· 3 min read
Speed Dating in Oslo: How It Works and the Best Alternatives
How speed dating works in Oslo, who it suits, and real places to meet people instead: free salsa nights, a chess bar, a games bar and a sauna on the fjord.
Read the full guideUpdated October 2026
For a first date in Oslo, try MUNCH, Nasjonalmuseet (The National Museum), or Oslo Opera House. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
A first date in Oslo is usually low-key: a drink, a coffee or a walk, and Norwegians happily go outside in any weather. Looking relaxed and being on time matters more than spending a lot.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from free views on the Opera House roof to dinner above the city, plus two unusual ideas at the end.
See who nearby is free this evening and send one message. No swiping. Free, 18+.
Art museumBjørvikakr krAll ages
The museum of Edvard Munch on the waterfront in Bjørvika, open until 21:00 from Wednesday to Saturday, with views over the fjord and places to eat and drink. An evening visit followed by a drink is an easy first date.
Edvard Munchs plass 1, 0194 Oslo · Takes bookings
Art museumVikakr krAll ages
Norway's national museum of art, architecture and design, a short walk from Aker Brygge. Wandering through the galleries gives you plenty to talk about before a walk along the harbour.
Brynjulf Bulls plass 3, 0250 Oslo · Takes bookings
Opera houseBjørvikakrAll ages
The white opera house that slopes down into the fjord, where you can walk up the roof for a free view over the city and the water. Combine it with a performance or a drink nearby for an easy date.
Kirsten Flagstads plass 1, 0150 Oslo · Walk-in
Sculpture parkEkebergkrAll ages
A free sculpture park in the forest above the city, open around the clock all year, with works by artists like Salvador Dalí and James Turrell and wide views over the fjord. It is a short tram ride from the centre.
Kongsveien 23, 0193 Oslo · Walk-in
RestaurantEkebergkr kr kr30s
A restaurant on the Ekeberg hillside next to the sculpture park, open daily with views over the city and the fjord. Walk through the park first, then end the date here as the lights come on.
Kongsveien 15, 0193 Oslo · Takes bookings
Coffee barGrünerløkkakrAll ages
A small espresso bar and roastery that coffee lovers travel to Oslo for, open daily until 18:00 on weekdays. A coffee here and a walk along the Akerselva river is a simple, sober first date.
Grüners gate 1, 0552 Oslo · Walk-in
Wine barGrünerløkkakr kr30s
A small, intimate wine bar with nearly 450 wines, most of them by the glass, from cava to Burgundy. It takes no reservations, so you can just drop in, and trying different glasses together keeps the conversation going.
Markveien 58, 0550 Oslo · Walk-in
Café and restaurantHolmenkollen (Nordmarka)kr krAll ages
A historic restaurant and café high above the city at the end of metro line 1, with an outdoor terrace and views over Oslo. Ride the metro up, take a walk in the forest, then warm up inside with coffee and cake.
Holmenkollveien 200, 0791 Oslo · Takes bookings
Microbrewery barGrünerløkka (Schous plass)kr krAll ages
A microbrewery bar in a cellar at Schous plass, open daily from the afternoon, with beer brewed on site. It is cosy on a dark evening, and you can also book a beer tasting together.
Trondheimsveien 2, Bygg B, 0560 Oslo · Takes bookings
Sculpture parkFrognerkrAll ages
The famous park inside Frognerparken with more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, always open and free to walk through. A stroll among the statues, and coffee afterwards, is a classic relaxed Oslo date in any season.
Frognerparken, by the Vigeland Museum at Nobels gate 32, 0268 Oslo · Walk-in
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Toboggan runHolmenkollen (Frognerseteren)krAll ages
A winter toboggan run that winds down the forest road from Frognerseteren, with sleds for hire at the top and the metro to take you back up. It only runs when there is snow, so check before you go, but racing down together is a date you will both remember.
Holmenkollveien, start below Frognerseteren Restaurant, 0791 Oslo · Walk-in
Museum and viewpointHolmenkollenkr krAll ages
The ski museum under the famous Holmenkollen ski jump, where you can go up to the top of the jump for a view over Oslo; in season you can also ride the Kollensvevet zipline down. It is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 from October to April.
Kongeveien 5, 0787 Oslo · Takes bookings
Popular places to meet people in Oslo include Kulturhuset i Oslo (culture house and bar), Café Sør (bar and dance nights), and Mathallen Oslo (food hall). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as MUNCH or Nasjonalmuseet (The National Museum). Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, Oslo is number 85 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 4.8 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in Oslo is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
· 3 min read
How speed dating works in Oslo, who it suits, and real places to meet people instead: free salsa nights, a chess bar, a games bar and a sauna on the fjord.
Read the full guide· 6 min read
What helps before, during and after a first meeting with someone you met online: a quick call, a public place, a friend who knows, your own way home, and the red flags worth taking seriously.
Read the full guide· 6 min read
Yes, there are dating apps without swiping. They come in six main formats, from compatibility quizzes to message-first apps. How each one works, who it suits and what it costs you in time.
Read the full guideOn YesTonite you see who nearby is going out tonight, say hi and meet the same evening. Free and 18+.
Join free18+