Tor's guide to Oslo
Eating and drinking around Grünerløkka and elsewhere
It's expensive to eat out in Oslo, and especially wine and drinks are more expensive than in other main cities in Europe. That said, it is possible to get a decent meal for around 10-15 euro, especially in the Grønland area (drinks excluded). If you just want food, you can ask for water which is free and of high quality straight from the tap. Be aware that in most bars there is no service at the tables, you need to order in the bar. Tipping is commonly about 10% but not obligatory. There are some top notch restaurants in the city - if you are ready for the bill!
Lovely outdoor cafe/ bar with great atmosphere! Located on the ground level of an old peoples home, it is a place for everyone between 0-110 years of age. Open if the weather is good!
17 locals recommend
St. Pauli Biergarten
1B SannergataLovely outdoor cafe/ bar with great atmosphere! Located on the ground level of an old peoples home, it is a place for everyone between 0-110 years of age. Open if the weather is good!
If you are looking for a really nice meal just 20 meters from the flat- this is it! "Bønder i byen" translates to "Farmers in town" and they offer unpretentious, tasty and fresh meals based on Norwegian traditional food. A good selection of vegetarian options, too. It just opened this season and is already a favourite!
Bønder i Byen Grunnerløkka
If you are looking for a really nice meal just 20 meters from the flat- this is it! "Bønder i byen" translates to "Farmers in town" and they offer unpretentious, tasty and fresh meals based on Norwegian traditional food. A good selection of vegetarian options, too. It just opened this season and is already a favourite!
Chair
45 Thorvald Meyers gatePricey, but oh so tasty coctails and longdrinks, mostely gin-based.
Nice indoors and outdoors bar / cafe / resaurant in the Grønland area.
156 locals recommend
Dattera til Hagen
10 GrønlandNice indoors and outdoors bar / cafe / resaurant in the Grønland area.
Cosy atmosphere and decorations in explorer Thor Heyerdal's spirit, serving the hottest drink in town: The Chilli Punch.
218 locals recommend
Aku-Aku Tiki Bar
32 Thorvald Meyers gateCosy atmosphere and decorations in explorer Thor Heyerdal's spirit, serving the hottest drink in town: The Chilli Punch.
Great Italian pizza and some other authentic dishes in a wonderful atmosphere right in the heart of Grünerløkka. Next door you also find a lovely Focacceria with lots of takeaway options.
380 locals recommend
Villa Paradiso Grünerløkka
8 Olaf Ryes plassGreat Italian pizza and some other authentic dishes in a wonderful atmosphere right in the heart of Grünerløkka. Next door you also find a lovely Focacceria with lots of takeaway options.
Cultivate Food
Great all-vegan restaurant with laidback and low key atmosphere.
Oslo's first food court offers a great variety of foods and beverages, as well as high quality deli.
780 locals recommend
Mathallen Oslo
5 VulkanOslo's first food court offers a great variety of foods and beverages, as well as high quality deli.
Sightseeing Oslo
A walk along the river is a great way to explore the area. Small bridges crossing the river here and there, beutifull waterfalls and plenty of ducks and joggers! You can walk either downwards to city center or upwards to the hills- I recommend both!
284 locals recommend
Akerselva
98 SannerbruaA walk along the river is a great way to explore the area. Small bridges crossing the river here and there, beutifull waterfalls and plenty of ducks and joggers! You can walk either downwards to city center or upwards to the hills- I recommend both!
Go for a walk on the roof of the Opera house! Great views and great architecture. You can walk down there along the riverside in about half an hour, or just take the tram!
872 locals recommend
Oslo Opera House
Go for a walk on the roof of the Opera house! Great views and great architecture. You can walk down there along the riverside in about half an hour, or just take the tram!
A short boat trip out the Oslo fjord, some small islands are great picnic destinations! Small ferryboats (passengers only) service the islands, and you cab use the same tickets as for busses, trams and underground.
196 locals recommend
Hovedøya
A short boat trip out the Oslo fjord, some small islands are great picnic destinations! Small ferryboats (passengers only) service the islands, and you cab use the same tickets as for busses, trams and underground.
13th centery fortress with a surrounding park. Museum and guided tours available.
250 locals recommend
Akershus Fortress
13th centery fortress with a surrounding park. Museum and guided tours available.
Offering great views of the city, this historical café and restaurant roots back to the mid 19th century. You will get there by the underground, line 1 from Oslo Central station and other stops.
147 locals recommend
Frognerseteren
200 HolmenkollveienOffering great views of the city, this historical café and restaurant roots back to the mid 19th century. You will get there by the underground, line 1 from Oslo Central station and other stops.
Art and design
Sort of a must-see when youre in Oslo. Take tram number 12 to "Frogner plass", it stops right outside the main entrance.
272 locals recommend
Vigeland Park
32 Nobels gateSort of a must-see when youre in Oslo. Take tram number 12 to "Frogner plass", it stops right outside the main entrance.
Gustav Vigeland is the famous artist behind all the amazing sculptures in The Vigeland Park. What not so many people know, is that Gustav had a brother- Emanuel. Emanuel did not get a whole park in his name, but nevertheless he has his own mausoleum, and it is really worth a visit! This is a hidden gem of Oslo, and if you want a spritual experience, something out of this world, I truly recommend a trip there.
38 locals recommend
Emanuel Vigeland Museum
8 GrimelundsveienGustav Vigeland is the famous artist behind all the amazing sculptures in The Vigeland Park. What not so many people know, is that Gustav had a brother- Emanuel. Emanuel did not get a whole park in his name, but nevertheless he has his own mausoleum, and it is really worth a visit! This is a hidden gem of Oslo, and if you want a spritual experience, something out of this world, I truly recommend a trip there.
Neighbourhood
Trendy and a bit hipster-ish, but nevertheless the most pulsating area of Oslo! The main streets of Grünerløkka, Thv. Meyer street and Markveien street contains endless options for food, drinks and shopping, especially if you are looking for vintage and boutique kind of stuff! Every sunday there is a market in the Birkelunden park, just across the street from us. Here you can find second hand gems, antiques, vintage clothes, vinyl records and lots more! As a general rule, most larger shops are closed on Sundays and public hollidays. In the Grünerløkka area, though, many small shops keep open also on Sundays. There are two nearby grocery stores that are open late also on Sundays- The Joker shop on the corner of Seilduksgata and Toftes gate, and the Innom shop on the corner of Thorvald Meyers gate and Schleppegrels gate. Restaurants, cafes and bars are usually open every day, though opening hours may vary.
The main street for food and drinks is just outside your door. The tram passes regularely in the street, next to the cafes and bars.
Thorvald Meyers gate
Thorvald Meyers gateThe main street for food and drinks is just outside your door. The tram passes regularely in the street, next to the cafes and bars.
The street Markveien holds many small shops with vintage clothing, second hand and several craftsmen for furniture, leather, tailoring etc. It runs paralell to Thv. Meyers gate, and our location is placed right in between those two streets :-)
Markveien
MarkveienThe street Markveien holds many small shops with vintage clothing, second hand and several craftsmen for furniture, leather, tailoring etc. It runs paralell to Thv. Meyers gate, and our location is placed right in between those two streets :-)
Local brewery and bar with an excellent variety of their own beers as well as food and snacks. The Sunday brunch is popular. Closed mondays.
83 locals recommend
Grünerløkka Brygghus
30B Thorvald Meyers gateLocal brewery and bar with an excellent variety of their own beers as well as food and snacks. The Sunday brunch is popular. Closed mondays.
Live Music
This bar is located in an old factory building right on the riverside. They serve drinks and snack, but the most important reason to visit is the Frank Znort Quartet weekly sunday concerts! Outdoor sets from around 4pm during summer, and inndoor shows 'til late night all year. The band, which is really not a quartet at all is a truly great experince!
394 locals recommend
Blå
9C BrenneriveienThis bar is located in an old factory building right on the riverside. They serve drinks and snack, but the most important reason to visit is the Frank Znort Quartet weekly sunday concerts! Outdoor sets from around 4pm during summer, and inndoor shows 'til late night all year. The band, which is really not a quartet at all is a truly great experince!
Into karaoke? SYNG is the place! Wonderfully located on the riverbank, you can get a fully equipped karaoke room, fitting two people and upwards, and let your inner voice out!
81 locals recommend
SYNG
8 Nedre gateInto karaoke? SYNG is the place! Wonderfully located on the riverbank, you can get a fully equipped karaoke room, fitting two people and upwards, and let your inner voice out!
Live music most days of the week - lots of different music styles with local and regional musicians and bands. One of Oslos traditional hang-outs among performing musicians.
Queens Pub
14 BrugataLive music most days of the week - lots of different music styles with local and regional musicians and bands. One of Oslos traditional hang-outs among performing musicians.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Getting aorund
Although you will have most everything within walking distance from this location, you might want to use public transport to get around. There are trams, busses, city bikes and electric scooters available in immediate distance, and underground some ten - fifteen minutes walk away. A single ticket is valid on all buses, trams and undergrounds for one hour, and costs around 3,5 euro. A 24-hour ticket is about 10 euro, and a seven day- ticket is around 30 euro. You need to download the RUTER app for tickets,. You will find more information and download at the RUTER homepage.
Customs and culture
Alcoholic beverages at Vinmonopolet
All alcoholic beverages with more than 5 volume percent alcohol, are sold in special stores, called Vinmonopolet. The selection in these stores are usually excellent, and the expertise among the employees, too! You will find that cheap wines are more expensive compered to most countries, but really expensive ones are usually cheaper. The Vinmonopolet is owned by the government, and has a flat tax and overhead system, based on alcohol content, rather than wholesale prices. You need to be over age of 18 to buy any alcoholic beverages, and above 20 to buy strong alcoholic beverages.
Getting around
Getting to your Airbnb from Oslo Airport OSL
The best option, unless you arrive there between midnight and 5am, is the Airport Express train. Go off at the Oslo Central Station. From there you can choose between several options to get to the apartment. I myself prefer the tram. Lines 11,12 or 18 to the Birkelunden stop. From the tram stop to the apartment it's a three minute walk. You can also take the bus number 30 to Birkelunden. If you prefer car, you habe several taxi operators, as well as Uber or Yango that will take you straight to the streed adress in about five minutes.