3.8 stars. Came on a Thursday night without reservation around 8pm and there were seats available. Service is a bit slow but friendly. They do run out of certain dishes so if you come late, best to ask. They did run our of whale carpaccio and the reindeer pizza. 1. Dirty Fries - Good crunchy on top with gooey cheese and not too salty. Comes with a glazed bacon as well. 2. Pizza with Norwegian proscuitto - Thick crust. Right amount of red sauce. Good taste. 3. Meatballs - Delicious and star of the night. The gravy was very good that came with it. Overall a solid place to try if you're in Oslo and want something different. read more

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Originally intended to serve country youth in the largest Norwegian cities Oslo's Kaffistova opened in 1901, and although now something of a tourist hotspot the collection of traditional plates still fairs well. Open from lunch through dinner daily, a few quick items offered to-go and reservations strongly encouraged, it at the counter that orders are placed before seating with an average wait time of just fifteen minutes even during peak times. Located on the ground floor of Hotell Bondeheimen, hearty portions at reasonable prices part of Kaffistova's appeal, look to Fjord Shrimp with or without Crayfish served openface and during the right time of year see Whale Tataki replace Salmon. Loosely translated as "Coffee Stove," though Baked Goods are more limited now than in the past, Fried Chicken resembles that served in Austria while ground Reindeer with Mushroom Gravy and moist Apple Cake are traditional and filling. read more

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We were told we had to try meatballs while in Norway, and Kaffistova came recommended. It was a chilly fall morning, and we spent it walking the city and the Viegland Sculpture Garden, so we were looking for something warm. Kaffistova fit the bill. The ambiance is beautiful--it feels like a nice hotel lobby but is also very casual. We both ordered the meatballs and they were definitely the stick-to-your-ribs meal we were looking for. I do wish they were served a little warmer and had a bit more flavor, but otherwise they were good. However, the passionfruit cheesecake stole the show: crumbly crust (graham cracker?), creamy base and sweet, flavorful passionfruit on top. This is a great spot for lunch! read more

Kaffistova - Meatballs (kjottkaker) - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

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Discovered via the Yelp-ola app! Yeah, I get it... I'm an American. I was staying at the Karl Johan rite around the way (which was for the most part lovely except for one of the staff members who needed additional training)... Anywho, my room was not ready until 4-pm or so (read my review for Karl J if you want more info...) So I had some time to kill and was hungry, and walked to Kaffistova. Had a lovely experience, and very tight service. I had the cheese-burger with fries (did I mention earlier I am an American). And an ice old brew. And everything was real nice. The bathroom was very clean too, which is alway an A+. read more

Kaffistova - Menu! - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

We stopped in here to get some Norwegian food. We were shocked at the prices of the food. This meal was 275 NOK. Approximately $26 USD. The reindeer was actually very good- similar to pork. The service was okay. The ambiance was good. They do have restrooms in the basement. read more

Kaffistova - Reindeer patties with veggies and potatoes - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

Delicious cheeseburger and fries! Delicious meatball dinner!! Great atmosphere. Recommend to anyone that's looking for a good place to eat. read more

Kaffistova - Cheeseburger and fries! - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

Not mind-blowing, but good comfort food. Meatballs, potatoes and mushy peas hot the spot. I wouldn't necessarily seek out this place but it won't disappoint either. read more

Kaffistova - Meatballs, mushy peas, and potatoes - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

We loved this casual restaurant and it's wonderful comfort food. There's a nice menu of both traditional Norwegian dishes and burger options, as well. I loved the meatballs in brown gravy served with potatoes, lingonberries and mushy peas. Really hearty and tasty. The others at the table enjoyed the chicken burger that was prepared to everyone's liking. Their desserts are fabulous. I highly recommend the Success cake (layers of sweet custard on a delicious ground nut base) and the Diversity cake with its tasty lemon cream cheese frosting. read more

Kaffistova - Diversity Cake with a lemon cream cheese frosting - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

They were busy so we had to ask to sit down after waiting for a while. But once we sat down the actual server was very nice, food was fast and tasty, nice ambiance. Will go back. read more

Kaffistova - Moose patties with mushroom sauce, tastes a bit like veal and not gamy. The berry sauce adds flavor to it. - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

Food and service were both excellent. The young man who helped us was so helpful with suggestions. We would definitely return. read more

Kaffistova - We enjoyed an excellent meal. The service was extraordinarily good!! The young man who made suggestions was so kind and helpful. - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

*Review in English from a tourist standpoint* Kaffistova is the PERFECT place to stop for lunch on a day-long tour of Oslo. Here, you can have a very traditional Norwegian meal at a fair price in a cafeteria-style restaurant with lots of seating and super friendly, English-speaking staff. You'll be able relax in a comfortable setting and enjoy some authentic, good-value Norwegian dishes, but not feel like you are using up valuable sightseeing time and paying high prices like you would at a table-service restaurant. There are a few reasons that we loved this place. The first, of course, was the food. They offer a lot of authentic Norwegian dishes, mostly centered around meat and potatoes. We got the meatballs (always available) and the lamb (in season right now). Both dishes came with potatoes and a vegetable, and the meatballs came with lingonberry sauce too. You order at a counter, and all the food is prepared and served cafeteria style, so the whole process of getting your food only takes a few minutes. However, despite being already cooked ahead of time, the food tastes amazing: super fresh and flavorful. They also have a large selection of Norwegian and other more popular drinks. The staff speaks English and can answer any questions you have. They have good allergy info for all the plates as well. The second reason we loved this place was the price. Yes, it's expensive compared to most other European nations (even compared to London...the cheapest plate here is just under $20 US), but Norway is an overall pricey country, and the value here is amazing compared to most of the other restaurants we looked at in Oslo. The portion size is also huge, and many couples could probably split a large plate. The third reason we liked Kaffistova is the setting. The restaurant is HUGE (they have a large downstairs if the ground floor is full), well located (just steps away from the Grand Hotel and Parliament and right next to a tram line), and comfortable. Bathrooms are large and clean. If you are looking for a fast bite to eat, but are craving some down-home Norwegian cooking at a fair price, then look no further than Kaffistova! read more

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This was a cafeteria style, apparently more authentic homemade Norwegian food. Usually they have 2-3 warm entrees to choose from and available in Large or Small/Medium size, the entrees also come with 2 sides. Order at the counter, with their not so easy to read "English menu" (aka small font English description under the Norwegian description). Then they'll scoop your food on a plate and it's open seating. My sister and I had the smaller portions of the 1. Norwegian dumplings with lamb and 2. The Norwegian meatballs with potatoes. 1. My not so favorite dish. The lamb was a bit tough and extremely salty. I got up 3 times in the course of the meal to refill my water glass. The sides that came with it were the Norwegian dumplings and mashed sweet potatoes. The dumplings looked like and the texture felt like the Chinese lotus leaf wrapped rice. But no chicken like the Chinese one, so it was super bland - maybe to help balance the salty lamb? The mashed potatoes were pretty good though, creamy and smooth. 2. The small portion came with two meatballs, two potatoes, and mashed chickpeas. The meatballs we're very good. Texture was not crumbly, but rather almost processed - like hotdog texture. It worked well with either gravy or the preserves they put on the plate. I also liked the chickpeas although there were a few undone ones mixed in there. read more

Kaffistova - Norwegian dumplings with lamb - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

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That was good. Pretty bland on the ambience but that suits the place. Food hit the spot. Would search out again when passing through Oslo.

Kaffistova has been around since 1901. I'm not Norwegian, so I have no clue how authentic this place is or not...but Rick Steve's Norwegian grandparents used to take him here all the time, so there must be pretty legit, right? The food is hearty, good, and affordable...plus you get an extra 20% off if you show your Oslo Pass! No frills setting, but the staff was nice to this Yelp tourist, and the food is cafeteria style so you get it asap. 149kr - 20% = 119kr "Meat Cakes"...hearty and yummy! Beef? 129kr - 20% = 103kr Reindeer patties...hearty and yummy...sorry Rudolf! 79kr - 20% = 63kr Fish soup...good, but a bit bland. 45kr - 20% = 36kr Chocolate...good, but I've had better. $43 dinner for two an authentic Norwegian dinner(I think) in expensive Oslo is a steal, especially considering tax and tip are already included in this country. Best Customer Service: I grabbed a beer and put in on my food tray... The lady said "Just to let you know, there is no alcohol in that beer, do you still want?" I promptly replied "No"...so nice of her to save me some kroner and from drinking crappy beer! No real alcohol served here...but that just saves you money for alcohol later. read more

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Look, when in Norway, well I want Nordic food and this delivered, first of all the place is stunning inside, but cozy and clearly a place for locals and families. Ordering was quick and easy found a table and out food was up quickly. We both had meatballs, potatoes and the smashed peas with lingonberry. YUM, and hearty. The desserts were also creative and tasty. If in Oslo and you want not so fancy not so expensive to try Scandinavian this is the place. read more

Wow!! First time in Oslo and we didn't know where to eat without going broke ... Yelp to the rescue. Kiffiistova has good reviews and the price tag seemed affordable (unlike most places in Oslo.) It's an order at the counter and seat yourself kind of place but the atmosphere in the dining area was just as nice as any restaurant. Then came the food. Amazing! We had the Fish soup, Pork loin and the Moose Cakes. They give you veggies and potatoes and gravy and you are all set. We were starving so we ate it all but for a normal person this woild have been too much as the portions are big. Great location on in the Centeer of town and a short walk to the harbor. I highly recommend a stop here for lunch or dinner if you are in town and hungry. read more

Kaffistova - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

Food: 3.0/5.0 Service: 2.0/5.0 Value: 4.0/5.0 Decor: 3.0/5.0 Overall: 3.0/5.0 This place was recommended by a Norwegian for 'cheapish traditional fare', and at just under US$30 for a reindeer cake plate and a soda, this was indeed one of the cheapest (if that word can even apply in Oslo) non-fast food, non-pastry meals I had. The setup is cafeteria style with the food coming out of warming trays, but the quality of the reindeer cakes exceeded my admittedly low expectations. If I had to do Oslo over, this would still be on the list. read more

Kaffistova - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

It was a cold and very rainy day in Oslo, Norway! By the time we stepped into Kaffistova, we were drenched!! I thought that my phone was broken because of water damage. Fortunately after an hour of drying, my phone started working again. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take photos of our entrees! Reindeer Cakes with Potatoes and Mushroom Sauce was my entree. Yes, I ate me some Rudolph the reindeer.....and I liked it!! The meal was very flavorful, and I devoured every bit of it! (4 stars) Steamed Salmon with vegetables and "Sandefjord" butter sauce was my wife's choice. I snuck in a couple of bites, and I thought the salmon tasted terrific! (4 stars) Of course, I had to try some desserts! Everything I tried was delicious! Sorry, I don't remember the names. Just do yourself a favor and try a slice of cake or two. Kaffistova is a good place to try some local Norwegian cuisine!! So glad that our local friends took us here to partake of some yummy Norwegian food!! read more

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By far, the best place we tried for Norwegian food in Oslo The place is cafeteria style, very simple. You order food, they put it on the place and you take it to your table. Nothing fancy. We ordered two dishes: Kjottkaker (Newergian meatballs) Reinsdyrkarbonadar (Reindeer patties) with mushroom sauce, and potatoes. Both dishes are outstanding. We loved it! The environment is very casuals and mixed of both tourists and locals. If you are into fine dining, then this isn't the place for you. If you are into good food for reasonable price (well, reasonable price for Oslo), then this is the place for you. read more

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Good food. Hotel setting is okay. Friendly service. Good spot for some casual local flavor.

I was sooo disappointed when I came here. Long line. Long wait. Not a lot of selection (they "ran out" of a lot of stuff). Expensive food. Meh food. Cafeteria-like feel. Eh. No thanks. I don't really recommend it. I had the "famous" meatballs but it was honestly not worth the money. read more

Best meal we had in Norway. Excellent service, nice atmosphere. The food was phenomenally good. Desserts are to die for. I had the salmon and my daughter had the Caesar salad with chicken. Absolutely, loved it. I'd pretty much go back to Norway just to eat. here. read more

While visiting Oslo we wanted to try traditional Norwegian food, and this place was highly rated on Yelp and by Rick Steves. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, causal but pleasant setting. We ordered three dishes to try a variety - Norwegian meatballs, reindeer patty, and stewed pork - all three were served with the same gravy and side potatoes. The three dishes looked and tasted similar. Definitely heavy on the meat, though this is expected. The steamed/boiled veggies were bland and pretty much cooked without any nutrition left. The desserts looked interesting, but we didn't have any room after the heavy meat. Staff was very friendly and helpful. I'm unfit to rate the authenticity of the food, b/c I'm not Norwegian and unfamiliar w/ the cuisine. I can say that the food fell within expectation based on what I read about Norwegian/Scandinavian food. read more

Kaffistova - Stewed pork. - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

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I found Kaffistova on Yelp while searching for Traditional Norwegian food. I thought it would be a small hole-in-the-wall the way the food was described, but to my surprise it was actually a really nice cafe. The cafe does have free wifi. Just ask the person at the counter for the password. The hot foods is more cafeteria style, but don't let that deter you. The food is still fresh. Their proteins vary per day, but the day I went they had Norwegian meatballs, reindeer meatballs, pork chop, and salmon. No fish cakes for that day. We got the 195KR (~$24.65 USD) pick and choose plate. The nice lady let us choose both reindeer meatballs and regular beef meatballs. For sides we chose roast potatoes, boiled potatoes, roast vegetables, and mashed peas. They have a large bowl of lingonberry and basket of crispbread near the cash register, so take as much as you want. The reindeer meatballs were extremely silky and tasted similar to Swedish meatballs. I actually liked the regular beef meatballs better because it had more texture to it. The food was really comforting and tasty, especially with everything smothered in the mushroom gravy. You might think close to $25 for one plate of cafeteria style food is expensive (and it is), but for Oslo this is pretty standard. The food does seem like homecooking that can be found in a Norwegian household and maybe not worth the price for some people. But my family is as far from being Norwegian as you can get, so I'm glad I got to try Norwegian fare. read more

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Yelpers are a funny bunch. To the American girl who admits she doesn't like Norwegian food or cafeterias, my question to her is "So why did you eat here?" The apparent heat lamps and cafeteria trays should have been an obvious giveaway that this place is undoubtedly..... a cafeteria! So yes this restaurant is a cafeteria. Actually it's an upscale cafeteria. It's clean, it's airy, and there's plenty of seating. Go downstairs if you can't find a seat upstairs. Surprise surprise, they serve traditional Norwegian food. After all you're in Norway folks. I ordered the meat cakes because my Norwegian friend recommended I try them (at least once during my trip) and I couldn't find them at any other restaurant. I suppose like Sweden has its Swedish meatballs, Norway has its meat cakes. They tasted great! I was starving so I opted to get the larger portion size (instead of the smaller size) and that provided plenty of food. I regret not being able to finish them all. Would I return again? You bet. Not all Americans are high maintenance like some other Yelpers and some actually consider themselves fairly easy to please. I thank God every day that my parents raised me that way.... read more

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Wanted to eat some authentic Norwegian food in the heart of Oslo. This place was recommended to us by other nearby restaurant owners. Atmosphere is upscale cafe. Food: Quite tasty but expensive for lunch. 4 plates of food = ~100 USD. Each came with steamed potatoes and sautéed veggies. The potatoes were bland but the veggies were good with the addition of pepper. Fish cakes - delicious; fish tasted very fresh and sauce was buttery good; my favorite dish Chicken - had without brown sauce (contains beef stock); was a bit dry; least favorite Whale stew - tastes like very well-done steak; a bit tough but creamy sauce improved taste Reindeer meatballs - more flavorful than pork/beef meatballs but has gamey quality; sauce paired well Service: Food was plated and served immediately - ideal because we had wanted quick service. Other than that is self-service. Bottom Line: Chic place to try Norwegian food. Next time would get a-la-carte proteins and 1 full plate to save cost. read more

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I wanted to try some home style Norwegian food while here in Oslo and had heard good things about kaffistova, so my mom and I came for an early dinner before the opera This is a casual style counter service restaurant which offers dishes such as reindeer cakes, meatballs and salmon with potatoes and vegetables at dinner. They have a separate lunch menu with sandwiches and lighter fare. In addition, they offer a wide selection of cakes, pastries and gelato. The environment here is very cozy and welcoming. The upstairs area allows for great views of people walking by for those who are people watchers like me, or there is also plenty of seating downstairs which has a nice warm feel and would be good for busy times when the upstairs area gets busy. For my meal, I chose the reindeer cakes (I just HAD to get some traditional norwegian grub while here), which was served with fresh vegetables, lindonberry and boiled potatoes. The reindeer was seriously heavenly!! i never in my wildest dreams thought i would be eating such a dish, but it was honestly melt in your mouth, give me a second helping good. My mom had the salmon with veggies and meatballs and she found her meal to be excellent as well! The staff was also very friendly and spoke English well. Free wifi on site and it worked great. The prices here were reasonable for the large amount of food we received. The meals were approximately 170 NOK each. Overall, I highly recommend Kaffistova as a great place for lunch or dinner in a fairly casual setting while in Oslo. Go for it! read more

Kaffistova - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

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Our first day in Oslo and our first meal. Yelp users gave this restaurant really good reviews, so we decided to give it a taste. We all left happily full and ready for a long nap. Everything was delicious. I am so happy that our first meal in Norway was a traditional style one that tasted so good. We would all definitely come here again. read more

Kaffistova - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

I don't know how this restaurant got 4 stars on Yelp. Food quality is not that good and service terrible. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone and will never come back. read more

I didn't want to leave Norway without having some traditional Norwegian food, among many I decided to try Kaffistova since they seemed simple yet tasty from what everyone here keeps saying. It's a quick process, from taking your tray, to choosing plates and paying for your food, pick a table and begin. I've never had anything Norwegian, but I would have to say that I really liked the reindeer cakes, they're both tasty and filling. I had the reindeer cakes with potatoes, gravy (brown sauce) and what I believe are something like beans, I added Lingonberry sauce and took this one super thin bread to accompany my meal. The prices, well it's Norway, we should expect it to be pricey, for what I just described I paid around $23 or so with a bottle of water. Was it worth it? Of course, I mean, how often do we eat traditional Norwegian in Norway? The place is like a cafeteria style restaurant, no fancy stuff, but it's decorated decent, I don't believe they have waiter service but don't need any, and did I mention is about a 3 minute walk from the Museum of Art, Architecture & Design? read more

Kaffistova - This is big - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

Not everyone in America thinks, hmmmm... how about something Norwegian for dinner, but you know what - we should. Expand those horizons, folks! The food is fresh, healthy, and come on... there is no such thing as bad Norwegian Salmon. It's the best in the whole world! Kaffistova was a wonderful treat for us, and if you ever find yourself in Oslo, I highly recommend this as a lovely side stop while you're there. Located well, nice and clean, and really good traditional Norwegian food. read more

Kaffistova - Traditional Norwegian Food. - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

Excellent people, food and service. I needed something warm and quick to eat on a Rainy Sunday evening in Oslo and most other places were already shut. I came into Kaffistova at 6:55 pm and they close at 7!! The young gentleman behind the counter was very patient with me discussing all the vegetarian selections he could oof get me. He made me a platter made it extra hot on my request and went on to add salad, dessert and tea to my meal. I offered to take my food to go but he reassured me it was no trouble for me to sit comfortably and eat my food while they cleaned up the restaurant. Portions were huge and the food tasted fresh and homemade. The Lady working with hIm was also very friendly and warm. Needless to say they made me feel very welcome at the start of my trip in oslo. Thank you!!! read more

An established go-to restaurant when looking for traditional Norwegian food and nice desserts. It's a slightly upscale cafeteria serving husmannskost (homecooking) poached salmon, reindeer stew, elk cakes, meatballs with lingonberry and lamb dishes, with a side of potatoes and mashed peas. The quality is similar to a typical meal in a Norwegian house. The lamb dishes are in general tastier than the salmon (which tends to get overcooked waiting under the hot lamp), and the smoked-in-pinewood lamb called Pinnekjøtt - usually you cannot find them other than during Christmas - is especially one to look for. As an Oslo resident, I can now find better versions of it made by Norwegian grandmothers. But if you're a newcomer like I was years ago, looking for LOCAL cuisine, Kaffistova fits the bill - it's actually quite representative of Norway, and would be a better alternative than a maybe nicer pizza. Most of the clientele are older Norwegian regulars looking for a familiar meal, or tourists due to its proximity to the fountain at Karl Johansgate. There is definitely room for improvement for Oslo to have a great traditional restaurant - instead of yet another Italian or Sushi place - but for now Kaffistova would do. read more

We had a few days in Oslo and I wish we would have discovered this place sooner! It is a cafeteria style setup like everyone says but the food is yummy! The visitor center helper described it as a simple Norwegian food place. I was excited to try what they say they eat at home. The staff was super friendly with smiling faces. They kindly listened to our questions and requests. I had the meatballs and a piece of the lamb with sides of smashed peas and potatoes. They also have this jam that is delicious. Like a quality cranberry sauce. My bf is a vegetarian and they made it work. They gave him a plate of potato dumplings, smashed peas and a mashed squash side. He was very happy with the food as well. The price overall was not terrible compared to some of the other restaurants we visited. It was good, homey food that filled you up. read more

My friend and I really wanted to try some whale but we found out that it wasn't the season for those dishes so we got the next thing we really wanted to try: reindeer. There was no table service and it was like a cafeteria setup. We had the reindeer meatballs and salmon with scrambled egg and bread. We also got what looked like a really thin bread biscuit and lingo berry jam. Both the dishes were really good and flavourful and the lingon berry jam with the bread biscuit was amazing. We had a really memorable lunch here because of the great food and our first reindeer. The price is a bit touristy though but really worth it. read more

This is as good as Norwegian food gets, but it can get better: try the desserts! Individually sliced and wrapped, each cake slice is packed with flavor. You'll have to share. And share the main dishes too- the portion size is too great for even the best foodie. The staff are nice and there is free wifi. So, come for a full meal, or dessert, or for a sit down coffee. Cafeteria style! Thanks Rick Steves (guidebook) for the recommendation! read more

This is a really overpriced canteen the only advantage of which is it's location and opening hours. We took mushroom soup and Norwegian meatballs. Mushroom soup had a taste of those powder soups you put in a mug. With a pound of salt in it. Meatballs? I think even ones you get in IKEA beat this weird meat with a mix of dry tasteless peas and potatoes with a load of salt. read more

We wanted to try authentic Norwegian food and I had read about this place before our trip to Norway. We were on the Hop On/Hop Off bus when we passed right by the restaurant, so that was convenient. We really enjoyed the food. It's hearty, stick-to-your-bones comfort food. I had the meat cakes and hubby had Rudolph. I mean, the reindeer cakes. They were moist and the gravy was delish as was the lingonberries. The only thing I didn't like was something I wasn't sure what it was... I think it was mashed beans or turnips? But everything else was great, especially the coffee! On a cold rainy May day in Oslo, it hit the spot. It's right by the National Gallery too. Oh, the smaller portion is PLENTY of food. :-) read more

Kaffistova - Meat cakes and reindeer cakes. - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

Traditional Norwegian food, served cafeteria style. They have a handful of entrees, meat and fish, espresso and a decent dessert case... nothing extravagant but a good spot to check out for a somewhat inexpensive dinner (or lunch) read more

All main course are under 200NOK. The salmon was juicy and tender. I was a bit disappointed that they ran out of reindeer meat cake. The regular meat cake was tasty. The almond cake was very unique. Reasonably priced. Great strong coffee read more

Kaffistova - Chocolate cake - Traditional Norwegian Near Me - Oslo, 03

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