Theatercaféen — Restaurant in Oslo

Went there last week for a Friday early dinner. Even though we had a reservation, the awkward design of the entrance forced us in a packed hall waiting for more than 15 minutes before we could get introduced to our table. The location is quite unique and pleasant, has that grandiose mid European old school elegance that is not so common in Oslo. The food was up for expectation, good honest Norwegian home cuisine with a touch of refinement.

The reason why I could not rate any higher is due to poor service. I already mentioned the awkward entry system, and even though we were introduced to a waiter who said to be out waiter for the night, we were served by 5 other different people with completely different attitudes and made communication difficult, some examples being: they almost got our main dish order wrong, I corrected them right the way to the right request, but then they got our dessert wrong, which is no big deal on itself but very unprofessional of such establishment; we were also informed 15 minutes after we finished the appetisers that our mains were delayed (resulting in further 35 minutes wait) so they offered second round of what we were drinking while waiting, but those were also charged to us as regular orders in the bill, again, mis communication to which we paid with no complain, but resulted in further unprofessional impression.

All this bad service resulted in a meal that was certainly overpriced, not just in Oslo standard but for the experience we received. Such a pity, had very good potential, but will not...

I booked an Afternoon tea in advance by email asked for meat free choice for me. When I came, waiters didn't know about it so I had to repeat it twice. Finger sandwiches were absolutely amazing, fresh and delicious. One of them was with pickled white strawberry - wow! I got a great choice with vegetarian and smoked salmon pieces. Although the choice of pastries included in Afternoon tea set is quite small all of them were exquisite, fresh and tasty. Though I was disappointed that there was only one scone, usually they served with two pieces. But I got clotted cream (very few places in Oslo serve it) and fresh strawberry jam which made it up. Sorry to say that but I was also disappointed with tea. Very poor choice - I was to choose between black and green. Tea served in a metallic pot with very hot handle - almost impossible to handle it. The way it look and the taste is not what you expect when you want to have an Afternoon tea. The service was below the average. We paid in cash and the waiter asked us how much change we want to get. Which is ridiculous. I want all my change and then I will decide how much tips I want to give. At the end we didn't get change at all! It was a small amount but I think it is unacceptable anyway. All in all I'm confused. Seems to be that the kitchen works perfect. The food and pastry are flawless. But the tea and the service need to...

Dinner at Theatercaféen was one of those experiences that quietly becomes a highlight of a trip. Housed in a historic brasserie just minutes from our hotel, the space itself is elegant but warm, with high ceilings, soft lighting, and the kind of old-world charm that feels distinctly European without being stiff. We started at the bar with a round of pre-dinner drinks — I had a Vesper martini that was perfectly balanced, the kind that makes you slow down and savor the start of the evening.

At the table, the meal unfolded beautifully. We began with toast skagen, a classic Swedish-Norwegian shrimp dish that was fresh and flavorful, alongside some excellent house focaccia. For mains, the ribeye and the chicken Caesar were both top-notch — cooked perfectly, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully plated. The wine selection was broad and well-curated, and our server guided us toward a bottle that paired beautifully with the meal.

Dessert was a showstopper: the Azelia chocolate mousse, a visually striking and delicious dish that balanced richness with just enough lightness to end the night on a high note. Between the atmosphere, the service, and the food itself, Theatercaféen delivered an exceptional dining experience that felt special without being overly formal. Highly recommend...