Home to over 60% of the country’s Michelin Stars, Norway’s cosmopolitan capital is bustling with trendy boutiques, a buzzing music scene, top hotels and some of Scandinavia’s finest gastronomic delights. As one of Europe’s top city break destinations, our aim is to help you discover the best Oslo has to offer in just two days, The MICHELIN Guide way.
The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo (©We-Ge/iStock)
Day 1: The City Centre
Morning
Oslo is the perfect city for aimless strolls, and there’s no better place to start than by taking in sunrise at the water’s edge. Aker Brygge is Oslo’s most popular waterfront destination, a modern development full of swanky eateries and coffee houses. From mid-morning until late into the night, this spot is always busy, but by starting your day in Aker Brygge, you can make the most of the views without having to fight your way through the crowds.In a city that is serious about coffee, there's no end to great places to get your morning brew. Kaffebrenneriet avd Aker Brygge is an excellent choice, with locally roasted beans and freshly baked pastries. If you prefer a more formal breakfast, walk just a few hundred metres inland to Haakon, a modern Norwegian brasserie with dim lighting and wood-panelled walls.
Less than a five-minute walk away, you’ll find the Nobel Peace Centre. A must on any visit to Oslo, it's home to a range of exhibitions, tours and events. The Nobel Peace Prize was first awarded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1901, but in 1905 the awards ceremony moved to Oslo, where it has been held ever since. Housed in a grand building, which looks much older than its 19 years, the museum tells the story of Alfred Nobel and displays the Prize’s laureates and their work.
The Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo (©mtcurado/iStock)
Lunch
Just 10 minutes’ walk from the Nobel Peace Centre, Bib Gourmand awarded Frances is a great spot for lunch. Housed in the former US Embassy, the space once used to issue visas is now a swanky café by day, which transforms into a refined wine bar and restaurant come evening. Known for its creative, vibrant and colourful dishes, the theme here is Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates; the lunch menu offers excellent value.
The Royal Palace, Oslo (©Leonardo Patrizi/iStock)
Afternoon
Just across the road from Frances, head into Palace Park. The Royal Palace – 'Det Kongelige Slott' in Norwegian – sits at the centre of the park, but it’s well worth paying a visit to The Queen Sonja Art Stable first. Opened to the public for the first time in February 2024, the Art Stable exhibits previously unseen photographs taken by members of the Norwegian Royal Family.The Royal Palace itself is open to visitors during the summer months. If you’re in Oslo at this time, make sure you pay it a visit. If not, the palace is an impressive sight from the outside too, and the surrounding parkland is a serene spot in which to lose yourself.
Leave Palace Park via Kristian IV’s Gate and cross Frederik’s Gate to explore the grand Historical Museum. Home to Norway’s largest collection of historic artefacts, the museum showcases Nordic history from the stone age right up to the present day. The Viking Age Exhibition is particularly gripping and holds some of the most important artefacts from the Viking era, whilst providing a fascinating insight into Viking life away from the battlefield.
Stallen, Oslo (©Mats Dreyer)
Dinner and Evening
It should come as no surprise that Oslo has an extensive gourmet offering, with the finest cuisines from across the world represented. The One Michelin Star restaurant, Mon Oncle, which takes its name from Jacques Tati’s Academy Award winning film, serves classic French cuisine in cosy surroundings. The team here are renowned for presenting their divine dishes with pride, and the tasting menus are accompanied by a fabulous selection of the best French wines.If you’d rather enjoy the traditional flavours of Norwegian cuisine, walk north from the Historical Museum to One Michelin Starred restaurant Stallen, which occupies a former stable. Holder of a Michelin Green Star, it serves healthy Norwegian dishes with a heavy focus on sustainability, with many of the herbs and vegetables grown in their own garden. You can choose between dining in the open-plan kitchen or in the intimate first floor dining room.
Sabi Omakase Oslo (©Haakon Hoseth)
For a highly personalised dinner, Sabi Omakase Oslo is the city's only Sushi restaurant to hold a Michelin Star. The work of Chef Airis Zapašnikas, it has seating for just 10 diners around a horseshoe-shaped counter. Using locally sourced fish, Airis prepares his sushi right in front of your eyes, whilst also explaining the processes. This immersive experience lasts for three hours and is enhanced by sake, wine or juice pairings.
To unwind at the end of the night, Pier 42 at the Michelin-recommended Amerikalinjen hotel is a relaxed place to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail. Named after New York’s Pier 42, the award-winning cocktail list here is based around the concept of a ‘Liquid Gallery of Art’. On top of its amazing cocktail bar, Amerikalinjen also hosts 122 beautifully appointed guestrooms, all designed in keeping with the building’s history; in a former life, it was the headquarters of the Norwegian America Line cruise line.
©Amerikalinjen Hotel, Oslo
NEW City Guides:
Day 2: Bygdøy and Oslofjord
Morning
Like the rest of Scandinavia, Norway is known for its light approach to breakfast, and coffee shops take centre stage. Supreme Roastworks in Aker Brygge is one of the city’s most celebrated breakfast spots, known for its rich coffee and delicious pastries. On a summer’s day, they do a 'damn good iced coffee', to use their own words; it features a shot of espresso with rose lemonade and lime, an unusual combination which tastes divine.If you’d rather a more substantial, formal breakfast, look no further than Caroline at the Hotel Continental. The breakfast restaurant of one of Oslo’s Michelin-recommended hotels, it offers a choice of à la carte or a buffet breakfast, both of which come with impeccable service.
The Fram Museum, Oslo (©font83/iStock)
Suitably fuelled for the day, it’s time to escape the city centre and discover some of Oslo’s plentiful natural beauty and wildlife. The Bygdøy Peninsula sits to the west of the city and is easily accessed by ferry, bus or taxi. Ferry is the quickest option, with boats departing every 20 minutes from City Hall Pier 3, by the entrance to Aker Brygge.
Aside from commanding stunning views across Oslofjord and having acres of woodland trails to explore, Bygdøy is home to some of Oslo’s top museums. The Fram Museum tells the story of the strongest wooden ship ever built. Designed to survive the most treacherous seas while carrying out polar research, Fram sailed to the Arctic and Antarctic, and still holds the record as the ship which sailed further north and further south than any other.
Gol Stave Church, Oslo (©We-Ge/iStock)
Lunch
If you’re looking for a quick bite whilst maximising sightseeing time, Bygdøy’s museums offer light meals and snacks, but if you’d prefer a full lunch, wait until you disembark the ferry and head for one of Aker Brygge’s most acclaimed restaurants.Michelin-recommended Tjuvholmen Sjømagasin occupies a prime position overlooking the fjord. With a sun terrace for those warm summer days, fresh seafood is the order of the day here. Choose from shellfish landed just metres away, or pick a crab or lobster from their tanks.
Tjuvholmen Sjømagasin, Oslo ©Karel Svec
Afternoon
Head back to the ferry dock for a spot of island hopping. There are no less than 40 islands within Oslo’s city limits and, during the summer months, the capital's residents flock to the beaches of Oslofjord’s islands to escape the heat of the city.Hovedøya, the closest island to the city, is just a six-minute ferry ride away, with boats departing every 15 minutes during the summer season. Head to the west coast of the island to unwind on beautiful sandy beaches before walking back via the ruins of the Hovedøya Abbey, a Cistercian monastery which dates back to 1147. In the former military building next to the ferry terminal, Lavettshuest, you’ll find an excellent art exhibition.
If time allows, board a ferry heading further west into the Oslofjord inlet to visit Gressholmen. A quieter, lesser visited island, Gressholmen was once home to Oslo’s first airport. Now, though, its only connection with the outside world are the ferries. Gressholmen Kro is a fantastic al fresco bar and café at the centre of the island which serves delicious coffee and ice-cold beer with a stunning view.
Hovedoya Harbour, Oslo (©mr-fox/iStock)
Dinner and Evening
Back on dry land, a great way to end your 2 days in Oslo is with dinner at Maaemo, one of only two Three Michelin Star restaurants in Norway. Start off with a drink in the lounge-bar before heading through to the awe-inspiring dining room. Their surprise tasting menu, served from an open kitchen, consists entirely of organic, wild and biodynamic produce, expertly curated by Chef Esben Holmboe Bang.To round off your stay with an evening to remember, head to Himkok, Oslo’s much-loved cocktail bar, located just behind the cathedral which looks its best as the evening light fades. Ranked as one of the world's top bars, Himkok has earned its place as an Oslo institution, despite only being open since 2015. With an onsite distillery producing vodka, gin and aquavit, Himkok’s cocktails deliver a true Nordic flavour.
For a relaxing night before heading home, Hotel Christiania Teater boasts 102 stylish rooms. Set in a classical building which first opened as a theatre in 1917, Hotel Christiania Teater perfectly balances traditional opulence with modern comfort. If you’re in need of a nightcap before turning in, their wine bar has an impressive collection of vintage bottles.
Maaemo, Oslo ©Esben Holmboe Bang
Address Book
Gressholmen Kro: Gressholmen, 0150 OsloHaakon: Hakkon VIIs Gate 2, 0161 Oslo
HIMKOK: Storgata 27, 0184 Oslo
Historical Museum: Frederiks gate 2, 0164 Oslo
Kaffebrenneriet avd Aker Brygge: Bryggetorget 2, 0250 Oslo
Nobel Peace Center: Brynjulf Bulls plass 1, 0250 Oslo
Supreme Roastworks: Stranden 67, 0250 Oslo
The Fram Museum: Bygdøynesveien 39, 0286 Oslo
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History: Museumsveien 10, 0287 Oslo
The Queen Sonja Art Stable: Parkveien 50, 0010 Oslo
The Royal Palace: Slottsplassen 1, 0010 Oslo
Love all things Michelin?
Sign up to our newsletter to hear from the Michelin Inspectors
Get the Guide on the go with the free app
Set up an account to create lists & manage bookings
