Many of Oslo's top hotels have added new polished restaurants in recent years that aim to draw locals and travelers alike, with unique draws like rooftop settings or large windows facing the Christmas market. These nine hotels—some are restored historic properties from the 19th century—are well located in the city center and pair easily with top attractions like Palace Park and the Munch Museum.

Amerikalinjen

See the chefs in action at Atlas restaurant (photo courtesy of Amerikalinjen)

Opened in 2019, the Amerikalinjen is one of the capital's newest luxury options, which pays homage to the building's historical roots as the former headquarters for the Norwegian America Line. For all-day dining, you can take a seat in Atlas with floor-to-ceiling windows and order from the brasserie menu with influences from Norway and New York. Choose between starters like grilled langoustines and oysters, while mains offer chanterelle risotto or entrecôte steak. Also popular is the weekend jazz brunch (reservations recommended) with eggs Benedict and a pastrami sandwich. 

If staying overnight, the 122 stylish rooms have parquet floors, tall ceilings, and light fixtures from a Norwegian glass maker. Luxe amenities include Nespresso machines, bathrobes, heated bathroom floors, and upscale bath products. Each room has a brand book where you can learn more about the building's history or simply look at the unique nautical objects on the wall that help tell the story. Learn more

Hotel Continental

Join the lively atmosphere at this corner Viennese-style restaurant (photo courtesy of Hotel Continental)

Hotel Continental is one of Oslo's longest-running hotels, circa 1860, and today it's run by the fourth generation of the same family. The hotel completed a massive renovation in 2018, and the 151 rooms and suites have plush new decor and Molton Brown bath products. There are also three restaurants to choose from, but the one we are featuring here is Viennese-style Theatercafeen, which gets the most attention with its tall ceilings, oversized windows, and Art Nouveau touches. Dine on spicy moules-frites, steak tartare, salads, burgers, oysters, and caviar. 

There's also a high-end restaurant called Eik Annen Etage, which has weekly tasting menus and wine packages. You can also opt for the trendy pizza restaurant and bar for a casual evening. Learn more

Grand Hotel
LUXURY

Dine in elegance under a historic glass atrium (photo courtesy of Grand Hotel)

Opened in 1874, the Grand Hotel has a central location on Karl Johans gate near the city's best shopping. While there are a handful of restaurants and bars on the premise, including a year-round rooftop with views, the restaurant we're featuring is Palmen, under the hotel's historic glass atrium, which serves lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Try the crayfish toast or Palmen burger with crispy pancetta, perhaps finished with the Napoleon cake made with Cuban rum.

If staying overnight, the 280 rooms and suites—including one where the Nobel Peace Prize winner stays each year—were renovated in 2016 with modern decor and luxury amenities like Nespresso machines, minibars, bathrobes and slippers, and designer bath products. Other highlights for guests include an indoor tranquility pool, a full-service spa, and complimentary breakfast at the charming streetside café. Learn more

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The Thief
LUXURY

Make reservations in advance at this chic rooftop restaurant with fjord views (photo courtesy of The Thief)

The Thief is a modern luxury hotel drawing guests who want easy access to the Aker Brygge waterfront, especially during the summer months. Another seasonal aspect of the hotel is The Thief's rooftop restaurant with heaters and spectacular views. Guests can order upscale Nordic cuisine with a global twist from a chef who uses French cooking techniques and wait for the sunset. At other times of the year, the restaurant is located in an elegant dining room surrounded by unique pieces of art, including a painting by Damien Hirst.

Other hotel highlights include an indoor pool, sauna, and full-service spa with six treatment rooms. The 114 modern rooms and suites have king-size beds and Scandinavian linens, smart TVs, sound systems, Italian coffee makers, bathrobes, and slippers. Bathrooms have Grown Alchemist bath products and rain showerheads, while suites have separate showers and bathtubs. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with balconies (if having a water view matters, opt for the deluxe room category or higher). Learn more

Hotel Bristol
LUXURY

Choose between multicourse menus or a la carte fare at this classy restaurant (photo courtesy of Hotel Bristol)

The traditional Hotel Bristol is one of the oldest stays in Oslo. While its history is intact, the hotel completed a massive renovation in 2019 in time for its 100th anniversary, which included a new state-of-the-art kitchen for its steakhouse Bristol Grill. With candles and white table linens, this is an excellent option for a special night out, where you can order tuna from Spain, whole-grilled pigeon, and dry-aged cuts from the hotel's own maturing cabinets. 

If staying overnight, the 251 rooms and suites still offer original details, like crown molding and antique-style furnishings. At the same time, modern additions include luxury linens, Nespresso machines, thick bathrobes, and L'Occitane products in eco-friendly dispensers. Guests can start each day with an elegant breakfast buffet featuring organic produce and baked goodies from the on-site bakery. Learn more 

Clarion Hotel Oslo

MID-RANGE

Tuck into modern Scandinavian cuisine near the Munch Museum (photo courtesy of Clarion Hotel Oslo)

Clarion Hotel Oslo has a minimalist vibe evident as soon as you step inside the hotel's art-filled lobby with rotating artworks, including a Munch painting that underwent more than 200 hours of restoration. Just beyond the entrance is the lively Kitchen & Table Fishery restaurant, with a menu designed by Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson, focusing on Nordic cuisine and rustic seafood. In addition to the restaurant and seasonal terrace, cocktails are served at the bar, with space for lounging or catching up on emails. 

The rest of the hotel offers 250 rooms and suites rising six floors with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide city or fjord views. Rooms have contemporary furnishings, hardwood-style floors, and kettles, and superior rooms and above have Nespresso machines and bathrobes. Some deluxe rooms have balconies or terraces (request upon check-in). Learn more

Hotel Christiania Teater
MID-RANGE

This upscale pizzeria gets extra atmospheric at Christmastime (photo courtesy of Hotel Christiania Teater)

The Hotel Christiania Teater has trendy interiors inside a historic building a block from Karl Johans gate. Upstairs is Restaurant Teatro, serving an impressive wine list alongside salads, red and white pizzas with quality Italian ingredients, and housemade ice creams. The eclectic decor looks fantastic in candlelight and is even better with a window seat overlooking the plaza below, where seasonal events, especially at Christmastime when the atmospheric market and ice skating rink, come to life. Each morning, complimentary breakfast with made-to-order egg dishes is also served in this space. 

Distinct rooms, for their part, have theatrical touches with unique wallpapers and furnishings in bold colors and patterns. All rooms have hardwood floors, tall ceilings, minibars stocked with beverages and snacks, kettles, and CO Bigelow bath products. Learn more

Hotell Bondeheimen

STANDARD

This historic hotel has a modern corner restaurant with street views (photo courtesy of Hotell Bondeheimen)

The budget-friendly Hotell Bondeheimen sits in the heart of Oslo—one block from Karl Johans gate—with a popular restaurant, Kaffistova. Dating back to 1901, Kaffistova pulls in locals for lunch, who enjoy generous portions of traditional Norwegian specialties, including potato dumplings, meatballs, and seafood. Make sure to leave room for cakes prepared by the in-house pastry chef. A complimentary breakfast buffet is also served here for guests each morning. 

Though the interiors are fully renovated, you can find elements of history dating to 1913, when the hotel was a base for writers, artists, and actors. Each of the 145 guest rooms is attached to a former writer or cultural figure; look for a quotation accompanied by a portrait and biographical information in each room. Some rooms also offer original details like wood-beamed ceilings. Learn more

Scandic Vulkan
STANDARD

This hip spot in Grünerløkka serves Italian fare and draws locals (photo courtesy of Scandic Vulkan)

The Scandic Vulkan is the best hotel option for travelers who want quick access to Oslo's hip neighborhood, Grünerløkka. As its name implies, the hotel is in the Vulkan neighborhood, right across the river from Grünerløkka. In its own right, Vulkan has plenty to offer and is steps from several restaurants. However, you can always stay and dine on-site at the industrial-style Ristorante Ferro, serving an ample supply of housemade pasta, pizzas, and desserts, including panna cotta. 

Foodies will also appreciate being steps from Mathallen, a spacious indoor food mecca with various eateries and vendors selling local Norwegian products—great for souvenirs. There's also Vulkan Arena, an intimate concert venue next door, pulling in notable acts, and several more independent eateries, shops, and restaurants—some Michelin-starred—in the vicinity.

The hotel's 180 rooms have contemporary decor, wood-style floors, and oversized windows with blackout shades to stave off those late nights. Superior rooms are located on the upper floors for better views and have a bit more space; families can opt for the studio suites on the top floor that can sleep three or four guests. Learn more