Oslo: Food Tasting and Walking Tour with a Local

Key Points

• Duration: 3.5 hours, with flexible starting times based on availability
• Highlights: Walk along the Akerselva River, visit a shop selling traditional Norwegian dress, and explore the Mathallen food market
• Food & Drink: Sample smoked salmon, brown cheese (brunost), cured meats, and enjoy a delicious waffle with brown cheese and coffee
• Guiding Style: Led by knowledgeable guides, including Alex, Eduardo, Minji, and Kevin, praised for their friendliness and insights
• Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible; moderate walking involved; dress in smart casual

For those seeking an authentic taste of Norwegian cuisine, the Oslo Food Tasting and Walking Tour offers a memorable experience lasting around 3.5 hours. Guided by friendly local experts, this tour takes you off the beaten path to explore the city’s culinary scene, visiting less touristy spots with genuine Norwegian flavors. The tour starts from outside a shop called Narvesen and concludes back at the same meeting point, making it easy to plan your day.

The tour’s blend of local food tastings, cultural sights, and informative storytelling caters especially to food lovers eager to understand what makes Oslo’s cuisine unique. While the tour provides delicious samples and insights into Norwegian food culture, it’s worth noting that the price may seem high relative to the quantity of food—but the quality and local expertise make up for it.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Key Points

• Authentic Norwegian flavors are at the core of this guided tour, with five curated tastings.
• The tour includes walks along scenic spots such as the Akerselva River and visits to a traditional dress shop.
• Food highlights include fresh seafood, curing meats and cheeses, and sweet treats like waffles.
• The tour is led by knowledgeable guides praised for their friendliness and storytelling ability.
• Not suitable for wheelchair users; moderate walking involved, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Exploring Oslo’s Food Scene with a Local Guide

Starting outside Narvesen, the tour begins with an introduction to Oslo’s culinary landscape. Over 3.5 hours, guides lead you through areas favored by locals, far from typical tourist traps. You’ll visit Mathallen Market, a hub with more than 30 stands, offering a glimpse of the city’s fresh produce and traditional foods.

As you explore, expect to taste smoked salmon, a Norwegian staple, along with brown cheese (brunost), which packs a distinctive, sweet, caramelized flavor. These samples highlight how Oslo’s chilly waters influence its seafood, making the city renowned for high-quality, fresh catches. The experience isn’t just about tasting but also about understanding the stories behind each dish and recognizing authentic Norwegian ingredients in everyday cuisine.

Walking Along the Banks of the Akerselva River

A key part of this tour is strolling along the scenic Akerselva River. This peaceful walk offers a break from busy city streets and a chance to appreciate Oslo’s natural beauty. The river area is rich with history and features vibrant street art and historic industrial buildings, creating a charming backdrop for your culinary journey.

The walk offers a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and chat with your guide about local life and history. The route is accessible with moderate walking, and it provides a perfect opportunity to digest the flavors of the city while taking in some of Oslo’s most picturesque views.

Traditional Norwegian Dress Shop Visit

An authentic stop on the tour is a shop dedicated to making and selling traditional Norwegian dress, known as bunad. Visitors get the chance to see beautiful handcrafted costumes, which are an important part of Norway’s cultural identity. While not a tasting stop, this visit adds cultural depth, giving a glimpse into Norwegian heritage.

This stop emphasizes local craftsmanship and offers a chance to learn about Norwegian traditions, enriching the overall experience. The shop visit is brief but memorable, connecting food, culture, and history in one seamless walk.

More Great Tours Nearby

Tasting at Mathallen Food Market

Mathallen Market is a highlight for food lovers, hosting more than 30 stands of local produce and prepared foods. Here, the tour offers several tastings, such as cured meats, farm cheeses, and seasonal gastronomic specialties. The market’s lively atmosphere provides an authentic setting for sampling Norwegian farm produce and traditional cured meats.

The market visit is well-paced, with enough time to enjoy each tasting without feeling rushed. It’s an excellent spot to see how local ingredients are brought to life in various forms, from cheese to meat and baked goods.

The Sweet Finale: Waffle with Brown Cheese and Coffee

No Norwegian food tour is complete without a sweet treat, and here it’s a delicious waffle served with brown cheese (brunost). This buttery waffle provides a perfect ending to the tasting experience. Coffee is also included, allowing guests to relax and savor the flavors.

This dessert is a local favorite, offering a taste of Norway’s sweet and savory culinary balance. It’s a simple but memorable part of the tour, highlighting the importance of comfort foods in Norwegian cuisine.

The Guide’s Role: Friendly, Knowledgeable, and Engaging

Guides like Alex, Eduardo, Minji, and Kevin receive praise for their friendliness and expertise. They share stories about each dish, explain Norwegian food traditions, and offer insights into local life. Their engaging manner makes the experience both informative and enjoyable.

However, some reviews note that the pace could sometimes be slightly hurried, especially towards the end, or that the cost may feel high relative to the amount of food served. Despite this, the guides’ knowledge and friendliness are consistently highlighted as a major plus.

Practical Details and Accessibility

The tour starts outside Narvesen and ends at the same location, making it easy to access. It’s wheelchair inaccessible, and moderate walking is involved, so comfortable shoes are recommended. The tour is available in English and Spanish, with live guides providing local insights.

Guests should bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sun hat, and a camera. The dress code is smart casual. The tour is not suitable for those with food allergies or bikes, and alcohol and drugs are not permitted during the activity.

Considerations and Limitations

Although many find this tour to offer excellent value for the quality of food and insights, some mention that the portion sizes may seem modest, and the price reflects the guides’ expertise rather than large quantities of food. The tour duration may sometimes be slightly shorter than advertised, with some tastings happening in the same location, which can impact pacing.

Travel during holidays may cause some stops to offer alternative tastings or schedule changes, so planning ahead is advisable. All tastings are included, reducing concerns about extra expenses.

This guided walking tour of Oslo offers a thorough look at local cuisine, combining tastings, scenic walks, and cultural highlights. It’s well-suited for foodies who want to learn about Norwegian flavors in an informal, friendly setting. The knowledgeable guides greatly enhance the experience, making the tour both educational and delicious.

While the cost may be a consideration for some, the quality of the food and the insights into Oslo’s culinary traditions make it a worthwhile activity. It’s particularly appealing for those who appreciate authentic local dining and scenic walks through the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tour suitable for all ages?
No, the minimum age is 18 years old.

Are the tastings seasonal?
Yes, the Norwegian gastronomy tastings depend on the season, but all tastings are included regardless of the time of year.

Does the tour accommodate wheelchair users?
No, the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sun hat, and a camera are recommended.

How long does the tour last?
The duration is approximately 3.5 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins outside Narvesen and ends back at the same location.

Are drinks included?
Yes, beer tasting is part of the experience, and coffee is included with the waffle.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a dress code?
Yes, smart casual is recommended.

What if I have food allergies?
The tour is not suitable for those with food allergies, as tastings are included and not customizable.

Is this tour good for learning about Oslo’s culture?
Yes, the tour combines food, history, and local traditions, creating a well-rounded cultural experience.

Can I book now and pay later?
Yes, the Reserve & Pay Later option allows booking without immediate payment, offering flexibility in planning your trip.

This Oslo Food Tasting and Walking Tour captures the essence of Norway’s capital through its delicious bites, scenic walks, and local stories. It’s a satisfying way to experience Oslo’s culinary soul and discover hidden gems favored by locals.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby