Oslo’s food scene has changed dramatically over the past decade. The city now has world-class food halls, a thriving street food scene at the waterfront, and neighbourhood restaurants that rival any European capital. Whether you have three days or a week, knowing where to eat will make your trip significantly better. For a wider view of Norwegian food and drink beyond the capital – from stockfish to state alcohol shops – see the guide to Norwegian food and drink.
Quick Facts: Eating in Oslo
• Food halls: Mathallen (Grünerløkka), Vippa (harbour), Østbanehallen (Central Station) and Barcode Street Food
• Budget tip: Lunch menus cost roughly half the dinner price
• Best neighbourhood: Grünerløkka for cafés and brunch; Bjørvika and Sørenga for waterfront
• Waterfront dining: Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen for fjord views with your meal
• Best for picnics: Buy takeaway at Mathallen and head to Frognerparken
Oslo’s Food Halls – the Best Starting Point
Oslo has five food halls worth knowing. Each one has its own character and neighbourhood – and each gives you a different side of how the city eats.
Mathallen
Mathallen is located at Grünerløkka and is an excellent place to have lunch. Here, you can also buy food to take away for a picnic. The market hall opened in 2012 and brought together artisan food producers, restaurants, and pop-up stands. On weekends it fills up quickly – go early or time your visit for a late lunch. There are also several independent restaurants around mathallen so you won’t go home hungry.
Vippa
Vippa sits right at the harbour, in a converted warehouse near Akershus Fortress. The concept is international street food under one roof – you order from different stands and eat at long communal tables. It is casual, affordable, and the kind of place locals come back to on a regular basis. Go on a weekday evening for the most relaxed experience.
Østbanehallen
Østbanehallen is located inside Oslo Central Station, which makes it easy to walk straight past. It is a concept with several restaurants in one hall, with a very relaxed atmosphere, and a solid option if you need to eat before or after a train. The building itself is beautiful, with high ceilings and historic details that give the space real character.
Barcode Street Food
Barcode Street Food sits at Dronning Eufemias gate 14, right in the middle of Bjørvika. The concept is familiar – 15 international food stalls covering everything from Japanese ramen and Thai to Lebanese and Caribbean, with communal tables and a direct view of the modern waterfront buildings. What sets it apart from the other food halls is the energy: one of Norway’s largest bars is part of the venue, and the space regularly fills with after-work crowds, DJ nights, and festivals. It holds up to 800 people and works just as well for a weekday lunch as a Friday evening out.
Oslo Street Food
Oslo Street Food is housed in a converted 1920s bathhouse at Torggata 16, a short walk from Sentral Train Station. The venue has 16 food stalls – Korean, Mexican, Lebanese, Vietnamese and more – plus four bars. On weekday lunches it is a calm, affordable place to eat well. On Friday and Saturday evenings the atmosphere shifts: the food stalls close later but the bars run until 03:00, making it one of the few food halls that doubles as a genuine night out.
Where to Eat by Neighbourhood
Oslo’s neighbourhoods each have their own food identity. Grünerløkka is the creative hub – packed with independent cafés, brunch spots, and small evening restaurants.
Frogner is quieter and more upscale. Grønland, Oslo’s multicultural quarter, has some of the most affordable and varied food in the city: Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African restaurants sit alongside bakeries and grocery shops. Stick to Stenersgata where you will find many small restaurants.
Bjørvika, the modern waterfront district below the Opera House, is where you will find Barcode Street Food and a growing number of restaurants. The Opera House rooftop is a short walk away – one of the things to do in Oslo.
If you are still deciding where to base yourself, the guide to hotels in Oslo covers central options near this area. Sørenga, the peninsula just east of Bjørvika, has become a favourite summer destination – the floating saltwater pool is surrounded by cafés and small restaurants with outdoor seating.
Waterfront Dining at Aker Brygge
The waterfront stretch around Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen is Oslo’s main dining area for visitors. Prices are higher here than elsewhere in the city, but the setting is hard to beat – especially in summer, when you can sit outside with views over the Oslofjord. Go for seafood or a long lunch on a sunny afternoon. If you are timing your trip around the weather, the guide to the best time to visit Oslo covers June to August in detail.
Restaurants to try in Oslo:
• Våghals
• Nodee
• Sparta matbar
• Festningen
• Le Benjamin
• Brasserie France
FAQ – Where to Eat in Oslo
Mathallen in Grünerløkka is widely considered Oslo’s best food hall – artisan producers, restaurants, and takeaway in a lively indoor market. Vippa at the harbour is the top pick for international street food with a relaxed waterfront atmosphere.
Yes, Oslo is one of Europe’s more expensive cities for dining. A main course at a mid-range restaurant typically costs 350–400 NOK at dinner. Food halls, lunch menus, and supermarket shopping for breakfast are the most effective ways to manage costs.
For traditional Norwegian food, look for restaurants serving fiskesuppe (fish soup), gravlaks, or fårikål (lamb stew). The waterfront at Aker Brygge has several good seafood restaurants. Mathallen also has stands with Norwegian artisan products and dishes.
Grünerløkka is Oslo’s most vibrant neighbourhood for eating out – independent cafés, brunch spots, and evening restaurants in a walkable area. Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen are the go-to for waterfront dining.
