Leonor
Meet Leonor from the Kon-Tiki museum, a true Oslo expert brimming with excellent recommendations. Her attention to detail makes us want to go and explore each and every one of her well thought out favourites.
Where do you go for an excellent concert?
– Blå never disappoints. Apart from their live jazz/punk band Frank Znort that brings the roof down every Sunday, Blå is known for being a fairly small venue with the ability to book some incredible musicians. I once saw Napalm Death play there for 80 people like it was 1990.
The Kon-Tiki Museum
Leonor works at the Kon-Tiki museum, a fascinating museum telling the story of Thor Heyerdahl's expeditions in the Pacific Ocean.
Let Leonor show you around in her Oslo
What is your favourite neighbourhood?
– There is a pocket of nineteenth century working class timber houses called Rodeløkka, between Carl Berners plass and Sofienbergparken. It's this little hidden pastel fairytale-like neighbourhood, right out of an Astrid Lindgren book.
What is your favourite building?
– The Natural History museum at Tøyen. The museum consists of a set of symmetrical Jugendstil buildings at one end of the Botanical gardens, one housing the zoological collection and the other the geological and palaeontological collections.
The overall impression is rather Edwardian. There have been some recent renovations, but the vibe is still exactly what I want from a Natural History museum - the second floor of the Zoological building especially. A little mysterious, a little dusty, full of strange specimens and quaint taxidermy. If you can find their Tasmanian tiger it’s a true treasure. One of the most beautiful specimens left in the world.
The Botanical Garden’s greenhouses are free to enter. 45 minutes in Victoriahuset is my secret weapon against the winter blues.
The entire area is a nice palate cleanser from what is otherwise an unapologetically Scandinavian cityscape.
Any food recommendations?
– Lorry has the best for typical Norwegian cuisine.
For pizza, go to Ghost Pizza at Majorstuen. It's the only place where the cursing from the kitchen is conducted in actual Italian.
Illegal Burger serves the best burger, but I'm also really fond of BD57's burgers. They do meatless mondays, where you get two vegetarian burgers for the price of one. Also, my dog is welcome here, a sure-fire way to make me a returning customer.
Way Down South serves the best Texan-style BBQ, and you'll find the best tacos at Tacos al Pastor at Oslo Street Food – their nachos are incredible.
You'll get the best Indian food at New Anarkali – everything they do is perfect. It's also a good place for a date!
For brunch, I choose Zarathustra Meyhane. They serve excellent lebanese/mediterranian meze. A fab place for vegetarians!
Check out all of Leonor's food favourites
Some more of Leonor's favourites
Best place for a walk?
Ekeberg. Walk through the forested sculpture park, and find some of the best views of Oslo.
Best time of year?
Late June, when nature comes back with a vengeance. Foliage obstruct the sidewalks, and the whole city smells like lilacs.
Best place to go dancing?
Wherever the DJ collective Det Gode Selskap is playing.