Majken Bech-Bailey is one half of the culinary consultancy and bespoke occasions firm Bech-Bailey (bech-bailey.com), which she runs together with her husband, the chef Jordan Bailey. Previously the supervisor of two-Michelin-starred Aimsir in addition to director of high quality and design with Cliff Group, Bech-Bailey’s profession in wonderful eating started at two-Michelin-starred Henne Kirkeby Kro in her native Denmark earlier than shifting to Oslo the place she later joined three-Michelin-starred Maaemo.

I’m from a small city in Denmark referred to as Nakskov, two hours south of Copenhagen, however I lived and labored for 4 years in Oslo and visited many instances earlier than that too. I believe Oslo is such a novel vacation spot and so they appear to have the most effective of every thing, however notably the setting and surroundings and, of course, the foods and drinks scene.

Norway could be fairly costly in contrast with Eire so be ready to pay €9 for a espresso and €15 for a beer, but it surely’s value it and in Oslo you can also make your go to as inexpensive or costly as you want.

Getting there and when to go to

Oslo is situated in a valley surrounded by fjords and mountains so has gorgeous views. Summer season is sunny and heat, just like Eire and perhaps even a bit of nicer; winter is sort of a wonderland the place you’ll be able to wrap up heat and go to the festive markets, and you could find snowboarding 20 minutes from town centre on the tram.

You possibly can fly to Oslo straight from Dublin by way of Norwegian or SAS. Earlier than I lived in Oslo I might usually go to with my household and take the DFDS in a single day ferry from Copenhagen (from €49pp one-way). I believe if I used to be visiting Oslo for the primary time it will be one of the simplest ways to reach — the ferry leaves Nordhavn in Copenhagen mid-afternoon and also you get up early the subsequent morning to unbelievable views as you strategy Oslo from the water.

Finest locations to remain

Two inns actually stand out: the Thief (thethief.com/en), which is a contemporary, boutique, five-star resort down on the harbour in Tjuvholmen, and Grand Lodge (grand.no, by Scandic) proper within the coronary heart of town centre on a sq. reverse the parliament constructing, Stortinget. A less expensive choice is to lease a short-stay residence, reminiscent of by way of Airbnb, because the requirements of quick vacation lets are actually good in Norway.

One unforgettable restaurant

One among my favorite eating places in Oslo is Le Benjamin (lebenjamin.no/en), a French bistro situated in Grunerlokka, the hipster space of Oslo, which can also be an important place for meals lovers to base themselves with a lot of good bars, eating places and boutiques. Le Benjamin has wonderful meals and a stunning wine checklist; it has all the time been certainly one of mine and my husband’s favorite locations to dine in and it’s notably excellent for a romantic dinner earlier than an evening out.

A pair extra to strive

Mathallen Oslo (mathallenoslo.no/en; closed Mondays) is the primary meals market of town and is a tremendous place to seize just a few small bits and take a look on the Norwegian pecialities. Smalhans (smalhans.no/english) is an informal little neighbourhood restaurant within the fairly quarter of St Hanshaugen. It’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded and nice if you wish to strive some Norwegian and Scandinavian dishes with a tremendous glass of pure wine. Villa Paradiso Frogner (villaparadiso.no) on Sommerrogata 17 has the most effective Italian pizza within the metropolis.

One factor to strive as effectively when in Oslo is the Norwegian waffle with butter and brunost (brown cheese). Up at Ekebergparken sculpture park (ekebergparken.com/en), which is a good place to discover and have a stroll, there’s a lovely little picket hut the place they make them recent.

Café tradition

You possibly can’t speak about espresso in Oslo with out mentioning Tim Wendelboe (timwendelboe.no), one of many world’s main espresso roasters. He has essentially the most wonderful little espresso bar in Grunersgate 1 in Grunerlokka. Attempt their cappuccino al freddo — it’s to die for!

A fantastic place for a drink

Himkok (himkok.no) has among the greatest cocktails I’ve tasted and is among the World’s 50 Finest Bars. For beer, there may be a tremendous craft beer bar in Mathallen Oslo referred to as Hopyard (@hopyardoslo), I might suggest making an attempt their wonderful bitter beers. I believe Territoriet (territoriet.no/english) has essentially the most wonderful wine checklist, there’s greater than 400 bottles and a large value vary, and so they do most wines by the glass.

Night time-time tradition

End the night time at Bla (blaaoslo.no), a extremely wonderful little membership in the event you like a correct night time out — however simply keep in mind town sleeps at 3am!

One factor you need to see or do

Holmenkollen ski soar (skiforeningen.no/en/holmenkollen). Take the tram up in the summertime and do a zipper line again down. Even simply stand on the prime and take within the panoramic view of Oslo.

Oslo summed up in a single sentence?

The right metropolis escape.