Off to a flying start, OSLOVE and the best apartment in Sørenga!

Hei Scoopers,

If you are waking this morning feeling a bit sleep deprived after celebrating Norways’ amazing first match and emphatic win last night, then I am sure you’re not alone.
If however, you couldn’t care less about 22 grown men kicking a ball of wind about, then this weeks scoop is here to give you some lovely alternatives to World Cup fever.

We have some fine little gems from a reading circle where you DON’T need to have read the book before hand to a film about one of the best European figurative artists of the last century. Nice! Plus a hand picked, curated guide to other events happening in and around this fine, fine city.

Also on my radar this week: OSLOVE, a new Oslo-set tragicomic microdrama from American filmmaker Alex Holdridge - director of the award-winning indie romcom In Search of a Midnight Kiss - and his Norwegian wife through their local production company, The Wild Strawberries. They’re filming new bite-sized episodes around Oslo, and it has that funny, awkward, local-romance feel that deserves a proper Scoop feature later. For now, have a look here: @oslove_series

Ok, on with the show….

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This week’s dream home is a spectacular 266 sqm penthouse on Sørengkaia, with a frankly ridiculous 211 sqm private roof terrace overlooking Bjørvika, the Opera, Ekeberg and the fjord. It has been named, quite uncharacteristically boastful fashion for Norway, as The Best apartment in Sørenga!!

The asking price? 62 million kroner. Or 63.56 million once costs are included. So this is very much a dream for all but the top 00.1% but that’s what this feature is all about, right!

Built in 2016, the apartment sits on the 7th floor and stretches across the building, giving it light from three sides and near-360-degree views. Inside, there are three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom/WC, plus two walk-in wardrobes, a guest toilet, a bio fireplace and a large living room divided into several zones.

Now, let’s talk garages…here you are given not one space. Not two. but Six garage spaces are included, with EV charging available! Perfect if you have one car for every day of the week except Sundays..I mean who doesn’t?

The real showpiece, though isn’t the abundant garages, although that is off the chart, it’s the roof terrace: 211 sqm of private outdoor space with sun, planting, fjord views. It’s SO impressive that the listing only features pictures of the terrace, which is bigger than most apartments and the view, it fails to show you anything of the living area OR the voluptuous garaging. It’s like the estate agent got so excited about the incredible terrace that they forgot to include anything else.

It is described as possibly the best apartment in Sørenga. Now we all know that Estate-agent language should always be taken with a pinch of sea salt, but in this case, they may well have a point.

It’s probably worth booking a viewing just to see what the interior looks like…and the garages of course!

Price: 62,000,000 kr
Total price: 63,563,990 kr
Size: 266 sqm internal / 276 sqm usable
Terrace: 211 sqm
Bedrooms: 3
Garage: 6 spaces!
Monthly common costs: 10,656 kr
Built: 2016
Energy rating: C, light green
Address: Sørengkaia 33, 0194 Oslo

Em Oi! in Vietnamese, is a warm, informal way of getting someone’s attention.
This seems to fit the vibe of this new restaurant really well: friendly, relaxed and built around the kind of food that feels especially welcome all year around here in Oslo where a friendly smile can seem elusive somedays.

From late morning, they serve Vietnamese classics including phở, bánh mì and wonton soup, alongside a daily hot dish and dim sum option. The food is based on traditional family recipes, so the feel is more homely than trendy.

The bánh mì comes in a soft baguette with chicken, pickled vegetables and freshness. The phở is the proper warming bowl: rice noodles, herbs, broth, and sauces on the side so you can build the flavour how you like it.

However, it’s the drinks, especially the coffee, that’s stealing the show in the reviews.

One reviewer calls it “amazing Vietnamese coffee,” while another says they’ve “finally found the best iced coconut coffee in Norway.” A third praises the place for “wonderful food and genuinely brilliant Vietnamese coffee” and notes that it’s also fairly budget-friendly by Oslo standards.

The signature drinks include Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk and pandan foam, plus fun options like Princess Peach, made with jasmine tea and peach. There are also some nice looking baked goods behind the counter, so you can stop by for lunch, coffee, something sweet, or just a bit of people-watching on Grønland…which is always interesting!

The space itself is nice and bright, with large windows and whilst it still has a slightly new-place-finding-its-feet feeling kind of vibe, I have been told by a Vietnamese friend of mine that his mother thought it was ‘pretty good’, which is probably the best endorsement a place like this can get!

Sleeping badly in Oslo’s warm summer nights? Start with your pillow.

Long Oslo evenings are one of the best parts of summer.

Unless you’re trying to sleep of course!

If your room is too warm, your routine is off (watching the World Cup, eh?) or you’re waking up with a stiff neck, your pillow might be doing less for you than you think.

Coco-Mat Oslo helps customers choose natural pillows based on how they actually sleep, rather than guessing from a shelf or ordering blindly online. At their showroom in Bygdøy Allé, you can test different pillows properly while lying down and get guidance on what suits your sleep style.

A simple expert tip: if your pillow feels flatter than it used to, needs constant reshaping, or you regularly wake up with neck tension, it may be time to check whether it is still giving you the support you need.

Exclusive Oslo Scoop reader offer: buy ONE selected Coco-Mat pillow and get a second one FREE.

(This is not a general public campaign. It is an exclusive offer only for Oslo Scoop readers.)

Mention Oslo Scoop in-store, or use the reader code online.

Click here to find the right pillow for your sleep style.

The Last Kiss: Poetry, Exile and Everyday Life in Iran at Litteraturhuset - Wednesday 17 June
Poet Mehdi Mousavi appears for an evening of poetry and conversation about everyday life under repression in Iran. This is a really lovely midweek, early start/finish option. A very thoughtful and reflective piece that includes readings and conversation about the reality of living in such a repressive culture and how poetic literature can help to make sense of it all…then you can go crazy watching the football..just kidding.

Ferske Fjes at SALT - Wednesday 17 June
This is one for the comedy enthusiast. It’s mainly new comics trying out new material so be prepared for that. As a new comedian myself these spaces are SO valuable to creating a thriving scene as it can be hard to get stage time and this is a great stage in a proper venue in front of a warm crowd, perfect conditions for honing your craft. Each comic has been chosen using a bucket pull from the previous event or earlier that evening so those fjes really are ferske!

Sommerimpro at Det Andre Teatret - Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 & Friday 19 June
Summer impro at one of Oslo’s best comedy spaces.
The experienced improv actors make the whole thing up live of course… that’s the nature of improv! I have found these type of events can be a real rollercoaster of extremes; when it doesn’t work you can cringe so hard you break a rib, but when it works it can be truly sublime! Fridays show is in English

The Opera Orchestra: The Ring Without Words at Oslo Opera House - Friday 19 June
Wagner’s Ring cycle, but without singers and without needing to lose an entire weekend. An orchestral version of the big mythic stuff: gods, fire, power, doom and the Ride of the Valkyries energy everyone secretly recognises. This is a great choice for both those who are new to his works and more seasoned fans, promises to be a really nourishing sonic experience.

Cheikh Lô at Cosmopolite - Saturday 20 June
Senegalese legend Cheikh Lô brings mbalax, reggae and warm summer-night groove to Cosmopolite. His truly unique brand of styles mixes soul Jazz, Cuban rhythms and of course reggae grooves that are infused with heartfelt messages of faith and community. If you want music that will move your feet and your soul then look no further

Ora The Molecule at SALT - Saturday 20 June
The unique cosmic Italo-Disco one woman performance powerhouse is coming to SALT. Ora The Molecule not only spins the best disco jams but wraps it all into a futuristic experience featuring multi-instruments including the mighty Theremin! This is one is guaranteed to blow your mind

Lyden av Oslo: Gluecifer at Deichman Bjørvika - Tuesday 23 June
Oslo rock history in a library?. Deichman’s “Lyden av Oslo” series turns the spotlight on Gluecifer, one of the city’s great action-rock exports, or if you’re German then you might know it as Schweinerock!. The band will be interviewed by Torkil Torsvik who you might know as the host of "Ettermiddagen" on Radio Rock and the podcast "Gammal Maiden"

Grace Church Oslo
If you’re looking for an English-speaking church in Oslo that feels warm, welcoming and genuinely community-minded, Grace International Church of Oslo is well worth knowing about. It has the kind of atmosphere that can be hard to find in a city: a real mix of Norwegians, expats and long-term locals, with the sort of friendliness that makes it feel less like attending a service and more like arriving somewhere people are actually glad to see you.
They normally meet on Sundays at 11am, with food and fellowship afterwards, and for many people that shared time seems to be part of the appeal. It is not just somewhere to sit through a service and slip quietly out again, but somewhere that seems to offer real friendship, support and spiritual grounding under one roof.

Sankthans on Bygdøy
Norsk Folkemuseum is doing a full Sankthansfestival on Saturday 20 June, with music, folk dance, food, flower-crown workshops, horse and carriage, pony riding and concerts from Zimmermann and Odd Nordstoga. OBOS members get free entry for themselves and up to four guests. I reckon this is the perfect midsommer event and if the weather stays kind then it’s the perfect family day out

Norwegian fairytales, but indoors
Paradox Museum’s English-language Norwegian Fairytales experience finishes this week. It’s a 30-minute interactive family show with trolls, talking pancakes and Soria Moria energy, aimed mainly at children aged 4–12. Well worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for a wet weather family outing. Last few tickets remain for the final show: Friday 19 June.

MUNCH
This week includes a drop-in screening of Paula Rego: Secrets & Stories on Saturday 20 June. Paula is widely regarded as one of the most significant figurative artists in Europe. The Portugese artist grew up in the restrictive, oppressive climate of Salazars facist regime over ninety years ago and this them is found through out her work. This is a rare chance to see this film lovingly created by her son and shown for free. Check the link for times/dates.

World Cup watch spots
Norway have kicked off their first World Cup finals for 28 yrs in spectacular style by trouncing Iraq 4-1 with the main man Erling Braut Harland bagging a brace on his debut!
If you’re starting to show signs of World Cup fever and want to know where to watch these very inconveniently scheduled matches then this is an excellent guide in the link.

A reading circle where you don’t need to read first
In addition to the sandwich, the postage stamp and lawnmowers, the English are also the proud inventors of the reading circle. Now Deichman Torshov hosts their own version called Litterært pusterom on Tuesday 23 June: a shared reading session where you don’t need to prepare anything in advance, just book your slot and enjoy a shared reading experience where you can choose your level of participation - full-on engaged discussion or full on head back, mouth open drooling down your chin sent to sleep by the readers dulcet tones.

These are my personal recommendations…

First up:
Hot Spicy Chicken Fillet
in coconut milk and curry, served with rice or noodles - freshly prepared on site

And to drink:
Turmeric Latte
Choice of milk, tea or coffee and delicious blend of Turmeric, chilli and other flavours

If you’re after something healthy, flavourful and a little different, this is a very decent excuse to stop in. Mention the Scoop when you order!

‘This is so far the best Café I have visited in Oslo.’ - Shalia Hofmann

A small confession: I’ve started guiding walking tours in Oslo.

And it has made me realise something slightly embarrassing: most of us walk past half the city without really seeing it.

The Royal Palace. City Hall. Akershus. Christiania Torv. The Opera House. The Tiger. The old Freia sign. The Nobel Peace Prize buildings. The statues, symbols, myths, fires, kings, resistance stories and tiny details hiding in plain sight.

That’s why I think Artista Walking Tours are worth knowing about this summer.

They’re useful for visitors, obviously. But they’re also surprisingly good for people who live here and want to understand the city a bit better. Iam still learning more about this place and have been here 6 years!

Full disclosure: I’m one of the guides. So yes, off course I’m biased. But I’m also there on the ground, seeing what people respond to and Oslo really does become more interesting when someone slows you down and tells you what you’re actually looking at.

Good for: visiting friends, family in town, new Oslo residents, curious locals, and anyone who wants to understand the city a little bit better.

If you’ve spotted something local - a job ad, a poster, a pop-up, a hidden gem, a place worth knowing about - send it over. That’s half the fun of building this.

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Stay curious, Oslo.

Spence

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