Oslo Summer Guide

 

Oslo’s Best Food & Drink Experiences (Area by Area)

 

Oslo City Center & Our Neighborhood

You don’t have to go far for incredible flavors. Right outside our doorstep and in the city center, we’ve gathered some of our absolute favorites:

  • Restaurant Teatro: Our pride and joy! Here, Roman-style pizza and homemade gelato take center stage. Summer tip: Grab a pizza to go and enjoy it in the Palace Park or down by the waterfront at Aker Brygge.

  • Rugantino: Authentic Italian vibes and fantastic pasta, perfect for a cozy dinner in the city center.

  • Fiskeriet: Located at Youngstorget, this is the perfect stop for fresh seafood or arguably the best Fish & Chips in town.

  • Dinner Restaurant: Just a one-minute walk from the hotel. An Oslo institution serving flavorful, high-end Chinese cuisine (especially Szechuan and Cantonese classics) in a stylish setting.

  • Kafeteria August & Becco: Two fantastic neighbors. Start at Kafeteria August for delicious small plates, then head right next door to Becco for exquisite wines and dancing late into the night.

  • Izakaya: A hidden, intimate basement bar and restaurant serving Japanese pub food (sake, shochu, and small dishes) with an incredibly cool, laid-back atmosphere.

  • Downtown Bars: Top off your evening with award-winning cocktails at Himkok, enjoy the green oasis of Torggata Botaniske, or take the elevator up to Byens Tak for drinks overlooking the entire city.

 

St. Hanshaugen & Bislett

This area offers a wonderful, relaxed local vibe, complete with lush parks and unique neighborhood spots.

  • Roze Gastro: A casual local gem serving fantastic dishes based on seasonal Norwegian ingredients, paired with a wine list that has something for absolutely everyone.

  • Grotto: An intimate and wonderful restaurant serving seasonal dishes in a super cozy setting.

  • Little Wolf: A modern yet rustic spot with a wonderfully casual atmosphere. Visit for fantastic Southern European flavors, fresh handmade pasta, and dishes cooked over an open flame.

  • Albertine: A lovely, warm restaurant that transports you straight to the Mediterranean. The food is made with love and excellent ingredients, featuring everything from tempting meze plates to classic stews.

  • Neighborhood Bars: Stop by Vinkassen or Merkur for a refreshing glass of natural wine, or check out Rouleur—a unique, urban gathering space that seamlessly combines coffee, culture, sports, and great drinks.

 

Grünerløkka

Oslo’s creative heart truly comes alive in the summer. Here you’ll find bustling outdoor seating areas, vibrant street life, and a massive selection of unique bars, restaurants, and wine bars. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Skaal Matbar: The perfect spot for snacks, small plates, and natural wine, featuring outdoor seating and a relaxed vibe.

  • Parkteatret: An iconic stop at Olaf Ryes Plass. Ideal for a cold beer at their large outdoor terrace right in the middle of the action.

  • Rodeo: A new local favorite boasting a relaxed atmosphere, great food, and a wonderful outdoor seating area in the summer.

  • Pao: A modern Thai BBQ restaurant where most of the food is grilled over glowing charcoal. It combines authentic, bold Thai flavors with fresh, organic Norwegian ingredients.

  • Rikkes Hage: A hidden summer dream of a backyard! The perfect oasis for a refreshing drink surrounded by lush green plants.

  • Fat City: A hip wine bar offering fantastic small plates and delicious drinks in a casual setting.

 

Fredensborg

One of Oslo’s most exciting culinary hotspots, full of soul and hidden gems just north of the city center.

  • Nektar Vinbar: One of the coziest wine bars in town, tucked away in a charming wooden house. They serve excellent wine by the glass and beautiful, seasonal small plates.

  • Eff Eff: A fantastic oyster bar that proves oysters don’t have to be snobbish at all. Enjoy fresh oysters and natural wine in a super laid-back setting.

  • Coffee & Cigarettes: An incredibly cool concept combining a coffee shop, magazine store, and evening bar with a distinct continental vibe.

  • Hrimnir Ramen: The go-to spot when you want proper, handmade ramen. They combine traditional Japanese techniques with Nordic ingredients in a truly unique way.

  • Åpningstidene: The new, hip “hole-in-the-wall” bar in the neighborhood. Super casual, intimate, and just the right amount of secretive. Space is limited inside, so during the summer months, the entire vibe spills out onto the sidewalk terrace.

 

Along the Waterfront

Nothing beats a sunny summer day by the water, complete with great food, cold drinks, and views of the Oslofjord.

  • Skur 33: Idyllically located right below the Akershus Fortress. Here you can enjoy fantastic Italian seafood, grilled fish, and great wine right on the pier.

  • Hanami: Located at the far tip of Tjuvholmen, offering upscale Asian fusion and world-class sushi, paired with beautiful fjord views.

  • Stranden 30: At the Tingvalla pier on Aker Brygge, you’ll find the outdoor venues Vågen and Hekla. It’s the perfect spot for casual summer food, cold drinks, and a prime location right by the water.

  • Coyo: Located at the very tip of Sørenga. Here you get authentic Mexican food, excellent margaritas, and front-row seats to the sunset right next to the ocean.

 

The Best Activities & Show-Stopping Experiences in Oslo

1. Island Hopping in the Oslofjord

Take a short break from the city streets and hop on a public ferry from Rådhusbrygge 4. Within minutes, you can glide between the historic monastery ruins on Hovedøya and the charming, colorful summer cabins on Lindøya, perfect for an idyllic summer day out.

2. Open-Air Theatre at Karpedammen Scene

Enjoy a unique cultural evening at the historic Akershus Fortress, where the open-air Karpedammen Scene hosts spectacular summer performances under the Nordic sky. From concerts to local plays, it’s a beautiful setting to experience Oslo’s creative side.

3. Floating Saunas & Fjord Plunges

Experience a favorite local tradition by booking a session at the urban floating saunas along Aker Brygge, Langkaia or SALT. Spend a chilly or warm afternoon relaxing in the heat before taking a refreshing, direct plunge into the Oslofjord.

4. Music Festivals

Oslo truly comes alive during festival season. Choose between the cozy vibes of Piknik i Parken in Sofienbergparken, the massive rock lineups at Tons of Rock, or the iconic Øya Festival in Tøyenparken, which blends big international artists with new indie acts and delicious, local food stalls.

5. Midsummer Bonfires on Sankthansaften

If you are visiting on June 23rd, join the locals for Sankthansaften (Midsummer’s Eve) to celebrate the longest day of the year. Grab a picnic blanket and head down to the waterfront at Bjørvika or the beach at Huk to watch a massive public bonfire light up the evening sky over the fjord.

6. Rooftop Drinks with a View

Elevate your evening with a critic’s choice cocktail at one of Oslo’s top rooftop spaces. Enjoy the vibrant vibe at BAR Vulkan, catch views over the city center from Byens Tak or Taket Steen & Strøm, or visit our stunning sister properties—The Thief Roof or TAK at Sommerro—for a beautiful sunset drink above the city.

7. Kayaking along the Akerselva River

Paddle through a different side of Oslo by navigating a kayak down the Akerselva River and out into the fjord. It’s a fun, active journey that takes you right behind the curtain of the city’s history and sleek new architecture.

8. Strolls through Vigeland Sculpture Park

Take a walk through the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist. Gustav Vigeland’s famous statues capture the entire spectrum of human emotion and are a must-see, looking equally beautiful under the bright midday sun or the golden twilight of a Nordic summer night.

9. The Waterfront Museum Trail

Oslo is a dream destination for art lovers, with world-class museums sitting right along the harbor. Stand before The Scream at the striking MUNCH museum in Bjørvika, explore Norway’s largest collection of art and design at the massive National Museum, or walk over to Tjuvholmen to see the cutting-edge contemporary exhibitions at the sail-shaped Astrup Fearnley Museum.

10. Summer Day at the Bygdøy Peninsula

Take a short bus ride or the seasonal ferry over to Bygdøy for the ultimate summer day out. You can sunbathe and swim at the sandy shores of Huk or the scenic Bygdøy Sjøbad, then walk over to explore iconic cultural highlights like the Fram Museum or the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.