[Countrywide] What should be on the “must‑eat” list right now — which places truly deserve a spot among the top restaurants?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

I’m trying to build one community thread that’s actually useful when people search for top restaurants in Norway (and even phrases like best restaurants in Norway).
Instead of another generic list, let’s collect real experiences: where you ate, what you ordered, and whether you’d return.

A few prompts to help:

• Which places would you confidently recommend for a “big dinner” (anniversary / guests)?
• What’s your best value option (great food without the biggest bill)?
• Any spots you expected to love, but didn’t?

If you could name only one place that belongs on the national “must‑eat” list, which one is it — and what dish seals it?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

If I had to name one place that genuinely belongs on a Norway must-eat list, it’s Credo, because it manages to be ambitious without disappearing up its own philosophy. I went for a long tasting menu built around local ingredients, and there were at least two dishes that made the table go quiet, which is my personal benchmark for “worth it.” For better value, I still think places like Happolati punch far above their price point if you order smart and don’t chase the fanciest options. What I’m still missing is a killer coastal restaurant outside the big cities — any recommendations that actually live up to the hype?

 

[Alex Turner]

For a “big dinner,” I’d confidently put Maaemo on the national must-eat list. It’s expensive, no way around it (think 4,500+ NOK), but the precision and how clearly the menu reflects Norwegian ingredients made it feel earned rather than flashy. What sealed it for me was a seafood course built entirely around that day’s catch — minimal, focused, and memorable. It’s the kind of place I’d save for an anniversary or hosting someone you really want to impress. For better value, Credo in Trondheim still delivers top-tier cooking with a calmer price level, especially if you go for lunch. Are you planning your trip mainly around Oslo, or will you be adding Trondheim or Bergen to your itinerary?