9 Best Restaurants in Norway

Previously known under a different name, this Latin-American flavored waterfront restaurant comes alive on the weekend, when fashion-conscious locals compete for the best seats on the terrace. The hip dining room is almost as popular, with long wooden tables emphasizing that meals here are a communal experience. The Cuban bands that perform on weekends make sure that brunch is always packed. If you can't snag a table, wait at the leather-fronted bar with a strong and sweet signature martini. Choose a selection of seafood dishes to share with your posse.

In the former headquarters of the Norwegian America cruise line, this well-heeled eatery capitalizes on a New York–meets–Oslo vibe. Stop by for an excellent cup of coffee in the plant-filled courtyard, or head to the all-day brasserie for the dazzling seafood platter or steak big enough to share with several friends. The ambience is lively and bustling, particularly during the jazz brunch Sunday. If you can't get enough of the music, there's a jazz club in the basement that attracts music lovers.

A spacious outdoor terrace and seafront location with unparalleled views over the harbor and distant mountains assure Bryggerikaia a steady clientele. But it's the menu of fresh seafood—local mussels, shrimp, and salmon, for starters—and market-fresh produce, as well as hearty meat dishes, that keep diners coming back. There's live entertainment in the bar on weekends.

At the end of Torgalmenningen, the massive square where everyone in town seems to meet, this is the kind of place where you should ask for a table by the window or in the glassed-in terrace so you can people-watch. Using the best local ingredients, the kitchen is inspired by cuisines from around the world. On the weekend, the restaurant transforms into a club after the last meals have been served.

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.

The name refers to its location at the tip of the Vippetangen, the peninsula that juts out into Oslofjord. This lively art, culture, and education center is also a destination for food lovers who want to sample dishes as diverse as poké bowls and halloumi wraps. Local brewers and distillers also showcase their delights. The place gets especially busy on Thursday, when the crowd competes in a pop quiz.