Olivia

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

The Story Behind the Name

Olivia began with an idea as personal as it is charming. Three friends — Anne Koppang, Gry Holm and Kristin Gjelseth — longed for an Italian in the family. They imagined a Piemontese aunt named Olivia. When no such relative materialised, they did the next best thing: in 2006, they opened their own Italian restaurant at Aker Brygge in Oslo. The result was exactly what they had envisioned — something that felt less like a business and more like an Italian family.

A Restaurant Shaped by Italy Itself

Every detail at Olivia is drawn from the country it celebrates. The interiors take inspiration from favourite Italian cities — Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan, Portofino, Florence, Palermo, Parma and Bologna — giving each location its own distinct character while keeping the atmosphere consistently warm: candlelight, fireplaces, and staff who genuinely know what they're talking about.

The team travels regularly to Italy to learn, develop and stay inspired, bringing those experiences back to the table. That ongoing connection to the source is what keeps the Italian food honest rather than approximate.

Recognition That Reflects the Commitment

Gambero Rosso, the authoritative Italian food and wine guide, awarded Olivia a fork in 2024 — a recognition that carries particular weight for a restaurant built around the premise of getting as close to Italy as possible. Being acknowledged by the guide most associated with Italian culinary standards is a fitting endorsement of what the three founders set out to achieve nearly two decades ago.

What to Expect

Lunch and dinner are both on offer, along with takeaway and private dining options for groups. The experience — whether you come for a weekday lunch or a longer evening — is rooted in the same idea that launched the whole venture: authentic Italian food, in surroundings that feel genuinely welcoming rather than performatively so.