Open-face sandwich on dense rye or sourdough, dressed with combinations of smoked salmon, prawn salad, roast beef and remoulade, or pickled herring with red onion and beetroot.
Smørbrød became a Norwegian lunch institution through the early 20th century, with hotel cafés and restaurants like Theatercaféen popularising the open-face form as a counter-and-table classic.
3 editor picks for Smørbrød in Oslo, ranked by editorial score. All Oslo signature dishes · Smørbrød across every city.
Theatercaféen ★ 4.3
sentrum · Stortingsgata 24-26, 0117 Oslo
Theatercaféen on Stortingsgata is the 1900 art-nouveau brasserie opposite Nationaltheatret, in the same family for four generations, with a portrait gallery of its regulars on the walls.
Café Skansen ★ 4.2
kvadraturen · Rådhusgata 32, 0151 Oslo
Café Skansen on Rådhusgata at Christiania Torv plates Scandinavian short-distance produce in a small fireplace-warmed room, with summer outdoor seating overlooking Akershus Fortress.
Kaffistova ★ 3.9
sentrum · Rosenkrantz' gate 8, 0159 Oslo
Kaffistova on the ground floor of Hotell Bondeheimen on Rosenkrantz' gate has served Norwegian home cooking since 1901, with raspeballer, boknafisk, rømmegrøt and kjøttkaker on a cafeteria line.