[Oslo] Where to eat in Oslo on a budget? (typical prices + tips)

Oslo can be expensive, but you can still eat well on a budget if you use a few simple strategies.

Budget-friendly options:
• Supermarkets: prepared sandwiches, salads, hot-food counters (varies by store).
• Bakeries/cafés: often cheaper than full-service restaurants for breakfast/lunch.
• Lunch deals: many places offer a weekday lunch special (often the best value).
• Food halls/markets: good variety; prices vary, but you can compare options in one place.

Practical tips:
• Sit-down dinner tends to be the most expensive meal — consider making lunch your “main meal”.
• Water is usually tap water (safe to drink), so you can refill your bottle and save money.
• If you have dietary needs (vegan/halal/gluten-free), check menus online before you go.

Official sources (add links):
• [Visit Oslo – Food & drink / eating out]
• [City of Oslo – Tap water is safe to drink]

Eating in Oslo on a budget is totally doable, and my strong claim is that you can eat better here with smart choices than in many “cheaper” European capitals where value just means more carbs. From what I’ve seen, supermarkets and bakeries are the real MVPs for affordable food, especially if you lean into ready-made lunches instead of forcing sit-down dinners. I almost always make lunch my main meal, because weekday lunch specials feel like Oslo quietly admitting prices are a bit wild. Food halls are fun for variety, but you still need to compare stalls or your budget travel plans evaporate fast. Tap water is free, excellent, and one of the easiest ways to save money without feeling deprived. but there’s a nuance… if you eat late or stick to tourist-heavy streets, even “simple” meals can feel aggressively overpriced. I’ve also found Oslo surprisingly decent for vegan and halal options if you check menus in advance. What’s been your best cheap-but-good meal in Oslo, and do you prefer supermarket hacks or lunch deals when traveling here?

I had one of those “this is why I love traveling alone” lunches in Oslo where I ducked into a random supermarket near Grünerløkka, grabbed a shrimp sandwich and a yogurt, and ate it on a bench watching people walk dogs in the drizzle. Cost me maybe a third of what a sit-down lunch would’ve been, and honestly tasted fresher than some restaurant meals I’ve paid double for. Bakeries were similar for me — grab something warm mid-morning and you’re set for hours without feeling cheap about it. Late dinners are where budgets go to die here, so I usually eat early or go light. After a cheap meal, I’d always recommend grabbing a beer at a low-key neighborhood bar nearby — even one drink feels earned.