Happolati

Name: Happolati
Telephone: +47 479 78 087

Restaurant

Oslo, Norway

Happolati, Oslo, Norway.
Photo courtesy of Happolati.
Photo courtesy of Happolati.
Photo courtesy of Happolati.
Photo courtesy of Happolati.
Photo courtesy of Happolati.
Photo courtesy of Happolati.
Photo courtesy of Happolati.

Happolati Wine List

Happolati Updated 27 May 2026

About Happolati

When entering this restaurant in central Oslo, you immediately think that it has to be something Asian, but the interiors also give promises of something Scandinavian. Both are true: the menus – both the set and à la carte versions – offer a combination of local produce in an all-Asian setting, where ideas and ingredients from many different food cultures are mixed in a bold, but still very successful way.

A meal at Happolati never leaves you bored. Even though the name could sound Asian-inspired, like the food, it’s not. It’s taken from the famous novel Sult (meaning “hunger”) written by Knut Hamsun, one of Norway’s most important authors (just like its predecessor, Ylajali, which closed in 2015). In fact, in the book, J. A. Happolati was the owner of the same house where we find the restaurant today. For almost a century, the building housed a pharmacy. Today, the address is home to several establishments run by the same owner: a popular bistro, a cocktail bar, and a summer garden, all with the same quality focus for food and drink.

Happolati, as Ylajali before it, has always been a fountain of great wines. It’s famous for its selection of Austrian wines, with a nice depth of both producers and vintages. To find a parallel, you would have to go to Austria! Whenever food has an Asian inspiration, you expect to find German white wines. And you won’t be disappointed here: even if not all top names are available, you’ll find well-chosen wines, including some with a bit of age. Burgundy lovers will find Happolati a haven: the list includes some true rarities that few other Norwegian restaurants can offer. And even some at historical prices. West Coast American wines (both whites and reds) are very well represented, as are South African wines, to mention just a few regions.

All in all, the Happolati wine list never leaves you bored – in the same way as the food. Despite the selection of off-dry German whites, the selection is not directly linked to the restaurant’s food theme. Thus, a wine-pairing menu is offered, which always ensures a perfect match and features less expensive but still value-for-money wines. As does the non-alcoholic alternative, and the cocktails. But the sommeliers will, of course, assist in finding bottles to match the menu itself, which changes regularly.

Happolati is also well known for its nice selection of tea and sake – both interesting alternatives to enjoy alongside the food. The large offering of fruit distillates would make even a bartender envious.

By Aase E. Jacobsen

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Happolati (what a lovely name for a restaurant by the way) presents an expansive but wonderfully quirky and evocative wine list full of gems. While there are several restaurants with fantastic lists where you can drink amazing Austrian wines, Happolati in my eyes presents a level of depth that is hard to beat. Bravo! said jury member Arvid Rosengren, ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2016 when Happolati won Gold for Best Austrian Wine List 2020.

Arvid Rosengren
A well designed list including a good balance of classic and new wave producers from Austria, notably showcasing several mature wines; even for sweet and red wines!

Marc Almert
A remarkable list, focused on few but benchmarks producers, giving the wine lover the chance to deep dive in vintages without breaking the bank.

Pascaline Lepeltier
What Happolati does extremely well is to look broadly, both in a geographical sense but also in terms of philosophy within the producers, ending up with a list with really delicious wines with all the great stuff that Austria offers, said Arvid about Happolati winning Best Austrian Wine List 2021.

Arvid Rosengren
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One of the most interesting Austrian's lists I've ever seen, full of top producers and back vintages that, in my opinion, makes this wine list unique.

Salvatore Castano
Lovely selection of Austrian wines. Starting from several quality sekts through diverse whites from benchmark producers in each historically important region up to some delicious red and sweet wines, says jury member Piotr Pietras about the winning list in Best Austrian Wine List 2023.

Piotr Pietras MS
This list masterfully presents Austria in a modern light, focusing on great producers and offering plenty of mature white wines while also introducing wine lovers to good Austrian reds, sparkling and mash-ferments. This has clearly been put together by someone who deeply understands the country’s diverse range of styles and regions. [Gold Star: Best Austrian Wine List – Star Wine List of the Year Norway 2025.]

Stephen Wong MW
Happolati is a modern restaurant with a fun, Asian-inspired menu based on seasonal produce. The dining room feels light and open, the elegant furniture making it trendy, yet comfortable and warm. The varied wine list emphasises classic areas like Germany, Austria, France and the US, going in-depth for a few producers and areas while also showing a playful interest in other regions.

Linn Johnsen