The City Guide to Oslo
YME Universe
Clothing store ¡ Vika
"Located in a historic building that has been updated with a striking Snøhetta-designed interior, YME Universe is Olsoâs number one streetwear spot. The store opened in 2014, and boasts a lengthy brand list covering big names including Off-Whiteâ˘, Stone Island and 1017 ALYX 9SM amongst others. Additionally, YME Universe features a bookstore and a cafe on the third floor, and sells its own YME-designed art posters."
Tom Wood Market
Permanently Closed
"Best known as a jewelry brand â which is stocked in Dover Street Market, Goodhood and more â Tom Woodâs Oslo flagship also features clothing and eyewear. Despite this, the jewelry is the star of the show. Showcased in the center of the store, Tom Woodâs jewelry encompasses a wide range of rings, necklaces and more. The brandâs clothing focuses on classic pieces, including updated overshirts and knitwear for the cold Norwegian winters."
Stress Kirkegata
Shoe store ¡ St. Hanshaugen
"Founded in 1995, Stress is the original Norwegian sneaker store. Alongside the sneakers currently on offer, the store is heavily influenced by graffiti â a lifelong passion for founders Erik and Ăystein â and music, with vinyls and graffiti equipment previously stocked in the store. A stand-out feature of its improved Kirkegata location is the âBlackroom,â a separate room that acts as an exhibition space for up and coming hyped releases."
Hunting Lodge AS
Clothing store ¡ hammer
"Originally opened way back in 2006 in Osloâs meatpacking district, Hunting Lodge has since moved to a bigger and better location in the GrĂźnerløkka area. The store stocks a diverse range of brands, with labels including Our Legacy, Brain Dead and Adsum sitting alongside a number of outdoors and workwear-inspired brands such as Snow Peak, The North Face and Patagonia. Additionally, Hunting Lodge stocks a number of own brand pieces focusing on basics and homeware."
Acne Archive Markveien
Clothing store ¡ hammer
"Oslo is home to one of three Archive stores from Swedish label Acne Studios, alongside Copenhagen and Stockholm. The concept is simple: the stores each sell a combination of classic Acne Studios items, show pieces, exclusive products and previous season pieces. Discounts can be up to 75%, while the store also stocks Acneâs much-loved denim, accessories and footwear."
Ekebergparken
Park ¡ Ekeberg
"Open 24 hours a day and offering panoramic views across Oslo, Ekebergparken sculpture park also hosts a wide range of pieces from some of the worldâs best known artists. Stand-out pieces include Salvador DalĂâs Venus de Milo Aux Troirs, Cliff Sappho by Jenny Holzer and Damien Hirstâs 2008 work Anatomy of an Angel. Additionally, the free-to-enter park features work from Elmgreen & Dragset, Jake & Dinos Chapman and more."
Fotogalleriet
Photographer ¡ hammer
"Fotogalleriet has come a long way since it was founded by artists Dag Alveng and Tom Sandberg in a basement in 1977. Ever since then, the gallery has had a mission to exhibit local and international photography and to analyze how the medium is changing. As well as playing host to group and solo exhibitions, Fotogalleriet also stages photography book fairs and exhibitions of work from its extensive archive compiled over the past four decades."
Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art
Museum ¡ Aker Brygge
"A private museum focusing on contemporary art, Astrup Fearnley Museet has become one of the cityâs most important art locations over the past 25 years. Over the past year, Astrup Fearnley has hosted exhibitions from Jeff Koons and London-based duo Gilbert & George, while Takashi Murakami staged his first solo Scandinavian show there in 2017. Additionally, the museumâs permanent collection is always open, and features works from Francis Bacon, Damien Hirst and Anselm Kfiefer."
Oslo Opera House
Opera house ¡ Vaterland
"Olsoâs Opera House â which opened in 2007 â has become one of the cityâs most iconic modern landmarks. Sitting on the cityâs harbor, the building was designed by Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta and went on to win awards at the World Architecture Festival and the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture. If you want to explore the architecture, and the wider city, the Opera Houseâs roof is open to the public and offers a range of views across Oslo."
Henie Onstad Art Center
Art center ¡ Oslo
"Located a little while outside of Oslo, the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter is worth the trip for its design and its art collection. The latest addition to the Henie Onstad collection is a Yayoi Kusama infinity room titled Hymn of Life that will be on display for an indefinite period. As well as the main art space, the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter also features a restaurant and a store selling curated Norwegian and Nordic designs."
Maaemo
Restaurant ¡ Vaterland
"Maaemo has steadily been earning itself a reputation as not just the best restaurant in Norway but one of the best in the world. Since February 2016, the restaurant has held three Michelin Stars and came 55th in the Worldâs Best Restaurant award earlier this year (it peaked at 35 in 2018). The restaurant was founded by Danish chef Esben Holmboe Bang in 2010 and takes its name from the ancient Norse word for âMother Earth.â Focusing on food from the surrounding region, Holmboe Bang has described the restaurant as highlighting âthe relationship between the raw nature, produce and our cultural history.â"
Fuglen
Espresso bar ¡ hammer
"Fuglen is much more than just one of Osloâs best spots for coffees. As well as its Universitetsgata location, Fuglen has also expanded to include two locations in Tokyo. All three of its cafes follow the same formula, mixing coffee in the day and cocktails in the evening with the option to experience and purchase midcentury Norwegian furniture. Alongside its Oslo flagship and Japanese locations, Fuglen also roasts its own coffee with a roastery in central Oslo and another in Tokyo."
Izakaya
Bar ¡ hammer
"Izakaya is one of Osloâs hidden gems. Tucked away on St. Olavâs Gate, the bar and restaurant focuses on a mix of Japanese food and drinks. Izakaya features a small menu of 13 dishes including classics such as soba and gyoza, but itâs drinks options are the stand-out. As well as a range of cocktails, the menu also includes a substantial list of Japanese beers, spirits and sake."
Brutus
Permanently Closed
"Focusing on a mix of small plates and natural wine, Brutus has gained a cult following since it was founded in the Tøyen district back in 2017. One of its stand-out offerings is its six course tasting menu, showcasing the best of Norwegian and Scandinavian cooking. As well as reflecting its Oslo location, the menu takes influence from chef Arnar Jakob Gudmundssonâs Icelandic roots."