Grand Café

Top choice in Oslo


At 11am sharp, Henrik Ibsen would leave his apartment and walk to Grand Café for a lunch of herring, beer and one shot of aquavit (an alcoholic drink made from potatoes and caraway liquor). His table is still here. Don't worry, though, today you can take your pick from perfectly plated, elegantly sauced cod and mussels, spelt risotto with mushrooms or cured lamb and potato.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Oslo attractions

1. Parliament Building

0.04 MILES

Built in 1866, Norway's yellow-brick parliament building is one of Europe's more charming parliaments. If you find yourself really hooked on Norwegian…

2. Sentralen

0.17 MILES

If you're not here for the restaurant, the cafe, the bars or the live-music venues, it's still worth popping in for a poke around both the spectacular…

3. Nasjonalgalleriet

0.2 MILES

The gallery houses the nation's largest collection of traditional and modern art, and many of Edvard Munch's best-known creations are on permanent display…

4. vi, vii

0.22 MILES

An independent gallery with a good reputation for interesting shows from up-and-coming artists, housed in an interesting 1930s building.

5. Rådhus

0.23 MILES

This twin-towered town hall, completed in 1950 to commemorate Oslo's 900th anniversary, houses the city's political administration and is filled with mid…

6. Oslo Cathedral

0.26 MILES

The highlights of a visit to Oslo Cathedral, which dates from 1697, are the elaborate stained-glass windows by Emanuel Vigeland (brother of Gustav) and…

7. Historisk Museum

0.27 MILES

The Historical Museum is actually three museums under one roof. Most interesting is the ground-floor National Antiquities Collection (Oldsaksamlingen),…

8. Oslo Reptilpark

0.33 MILES

For something slippery, most kids will love meeting the snakes and lizards (as well as the odd monkey) at the Oslo Reptilpark.