Neighborhood Guide: Tjuvholmen, Oslo

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

TJUVHOLMEN, OSLO

Packed with galleries, cafes, boutiques and bars, the former prison islet is now home to one of Scandinavia’s most exciting urban renewal projects.

curated by

Petter A. Stordalen of The Thief

Petter A. Stordalen, owner of the Thief, is passionate about the new Oslo, which centers on Tjuvholmen, where his hotel is located. Not that he dismisses the rest of the city; in fact, Stordalen has made a point of trying to open all of Oslo to his guests by creating four new guides, published by The Thief in collaboration with DogA (The Norwegian Center for Design and Culture ) and Vulkan, a creative hub by the river Akerselva. Each “Oslo Escape Route” focuses on a different theme: art, architecture, design, and “alternative” sites. We asked him to hone in even further, to share his tips for The Thief’s immediate neighborhood. Here are his insider tips in his own words:

DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
TJUVTITTEN

"First of all, get your bearings by ascending Tjuvtitten, an iconic new, 90m-high lookout tower on Albert Nordengen square, just outside the Astrup Fearnley Museum. At the top you will get the best view of Oslo. You can look out over the city, the fjord, boats and hills—almost all the way to my house."
ART & CULTURE
CAFE DE CONCERT

"Opened here by Aksel Kolstad in 2009, today Cafe de Concert functions as an open atelier, where hundreds of people gather to see him perform. The press have call him “The Franz Liszt of our time.” One thing’s for sure: he wants to create a cultural revolution—and include everyone—so he often invites locals for classical music, champagne, and the best sausages in town." Tjuvholmen allé 25
+47 9183 6692
CAFE DE CONCERT
DINING
HANAMI

"Since emerging as the energetic new heart of Oslo, Tjuvholmen has attracted a rash of great restaurants. Among the best of them are Hanami for Japanese fusion food enjoyed on a waterfront location. It’s a very good choice for a business lunch, and the bar is great for both drinks and ambiance." Kanalen 1
+47 2283 1090
HANAMI
DINING
SJØMAGASINET

"Sjømagasinet is where to eat seafood—oysters and lobster, in particular. Most of their shellfish is cooked simply on a grill, which is why the results are always borderline heaven." Tjuvholmen Sjømagasin
+47 2389 7777
SJOMAGASINET
SHOPPING
BØLGEN & MOI TJUVHOLMEN

"Bølgen & Moi Tjuvholmen is a brasserie run by the famous Norwegian masterchef Trond Moi. You won’t be able to get a table unless you book far in advance, but if you do get in, order the seafood casserole. The restaurant also holds cooking courses throughout the year." Tjuvholmen Allé 5
+47 22 44 10 20
BOLGEN & MOI TJUVHOLMEN
DINING
PARADIS GELATERIA

"During summer months you’ll also want to stop by Paradis Gelateria which, in my opinion, is simply the best ice-cream bar in Oslo." Lille Stranden 4
+47 2283 8300
PARADIS GELATERIA