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TRAVEL NEWS

New rail service planned through Norway, Sweden and Denmark to Hamburg

Plans for a new rail service running from Oslo and stopping in Gothenburg, Malmö and Copenhagen before arriving in Hamburg are in the works, Swedish state-owned rail operator SJ has said.

Pictured is Hamburg Central Station.
A new train line running from Oslo, through Sweden and Denmark and Germany to Hamburg has been planned. Pictured is Hamburg Central Station. Photo by Hannes Köttner on Unsplash

Sweden’s state-owned SJ, along with Denmark’s DSB and DB of Germany, plans to offer a new international train line which runs between the Norwegian capital Oslo and Hamburg in northern Germany. 

The planned route would run daily, departing from Oslo at 8am before making stops in Gothenburg, Malmö and Copenhagen and arriving in Hamburg at 7pm. A service departing Hamburg and terminating in Gothenburg is also planned.

The 11 hour service would be quicker than the equivalent journey using either a car and ferry connection or existing train services. 

The planned service will enter into operation in 2027. Petter Essén, head of SJ’s vehicle and traffic programme, said the route made sense as it would connect a long stretch which doesn’t have continuous train traffic. 

“Today, there is a great deal of flying between Copenhagen and Oslo and between Oslo and Gothenburg, routes that would be fine by train,” Essén told Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter

Currently, the only direct trains from the Norwegian capital to other countries are services to Gothenburg and Stockholm. 

The European Commission has selected the potential line as one of ten pilot projects that will receive support. This does not mean it will receive direct funding from the EU, but it will get backing on regulations and logistics, Essén explained.

“You can get help with various regulations and the process of getting all vehicles approved in all countries,” he said.

Generally, many Swedish and Norwegian trains can only operate within Sweden and Norway, while the majority of Danish and German trains are not cleared to run in Sweden in Norway. 

The Snälltåget line between Stockholm and Berlin has also been selected to receive support from the European Commission. 

SJ also announced plans to increase the number of trains between Gothenburg and Malmö to ten per day and offer the Gothenburg-Copenhagen service all year round. It said that these plans could come to fruition by 2026 or 2027. 

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DISCOVER NORWAY

Where are the best places to try traditional Norwegian food in Oslo?

Norway is home to some of the world's best fresh meat, fish and produce. The country's capital is home to several culinary gems which offer some of the best traditional Norwegian dishes available anywhere.

Where are the best places to try traditional Norwegian food in Oslo?

Norwegian cuisine doesn’t always get a lot of love on the international stage, and it certainly is nowhere near as revered as, say, Italian, Spanish or French cuisine. 

However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t leave you wishing for seconds when prepared well, with fresh ingredients and with love and care. 

Norway’s capital Oslo is home to some excellent restaurants, several of which help elevate Norwegian food and make it a culinary experience that any foodie would relish. 

Whether you are after reindeer, fresh seafood from the country’s coastline, fårikål, lapskaus, kjøtkakker or fish soup, these are our picks to try some traditional Norwegian dishes in Oslo.

Gamle Raadhus Restaurant

Not far from city hall and the Aker Brygge district in Oslo’s city centre is the Gamle Raadhus Restaurant, known for putting together exquisite dishes from fresh ingredients from all over Norway. The menu tends to change with the seasons, but you can expect plenty of fish and game all year round. 

This restaurant is in the mid-high range in terms of prices, but there is a three-course set menu available for 755 kroner. 

In the summer it has a charming back garden where people can eat. 

Engebret Café 

The restaurant boasts over 150 years of history, opening its doors in 1857. The menu is very heavy on fish. However, Norwegian game like reindeer also makes an appearance. At lunch, the eatery offers a sandwich and cake menu. The sandwiches themselves are smørbrød (a Norwegian open sandwich), meaning you can still try a classic Norwegian meal if you’d prefer something lighter for lunch. 

The interior of the restaurant itself is very elegant and boasts a lot of history, having seated Norwegian figures such as Henrik Ibsen, Grieg, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Knut Hamsun and Edvard Munch. 

Starters cost around 245 kroner, sandwiches about 210 kroner and main courses around 450 kroner. 

Vaaghals

This pick is located in the barcode district of Oslo with a changing seasonal menu focused on elevating and offering a modern twist on classic Norwegian ingredients and dishes. 

The menu has both a lunch and dinner menu, and a lot of the dishes are smaller dishes intended for sharing at 925 kroner per person. Another set menu, costing 875 kroner, aims to pay homage to Norwegian farmers and produce. 

This eatery is pricier, even by Norwegian standards, so it may be worth saving for special occasions. 

Lofotstua 

Serving up northern Norwegian seafood in a relaxed and cosy setting in Majorstua is Lofotstua. It serves a full á la carte menu of fish between May and October. However, the only thing you’ll find on the menu between October and January is lutefisk. The restaurant also offers seal and whale meat.

If you visit in July, you may be disappointed as the restaurant closes for the collective holiday period. 

Rorbua 

Located in Akerbrygge is Rorbua, which has a menu with a number of Norwegian classics on it. The starters include fish soup and steamed mussels. Meanwhile, the main courses include reindeer or a mixed platter with whale, venison, steak and reindeer. 

A starter costs about 200 kroner, while a main course will cost between 300-450 kroner. The bar at Rorbua also serves aquavit, a strong Norwegian aperitif. 

Honourable mentions

Listing every great restaurant serving Norwegian food in Oslo would be some feat. But, if these restaurants don’t take your fancy- we also have other recommendations. 

Dovrehallen is a great place to stop for a quick lunch. It’s one of the cheapest options on our list, with main courses costing around 200 kroner for a main course or 130 kroner for a sandwich. It serves a different classic Norwegian dish each day of the week too. 

Both Schøder and Kaffistova also serve Norwegian classics at more affordable prices. Schrøder is also the favourite hangout for detective Harry Hole in Jo Nesbø’s popular crime novels.

And for the most special of occasions, Norway has a number of Michelin-starred or recognised restaurants, from the three-starred Maaemo to new entries such as Hot ShopSchlägergården and HydeKontrast and Statholdergaarden also hold Michelin stars. 

The Michelin-starred eateries may not feature many Norwegian classics. Still, all have been praised for their inventive use of local produce and for elevating them to their highest culinary potential.

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