurant Havsmak and Restaurant Fjord in modern facilities. At Majorstua you can visit the cosy Lofotstua.
Modern Norwegian food
If you want to try the latest in Norwegian cuisine, Maaemo is worth a visit. The restaurant at Grønland only serves food made from local, organic produce. At the design hotel Grims Grenka, the restaurant Madu offers a menu consisting of ”raw food” - food cooked at low temperatures.
Food with beer
Norway has a rich beer tradition, and in the last years places like Håndverkerstuene, Akersberget and Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri started developing dishes made with and for different types of beer.