Hands down, my absolute favorite grocery store in Oslo…read more I shouldn't even get started about my disgusting grocery store history in Norway. I really should write a book about it (because I have photo evidence obviously). But let's just say I had lost ALL hope prior to finding this gem. I usually do my shopping in Grønland, but let's not kid ourselves, it is difficult to get there sometimes and while you may buy all of your produce there, you still need the essentials that can only be found at the grocery store. This is where Centra came in for me. Except I realized that I could get good quality of produce here too. Granted, you pay a premium, but it's worth it after seeing one too many moldy clementines at Rema 1000 or Kiwi (yes, the place with the produce guarantee). Out of all places in Oslo, I firmly believe that Centra has the most American products of all of the places. Granted, most of what I eat can't be classified as one country or another, but I do know that if I need something American-ish...if it's not at Centra, it's probably not anywhere else either. And this includes their sister store, Jacob's. But while I can sit here and rave and rave about the selection options and quality, it would be remiss of me to not share what my favorite thing about the store is. THE SERVICE. This is the place I can always count on getting looked after and the help I need. If I am roaming around the dairy section and can't find what I need...someone is generally within close proximity and can assist. (special note: their dairy section stinks....someone needs to take care of that if you're reading this!) And the people at the checkout counters always have a smile on their face and seem genuinely happy to be there. I even commended one of them the other day and thanked him for sounding so happy and excited to help us out. He was really thrilled to hear that he was able to change the experience of someone shopping there. I wish the workers and staff at this place would give a coaching session to the other stores in the area. Good customer service is something I definitely took for granted in the USA...and something I NEVER do here because it's a rare find. But when I do find it, I'm a customer for life. Keep up the good work Centra! You will continue to be the only place I routinely shop!

The best high-end supermarket in town, entering this store feels like entering Disneyland. Wait, I…read moreactually like this supermarket better than Disneyland. It is Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, but in addition to chocolates, you have a beautiful array of fine cheese, gorgeous racks of exotic fruits, a shopful of smoked meats and a fishmonger with mussels, scallops and rare shellfish. As pièce de résistance, they have a drying rack for exquisitely aged beef of which I am unworthy. Besides the gourmet stuff, the selections here are like standard supermarkets multiplied by three, making you wonder what you have been missing in your Oslo supermarket life. There are some standard brands like Tine, but with products you don't see elsewhere. However! The price is very steep! I cannot afford going there too often. Every time I walk near Ultra, it calls to me like a siren - with a heavy sigh and great will, I turn away and buy uninspiring veggies and rock-hard avocados at a nearby Rema instead. Be warned shall ye enter, ye shall not resist buying, and paying dearly!

I gave instruction not to deliver my Easter present chocolates before April 17th (just before…read moreEastern), but they did ship April 1st for delivery April 3rd. If adding special instructions in the ad hoc place is just useless, this is really disappointing and I don't feel like doing this again.

Amazing good macrons specially the pasion fruit ones…read more Anyhow I am not impressed with the service, I had pre-ordered one week in advance macrons for an event and when I get there my order was not prepared.

Great place for organic local produce! They have an amazing selection of handpicked organic local…read moreproduce: vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy stuff. You can also find many traditional flavors and even buy books on traditional Norwegian cooking. They also offer handmade gluten-free, dairy-free cakes and raw goodies. You should try the chocolate vegan, gluten-free cake! Everything they sell is ecologic, fresh and local! The personnel is also super friendly and is worthwhile chatting with them about food and healthy eating. Highly recommended for all food lovers in Oslo!

Great farmers market in the middle of Oslo. All organic and biodynamic food. Bulk food dispensers…read morelet you buy just as much as you need from a variety of grains, nuts, legumes, seeds, müslis, etc. Seasonal fresh vegetables and vegan detergents and soaps. Perfect place for a cup of coffee while you're planning what to do in Oslo. Located within easy walking distance of major sights, next to the castle.

I was taken here for dinner by a colleague who lives in the area and it was really nice. It's a…read moresmall shop with a small kitchen and room for about 10 people for meals. Please call ahead as otherwise your chances are small due to the size of the place. They have a cheese and deli which I assume is open during the day and a small menu for the evening meals. We were greeted by a very friendly waitress and were seated upon arrival. The menu was on a blackboard and consisted of what looked like classic french dishes. We shared a small charcuterie board and I had moules frite. Mussels in a Roquefort sauce. The mussels were excellent and the fries were also plentiful and really nice. The cold cuts were also of good quality. They have a small wine list and I chose a red which was from France and really nice. The lemon pannacotta for dessert with a Parmesan crumble was delicious and I loved it. Although the menu is small it was a lovely meal that was reasonably priced. The ambience here is excellent and we had a lovely evening here. Happily come back here again.

Dude, probably my most memorable dish in Oslo as of yet. The cassoulet here was amazing, I am still…read morethinking about it! It's not the cheapest joint but it's a really tiny, cozy spot that makes you feel like your in a little bistro in France. White and red checkered table clothes with little candles add to the charm and good food. We also got the duck rillette for an appetizer and it was super tasty, and the mussels. Being from WA State we have some pretty amazing mussels. The ones here were good, but they were super tiny, I am not sure it was worth the price. We live like a block from here so we definitely will be back, I'd really love to try out their dessert.