Olivia Aker Brygge — Restaurant in Oslo

My friend and I were supposed to have a "treat" as to mark a little special occasion. I can begin by saying that what we had was the furthest one can come from a treat.

We decided to order two Aperol Spritz which arrived shortly, served by our very kind and obliging waitress. For food we planned on sharing, something that resembled a pizza napoletana, and a basket of focaccia with assorted condiments. The bread arrived within minutes and was of the average, yet acceptable, sort -- albeit a little dry. After a good amount of time, I would say nearly 20 minutes, we began wondering when the pizza was going to arrive. The restaurant was far from full and from our table we had a view into the kitchen, which seemed everything but busy. We instantly came to the conclusion that the waitress had forgotten the order, or not heard me ordering the pizza, as she was not Norwegian. A rookie mistake and one we could accept.

HOWEVER, what we are greeted with after about 45 minutes of waiting and two completely slurped up glasses of Aperol Spritz is a pizza only a chef in deep misery could produce. Having had NO confirmation from the waitress nor the kitchen WHATSOEVER that our food was on its way, we were pleasantly surprised. I was however not pleased with the wait and thus told the waitress so. She offered us FREE dessert. Keep this in mind as I go on. A fair trade we thought.

Having eaten the overly salty and poorly made pizza, of course made even saltier by the addition of hermetic and non-rinsed anchovies, we were asked to order our dessert. We both went for completely pale and disappointing chocolate fondants, which they so aptly had named "soufflé" on the menu -- how professional. After having waited 25 minutes on these slobs of melted chocolate that took merely 3 minutes to eat, it came time to pay. Now however, we were not greeted by the same obliging waitress but by a male servant so sleezy and revolting as one could only imagine conjured up in a work of fiction. He gave us the bill, having added both desserts into the total. I asked him to change this, and he went to speak with his manager. After about five minutes he came back, having substracted ONE of the two desserts we had ordered. I asked him why and he replied "you got ONE dessert for free". This may be a fault of the language skills of our former waitress or of this imbecile's comprehension skills, but she did NOT offer us ONE free dessert. This remark is even more distinguishable in Norwegian.

Now I found myself in a horrible situation where I had to make a fool of this snail of a man. Raising my voice I declared that I would never pay for two of those desserts as we had waited over one consecutive hour for food that could only be deemed average, at best.

Thankfully everything was sorted in the end, but I would highly encourage customers NOT to visit this location. They have a serious problem within staff, both in the kitchen and on the floor which reflects badly upon the food and costumer service. It is...

We dined at Olivia, a charming Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Oslo, just steps from the vibrant Aker Brygge waterfront. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with elegant decor featuring soft lighting, rustic wooden accents, and large windows offering glimpses of the bustling harbor. It’s the kind of place that feels both upscale and cozy, perfect for a special evening out.

The service at Olivia was exceptional—our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and eager to offer recommendations without being overbearing. They ensured our glasses were always filled and checked in just enough to make us feel cared for. The staff’s professionalism was a highlight, though a slight delay during peak hours was noticeable but didn’t detract from the experience.

The menu, while not extensive for vegetarians, offered enough thoughtfully crafted options to satisfy. We enjoyed a creamy burrata with heirloom tomatoes and a perfectly balanced basil pesto, followed by a rich mushroom risotto that was both comforting and flavorful. The non-vegetarian dishes, like the classic spaghetti carbonara and osso buco, received high praise from our group for their authentic flavors and generous portions. However, adding a few more plant-based entrees would make Olivia’s menu more inclusive.

The prices lean toward the higher end, with main courses averaging around 300-400 NOK, but this feels justified given the prime location and quality. The ingredients were fresh, and the presentation was impeccable, reflecting the care put into each dish. A glass of house wine, priced at about 120 NOK, complemented the meal beautifully, though budget-conscious diners might find the drink prices a touch steep.

Olivia’s location is a major draw. Situated near Aker Brygge, the restaurant is surrounded by trendy shops, scenic waterfront views, and the lively energy of Oslo’s cultural hub. Accessibility is a breeze—whether you’re taking the tram, bus, or metro, Olivia is just a short walk from major stops, making it convenient for locals and tourists alike. After dinner, we strolled along the waterfront, soaking in the stunning views of the Oslo Fjord, which capped off the evening perfectly.

Overall, Olivia delivered a delightful dining experience. The combination of flavorful Italian cuisine, attentive service, and a prime location makes it worth a visit, especially for those seeking a memorable meal in Oslo. While the vegetarian options could be expanded and prices reflect the upscale setting, the quality and atmosphere make Olivia a standout choice. We’ll definitely return for another taste of...

I went there on a Saturday evening a couple of weeks back to celebrate a friends birthday. The establishment is very nice and the location is very good. Its located by the pier of Oslos top nightlife location.

The thing is that does not count for much in my opinion, when I go there to eat a better than average meal. The meal turned out to be a real gastronomic disappointment.

I ordered the entrecote, which I think tastes best of the steaks. Then the disappointment started. First of all I could only have one type of potato on the side. Just a few dried flakes of potatos on a small plate, with little seasoning. I asked politely if they could provide some other types and the waiter said no, without even asking the chef if it was possible. Fair enough, this was my first visit to this restaurant so I would give them a chance to redeem themselves.

Then the dish was served. The positive was that it didn't take too long, and now I really got disappointed. The meat was tender but tasteless. It was served with 3 lonely fried cherry tomatoes and a few strands of rukkola, maybe 5. The sauce was suppose to be redwine sauce, but it was obviously burnt and tasted like a bad barbeque sauce. The potatos lied spread out on a small plate and looked pitiful. This dish is priced like a premium product and I would get a better foodexperience in a place of 1/3 of the price. Then the final nail in the coffin arrived.

I told the waiter about my dissatisfaction about the sauce. I did not mention the general presentation. She asked what I wanted and I asked for some real redwine sauce. I told her I have also waited tables, which I have, and was not gonna pin my dissatisfaction on her and I wanted her to get the message back to the chef. She said she would do that and went back to the chef. When she came back, she had brought a small amount of sauce, which was thick as mayo and cold. It looked like it was stashed in a bowl on a table without any heat whatsoever and.. it tasted equally awful as the one I got first and COLD.

This place is overrated as best and do not have any pride in their food or...