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A Taste of Norway
Oslo
This place is the most famous deli in Oslo. Quality, not quantity, is their self-described motto, and they do live up to their words. You'll find everything you need to create the perfect outdoor meal. Cured and smoked meats from all over Europe hang on its walls, along with homemade jams and jellies on their shelves, a wide array of sharp and mild cheeses, and, as they claim, the best smoked salmon in the world. Although we don't agree with Sean Lennon, who claimed that it "is better than world peace." A specialty of the house is
Fenalnlaar, cured and seasoned sheep's meat. The only beverage is beer, which is supplied by a local brewery. For your actual picnic, we suggest you take your food to one of the beaches, either
Huk on the Bygdøy peninsula or
Hovedøya.This place is the most famous deli in Oslo. Quality,
ARK Qvist
Oslo
This light, airy, and welcoming bookshop specializes in English and Norwegian titles. There is a large focus on fiction from both countries as well as extensive biography, history, and true-crime sections. Its convenient location places it just next door to the American embassy.This light, airy, and welcoming bookshop specializes in English and
Baerum Verk
Oslo
For a unique adventure, head outside of town to a restored ironworks site dating from 1610. Here you'll find more than 65 different shops selling handicrafts and other items, including jewelry and woolens, plus exhibitions and six restaurants. If time remains, visit the ironworks museum on-site and see a smelting production dating from the 17th century.For a unique adventure, head outside of town to a
Bjorn Ringstrøms Antikvariat
Oslo
One of the largest bookstores in Oslo houses a wide selection of Norwegian and Norwegian-American authors. They are also deeply rooted in books pertaining to Norwegian history and politics. A wide range of collectibles can also be found, ranging from antique books and color plates to records and maps. This century-old structure lies directly across the street from the Museum of Applied Art. Sad to report, those days when you could walk in and buy an original edition of Ibsen's plays for $10 have gone with the wind.One of the largest bookstores in Oslo houses a wide
Blomqvist Kunsthandel
Oslo
Built as an auction house by its original owners in 1870, this place is full of history and style. Its two large rooms have glass ceilings creating tons of natural light. Inside you'll find either one of their six annual auctions or one of their many Norwegian art exhibitions. In 1918 a gallery show released the full collection of an artist by the name of Edvard Munch. His prints and canvasses can still be seen here during temporary exhibitions. While this venue acts as an auction house, items up for bid include antiquities ranging from fine jewelry and paintings to furniture and sculpture.Built as an auction house by its original owners in
Damms Antiqvariat
Oslo
This is the oldest antiquarian bookstore in all of Norway, in business since 1843. This warm and friendly place is full of history and intrigue, offering a wonderful selection of fiction and travel books. Although they focus mainly on Norwegian titles, you may come across a first edition of a Hemingway or Steinbeck novel. Among some of the more rare treasures, you'll find a page from the
Catholicon, the first book ever printed with a nonreligious subject matter.This is the oldest antiquarian bookstore in all of Norway,
David-Andersen
Oslo
This outstanding jeweler, established more than a century ago, sells enameled demitasse spoonsand sterling silver bracelets with enamel. They're available in many stunning colors, such as turquoise and dark blue. Multicolored butterfly pins are also popular in gold-plated sterling silver with enamel. David-Andersen's collection of Saga silver was inspired by Norwegian folklore and Viking designs, combined with the pristine beauty of today's design. The store also offers an exquisite collection of pewter items.This outstanding jeweler, established more than a century ago, sells
Esaias Solberg
Oslo
Opened in 1849 and long beloved by Oslovians, this is the largest and oldest venue for antique and secondhand gold and silver in Oslo. Brands of watches sold here include Rolex and Patek Phillipe, as well as countless others. They also sell diamond-studded gold and silver necklaces, brooches, and earrings. Outside of jewelry, they also offer some wonderful antique coffee sets, trays, and goblets. The owner of this place has a simple motto: "Antique jewelry is no more expensive than modern jewelry, and any secondhand jewelry sells at half of what it originally cost."Opened in 1849 and long beloved by Oslovians, this is
Far & Sonn Brukt Antikkmarked
Oslo
This huge secondhand and antique emporium sells just about anything for the home. Within its large open space you'll find mainly 18th- to 19th-century furniture, including rocking chairs, dressers, lamps, fine china, and antique bed frames. The array of merchandise sold ranges from state-of-the-art electronics to rare out-of-print books.This huge secondhand and antique emporium sells just about anything
Gastronaut
Oslo
This small and intimate space sells an array of its own exclusive china, glass, and cutlery. The china collections from Spain are simple but elegant, and a bit pricey, but worth it if you're serious about your table settings. Spanish olive oils, spices, and specialty foods can also be found here.This small and intimate space sells an array of its
Gimle Parfymeri
Oslo
This large and welcoming perfumery is filled with the best in perfume and skin-care items. All employees are trained makeup artists who provide skilled applications and skin-care consultations. They also carry an array of clothing and accessories that are sold exclusively at their store.This large and welcoming perfumery is filled with the best
GlasMagasinet
Oslo
Claiming that smaller boutiques tend to charge more, locals usually head for this big department store, which specializes in unusual home and kitchen accessories. Since 1739 this has been a leading outlet for knitwear, pewter, traditional rose-painting, and crystal. Today there are more than two dozen fashion shops alone, and Hadeland Glassverk is the largest outlet in Norway for glass goods. There's also a moderately priced coffee shop and a fairly decent restaurant.Claiming that smaller boutiques tend to charge more, locals usually
H&M
Oslo
This large worldwide chain of stores is very well known for selling fashionable goods at reasonable prices. They carry everything from children's apparel to trendy clothing for men and women. Also on the menu are accessories, including a large selection of handbags and belts.This large worldwide chain of stores is very well known
Heimen Husflid
Oslo
This leading purveyor of modern and traditional Norwegian handicrafts and apparel carries antique and reproduction folk costumes. More than three dozen different
bunads (styles) include different regions of Norway, both north and south. Cozy, hand-knit sweaters in traditional Norwegian patterns are a special item. Pewter and brass goods are first-rate. It's about a block from Karl Johans Gate.This leading purveyor of modern and traditional Norwegian handicrafts and
Heyerdahl
Oslo
Want to outfit yourself like a Viking chieftain or bejewel yourself like an ancient queen? Between the City Hall and Karl Johans Gate, this store offers an intriguing selection of silver and gold Viking jewelry. There are articles in pewter and other materials, including Viking vessels, drinking horns, and cheese slicers. The store also has an array of woodcarvings depicting trolls, as well as one of Oslo's largest collections of gold and silver jewelry.Want to outfit yourself like a Viking chieftain or bejewel
Kunstnernes Hus
Oslo
This is the best place to see and to purchase the latest in cutting-edge Norwegian art. Meaning "The Artists' House" in English, this is an artist-run exhibition hall for contemporary art that first opened in 1930 and since that time has been one of the country's major showcases for the presentation of avant-garde national art. On the ground floor are two well-lit galleries and a reception area, and on the floor above are two more sky-lit galleries. Admission is 40NOK ($6.15/£3.30) for adults and 10NOK ($1.55/80p) for students and ages 7 to 17. Children 6 and under go in free. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11am to 4pm, Thursday and Friday 11am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon to 6pm.This is the best place to see and to purchase
Los Lobos
Oslo
Straight out of 1950s Hawaii, this independent music store caters to all genres and styles of music outside of the mainstream. Aside from music ranging from blues to techno, you'll find cigarette cases, Hawaiian and bowling shirts, tons of denim, belt buckles, snakeskin boots, and much more. Don't expect to find the Top 40 here; this place is for the more alternative music listener.Straight out of 1950s Hawaii, this independent music store caters
MA
Oslo
Heavy on Norwegian designers, this fashion boutique also offers some of the best in Italian, Australian, and Belgian designs. Shoes and other accessories are plentiful, too. Prices range from "obscene" to reasonable.Heavy on Norwegian designers, this fashion boutique also offers some
Norsk Musikforlag
Oslo
This centrally located store's selection of CDs, records, and tapes is the best in Oslo.This centrally located store's selection of CDs, records, and tapes
Norway Designs
Oslo
This is the only store in Norway that came into being as the result of a crafts exhibit. Shortly before it was established in 1957, an exposition of Norwegian crafts went to Chicago and New York, and it attracted a lot of attention. The upscale merchandise here -- crystal, pewter, jewelry, and knitwear -- emerged from the innovative designs of that exposition.This is the only store in Norway that came into
Oleana
Oslo
This shop carries the award-winning designs of Solveig Hisdahl. Clothing items are made mainly of wool and silk and include elegant knitwear, skirts, cardigans, and shawls. Other items feature jewelry and silk scarves from some of the top Norwegian designers.This shop carries the award-winning designs of Solveig Hisdahl. Clothing
Oslo Sweater Shop
Oslo
Some 5,000 handcrafted sweaters are in stock here, close to the Royal Palace. Try them on before you buy. In theory, at least, you can tell the origin of a Norwegian sweater by its pattern and design, but with the increase in machine-made sweaters and the increased sophistication of Norwegian knitwear, the distinctions are increasingly blurred. Here, as in virtually every other sweater shop in Oslo, only about 10% of the sweaters are handmade -- the remainder are high-quality and first-rate but most likely were crafted on an electric knitting machine. Sweaters start at around 900NOK ($139/£74), rising to a maximum of 3,000NOK ($462/£247). Other items include necklaces, pewter ware, souvenirs, and Norway-inspired trinkets.Some 5,000 handcrafted sweaters are in stock here, close to
Ove Harder Finseth
Oslo
This unique clothing store stars the painstaking and laborious productions of designer Ove Finseth. Each one-of-a-kind dress or gown is full of color (no black or gray), intricately detailed, and wonderfully ornate. The client list is quite impressive. Even the princess of Norway had her wedding gown designed here. Custom-made jewelry, bags, and hats are also sold.This unique clothing store stars the painstaking and laborious productions
Peak Performance
Oslo
This store is definitely the number one choice for the outdoorsman who seeks the most stylish performance clothing. The styles and colors seem limitless: jackets, shirts, accessories, or whatever. Their variety of Gore-Tex and fleece items is also a draw. Jake Gyllenhaal was recently spotted in here, perhaps shopping for a wardrobe for
Brokeback Mountain II.This store is definitely the number one choice for the
Rom for Ide
Oslo
This is one of those stores that never seems to follow trends but always ends up looking trendy. This furniture outlet, hidden away from the city's shopping streets, specializes in modern yet classic designs. The contemporary and sleek look is the product of Norway's best and brightest new designers. Aside from the furniture, the Norwegian arts and crafts here are also a great buy.This is one of those stores that never seems to
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