You'll quickly discover the city's hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems with a little help from the locals. We have asked five Oslo residents who know the city inside and out to share their top tips on food, culture, and passionate individuals to check out in Oslo.
Julie Ilona Balas is a Cookbook Author
In addition to working with recipe development, Julie runs a flower and vintage shop in Løkka and is renovating a cabin in Sweden with her wife and dog.
Photo: Anne Valeur
You can only eat at five places in Oslo for the rest of your life. Where do you go?
Nektar Vinbar, my favorite dish is the Mac & Cheese! Nam Fah, my favorite is the famous Number 7. Izakaya, I recommend the Bang Bang Ji. Brasserie France, my favorite is the dessert cart! Babbo, my favorite is the cheese bun.
Your top three cultural experiences in Oslo?
Oslo Pride every summer. We’re so lucky to have it in our city! Emanuel Vigeland Museum and Mausoleum. Guttestrekers' annual underground exhibition.
Highlight someone who has done something important or great for our city!
Ungt fellesskap, started by Jenny Gehrken. It’s an incredibly good meeting place and almost free. New in Oslo? Join Ungt fellesskap!
What do you do when you need a bit of international inspiration in Oslo?
I stroll down to my nearest bakery, Silin Bakeri in Grønland. It’s a Syrian bakery that makes incredibly good Syrian pastries. My favorite is sujuk with just cheese. Afterward, I continue along Grønlandsleiret to shop for herbs and vegetables.
If you were mayor of Oslo for a day, what would you decide?
I’d organize an Oslo Day with free public transport and free museum entry so everyone could experience the city at no cost. I’d also (permanently) ban the disposal of edible food and make it easier to donate food with fewer restrictions.
Would you like great tips to unique and independent places in Oslo? Get yourself a copy of Lysløypa Oslo 2025! The book gives great discounts to selected places. Think global, act local!
Read Rasheed Dodakh’s (HR-coordinator at Cousins) best tips to Oslo’s hidden gems here!
Read Tuva Syvertsen’s (freelance musician) best tips to Oslo’s hidden gems here!
Read Line Khateeb’s (Head of the Palestine Committee of Norway) best tips to Oslo’s hidden gems here!
Read Alexandra Archetti Stølen’s (festival director of Oslo World Music Festival) best tips to Oslo’s hidden gems here!
