No need to tip in Norway or Sweden and certainly not common from locals. However in a restaurant when paying the bill by credit card (no one would pay by cash) you will be presented with a card reader and asked to enter the amount - some might round up a little, max 5%, if feeling particularly generous. Norwegians have a liveable minimum wage and social benefits and are not dependent on hand-outs.
Definitely don't tip taxis, barmen, hairdressers etc.
And you'll get a glass of wine in a bar or restaurant for about USD10.

<i>A $14 cocktail or glass of wine (not uncommon) here becomes $17.</i>

Tax included? which it is as part of the posted price in Norway.

Michael, it's another 6% for the sales tax. For both the food and drinks.

We often try to go to BYOB where we can bring our own wine. Sometimes they charge a corkage fee from $5 to $10. But that's still way cheaper than going to a place with a liquor license.

When we traveled to Japan where this is no tipping it was quite refreshing! But here many servers basically live on the tips.

<i>And you'll get a glass of wine in a bar or restaurant for about USD10.</i>

Cheaper than San Francisco where a glass of wine generally runs from $12-15--there are exceptions.

I checked out Maeemo, a three start restaurant in Oslo. The fixed price for dinner converts to $103. A comparable fixed price meal at Vetri's (one of the best meals I have ever had, it was for our 30th wedding anniversary), in Philadelphia, is $155. Yes, both are tons of money but still... That's a big difference.

Anyway, it's all going to be what it is. We'll splurge on some dinners and cut way back on others (most).

As you may have guessed we like good food, cheap and more. Any and all restaurant suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Also, where should I reserve ahead? Here, you'd be in real trouble, except for the very low end places, without a reservation anywhere from a week to months ahead.

The prices are greatly exaggerated on this forum. The minute you mention Scandinavia, the prices are blown out of all proportion, mostly by posters who have either never travelled there or travelled there many years ago when it was indeed very expensive. The prices in the rest of the world have now caught up, the exchange rates have changed, so if you live in NY or London etc, you will not see much price difference, if any. The prices of wine in Systembolaget are the same and sometimes cheaper than I get in London (but very much more expensive than wine in France).

Even in Norway, a bottle of wine can be bought in Vinmonopolet from USD10.
Opening hours for Vinmonopolet and Systembolaget are similar (closed Sundays, open Sat am and Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm)

Even in Norway, a bottle of wine can be bought in Vinmonopolet from USD10.>

The cheapest $10- about $7 more than here (America) and $8 more than France and $5 more than London IME

but that is an anomaly I guess from what you are saying.

Why does a country like Norway have such severe buying hours for alcohol- what's the deal and a monopoly often results in high prices. I think restricting hours only makes folks buy more in advance and have more at home to get smashed on.

London yes is so so expensive on most things except supermarket stuff.

PalenQ I don't understand what you mean by this sentence: "The cheapest $10- about $7 more than here (America) and $8 more than France and $5 more than London IME"

Not many bottles of wine here in America under $10. And in restaurants it is triple that, minimum. If I find anything I like under $15 in Pennsylvania's liquor and wine stores I jump up and down with joy.

"No need to tip in Norway or Sweden and certainly not common from locals"

This is not correct, most Norwegians tip some 5-10% in restaurants and some 10-20 NOK in taxis. And normally up to the nearest ten kroner in bars.

And yesterday it was a major news thing in Norway that "Tourists pay more on Hurtigruten". Could apparantly be big money to save to buy from the website in Norwegian. Probably they have to change this immedieateky, but worth checking out: http://www.newsinenglish.no/2016/09/...n-hurtigruten/
https://www.nrk.no/hordaland/hurtigr...enn-1.13130893

Another restaurant tip.

In Oslo classic Restaurant Schrøder, a today's meal is some 15$ (meatballs, cod, trout, reindeer, steak etc.): https://www.restaurant-schroder.no/

Schrøder is Harry Hole's restaurant, Harry Hole from Jo Nesbø's internationally famous Scandinavian noir crime novels: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/09/bo...hero.html?_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/16/bo...visits-us.html

Wow! 77% higher fares. That's outrageous. I may rethink the whole thing.


On a higher note, I've loved and read all of Jo Nesbo's books so I'll definitely try Restaurant Schrøder.

Very bad the Hurtigruten thing. You could of course buy through the Norwegian homepage, but I would also rethink after this. They defend themselves by saying it's a without breakfast option and a "last minute" discount for tours bought the last 30 days before travel which are not on offer abroad.

But glad the Jo Nesbø/Harry Hole Restaurant Schrøder was a hit. Live in the neighbourhood and have been going here every now and then for some thirty years. Had a fine cod dinner and some glasses here no less than a couple of weeks ago: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...rn_Norway.html

Kimie, also I think I'll pick one of those three best restaurants in Oslo you posted. They all look interesting.

All three are fabulous, Maeemo and Kontrast are as cutting edge as it gets, and Statholdergaarden more traditional.

The Michelin guide about Maeemo: https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Rest...o-306832-41102
Michelin about Kontrast: https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Rest...t-474096-41102
Michelin about Statholdergaarden: https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Rest...n-113191-41102

And when in Oslo, I can also very much recommend to have the classical smørbrød, totally delicious open sandwiches, pure luxcury. Emblematic Thetarecaféen would be one great place to have them, but my absolute favourite smørbrød place in all of Norway is Vinterhaven and Bibliotekbaren (The Winter Garden and the Library Bar) in old world Hotel Bristol. Just outstanding and about 15 USD for each smørbrød. One smørbrød is a light lunch, two are a full meal. http://www.thonhotels.com/hotels/cou...1/food--drink/
"Oslo's best smørbrød": http://www.godt.no/#!/artikkel/23351...ste-smoerbroed

"Smørbrød with atmosphere" in Oslo: http://www.aftenposten.no/osloby/sul...e-6908691.html

The place in Hotel Bristol looks fabulous and has moved to the top of my list!

Good to hear. My favourite smørbrød in Bristol is roastbeef with remoulade sauce (a bit similar to tartar sauce) and pickles, but all smørbrøds here are excellent and made with love. Think I'll have lunch there today...

I made rémoulade sauce last night to go with some shrimp I grilled. :-) Never thought to put it on roast beef but it sounds like a good combination.

I am scratching the idea of going to one of the top three restaurants and decided to eat less fancy/formal instead.