Gamle Oslo: Hipster Old Town

Gamle Oslo, meaning “Old Oslo”, is the borough of Oslo’s old town. Laying at the city’s heart, the borough emcompasses a vast area from the city centre such as Grønland and Tøyen, stretching all the way to Ekeberg, a small mountain on the city centre’s eastern side whose view over the city and Oslofjord inspired Munch’s famous painting The Scream.

Following the gentrification process that took place across the whole Scandinavia since 1970s, Gamle Oslo has harboured great ambitions for a thorough makeover through a large-scale housing renewal programme from 1979 until 1994. Compared with the neighbouring borough Grünerløkka, Gamle Oslo today still fails to attract the young and aspiring upper middle class from Oslo’s affulent western side to move over.

Yet thanks to the area’s diversified social mix—with a large portion of the population here having an immigration background—Gamle Oslo retains its somewhat hipster roots and boasts a more vibrant vibe compared with the traditionally affluent Norweigian neighbourhoods. Tøyen, the heart of Gamle Oslo, is now home to many artisan bakeries and rosteries, thanks to its approximity to the city centre and still comparatively low rent. Ensjø, a neighourhood used to be overly crowed with car retail shops, has also transformed into a residential area, with new subway lines, new residential and commercial housing development plans over the next decade. Gamle Oslo may not and should not be the next Grünerløkka, but it is and will continue to be a fun place to hang out.

Papegøye

Papegøye, originally named “Neongrut”, is an all-vegan cafè in the day and a wine bar in the evening. Papegøye means “parrot” in Norwegian, a bird that can “speak many languages and gather all sorts of colours” and it will best represent the customers and shop, according to the owners. Hence the name change. Seating area Located at the heart of Tøyen, the café features a rustic interior design on the verge of urban ruin, with a large naked brick wall running behind the service counter, vintage furniture and green plants....

Kiosk!

With an area of 8 sq.m, Kiosk! is arguably the smallest coffee bar in Oslo. Located inside a renovated petrol station from 1935, the mini-coffee bar features a dashing bright turquoise blue strip wrapped around its roof, adding a touch of lively cheerfulness to the whole neighbourhood. Façade of Kiosk! The owner and the brain behind this bubbling creative oasis is Kari Anne Solfjeld Eid, an experienced entrepreneur and designer who has also founded the Oslo-based design agency Hoi!...