
Arakataka
Arakataka offers a vibrant mix of seasonal Nordic and international flavors in a stylish, modern bistro setting with an open kitchen.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Arakataka

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Arakataka offers a vibrant mix of seasonal Nordic and international flavors in a stylish, modern bistro setting with an open kitchen.
"Our best meal in Oslo! Highly recommend! Great value as well."
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential as the restaurant is popular and often booked out, especially on weekdays.
Try the Tasting Menu
Opt for the 4 or 6-course tasting menu for a comprehensive culinary journey with wine pairings.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Nordic / International Bistro
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Signature Spaghetti with Roe
Iconic dish featuring delicate spaghetti in a rich butter sauce, topped with generous vendace roe. A must-try!

Modern Bistro Ambiance
Casual excellence with a modern bistro vibe, featuring designer lighting and an open kitchen for an engaging dining experience.

Extensive Natural Wine Selection
An impressive wine list, especially natural wines from renowned producers, expertly paired with dishes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential as the restaurant is popular and often booked out, especially on weekdays.
Try the Tasting Menu
Opt for the 4 or 6-course tasting menu for a comprehensive culinary journey with wine pairings.
Weekday Visits
Consider visiting on weekdays for a potentially less crowded and more relaxed dining experience.
Explore Matbaren's Snacks
The Matbaren food bar offers a more casual snack menu for those seeking lighter options.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential as the restaurant is popular and often booked out, especially on weekdays.
Try the Tasting Menu
Opt for the 4 or 6-course tasting menu for a comprehensive culinary journey with wine pairings.
Weekday Visits
Consider visiting on weekdays for a potentially less crowded and more relaxed dining experience.
Explore Matbaren's Snacks
The Matbaren food bar offers a more casual snack menu for those seeking lighter options.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Arakataka is celebrated for its innovative Nordic and international cuisine, particularly its signature spaghetti dish and the impressive natural wine selection. Diners praise the modern bistro ambiance and the tasting menus. However, some guests have noted inconsistency in service and occasionally find the food overly salty.
"This was our last meal in Oslo. The restaurant was very nice. It was during the Easter holiday and this is one of the only restaurants opened so we felt very grateful. The food was wonderful and apparently the wine selection is quite extensive in general. A very, very nice experience would recommend."
Fah Chana
"Having such a wonderful dinner here! I went for the 4-course tasting menu, and it really had the perfect summer vibe.
My favourite was the raw halibut – light, refreshing, and beautifully layered with just the right touch of bitterness from the herbs. The dessert was also lovely: the almond cream balanced the tartness of the berries and left us with a refreshing, light finish to the meal.
The squash was absolutely amazing too, though I wasn’t as keen on the sauce. Overall, I’m really satisfied with this meal 💛"
Christy Lai
"Nice place - booked out on a Tuesday night - pleasant crowd in their late 20s to 40s; lucky we had reserved a table. Modern tastefully designed restaurant (lots of wood), the wine list excellent (strong in French wines). We had a fairly priced 4-course menu and were positively surprised by nordic-creative cuisine ! Starting with delicous oysters / halibut (?) the second course' green aspargus with a whey based slightly sour aroma sauce was top notch. The chicken course was crunchy (reminded me a bit of a nordicinterpretation of Beijing duck) and the caramelle aroma of the desert remakable. Yes service could be more warm ... but i always prefer professional cold over US style fake friendliness ... All in all: Very nice evening !!"
La Go
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended as the restaurant is very popular and often booked out.
Arakataka is renowned for its innovative Nordic and international cuisine, especially its signature spaghetti with roe, and its extensive natural wine list.
Yes, they offer a 4-course and a 6-course tasting menu, often with wine pairing options.
The ambiance is described as modern bistro and casual excellence, suggesting smart casual attire is appropriate.
Yes, Arakataka is noted for offering excellent vegetarian dishes that are not just modifications of meat/fish options.
Diners often praise dishes like halibut, squash, and various chicken and pork preparations.
Absolutely. It boasts an extensive and interesting wine list, particularly strong in natural wines, with reasonable prices.
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Featured in these publications
Guide: Where to Drink Natural Wine in Oslo
Matbaren,” the food bar of restaurant Arakataka, is as much of a wine bar as a restaurant – a no reservation zone with a limited snack menu. The bar snacks are only available Wednesday-Saturday, but you can drink wine here every day of the week!. Their wine list is mostly natural with producers like Lucy Margaux, Charles Dufour, Matassa, Mother Rock, and Frank Cornelissen.
POSTCARDS FROM OSLO
If you are a fellow foodie, make sure you try Maemo, Arakataka, The Vandelay, Mathallen (I particularly liked Breddos Tacos and Stange) and Talormade. Oslo is Scandinavia’s coffee mecca, so coffee lovers should not miss a visit to Tim Wendelboe’s roastery and Supreme Roastworks. And if wine or cocktails are your thing, then try Territoriet, Himkok and Svanen.
The 16 top wine bars in Oslo 2025
Sparkling Wine List of the Year Norway, presented by Nyetimber 2024. Approaching its 25th birthday in 2026, this vibrant and affordable gourmet restaurant in downtown Oslo has managed to stay relevant ever since it burst onto the scene in 2001. Now, the wine list is more interesting than ever – and prices continue to be on the manageable side of things.
Restauranter i Oslo
På Arakataka har de alltid så mye godt på menyen at det blir vanskelig å bestemme seg, og derfor passer det perfekt at menyen er lagt opp til at du spiser flere små retter. Spaghetti med løyrom må med hver gang, men har hatt noen helt nydelige (og klønete) opplevelser med pepperkrabbe også. Et nordisk kjøkken som virkelig får råvarene til å synge.
Oslo’s 15 Best Restaurants (and Must-Try Dishes) 2025
Situated a stone’s throw from Rockefeller Music Hall, Arakataka stands as Oslo’s cherished budget fine dining jewel. For over a decade, it’s been offering a delectable five-course menu spotlighting Nordic treasures. Signature dishes, like their spaghetti lavishly draped in butter sauce and crowned with løyrom (vendace roe), are not to be missed.
The 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Oslo, Norway
Arakataka stands out in the Oslo dining scene for its vibrant and unassuming approach to high-end cuisine. The restaurant is a favorite for its modern bistro ambiance and its philosophy of “casual excellence.” Diners can expect an innovative menu that pays homage to Scandinavian flavors while also embracing global influences.
New Era Fine Dining and Drinking in Oslo
You can enjoy small plates in a communal atmosphere at Arakataka just around the corner from the Rockefeller Music Hall. Arakataka is a proof that New Nordic cuisine doesn’t need to be too precious or fussy. There are high stools for sitting but many diners opt to stand while cradling their drinks.
Best places to eat in Oslo
To check out the likes of Arakataka and Piscoteket and Kontrast, we’re just going to have to go back. Back to further explore this intriguing marriage of fjord, mountain, forest and thrilling urbanity. Sure, my wallet may take a battering – Oslo’s reputation for expense isn’t unfounded.
Exploring Norway’s New Nordic Dining and Wine Scene
Other dining and wining recommendations include the seasonal Nordic menu at Arakataka and the vinyl record–soundtracked Territoriet wine bar. The latter, another Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winner, impresses for its fair prices and intriguing selection of older vintages.
Romantic Getaway in Oslo for Couples
Known for its innovative and modern Nordic cuisine, it offers a unique dining experience with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. With a stylish and cozy atmosphere, Arakataka is a popular choice for food enthusiasts seeking a taste of contemporary Norwegian gastronomy.
The 6 Best Restaurants in Oslo
This modern bistro is a favourite spot for concertgoers given its prime location across from Oslo’s Rockefeller Music Hall. Its menu consists of small plates many of which include catches from the frosty Norwegian shores such as King Crab, langoustine, and mackerel.
Find good places and restaurants to eat in Oslo
Arakataka is a gourmet restaurant located near Rockefeller Music Hall. They serve small dishes and four-course dinners prepared from Norwegian ingredients. The food bar and open kitchen are lively to watch, where chefs prepare food for their guests.
Guide to Oslo, Norway's Dining Scene
Arakataka (Modern Nordic): Arakataka has long been a staple of Oslo’s food scene, with its affordable yet high-quality Nordic-inspired dishes. The lively ambiance and expertly crafted menu make it a great place for both locals and tourists alike.
Weekend in Oslo: Top Things to Do and Must-See Sights
A favourite among both food critics and customers, Arakataka is a high-quality restaurant located right in the heart of Oslo’s concert and theatre district. Norwegian ingredients with a continental flair make for a great evening.
A Complete Guide to Oslo -
International cuisine, creative presentation, beautiful plates, and waiters. I want to photograph the entire interior for Instagram. Get ready to pay at least € 15 for a small dish.
Best Wine List in Oslo
Others that made the list are: Arakataka, Kontrast & Restaurant Bro. You can read the full article (in norwegian) here.
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