Baltazar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Oslo's Closest Thing to Italy

Baltazar Ristorante & Enoteca describes itself plainly and confidently as "the closest you'll get to Italy in Norway" — and after more than two decades in Oslo, it has earned the right to say so. Opened in the mid-1990s and celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017, Baltazar was one of Norway's first restaurants dedicated entirely to Italian cuisine, and it has remained true to that identity ever since.

Recognized by Gambero Rosso — Italy's most authoritative food and wine guide — the restaurant sits at Dronningens Gate 27, tucked into Domkirkeparken, the garden behind Oslo Cathedral. The setting alone sets the tone: unhurried, a little unexpected, and genuinely pleasant.

Honest Italian Food, Norwegian Ingredients

The kitchen's philosophy is straightforward: classic Italian cooking made with seasonal ingredients sourced from both Italy and Norway. Pasta is made fresh in-house, as is focaccia and pizza dough, all prepared with organic flour. The menu runs à la carte from lunch through the evening, covering the kind of Italian cuisine that prioritizes quality and familiarity over novelty — cured meats, Italian sausages, and a selection of Italian cheeses round out the table alongside the main dishes.

In summer, the restaurant opens an outdoor terrace in the cathedral garden, one of the more atmospheric spots in central Oslo for a long, relaxed meal.

Two Floors, Come as You Are

Inside, Baltazar occupies two open floors designed for a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. The approach is unpretentious — the restaurant's own words are "come as you are" — and that spirit carries through to the service and the room itself, which has been gradually renovated in recent years.

The wine list deserves particular mention. Focused exclusively on Italian wines, it has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for multiple consecutive years — a recognition that speaks to both the depth of the selection and the seriousness with which Italian cuisine is treated here, from the kitchen to the cellar. By the glass or by the bottle, the offering extends to craft beers from small microbreweries in Italy and Norway.

Groups and Sister Restaurant

For parties of more than ten, Baltazar offers a dedicated group menu. Those drawn specifically to Italian seafood can also visit Skur 33 Trattoria di Mare on Akershusstranda, the sister restaurant with a focus on fish and shellfish.