Lean and herby reindeer fillet, often roasted rare and served with juniper, lingonberry, root vegetables and a brown sauce reduced with cream.
Reindeer has been on Norwegian tables for centuries, originally from Sami herders in Finnmark and Troms in the north; Oslo's fine-dining and traditional rooms keep it on the menu year-round. The autumn slaughter runs October through January and the freshest meat reaches Oslo from the Karasjok and Kautokeino reindeer cooperatives. Lofoten Fiskerestaurant, Bagatelle and Statholdergaarden run the canonical version with juniper, lingonberry and root vegetables.
3 editor picks for Reindeer (reinsdyr) in Oslo, ranked by editorial score. All Oslo signature dishes · Reindeer (reinsdyr) across every city.
Engebret Café ★ 4.8
kvadraturen · Bankplassen 1, 0151 Oslo
Engebret Café at Bankplassen 1 is Oslo's oldest continuously operating restaurant, founded 1857 by Engebret Christoffersen, in a 1760s listed building.
Statholdergaarden ★ 4.7
kvadraturen · Rådhusgata 11, 0151 Oslo
Statholdergaarden in Oslo's Kvadraturen has held its Michelin star since 1998 with chef Bent Stiansen at the pass, under 18th-century stucco ceilings.
Asylet ★ 4.1
gronland · Grønland 28, 0188 Oslo
Asylet on Grønland in Oslo's old town is the wood-panelled 1730 merchant-yard timber building, one of the city's oldest, serving kjottkaker.