Grotten Vinbar

Grotten Vinbar takes its name from a house on the other side of the street, the home of Norway’s most prominent artists in the cultural field (today, it is the residence of Nobel Prize winner Jon Fosse). Grotten has been a gastronomic hub since the eighties, back when very few restaurants offered French fine dining. Today, it is the lower ground floor of Thon Hotel Slottsparken. Such a name and history obviously mean there is pressure to deliver quality, and Grotten Vinbar lives up to these expectations.

The owners are French, and this is reflected in both the food and the wine, but with loads of inspiration from all over the world as well. The food combinations are rather playful but very tasty. The menu has elements meant for sharing, but can be combined for a full dinner experience. They also offer “mineral tastings” where three wines are paired with three dishes.

The atmosphere is very intimate since this is a small venue with a shared table (or separate ones for those who prefer a more private setting). In summer, the outdoor area has a nice view to the residence in question, and the beautiful park surrounding the royal castle.

Since opening in 2024, the bar’s wine list has steadily increased to more than 1,000 different wines. That France is dominant in all categories should not come as a surprise. Having said that, the smaller selections from other countries are comprehensively chosen. Grower Champagnes dominate the sparkling section, and the same philosophy is valid for other regions. That doesn’t mean that top-tier Burgundy names are not represented, however, and the prices are very nice compared to international levels; some are even bargains. Margins are also reasonable compared to the prices at the monopoly, for wines available there. A nice portion of the wines are not to be found elsewhere in Oslo.

The wine cellar is in an adjacent room, and can be visited by guests on request. In the middle of the room, there is a demijohn containing very old Banyuls – their pride and joy.