grand café

An iconic Oslo institution where history, culture and cuisine have met since 1874.

A historic gathering place for artists, thinkers and modern dining

Founded in 1874, Grand Café is one of Oslo’s most storied cultural institutions. Located inside the Grand Hotel, the café was once the regular meeting place of Norway’s leading artists, writers and explorers, including Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Munch, Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Over the decades, it became a symbol of intellectual life in Kristiania, later Oslo, and a central stage for ideas, debate and creativity.


Following a careful restoration, Grand Café reopened with deep respect for its heritage. Original Thonet chairs, Lars Backer’s decorative ceilings and Per Krohg’s iconic murals blends seamlessly with a contemporary dining experience. The open kitchen serves seasonal cuisine rooted in Nordic ingredients, complemented by international influences. With space for nearly 200 guests, Grand Café continues its legacy, not as a museum of the past, but as a living venue where new stories, flavors and moments are created.

Three people at a restaurant table, laughing, with wine bottles in the background.
Chef pouring sauce over a plated dish of cooked meat and vegetables.
Restaurant interior with round tables, dim lighting, and a large mural.
Exterior of the Grand Café. White building with arched windows, balconies, and gold lettering.