The Shopping Guide for Oslo: The Best Stores in the Norwegian Capital

While Oslo is not a shopping destination and many products are actually brought in from other parts of Scandinavia (namely Sweden), the city does boast several stores that have a curated selection of sleek, minimalist home furnishings and fabulous stationary and paper products, as well as a great collection of boutique art galleries for collectors looking to make big purchases.

Most of the best Oslo shopping is located in the city center, which includes the historic center and waterfront, which is known for its beautiful modern architecture and views of the Oslofjord. For unique finds, shoppers should visit the Grünerløkka neighborhood, a hipster nave that is located northeast of downtown and home to concept stores and vintage boutiques. Here is our current short list for shopping in Oslo.

Indagare Shopping Picks // Oslo's City Center

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy f5[/caption]

Oslo’s compact city center is easily navigated and boasts some incredible architecture. The historic area is centered around Karl Johans gate, the partially pedestrian-only main promenade that is home to luxury designer outlets as well as the Hotel Continental and Grand Hotel (where the Nobel Peace Prize banquet is hosted each year). In contrast, the waterfront is uber-hip and filled with stunning modern architecture, boutiques and waterfront restaurants with views of the Oslofjord. The always-bustling area is also home to the Aker Brygge Shopping Center, a complex that offers a range of high-end boutiques interspersed with unique interior design stores. There are lots of shops to discover, but some favorites include:

Fashion

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• Den Norske Husfliden: Located on the bottom floor of Norway’s oldest department store, GlasMagasinet, Den Norske Husfliden has been selling traditional Norwegian fashions since opening in 1891. GlasMagasinet; Stortorvet 9
• f5: Offering exclusively Norwegian designers, f5 sells sleek shirt dresses, menswear-inspired basics and leather bags and sneakers. Øvre Slottsgate 5
• YME: Inspired by Paris’ Colette, YME spans three floors and offers pieces by internationally renowned designers like Maison Margiela, Rick Owens, Lanvin and Marni. Karl Johans gate 39

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• Milla: A sprawling, two-story warehouse dedicated to uber-chic interior décor, Milla stocks familiar names (Missoni Home, Jonathan Adler), but also unique furnishings including taxidermied animals. Holmens gate 4
• Norway Designs: The decades-old Norway Designs is a two-story emporium filled with Scandinavian-style, sleek furnishings and all things design-focused. Stortingsgata 28

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• Fenaknoken: Stuffed to the gills with dried meats, racks of lamb and wooden crates overflowing with cheese and salami, this specialty food store is an Oslo institution and one of its most unique shops. Tordenskiolds gate 12
• Freia: Founded in 1889, Freia is Norway’s largest chocolate manufacturer. The Freia melkesjokolade is the best-selling product. Karl Johans gate 31

Stop into Oslo’s City Hall. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded here, and the interior walls are completely covered in vibrant murals detailing Norwegian daily life and significant moments in history, including the fire in 1624 that destroyed much of Oslo and the Nazi occupation during World War II. Rådhusplassen 1

Indagare Shopping Picks // Grünerløkka

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy Fransk Bazar[/caption]

For some of the city’s best shopping and vintage curios, head to Grünerløkka neighborhood, which feels a bit like Brooklyn in Norway. The main street, Markveien, is lined with one-off boutiques and coffee shops that are fun to explore. There are lots of stores to discover, but some favorites include:

Fashion & Accessories

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• Dapper: This menswear concept store that is split into three parts, with areas for shaving, biking and clothing products. Nordre gate 13
• Ensemble: The most elegant womenswear in Grünerløkka can be found at Ensemble, a boutique stocked with clothes from designers like Carven and Frame. Nordre gate 15
• Mitt Lille Hjem: A bit like a Norwegian take on Anthropologie, Mitt Lille Hjem offers a cohesive selection of fashion, home décor, accessories and jewelry, as well as furniture, all of which is made by the owner’s father. Markveien 56

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy Kollekted By[/caption]

• Fransk Bazar: This vintage boutique is a Francophile’s dream—roughly 90% of its products come from France, some of which date back to the early 1800s. Grüners gate 5
• Kollekted By: This beautiful interior design store sells unique lighting fixtures, pretty ceramics and minimalist furnishings. Rathkes gate 4
• Skaperverket Arkitekter: This hippie boutique is filled with fun knick-knacks, paper goods and gag gifts. Markveien 60

visit Mathallen, a food hall that is located just across the Akerselva River. (There are several pedestrian bridges for crossing). The culinary destination is filled with vendors hawking gourmet treats from small-scale Norwegian producers, casual restaurants serving everything from Spanish tapas to crêpes and a cooking school on the upper level. Vulkan 5.

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