OSLO · FREE TIME GUIDE
Where to eat in Oslo
Bristol Hotel Oslo · Kristian IV's gate · All venues within walking distance
Created by Inger Palmet · +372 56 56 89 88
TRADITIONAL NORWEGIAN
Kaffistova – across the street to the left! 180–250 NOK
Oslo institution since 1901 — home-style cafeteria. Meatballs with lingonberry, moose patties, fish soup, homemade cakes. Great value.
Rosenkrantz' gate 8, 0159 Oslo ↗ 2 min walk
Elias Mat & Sånt – same block as the hotel! Moderate
Authentic Norwegian-Nordic home cooking — reindeer stew, lamb shank, moose carpaccio, fish dishes. Cozy and warm.
Kristian Augusts gate 14, 0164 Oslo
Gamle Raadhus Restaurant [1641] 300–450 NOK
Oslo's original city hall — classic Norwegian dishes in atmospheric, historic surroundings. Fish soup, halibut, reindeer steak.
Nedre Slottsgate 1, 0157 Oslo ↗ 10 min walk
Engebret Café [Est. 1857] 400–500 NOK
Oslo's oldest restaurant — Ibsen, Grieg and Munch all had tables here. Seasonal Norwegian menu. Reservations recommended.
Bankplassen 1, 0151 Oslo ↗ 12 min walk
INTERNATIONAL
Den Peppern Gror – straight down towards water from the hotel!
One of the best Indian restaurants in Scandinavia, right by City Hall. Reservations usually needed. Open from 16:00
Fridtjof Nansens Plass 7, 0160 Oslo ↗ 10 min walk
Olivia Eger - main street, towards train station.
Reliable Italian on Karl Johans gate near the train station. Good pasta and pizza, easy and unfussy.
Karl Johans gate 23, 0157 Oslo ↗ 5 min walk
Brasserie France [French] 350–500 NOK
A slice of Paris off Karl Johans gate — onion soup, steak tartare, mussels, excellent wines. Evenings only, Mon–Sat from 4 pm. Book ahead.
Øvre Slottsgate 16, 0157 Oslo ↗ 7 min walk
CAFÉS, MARKETS & QUICK BITES
Nordvegan [Vegan] – just right from the hotel main door! 200–280 NOK
Award-winning vegan restaurant with a daily menu by a Michelin-trained chef. Curries, enchiladas, lasagne, Buddha bowls, exceptional cakes. Garden terrace. On the same street as the hotel.
Kristian IVs gate 15b, 0162 Oslo ↗ 1 min walk
Mathallen Oslo [Market] Varies
Oslo's indoor food market — a large, buzzing hall with artisan food stalls, delis, bakeries, wine bars and cafés. Great for grazing or a proper meal. Open daily.
Vulkan 5, 0178 Oslo ↗ 20 min walk
Kaffebrenneriet [Coffee] – to the right from the hotel, first street corner! 60–200 NOK
Oslo's beloved specialty coffee chain, roasting in-house since 1996. Coffee, light lunches, pastries. Several central locations.
Hieronymus Heyerdahls gate 1 (nearest) ↗ 5 min walk
Pascal [Patisserie] 50–150 NOK
PASTRIES
Coffee bar and patisserie with several Oslo locations. Excellent cakes — and in summer, the best soft ice cream in Norway. Scenic route: through the Royal Palace gardens.
Prinsens Gate 22 (nearest) · Ibsens Gate 36 (scenic)
Deli Open 24/7] 80–180 NOK
SNACKS & MEALS
Norwegian deli-convenience hybrid — well above a 7-Eleven. Hot sandwiches, pasta, pizza, pastries, salads, gelato. Open around the clock.
Universitetsgaten 20 / Karl Johans gate 33 ↗ 1–3 min walk
BAKERIES
Erketunet Gardsbakeri – straight down to water from the hotel! 40–80 NOK
Farm bakery from western Norway — organic stone-ground flour, honest and delicious bread and pastries.
Rosenkrantzgata 25, 0160 Oslo ↗ ~8 min walk, from the hotel straight down to the fjord, last door on right hand side
Pascal 50–80 NOK
Croissants, Danish pastries and cakes baked fresh daily.
Prinsens Gate 22 · Ibsens Gate 36
Kaffebrenneriet 40–80 NOK
Scones, cinnamon buns and open sandwiches alongside excellent coffee.
Hieronymus Heyerdahls gate 1 ↗ ~5 min walk
Recommendations based on positive feedback from previous clients. Quality and enjoyment are subjective and may vary.
Oslo — good to know Bristol Hotel Oslo · Kristian IV's gate
PAYING & TIPPING
Norway is almost entirely cashless — card is accepted everywhere, including market stalls, bakeries and food halls. You will rarely if ever need cash. Contactless payments work without issue throughout the city.
Tipping is not expected in Norway. At sit-down restaurants, rounding up or leaving 10% is a kind gesture but never obligatory. At cafés, delis and street food counters, no tip is needed.
CURRENCY
Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK).
Approximate rates: 1 USD ≈ 10.5 NOK · 1 EUR ≈ 11.5 NOK
ATMs (Minibank) are widely available near Karl Johans gate.
GETTING AROUND
The city centre is very walkable — most venues in this guide are 1–15 minutes on foot from the hotel.
Oslo's public transport (Ruter) covers tram, bus, metro and ferry on a single ticket.
Single ticket: ~45 NOK · 24-hour pass: ~120 NOK · Buy in the Ruter app — cheaper than machines.
TAXIS & RIDE APPS
Oslo taxis are available but expensive. Both Bolt and Uber operate in Oslo and are easy to use.
Download the app, set your destination, pay by card in-app — no cash needed. Bolt tends to be slightly cheaper; both are reliable.
DINING HOURS
Most restaurants open for dinner from 5 or 6 pm. Lunch typically runs 11 am – 3 pm.
Alcohol sold in supermarkets until 8 pm weekdays (6 pm Saturdays). Bars and restaurants serve until 3 am.
Sundays: shops close early; restaurants and cafés generally stay open.
PRICING GUIDE
Budget (café, deli, street food): 100–200 NOK
Mid-range (restaurant main course): 200–380 NOK
Upscale / historic: 400–600+ NOK
Coffee: 50–75 NOK · Beer: 90–120 NOK
GOOD TO KNOW
Tap water in Oslo is excellent — always free to ask for at any restaurant.
Most menus are available in English throughout the city centre.
Oslo is very safe — take normal city precautions around Karl Johans gate in the evening.
Emergency number: 112 · Non-emergency police: 02800
HOTEL REFERENCE
Bristol Hotel Oslo
Kristian IVs gate 7, 0164 Oslo
Tel: +47 22 82 60 00
Group meeting point: Hotel lobby unless otherwise announced.