We've got your next weekend trip sorted, courtesy of the Oslo-born content creator. She shares her insider tips on the city that's bursting with cute coffee shops, cultural finds and vibrant cocktail bars
Nestled in a striking forest and fjord landscape, the Norwegian capital has heaps on offer. And as with most trips, the best way to get to know a city is through a local’s eyes. So, we’ve turned to Oslo-based content creator and brand consultant Hanneli Mustaparta, who takes us on a tour of her most treasured spots in town…
“Oslo is so beautiful. My favourite thing about this city is that you can walk almost anywhere and spend the day just strolling around and enjoying yourself. Another great way to see the town is by hopping on a tram or bike – I usually bike everywhere during the warmer months. You just feel like you live so freely, and in the spring and summer, Oslo feels like the happiest place on earth."
Where to brunch
"In Norway, people are quite practical about breakfast and brunch – it’s not that often that we go out to eat it if we have food ready at home. But there are charming places, like Åpent Bakeri (also known as Tranen). It’s really cosy and it’s situated in an area called St. Hanshaugen, where many young people live, so it has a chilled vibe and hip people. Plus, in the evening, it turns into a bar serving delicious cocktails and wine, as well as tasty pizzas for those feeling peckish."
"There is also another new spot called Kafeteria August, which is a favourite of mine. You can have breakfast or brunch or bring your laptop and work during the day. Their menu boasts everything from eggs to oysters, to be enjoyed inside the bohemian-style café or on the expansive terrace. When the evening comes, the mood changes, and they bring out a DJ.
"I’ve never liked coffee, so instead, I drink tea, and the best quality tea can be found at Stockfleths, a small chain with shops dotted across Oslo. It’s a bit pricier than other places, but they really care about the quality of the tea and how they brew it. They also have buns and croissants, and other baked treats. I go there to feel at home and relax. If you are more into coffee, as well as people-watching, try Supreme Roastworks – the guy who founded it has even won the World Championship in coffee making, so it feels like a must-visit."
Where to dine
"One of my favourite places where I’ve been craving to go back is the Golden Chimp in Tøyen, central Oslo. They serve Asian fusion food that is really authentic, but still feels modern and innovative. It’s also such a cool place; when you get there, it just looks like an empty bar, but then you go inside and down some stairs, and there’s this very cute and welcoming restaurant nestled in the basement."
"There is a new spot called Sommerro, an art deco hotel in Frogner, west Oslo. The area is known for its ornate buildings, and Sommerro used to be an old Gothic government-owned building, which has now been renovated. The hotel opened last summer, and it’s been an enormous success. There’s a restaurant on the first floor called the Expedition Hall, and it’s such a cool place. They have a live jazz band, and it’s packed every weekend. It’s a lot of fun to mingle with so many different kinds of people there, like actors, musicians or the fashion crowd; you never know who you’ll meet.
"I must also mention Zarathustra Meyhane, a Lebanese place in Oslo’s hip area of Grünerløkka – it serves the best Lebanese food I’ve ever tasted. And then a classic choice is Le Benjamin, a great, unassuming French bistro that’s been in Grünerløkka for ages."
Where to go for a tipple
"I was just recently at this place called Bar Bardot; it’s in the heart of Oslo and is an excellent place for cocktails, dancing and overall good vibes. Enjoy a glass of champagne or an exquisite pisco sour while surrounded by the place’s vibrant, maximalist decor.
"Then there’s Bettola in Grünerløkka, a bit of a hidden-away spot, and it’s so lovely – they have beautiful, dark vintage interiors and high-quality drinks like a sumptuous raspberry negroni or a mandarin sour. It’s also in a convenient location as it’s nearby a lot of restaurants. Another good bar that's centrally-located is Torggata Botaniske. It’s a quirky, botanic cocktail bar, and they’ve filled the place with various plants and little trees, so you can enjoy drinks underneath a canopy of leaves."
Where to shop
"There’s a luxury fashion boutique in central Oslo which not many tourists know about called JF Curated. They used to stock only Norwegian designers, but they have now expanded their selection to additional, up-and-coming, innovative designers. They have so many great eccentric pieces that you wouldn't find anywhere else. Another good spot is the concept store Moniker. They carry more expensive brands and Scandi classics like Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen and Saks Potts, and really pick out the best, coolest and most fun pieces."
"I love vintage shopping, and though Oslo still has a little work to do in order to improve its vintage game, there are a few decent places. One great shop is Livid, where you can buy new and pre-loved pieces. They have a small, but curated vintage section which I really love. I bought men’s Polo shirts from there when I was pregnant and lived in them. For more second-hand gems, I go to charity shops, such as the Salvation Army, whose stores you can find across the city. That’s where you’ll find the good stuff."
Where to get your culture fix
"One of my favourites is the Munch Museum, named after renowned Norwegian artist Edward Munch. The museum, which is fairly new, hosts a bunch of different exhibitions, including the works of Munch himself. It’s a really well thought out concept, located in the Barcode project, a new area of Oslo. It’s a very modern district with contemporary buildings and fantastic restaurants. It’s a must-visit."
Related: The most high-end gyms in Oslo
"Another new and unmissable place is the National Museum, which reopened last year after renovations. There’s a lot to see, as the museum holds the Nordics’ most extensive collection of art, architecture and design, ranging from everything to classical sculptures to pieces from the royal costume collections of Queen Maud and Queen Sonja.
"They also do exciting collaborations with international galleries that are worth checking out. For example, at the moment the museum exhibits American artist Carroll Dunham’s work, and Oslo’s National Museum is the first in the Nordics to showcase his colour-bursting prints."
"Then there is a smaller gallery, OSL Contemporary. It’s a tiny space, but they always showcase the most thrilling emerging artists. Right now, they have Norwegian artist A. K. Dolven’s still life works on display. The last of my go-to places for gazing at art is Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, located in Tjuvholmen on Oslo’s waterfront. They have fascinating exhibitions, and I love their mix of prominent and lesser-known artists. The museum is also a stunning building surrounded by lush grass fields. In the summer, you can lounge there in the sun, swim, stand-up paddleboard, or enjoy a chilled glass of white wine on the terrace."