Gluten Free Oslo: The Complete Guide for Celiacs
I’ve visited Oslo multiple times with celiac disease, and the gluten free scene has definitely improved over the years. You can now find Norwegian specialties like gluten free cinnamon buns and fish soup, and yes… even gluten free McDonald’s!
This is my complete gluten free Oslo guide, to help you plan your own delicious (and safe) trip to Norway’s capital city!
In a Rush? Here Are My Favorite Hotels in Oslo
Clarion Hotel ($$)
Quality Airport Hotel Gardermoen ($)
Savoy 1918 ($$$)
Gluten Free Oslo, Norway: What You Need to Know
Whilst Oslo’s gluten free scene has improved in recent years, I want to add a few words of warning.
In my opinion, Norway isn’t as amazing of a gluten free destination as many people make it out to be. Yes, it’s mandatory for allergens (including gluten) to be labeled on restaurant menus.
However, the knowledge of celiac disease is lacking. Many restaurants list gluten free options but don’t take any steps to prevent cross contact.
Navigating this can be a bit confusing, but I’ve done much of the work for you in this gluten free Oslo guide. I’ve listed restaurants below, along with my personal experience regarding cross contact. Let’s get to it!
Gluten Free Norwegian Translation Card
I recommend purchasing this gluten free translation card before your trip to Oslo.
In my opinion, it’s not completely necessary to have a translation card in Norway, because many people speak English. However, it’s still a useful safeguard, especially if you come across staff who aren’t as familiar with celiac (or if you’re traveling onward to somewhere more remote, like Lofoten).
The card I recommend is short and sweet, but still calls out cross contact. It’s also professionally translated, which can save you from the many mistranslations that are common on free cards or Google Translate.
Dedicated Gluten Free Restaurants in Oslo
To my knowledge, there are currently only two 100% gluten free bakeries/cafes in Oslo, and no gluten free restaurants. Please let me know in the comments if you come across any others!
Glutenfrihuset
Glutenfrihuset should be your #1 must-visit in Oslo if you’re gluten free. This bakery is 100% gluten free and serves typical Norwegian pastries like cinnamon buns, skolebrød, and more.
Their gluten free sandwiches are also delicious! If you’re traveling elsewhere in Norway, definitely pack a collapsible tupperware and take a few buns on the road (this is what we did for our recent Lofoten road trip).
Aquarela Kafé
Aquarela Kafé is a new, small coffee shop and Brazilian cafe that’s 100% gluten free. Unfortunately, they were closed during my recent visit to Oslo, but it’s one for your list!
Restaurants With Gluten Free Options in Oslo
The following Oslo restaurants aren’t completely gluten free, but should have celiac safe options. I’ve personally dined at these and suggest you prioritize going here!
Baker Hansen
Baker Hansen is a great option for gluten free baked goods in Oslo, with several locations. This isn’t a dedicated gluten free spot, but they told me their gluten free products are cooked off-site in a gluten free facility.
Here you can find delicious gluten free cinnamon buns, and several other options, all kept in a separate area, with separate serving tongs, so it’s all very safe.
Be warned that Baker Hansen can sell out of gluten free products so I recommend you stop here earlier in the day!
Dinner Restaurant
Dinner Restaurant is an upscale Chinese restaurant, with two locations in Oslo: one by the National Theatre, and one in the Barcode area.
The exciting menu item here is gluten free crispy duck… WITH GLUTEN FREE PANCAKES! This is the only place I’ve ever found this available gluten free.
They can adjust other dishes to be gluten free, too, including their orange chicken.
Personally, I emailed them in advance to discuss cross contact (and asked again when we arrived). They really set my mind at ease, cooking all gluten free orders separately and in fresh oil, etc.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s in Norway serves gluten free buns! Please don’t cancel me for including McDonald’s on this restaurant list, but as a celiac it’s just so exciting to be able to find gluten free McDonald’s in Europe (plus, it’s a semi-affordable option in the wildly expensive Oslo dining scene).
The fries here also should be gluten free and cooked in a dedicated fryer. However, I’d always recommend you order directly at the counter instead of the screens, to double check about cross contact.
More Restaurants in Oslo With Gluten Free Options
There are several other Oslo restaurants with gluten free options—some celiac safe, and some more questionable. I’ll include these below, but encourage you to send them a message before your visit to confirm cross contact protocols (feel free to leave me a comment below with any updates!).
- Spor av Nord: A cozy, centrally located restaurant with gluten free bread. The owner has celiac disease!
- Døgnvill Burger: A burger restaurant with three locations in Oslo. They offer gluten free burgers and have a separate fryer.
- Niwa Sushi: A sushi restaurant with a separate fryer for gluten free tempura. This one’s not very centrally located, but perhaps worth the journey for sushi lovers!
- Oslo Raw: A raw foods cafe with many gluten free options. Be warned, some reviews state they use a gluten-containing oat milk in some baked goods.
- Happy Foods: A health food cafe near Frogner Park, with many gluten free options.
- Olivia’s: This is a chain Italian restaurant throughout Oslo (and Norway) that’s recommended on the Norwegian Celiac Foundation (NCF) website. They offer gluten free pasta and pizza. Please check about cross contact before dining here!
- Peppe’s Pizza: Another chain restaurant throughout Norway that offers gluten free pizza, and is listed on the NCF website. However, I don’t believe they have separate ovens for gluten free pizzas—please check before you dine.
- Jewel of India: This restaurant is NOT celiac safe, even though it has many positive reviews on Find Me Gluten Free (case in point for always doing your own research)! I emailed them and they informed me the “gluten free” naan is cooked in the same tandoor as the normal naan.
If you’d like even more suggestions for gluten free restaurants in Oslo, then a good account to check out is Travelling Coeliac on Instagram, who lives in Oslo. She gave me some of the recommendations above, and is an all-around great resource!
Gluten Free Oslo Airport
If you’re visiting Oslo from abroad then chances are you’ll fly through Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL). You’re in luck: this is a decent airport for gluten free options (as far as airports go, that is)!
Bjørn’s Backyard
Bjørn’s Backyard is located in the international terminal, near gate E8. I couldn’t believe it but I found GLUTEN FREE CHICKEN TENDERS AND FRIES here!!
I double checked with the staff and chef that this was gluten free, and confirmed they use separate gluten free fryers for both the fried chicken and fries. Of course, please ask during your own visit.
I posted a reel about it, and yes, it’s true… I nearly missed my flight for these chicken tenders! So be warned that if you’re leaving the EU (through F gates) there’s an additional internal passport check you’ll need to factor time for.
SAS Lounge
Dan and I accidentally booked our first-ever business class flights during our most recent trip to Norway (that’s a whole other story), and this led to an early morning at the SAS Lounge.
I was impressed that there’s a separate gluten free section here, complete with gluten free bread, cookies, and crackers.
The gluten free meal in SAS business class was also great. However, when we later flew economy with them there were zero gluten free options at all, LOL.
Gluten Free Grocery Shopping in Oslo
I’ll be real with you: dining out in Norway costs a fortune! I live in London, so I thought I’d be used to expensive restaurants, but Norway is on another level, folks.
If you’re staying in Oslo for an extended period of time, you may want to supplement your restaurant dining with some grocery shopping. That’s what I’ve done. Luckily, many of the main Norwegian grocery brands have extensive gluten free sections.
In my experience, the best grocery shops for gluten free items in Oslo include:
- Meny
- Joker
- Rema 1000
- Bunnpris
Where to Stay in Oslo if You’re Gluten Free
Oslo has some great hotel options for gluten free travelers!
Clarion Hotel ($$)
The Clarion Hotel is my top pick in Oslo. Definitely book your stay here if you want to stay in the city center.
In addition to having great reviews, the Clarion Hotel also offers gluten free options at breakfast, including gluten free bread.
Quality Hotel Gardermoen ($)
I recommend the Quality Hotel Gardermoen if you want to stay near the airport.
This is where I stayed during my most recent trip to Oslo and I was impressed at the nice rooms for the price. You can easily take a shuttle to the airport and then the train into Oslo center.
What to Do in Oslo During Your Visit
There is so much to do and see in Oslo! If you’re short on time, then check out my itinerary for one day in Oslo.
One of my favorite activities in Oslo (and Norway in general) was the sauna and fjord swimming session we did in Oslo fjord!
Other than that, one of my favorite things to do in Oslo is wandering through the Vigeland Sculpture Park. And of course you need to embrace Norway’s kos (cozy) culture with a gluten free cinnamon bun and coffee!
Final Thoughts on Being Gluten Free in Oslo
There you have it: my complete Oslo gluten free guide!
Oslo is far from Europe’s best city for gluten free food. It’s not overflowing with gluten free restaurants, but there are still a few standouts.
Also, you need to be sure you aren’t lulled into complacency by their allergen labeling, because this rarely accounts for cross contact.
Still, I believe you can have a wonderful trip to Oslo as a celiac or someone with gluten intolerance, and hopefully this guide helps with your planning!
As always, let me know in the comments if you have any questions or updates, or send me a message on Instagram.
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