Where to Dine: Personal Favourites in the Capital
When I’m staying in a hotel for the first time, I always like to try out any on-site restaurants, bars or cafés; not just for breakfast but to have dinner there too. In Amerikalinjen, there was just one option - Atlas Brasserie - which was open all day from breakfast to dinner, and also had a section called the Little Bakery. Food and service was good, it was just a pity the kitchen closed 90 minutes before they were meant to, so dinner was a bit rushed and I was only able to have one course.
At Sommerro, there was almost too much of a choice of restaurants, these being:
Ekspedisjonshallen – Grand central brasserie
Izakaya Bar & Terrace – Laid-back Japanese-inspired drinks and snacks
Barramon – Pintxos and Basque-inspired wine bar
To Søstre – Elegant afternoon tea lounge
Tak Oslo & Tak Bar – Rooftop Japanese–Nordic dining and cocktails
Plah & Ahaan – Contemporary Thai fine dining and street food
Kafé Lucy – Casual lobby café with outdoor terrace seating too
Knowing that breakfast was served in the main Ekspedisjonshallen brasserie (The Expedition Hall), I thought I would try out a different venue for dinner. On reviewing all the menus though, I opted for the brasserie, having a drink first at the central sunken bar. When I arrived, I also had a quick lunch in Café Lucy, sitting outside in the sun.
At my last stop, The Thief, they have two restaurants - either the Rooftop on the 9th floor, or the main restaurant on the 2nd floor. There is always one open each evening, and with the rooftop restaurant having a private event on, the main restaurant was serving the rooftop food menu. The rooftop bar was however open, and what seems to get referred to online as the Cocktail Bar (in the main lobby area) seems to close over the summer, I guess when the rooftop bar is open instead.
In all of the hotels I stayed at, there were always lots of other options around and about, so there was absolutely no shortage of very high quality bars, restaurants, cafés, and bakeries on the doorstep. There was a mix of casual and fine dining, and many international chains; all usually with menus in English too, as did everyone speak English that I came into contact with.