Many of Oslo’s top hotels have added new polished restaurants in recent years that aim to draw locals and travelers alike, with unique draws like rooftop settings or large windows facing the Christmas market. These nine hotels—some are restored historic properties from the 19th century—are well located in the city center and pair easily with top attractions like Palace Park and the Munch Museum.
## A Deeper Dive into Oslo’s Hotel Dining Scene
Oslo, the vibrant capital of Norway, offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and modern innovation. One of the best ways to experience this dynamic city is through its thriving culinary scene, often found within the city’s most esteemed hotels. These hotels not only offer luxurious accommodations but also boast restaurants that are destinations in themselves, offering unique atmospheres and exquisite cuisine. Let’s embark on a more detailed exploration of some of Oslo’s finest hotel restaurants.
### Amerikalinjen
The **Amerikalinjen** hotel, a newcomer to Oslo’s luxury hotel landscape, opened its doors in 2019 and quickly established itself as a premier destination. Its very name, **Amerikalinjen**, is a nod to its rich past, as it resides within the walls of the former headquarters of the Norwegian America Line. This historical connection is palpable throughout the hotel, adding a layer of intrigue to the guest experience.
At the heart of **Amerikalinjen’s** culinary offerings is **Atlas**, a restaurant designed to impress. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, creating a welcoming and airy ambiance for diners. The menu at **Atlas** is a carefully curated brasserie selection, drawing inspiration from both Norwegian and New York culinary traditions. Guests can begin their culinary journey with delectable starters such as grilled langoustines, prepared with precision to highlight their delicate flavor, or fresh oysters, a true taste of the sea. For the main course, the choices are equally enticing, with options like the creamy and flavorful chanterelle risotto, a vegetarian delight, or a perfectly cooked entrecôte steak, a classic choice for meat lovers.
Beyond the regular menu, **Atlas** is particularly renowned for its weekend jazz brunch. This popular event, for which reservations are highly recommended, combines delicious food with live music, creating a memorable experience. The brunch menu includes classic favorites like eggs Benedict, prepared with a perfectly poached egg and rich hollandaise sauce, and a satisfying pastrami sandwich, piled high with flavorful meat.
For guests staying overnight at the **Amerikalinjen**, the hotel offers 122 stylish rooms. These rooms are characterized by their elegant parquet floors, soaring tall ceilings, and carefully chosen light fixtures crafted by a Norwegian glass maker. The attention to detail extends to the luxurious amenities, including Nespresso machines for a convenient caffeine fix, plush bathrobes for ultimate comfort, heated bathroom floors for a touch of warmth, and upscale bath products for a pampering experience. Each room also features a brand book that delves into the building’s captivating history. In addition, guests can admire the unique nautical objects displayed on the walls, each carefully selected to contribute to the hotel’s overall narrative.
### Hotel Continental
The **Hotel Continental**, a venerable institution in Oslo’s hospitality scene, has been welcoming guests since 1860. This historic hotel, now managed by the fourth generation of the same family, recently underwent a significant renovation in 2018. The renovation brought fresh decor and luxurious Molton Brown bath products to its 151 rooms and suites, further enhancing the guest experience.
The **Hotel Continental** boasts not one, but three distinct restaurants, each offering a unique culinary experience. However, it is **Theatercafeen**, a Viennese-style restaurant, that commands the most attention. Its striking features include tall ceilings, oversized windows that offer panoramic views, and elegant Art Nouveau touches that transport diners to another era. The menu at **Theatercafeen** is a delightful mix of flavors, with dishes like spicy *moules-frites*, a classic combination of mussels and fries, steak tartare, prepared with the finest quality meat, refreshing salads, satisfying burgers, and a selection of oysters and caviar for those seeking a touch of luxury.
For a more refined dining experience, **Eik Annen Etage** is the hotel’s high-end restaurant. This establishment offers weekly tasting menus, allowing guests to sample a range of expertly prepared dishes, paired with carefully selected wine packages to complement each course. Alternatively, guests seeking a more casual ambiance can opt for the trendy pizza restaurant and bar, perfect for a relaxed evening.
### Grand Hotel
The **Grand Hotel**, an iconic landmark in Oslo, has been a symbol of luxury and elegance since its opening in 1874. Strategically located on **Karl Johans gate**, the city’s premier shopping street, the **Grand Hotel** offers unparalleled access to Oslo’s vibrant retail scene.
The hotel features a variety of restaurants and bars, including a year-round rooftop venue with breathtaking views of the city. However, the true gem of the **Grand Hotel’s** culinary offerings is **Palmen**, a restaurant situated beneath the hotel’s stunning historic glass atrium. **Palmen** serves lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, providing a sophisticated setting for any occasion. The menu features dishes such as the crayfish toast, a delightful seafood creation, and the **Palmen** burger, a gourmet take on a classic, featuring crispy pancetta. To conclude the meal, guests can indulge in the Napoleon cake, a decadent pastry infused with the rich flavor of Cuban rum.
The **Grand Hotel** offers 280 meticulously appointed rooms and suites. Notably, one of these suites is reserved each year for the Nobel Peace Prize winner, adding to the hotel’s prestige. The rooms and suites underwent a renovation in 2016, resulting in a modern decor and a host of luxury amenities. These include Nespresso machines, well-stocked minibars, plush bathrobes and slippers, and designer bath products. Guests can also enjoy access to an indoor tranquility pool, a full-service spa, and a complimentary breakfast served at the charming streetside café.
### The Thief
**The Thief**, a modern luxury hotel, attracts guests seeking a contemporary experience and convenient access to the **Aker Brygge** waterfront, particularly during the bustling summer months. A seasonal highlight of **The Thief** is its rooftop restaurant, equipped with heaters to ensure comfort and offering spectacular views of the surrounding area. Here, guests can savor upscale Nordic cuisine with a global twist, crafted by a chef who employs French cooking techniques. As they dine, they can witness the breathtaking sunset over the Oslofjord. During the rest of the year, the restaurant is relocated to an elegant dining room adorned with unique pieces of art, including a captivating painting by Damien Hirst.
**The Thief** boasts an array of amenities, including an inviting indoor pool, a rejuvenating sauna, and a full-service spa with six treatment rooms. The hotel’s 114 modern rooms and suites feature king-size beds with luxurious Scandinavian linens, smart TVs, state-of-the-art sound systems, Italian coffee makers, plush bathrobes, and comfortable slippers. The bathrooms are equipped with Grown Alchemist bath products and invigorating rain showerheads, while suites offer the added luxury of separate showers and bathtubs. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, with deluxe rooms and higher categories offering desirable water views.
### Hotel Bristol
The **Hotel Bristol**, a traditional establishment with a rich history, stands as one of the oldest hotels in Oslo. In 2019, the hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary with a comprehensive renovation, including the installation of a state-of-the-art kitchen for its renowned steakhouse, **Bristol Grill**. With its elegant ambiance, characterized by candlelight and white table linens, **Bristol Grill** is the perfect setting for a special night out. The menu features a selection of premium ingredients, including tuna sourced from Spain, whole-grilled pigeon, and dry-aged cuts of meat aged in the hotel’s own maturing cabinets.
The **Hotel Bristol** offers 251 rooms and suites, each retaining original details such as crown molding and antique-style furnishings. Modern amenities include luxurious linens, Nespresso machines, thick bathrobes, and L’Occitane products in eco-friendly dispensers. Guests can begin their day with an elegant breakfast buffet, featuring organic produce and delectable baked goods from the on-site bakery.
### Clarion Hotel Oslo
The **Clarion Hotel Oslo** embraces a minimalist aesthetic, evident from the moment guests enter the art-filled lobby. The lobby showcases rotating artworks, including a Munch painting that underwent extensive restoration. Adjacent to the entrance is **Kitchen & Table Fishery**, a lively restaurant with a menu curated by Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson. The restaurant focuses on Nordic cuisine and rustic seafood dishes, showcasing the region’s culinary heritage. In addition to the restaurant and seasonal terrace, the hotel offers a bar serving expertly crafted cocktails, with ample space for lounging or catching up on emails.
The **Clarion Hotel Oslo** features 250 rooms and suites spread across six floors, each offering floor-to-ceiling windows with captivating city or fjord views. The rooms are furnished with contemporary decor, hardwood-style floors, and convenient kettles. Superior rooms and above include Nespresso machines and bathrobes, while some deluxe rooms offer balconies or terraces, subject to availability upon check-in.
### Hotel Christiania Teater
The **Hotel Christiania Teater** combines trendy interiors with the charm of a historic building, located just a block from Karl Johans gate. Upstairs, **Restaurant Teatro** awaits, offering an impressive wine list alongside salads, red and white pizzas made with high-quality Italian ingredients, and delectable housemade ice creams. The eclectic decor is enhanced by candlelight, creating a magical ambiance. Window seats offer views of the plaza below, where seasonal events come to life, especially during the Christmas season with its atmospheric market and ice skating rink. Each morning, a complimentary breakfast with made-to-order egg dishes is served in this elegant space.
The **Hotel Christiania Teater** offers distinct rooms with theatrical touches, featuring unique wallpapers and furnishings in bold colors and patterns. All rooms include hardwood floors, tall ceilings, minibars stocked with beverages and snacks, kettles, and CO Bigelow bath products.
### Hotell Bondeheimen
The budget-friendly **Hotell Bondeheimen** occupies a prime location in the heart of Oslo, just one block from Karl Johans gate. The hotel’s popular restaurant, **Kaffistova**, dates back to 1901 and attracts locals for lunch with its generous portions of traditional Norwegian specialties, including potato dumplings, meatballs, and seafood. Guests should be sure to leave room for the delicious cakes prepared by the in-house pastry chef. A complimentary breakfast buffet is also served here each morning.
The **Hotell Bondeheimen** has been fully renovated, but retains elements of its history dating back to 1913, when it served as a haven for writers, artists, and actors. Each of the 145 guest rooms is associated with a former writer or cultural figure, with a quotation, portrait, and biographical information displayed in each room. Some rooms also showcase original details such as wood-beamed ceilings.
### Scandic Vulkan
The **Scandic Vulkan** is the ideal hotel for travelers seeking quick access to Oslo’s trendy **Grünerløkka** neighborhood. Located in the **Vulkan** neighborhood, across the river from Grünerløkka, the hotel is steps away from numerous restaurants. Guests can also dine on-site at the industrial-style **Ristorante Ferro**, which specializes in housemade pasta, pizzas, and delectable desserts such as panna cotta.
Foodies will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to **Mathallen**, a spacious indoor food market offering a diverse range of eateries and vendors selling local Norwegian products, perfect for souvenirs. **Vulkan Arena**, an intimate concert venue, is located next door, attracting notable acts. The vicinity also boasts several more independent eateries, shops, and restaurants, including some with Michelin stars.
The **Scandic Vulkan** offers 180 rooms with contemporary decor, wood-style floors, and oversized windows with blackout shades. Superior rooms, located on the upper floors, offer better views and more space. Families can opt for the studio suites on the top floor, which can accommodate three or four guests.
This detailed exploration offers a glimpse into the diverse and enticing culinary landscape within Oslo’s finest hotels. Each hotel provides a unique blend of luxurious accommodations and exceptional dining experiences, promising an unforgettable stay in the Norwegian capital.
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