Eat · Grünerløkka & Mathallen

Grünerløkka cafés (Thorvald Meyers gate)Grünerløkka

A stretch of cafés and coffee bars along Thorvald Meyers gate, Markveien and Grüners gate: go mid-morning or mid-afternoon for a coffee, a bun or a brunch; Tim Wendelboe's coffee bar is the best-known.

last order: unknownmixedCaféNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person: NOK 90–250 (≈ US$9–25); Café
Hours: unknown; see note below
Walk in: 09:00–11:00; easiest window
Seating: mixed
Card: yes
Getting there: Tram 11, 12 or 13 to Olaf Ryes plass, or a walk of 20 to 25 minutes from the centre; 3 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Cafés open from about 08:00 or 09:00 and close between 17:00 and 20:00; check eachCafés open from about 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM and close between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM; check each

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

09:00–11:00

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Paying

Bring cash

Per person

NOK 90–250 (≈ US$9–25)2026 estimate · check

DirectionsWhat to order ↓

Specialist coffee
Brunch
The river walk
Order: Coffee and a bun or brunch
Tables and stools
Walk-in window: 09:00–11:00
Queue risk: 11:00–14:00 weekends
Bring cash

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

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Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
Norway ↗Norway is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
Norway ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at the state Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not in the evenings or on Sundays.
Norway ↗The right to roam (allemannsretten) lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, keeping a distance from homes and leaving no trace.
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Oslo ↗Taxis from the airport cost many times the train fare; take the train unless you land after its last departure.
Oslo ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not late in the evening or on Sundays.

Actions

Map & directions

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

09:00–11:00: high11:00–14:00 weekends: risky15:00–17:00: high

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

Independent cafés and coffee bars on a few streets

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 09:00 (light).

09:00lightlittle or no wait
10:00busya short wait is possible
11:00heavyexpect a line
12:00heavyexpect a line
14:00busya short wait is possible
16:00lightlittle or no wait

Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and public holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

1Choose a café that looks busy but has a free seat.

No shared language? Tap dishes in the order builder below and show the waiter the full-screen list in the local script. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In English	Say or show	Sounds like
How much is this?	Hvor mye koster det?	voor mee-eh kos-ter deh
The bill, please	Regningen, takk	ray-ning-en tahk
Hello	Hei	hay
Thank you	Takk	tahk
Delicious!	Kjempegodt!	chem-peh-got

Portions and sharing

Try a filter coffee rather than a large milky drink.

Extras, condiments and what costs extra

Alternative milks: NOK 5 to 15 extra — Ask before you order.
Alcohol is dear; drink tap water.

Paying and tipping

Sit-down restaurants: about 5–10%, less than the 15–20% US norm.

Order at the counter and pay by card.
Compare menus on the door.
Cards and phone wallets; cash is rarely used.
Tipping: Not expected; round up or add 5 to 10% for good service.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Tipping is not expected.

At the table

Lunch specials (dagens) are the cheapest hot meal.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate

Filter coffeeFilterkaffeSpecialist roasters.NOK 45–70 (≈ US$5–7)if hungry
Cinnamon bunKanelbolleA classic.NOK 40–60 (≈ US$4–6)if hungry
Brunch plateBook at weekends.NOK 150–250 (≈ US$15–25)if hungry
Cake and coffeeA break.NOK 90–140 (≈ US$9–14)if hungry

2026 estimate, Norwegian kroner.

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

Filter coffee
Filterkaffe
NOK 45–70 (≈ US$5–7)
0
Cinnamon bun
Kanelbolle
NOK 40–60 (≈ US$4–6)
0
Brunch plate
NOK 150–250 (≈ US$15–25)
0
Cake and coffee
NOK 90–140 (≈ US$9–14)
Contains (from menu notes, check): wheat
0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Sit-down restaurants: about 5–10%, less than the 15–20% US norm. Local custom: Included; round up or add 5–10% for good service. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Price and paying

Typical spend: NOK 90–250 per person (2026 estimate)

Paying

Cashno

Rarely accepted.

Cardyes

Standard.

mobileyes

Accepted.

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

Vegetarianyes
Easy.
Show: Jeg er vegetarianer.
Veganyes
Common.
Show: Jeg er vegan.
Halalask
Ask.
Gluten-freeask
Some cafés.
Nut allergyask
Ask.
Allergyask
Ask staff.
Show: Jeg er allergisk mot...

What is in the dishes

Cake and coffeewheat

Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.

Make an allergy and diet card for Oslo →

Who it suits, booking, closures

goodSolo — Sit at the window.

okKids — Some have high chairs.

okStroller — Some have steps.

cautionGroups of 5+ — Small rooms.

cautionWheelchair — Check for steps.

How to book: Walk-in, or online for brunch.
How far ahead: Same day; 1 to 2 days for weekend brunch
No-show / cancel fee: Cancel online.
Dress code: Casual.

When	Status	Note
Sundays	check before you go	Many open; hours vary.
Public holidays	check before you go	Some close.

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Restrooms: Restroom on site · accessible restroom: check
Seating: Tables and stools
Kids: kids' menu: ask · stroller: ok · High chairs at some
Access: step-free: check · Small cafés; some steps

Hygiene

Norwegian food hygiene rules apply.
Tap water is free on request.

Facts

Reservations: Not taken — Walk-in; some brunch places take bookings.
Capabilities: food · seated_rest · toilet
Getting there: Tram 11, 12 or 13 to Olaf Ryes plass, or a walk of 20 to 25 minutes from the centre · ~3 min walk

Cons

Weekend brunch has queues.
Prices are high for a coffee and a bun.
Small cafés close early.

Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check2 parts

Dish glossary

On the menu	What it is	Order it how
Kaffe	Coffee.	Say filterkaffe for a filter.
Kanelbolle	A cinnamon bun.	Order with coffee.
Frokost	Breakfast or lunch.	A brunch plate.
Takk	Thank you.	Say it at the counter.

Price check

2026 estimate

locals pay: A coffee costs NOK 45 to 70.
tourist price: Brunch places charge NOK 150 to 250.
rule: Compare menus on the door.

Extra on the table	Typical charge	What to do
Alternative milks	NOK 5 to 15 extra	Ask before you order.

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

When is it best?

Mid-morning on a weekday.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Do I need a booking?

Only for weekend brunch.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Where is Tim Wendelboe?

A coffee bar on Grüners gate; check the hours.

Is it worth it?

Yes for a slow coffee and a walk by the river.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby alternatives

walk minutes · estimate

If it is closed or the line is too long

Go to Mathallen Oslo food hall, about 10 min on foot; no reservation needed.

Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h3 mph.

All places to eat in Oslo, with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in Oslo in 4 days.

Sources

officialVisit Oslo (official tourism site)
secondaryWikivoyage: Oslo