16 Best Restaurants in Oslo, Norway

As its name suggests, this wine bar is straight out of Paris: the long white aprons on the waiters, the Art Nouveau flourishes in the dining room, the old French posters on the walls, and the closely packed tables all add to the illusion. The sumptuous menu includes the classics: steak tartare, entrecôte, and duck confit. There is also, in true Gallic style, a strong wine list. Built on levels, from the cellar to the third floor, each section has a distinctive ambience. Popular with the after-theater crowd, the restaurant's kitchen offers a full menu until 10:30 pm on weekdays. Reservations are a good idea.

Near the famous Holmenkollen ski jump, in the historic and recently renovated Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel, this highly regarded restaurant serves first-rate food in a grand setting, with stunning views over Oslo. Modern Nordic and international dishes blend classic ingredients with more exotic ones. The restaurant's famous tasting menu comprises dishes made with ingredients from small-scale Norwegian farmers and local food purveyors.

If you're in Oslo for just one night and want an authentic dining experience, head to the city's oldest restaurant—housed in Oslo's first town hall, a building that dates from 1641. It is known for its traditional fish and game dishes that take full advantage of the city's access to the best seasonal produce. An absolute must, if you're lucky enough to be visiting in December, is the house specialty, the lutefisk. Reserve well in advance for the julebord (pre-Christmas) season.

Sunny with a wow-factor and scrumptious. Don't sleep on this institution. Owner Lars Jon Amundsen converted an old soap factory into "the sunny side" back in 1993 after running award-winning shellfish festivals and sushi bars, and inspired by everywhere from Californian coastal gems to Parisian bistros. With its high ceiling and huge windows facing the sunny side of the capital, this summer-only seafood restaurant is housed in a former warehouse right by the harbor.

Here, it's an open-to-all, smart-casual affair where you'll see families, dates, and celebrities tucking into shellfish side by side. Follow the lead of the many locals who call this their favorite spot and indulge yourself with a plateau de fruits de mer (seafood platter, the house specialty) or opt for one of the other longtime favorites like the turbot with horseradish puree, the king crab au gratin, or the vegetarian-friendly salt-baked celeriac with walnuts.

In typical Oslo fashion the dining room isn't at all showy, allowing the seafood to shine. There are two sittings after 6:30, and the place is open May through September (closed Sunday) only making it all the more special.

An Oslo institution, Theatercafeen has been a meeting place for artists and intellectuals for more than a century. Today it still attracts Oslo's beau monde, and as it's right across the street from the National Theater, it's a good bet for celebrity spotting. The menu varies with the seasons; the oysters and seafood platters are impressive, as are the cheese and charcuterie boards. To have any chance of getting a table during the super-busy julebord (pre-Christmas) season, book well in advance.

Restaurateurs Toralf Bølgen and Trond Moi have a winner in this minimalist restaurant. If you're tired of eating breakfast in your hotel, rise and shine here instead. Well-known Norwegian artists such as photographer Knut Bry showcase their work in the restaurant's bar, brasserie, and formal dining room. Try the oversize Thorenfeldt burger, or the three-course set menu, which changes daily. Most dishes are cooked in the wood-burning oven in the corner.

A well-heeled arrival on the city's gastronomic scene, this bistro has a candlelit dining room with brick walls, an arched ceiling, and a huge terrace shaded with umbrellas. From the platters of fresh shellfish to the grilled-to-perfection steaks, this place is an all-around winner for those who want Nordic fare served with flair. The service is very friendly and professional.

An intimate yet lively dining experience awaits in this longtime favorite with a blue-and-white fleur-de-lis motif. From the open kitchen, Sergio Barcilon and the other chefs often serve the French and Spanish dishes themselves. The small menu lists just four entrée choices, but dishes like deer with blackberry sauce or redfish with a sweet red pepper sauce are always superbly prepared.

Despite being located on the ground floor of a chain hotel, this unexpectedly creative bistro satisfies hungry foodies with its incredible fjord-, farm-, and forest-inspired smorgasbord of dishes ranging from pine-smoked scallops to venison with sweet sausage. "Boards from the Fjords" is what it calls its small plates combining several different dishes meant to share. There are plenty of local cheeses, craft beers, and other happy-making fare.

The Grand Cafe gets all the attention, but the Grand Hotel's more casual—but still quite beautiful—lobby restaurant is what Bohemian dreams are made of, with marble, gold, crystal, and velvet adding a luxurious touch. Underneath a spectacular glass ceiling, the dining room is a place where locals come to see and be seen. Steaks are among the favorites here, served with béarnaise sauce and platters of fries.

A speedy elevator takes you to the 34th floor of the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, where you'll have panoramic views of the city's unmistakable skyline. (Request a window seat if you can handle heights.) The sleek, modern dining room is all about raising Nordic cuisine to it highest level, and you can choose between à la carte offerings and three- or six-course tasting menus. There's no better way to celebrate than with one of the showy cocktails from the bar.