Food and wine
Cosy restaurants in Oslo: eight favourites for an evening you won’t want to end
Candlelit brick cellars, jazz in an old dispatch hall and checked tablecloths in Grünerløkka. These are the restaurants in Oslo that are truly cosy, and the hotels you can walk home to afterwards.
In short: the cosiest restaurants in Oslo
Most romantic: Klosteret, with candlelight under old brick vaults in Fredensborg.
Best view: Ekebergrestauranten, with the whole city below you from the Ekeberg hill.
Most French: Ostebutikken in Grünerløkka, with checked tablecloths and bistro classics.
Where to stay: Sommerro in Frogner, Hotel Continental in the centre or Scandic Vulkan by Grünerløkka. See the hotels just below.
The list was last updated in October 2026, and all eight restaurants have been checked.
Some evenings are not about the most spectacular food, but about the atmosphere: low lighting, a table you never want to leave and a waiter who knows exactly which wine to pour. Oslo has gained plenty of new restaurants in recent years, from food halls to Michelin-starred dining rooms, but the cosiest places have often been around for a while.
We have picked eight cosy restaurants in Oslo for a romantic dinner, an evening with friends or a long lunch. Next to several of them you will find a hotel nearby, and at the end a few hotels we like to stay at when we are going out to eat. For the full selection, see the ten best luxury hotels in Oslo.
If you book through the links in this article, Picolo earns a commission based on a percentage of the price. The views in this article are nonetheless entirely our own.
Make it a weekend
An evening in Frogner: Sommerro, with its restaurants under one roof. See rooms at Sommerro (Paid link)
Classic in the centre: Hotel Continental, by the National Theatre. See rooms at Hotel Continental (Paid link)
Grünerløkka: Scandic Vulkan by the Akerselva river, within walking distance of Ostebutikken, Nedre Foss Gård and Le Benjamin. See rooms at Scandic Vulkan (Paid link)
1. Ostebutikken
Where: Thorvald Meyers gate 27 A
Walk past this small French place and you could be forgiven for thinking it is just a delicatessen. Inside, though, there are around ten small tables with red and white checked tablecloths, and you may catch yourself humming «Parlez-moi d'amour» before the starters arrive.
The menu features classics such as steak tartare, moules frites, parmentier de canard and cassoulet. The wine list takes you to Burgundy, the Loire and Bordeaux, and if you are more of a beer person, there are Czech and Spanish beers too. Ostebutikken is one of the best places in town for a romantic dinner.
Stay nearby: Scandic Vulkan by the Akerselva river, within walking distance. See rooms at Scandic Vulkan (Paid link)
2. Ekebergrestauranten
Where: Kongsveien 15
Take the tram from central Oslo (line 13 or 19) up to Ekebergåsen, or walk the romantic route up the hillside. At the top you can see virtually the whole city, from Bjørvika to Aker Brygge and the Royal Palace.
Start with a stroll through Ekebergparken, where you will find more than 40 sculptures and installations by artists such as Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst and Louise Bourgeois. Ekebergrestauranten sits just below the park, and through its large windows you dine with the city skyline in front of you. The listed functionalist building from the 1920s is worth the trip in itself.
The menu follows the seasons, with everything from duck confit to cod. We recommend the moules frites.
Stay nearby: See rooms at Clarion Hotel Oslo (Paid link) in Bjørvika, next to the Opera House and the Munch Museum and close to the tram up to Ekeberg.
3. Ekspedisjonshallen at Sommerro
Where: Sommerrogata 1
The former Oslo Lysverker building has been restored to the highest standard and reopened as the much talked-about hotel Sommerro. There are several restaurants here, but for something truly cosy, book a table at Ekspedisjonshallen. Whatever mood you arrive in, the brasserie will have you flirting with your companion, smiling, raising a glass and enjoying the jazz.
The atmosphere is still warm and relaxed. We suspect you will order champagne or a dry martini. For dinner, choose something from the grill, like turbot, or go for the tomahawk for two. A place for every season when you want to get into a party mood.
Stay nearby: See rooms at Sommerro (Paid link), so there is only a lift ride between dinner and bed.
4. Statholdergaarden
Where: Rådhusgata 11
Bent Stiansen was the first Norwegian to win the Bocuse d'Or, and Statholdergaarden is his gourmet restaurant. He says the restaurant should «be an extension of my own dining room». If so, it is a dining room of the highest class, serving both classic and modern dishes, all of them very good.
Statholdergaarden is renowned in Oslo and recognised by the Michelin Guide. The menu follows the seasons, with Norwegian produce. Treat yourself to a six-course tasting menu or order à la carte, or choose something more casual in the Mat og Vinkjeller bistro in the cellar. The dishes you will talk about afterwards include scallops, duck heart and reindeer.
Stay nearby: See rooms at Hotel Continental (Paid link), a short stroll away by the National Theatre.
5. Klosteret
Where: Fredensborgveien 13
Brick walls, a cellar and candlelight create a warm atmosphere, and that is exactly what you get at Klosteret. The restaurant is in Fredensborg, just outside the busy shopping streets. It is calm enough for a romantic date, but just as good for dinner with friends or family. The chefs put together new menus every day, with three, five or seven courses.
Klosteret is based on French cuisine, with classic and rustic dishes. There are good vegetarian and plant-based options too, and the wine cellar is impressive.
Stay nearby: See rooms at Savoy 1918 (Paid link), a small luxury hotel by Tullinløkka, a short walk away.
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6. Nedre Foss Gård
Where: Nordre gate 2
Nedre Foss Gård is a stylish restaurant in a farm building from the 1800s. The building was hit by a major fire in 2015 and burned to the ground, but has been restored and reopened with bright, warm interiors. It sits in the middle of hip Grünerløkka, close to the food hall Mathallen Vulkan, so there is plenty to do before and after dinner.
There is both a brewery bar and a restaurant. The menu is Norwegian and exciting, with everything from oysters and minke whale to mountain pork from Valdres. We have previously recommended Nedre Foss Gård as a lovely place for lunch with friends or on a date.
Stay nearby: Scandic Vulkan by the Akerselva river, within walking distance. See rooms at Scandic Vulkan (Paid link)
7. The Winter Garden and library bar
Where: Kristian IVs gate 7
Hotel Bristol, in the heart of Oslo, is famous for its afternoon tea in the Winter Garden. You will meet a grown-up crowd here, but also influencers sipping hot chocolate and photographing the tiered stands of scones and finger sandwiches.
This is where you escape the noise of the city into British-style luxury, often with live music. Swap the tea for a glass of crisp champagne, and in the evening the library bar is one of the cosiest places in town for a drink.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Bristol (Paid link)
8. Le Benjamin
Where: Søndre gate 6
Le Benjamin is an informal bar and bistro in Grünerløkka, yet still elegant, with very good French food. Try the escargots au beurre, ail et persil, followed by entrecôte grillée with crispy potatoes, salad and époisses sauce.
Le Benjamin gets a big plus from us for its children's menu, which offers more than sausages and chips. Here the little ones eat the same as the adults, in smaller portions and at a lower price, such as entrecôte skewers or poached turbot. A cosy place for anyone who wants a high-quality meal.
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Stay nearby: Scandic Vulkan by the Akerselva river, within walking distance. See rooms at Scandic Vulkan (Paid link)
The Thief
The Thief sits at the tip of Tjuvholmen, with the restaurants of Aker Brygge just around the corner.
Where to stay in Oslo for a night out
Stay central and you can walk to most of the restaurants on this list, taking the tram or a taxi back from Ekeberg. These hotels are right in the best of the city. For more options, see the ten best luxury hotels in Oslo.
The Thief: the fjord on your doorstep
The Thief is so far out on Tjuvholmen that you almost stay in the Oslofjord. After dinner you stroll home along the waterfront, and in the morning there is a spa and breakfast with views over the water. The hotel is named after the area where thieves were once executed, and the thefts still happen: guests get stolen away from everyday life.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Thief (Paid link)
Not sure which neighbourhood? Read our guide to where to stay in Oslo, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Amerikalinjen
Amerikalinjen occupies the shipping line's former headquarters, next to Oslo Central Station.
Amerikalinjen: jazz and cocktails by Oslo Central Station
The historic headquarters of the Norwegian America Line, dating from 1919, is now a lively boutique hotel with the Pier 42 bar and its own jazz stage. The Opera House, Kvadraturen and the nightlife around Youngstorget are its nearest neighbours, and Grünerløkka is a short tram ride away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Amerikalinjen (Paid link)
Grand Hotel: a classic on Karl Johans gate
The Grand Hotel is where the Nobel Peace Prize winners stay, known for its afternoon tea and Palmen, where Henrik Ibsen was a regular. Statholdergaarden and Hotel Bristol are a few minutes away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Grand Hotel Oslo (Paid link)
Karl Johan Hotel: art deco in the centre
An art deco hotel with 157 rooms, halfway between Oslo Central Station and the Royal Palace. The breakfast buffet gets plenty of praise, and the Parliament is a three-minute walk away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Karl Johan Hotel (Paid link)
Planning a trip? See the best things to do in Oslo and the ten best luxury hotels in Oslo.
Frequently asked questions about cosy restaurants in Oslo
What is the most romantic restaurant in Oslo?
Ostebutikken in Grünerløkka, with around ten tables, checked tablecloths and French bistro food, is our favourite for a romantic dinner. Klosteret in Fredensborg, with its brick vaults and candlelight, is a good alternative. For views over the whole city, Ekebergrestauranten is a safe bet.
Where is Ostebutikken?
Ostebutikken is on Thorvald Meyers gate in Grünerløkka. It is a small French place with around ten tables and checked tablecloths. The menu has classics such as steak tartare, moules frites and cassoulet, and the wine list takes you to Burgundy, the Loire and Bordeaux.
How do you get to Ekebergrestauranten?
Take tram 13 or 19 from central Oslo up to Ekebergåsen, or walk the romantic route up the hillside. From the top you can see the whole city, and you can start with a stroll in the Ekeberg Sculpture Park before dinner.
Where should I stay in Oslo for restaurants?
Stay central, around Karl Johans gate, Aker Brygge or Oslo Central Station, and you can walk to most restaurants. The Thief on Tjuvholmen, Amerikalinjen by the station and the Grand Hotel on Karl Johans gate are good choices. Sommerro and Hotel Bristol also have cosy restaurants under their own roof.
What are the food trends in Oslo?
Trends include sustainability, eating less meat, nostalgic childhood food, Asian cuisine, local produce and dishes made for sharing on social media. Oslo has everything from food halls to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Enjoy your stay in Oslo
Guro Holmene