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Hei Scoopers,

It looks like summer is well under way, have you noticed those little white fluffy bits floating around? those are the Poplar tree seeds and that can only mean one thing…it’s June! Also huge football screens are springing up around the city and the weather is two days of rain one of sun…that’s very June in Norway.

Following on from the popularity of the summer cheat sheet la week I have put together a slightly more curated guide for those who only have 24 hrs in the Tiger city. Hosting walking tours I come across many visitors who dont really know where to start during such a tight schedule, so if that is you or you know someone who is visiting soon and has this predicament then this is definitely for you.

Oslo is one of those cities where the best bits are often hiding in plain sight.

For those of you, like me who have lived here for years but never really done all the touristy stuff then this could be a good way of checking off some boxes on the list.
Think of it as a one-day Oslo reset: rooftops, harbour views, traditional food, literary references, local legends, and a few very Oslo moments you probably won’t get anywhere else in Norway.

Read the 24 Hours in Oslo guide here.

For the next 4 weeks, Oslo Scoop readers can get a free Invisalign consultation plus 10% off the total Invisalign cost at Glint.(exclusive to Scoop readers)

If sorting your smile has been sitting on the mental to-do list for a while, this is a decent reason to stop “meaning to” and actually take the first step.

So if straighter teeth have been on your mind for months, this could be your nudge.

Claim your consultation - click the link, fill out the short form, and Glint will contact you to arrange it. Use code SCOOP10 when speaking with Glint to claim your exclusive 10% discount.

Dream Home of the Week: Lachmanns vei 18 B

This week’s dream home sits up by Grefsen/Kjelsås, right on the edge of Marka, with the kind of view that makes you briefly consider becoming the sort of person who says “panoramic” without irony. The newly built home has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a separate rental unit, 304 sqm of internal space and views over Oslo, the fjord, Nordmarka and Maridalsvannet.

The real show-off feature is the 70 sqm roof terrace, because apparently having 120 sqm of total terrace space wasn’t quite enough. There’s also a garage with direct access, EV charger, private garden areas and a main bedroom with walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom, which is estate-agent language for “you may now begin pretending this is normal life.”

Price guide: 27.5 million NOK. So probably not one for the casual Sunday viewing unless your Vipps balance has been behaving very strangely. But as Oslo property daydreaming goes, this is a strong entry: city views, forest on the doorstep, and enough space to lose both your guests and your sense of financial reality.

Eat & Drink: Varemottaket

If you like your dinner with a bit of theatre, a bit of smoke, and the faint feeling you’ve entered through the wrong door, Varemottaket is worth knowing about. Hidden behind Annis Pølsemakeri in Oslobukta, the name literally means “the goods reception,” and that’s the general vibe: small room, open kitchen, loud music, serious food, and none of the hushed white-tablecloth stiffness that usually comes with this level of cooking.

This is not a casual “shall we just grab something?” place. It’s more of a set-menu, sit-down, let-them-do-the-work kind of evening, with the kitchen leaning heavily into seasonal produce, charcoal grilling, good meat, seafood and whatever the team decides is worth putting in front of you that day. Michelin describes it as a tiny restaurant behind the Annis butcher shop, with a relaxed team and a fun atmosphere, while Star Wine List calls it a small casual fine-dining spot with very serious wine pairings.

Varemottaket is open for dinner Thursday to Saturday, with Sunday lunch also available, so it’s not one for spontaneous Monday hunger. Expect proper Oslo occasion pricing rather than cheap-and-cheerful, but also expect something more memorable than another polite plate of pasta in a room full of beige acoustic panels. Good for celebrations, visiting food people, or when you want dinner to feel like an actual event without everyone whispering like they’re in a doctors waiting room.

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.

If your room is too warm, your routine is off, 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.

Best for: anyone trying to sleep better through Oslo’s warm summer nights.

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

Foo Fighters at Unity Arena – One of the biggest rock shows of the week, with Foo Fighters kicking off their Take Cover Tour in Oslo. You know the drill: huge choruses, big guitars and the kind of arena energy that takes a few hours to calm down from…or maybe thats just me..Foo Fighters play Unity Arena on Wednesday 10 June. Concert start listed from 5pm

Everbloom Valley at Parkteatret – Warm, forward-moving pop-rock with nods to British 60s/70s guitar music, Supergrass, Bob Hund and Motorpsycho. This is a release show, so expect a bit more lift in the room than a normal midweek gig.Everbloom Valley play Parkteatret on Wednesday 10 June. Doors open at 19:00.

Piknik i Parken at Sofienbergparken – PiP returns to Sofienbergparken with three days of park-festival goodness. This year’s lineup includes TLC, De La Soul, David Byrne, Datarock, Kings of Convenience, Caribou, Happy Mondays (my personal favourite) and more. Piknik i Parken runs 11–13 June in Sofienbergparken.

R&B Fest at Vulkan Arena – A club night built around old-school 90s and 00s R&B, with DJs, singalongs, dancers, and that feeling when you hear ‘Return of the Mack’ really loud! R&B Fest comes to Vulkan Arena on Friday 12 June. Doors open at 20:00. Age limit: 18+.

Sommerimpro at Det Andre Teatret – Summer improv with drinks, outdoor seating and performers making the show up as they go along, walking the tightrope of live performance. The Friday shows are in English, making this a good one for international Oslo readers too. Sommerimpro runs at Det Andre Teatret, with Friday performances in English.

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.

Oslo Bislett Games at Bislett Stadion – World-class athletics returns to Bislett as the Wanda Diamond League lands in Oslo. A proper summer sports-night option, even if your usual relationship with running is “late for the tram.” Oslo Bislett Games takes place on Wednesday 10 June.

Thai Fair Oslo at Youngstorget – Thai food, imported products, cultural performances and live music take over Youngstorget for a free weekend fair. A good low-pressure city-centre option if you want food, colour and something a bit different without committing to a full festival day.Thai Fair Oslo runs 13–14 June at Youngstorget. Free admission.
Link:

The Fashion Archives x Kulturhuset June Market – Slow fashion, second-hand and vintage finds at Kulturhuset, with free entry for visitors. Good for anyone who enjoys the noble Oslo sport of finding something brilliant and then telling people, “Oh this? Vintage.”The market takes place at Kulturhuset on Saturday 13 June, 12:00–17:00.

Oslo Fire Museum at Grønland – This is a lovely little discovery, a tiny, volunteer-run museum inside the old Grønland fire station, with vintage fire engines, old equipment and a proper local slice of Oslo history. This is definitely one for all the family; kids, history nerds, and anyone who loves discovering these little gems; the sort of place you could walk past 200 times without realising it exists.Open Wednesdays 11:00–14:00 at Grønlandsleiret 32. Check ahead, especially during school holidays.

Nothing too formal, just a small, relaxed Oslo meetup for people who read the Scoop, like discovering good places in the city, and maybe want to meet a few other locals, internationals, business owners, culture people, parents, freelancers, food people, music people, and general Oslo-ites.

The idea would be simple:

I’m looking at July for the first one…

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

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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