A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen in Oslo, Norway
Oslo, Norway

A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen

Outty Ranking 58 4.4 · 30 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $330
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Outty Ranking

58/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.4/5

Based on 30 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen worth booking?

A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen is a 3-hour experience in Oslo, Norway, from $330 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 30 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
58 / 100
Rating
4.4/5 (30)
Duration
3 hours
From
$330 per person

References available at Viator site: https://tourguides.viator.com/tour-guide-tl-oslo/norway-guide-1261.aspx 5 stars Michael P. 06 AUG 2018 5 stars Philip S. 28 JUL 2015 5 stars KHALID A. 21 JUL 2015 Excellent tour guide a lot of Knowledge 5 stars Sue B. 21 SEP 2014 Excellent tour...we go to see and do everything we wanted and we impressed at the quality and historical knowledge that Lisa shared with us...not to mention she is extremely personable! Highly recommend her for a tour! 5 stars Judi H. 07 JUL 2014 Loved our tour guide (Lisa Tanya)...thorough history, spent extra time with us, etc. The only thing not favorable was the weather, but, hey, it was summer in the Baltics. 5 stars Bonnie S. 13 MAY 2014 great tour, very knowledgeable about the area and accomodating to our request! 5 stars Carol G. 13 AUG 2013 5 stars BENJAMIN D. 25 JUL 2010 Tanya,our sightseeing guide in Oslo, was excellent. 5 stars BENJAMIN D. 25 JUL 2010 Tanya,our sightseeing guide in Oslo, was excellent

What you get

    About this experience

    References available at Viator site: https://tourguides.viator.com/tour-guide-tl-oslo/norway-guide-1261.aspx 5 stars Michael P. 06 AUG 2018 5 stars Philip S. 28 JUL 2015 5 stars KHALID A. 21 JUL 2015 Excellent tour guide a lot of Knowledge 5 stars Sue B. 21 SEP 2014 Excellent tour...we go to see and do everything we wanted and we impressed at the quality and historical knowledge that Lisa shared with us...not to mention she is extremely personable! Highly recommend her for a tour! 5 stars Judi H. 07 JUL 2014 Loved our tour guide (Lisa Tanya)...thorough history, spent extra time with us, etc. The only thing not favorable was the weather, but, hey, it was summer in the Baltics. 5 stars Bonnie S. 13 MAY 2014 great tour, very knowledgeable about the area and accomodating to our request! 5 stars Carol G. 13 AUG 2013 5 stars BENJAMIN D. 25 JUL 2010 Tanya,our sightseeing guide in Oslo, was excellent. 5 stars BENJAMIN D. 25 JUL 2010 Tanya,our sightseeing guide in Oslo, was excellent

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional local guide

    Not included

    • Food and drinks, unless specified
    • Food and drinks, other than the "value added offers" specified in your guidebook

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Oslo

    I shall have a sign

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations.

    Ends at

    I shall have a sign

    Options you can book

    • Short foodie+tastings, 6 pers.

      Traditional food for a group Central Oslo, walking Pickup included

    • Longer foodie+tastings, 4 pers

      Pickup included

    • Short culinary tour (3 hours)

      Tasting EXTRA COST 70€ per per: Salmon hot smoked, cold smoked and marinated, farm ham, elk/reindeer sausage, cheeses, goat cheese, lefse and more deli food Pickup included

    • Foodie 4 hrs, tastings extra

      TASTING EXTRA 70€ per person: Skagen prawns on toast, lefse, cured meat and fish etc. Not a full meal - tastings of delicious traditional Norwegian food. Pickup included

    • Longer foodie+tastings, 2 pers

      DELI FOOD TASTING INCLUDED : Fish soup, lefse, cured meat, smoked salmon etc - traditional Norwegian food. Not a full meal - tastings of delicious food Pickup included

    • Short foodie+tastings, 2 pers.

      TASTINGS INCLUDED: Traditional Norwegian specialities such as smoked and cured salmon, dear, ham, fish soup, lefse etc Pickup included

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Quality Tours

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide

    Photos

    Typical Norwegian, A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen in OsloFish soup, A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen in OsloReindeer served with brussels sprouts, bacon, mushrooms, wild meat sauce. Salmon with sandefjord butter, potatoes/mixed veggies, whale steak &...A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen in Oslo, photo 5Christmas dish, A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen in OsloReindeer served with brussels sprouts, bacon, mushrooms, wild meat sauce. Salmon with sandefjord butter, potatoes/mixed veggies, whale steak &...

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 30 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    8 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    30 verified traveler reviews for A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    23
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    3
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Angela_M · September 2025

    Exceptional Tour Guide, Tanya-Lisa!

    Our tour guide Tanya-Lisa was an exceptional tour guide. Very attentive to our needs. Very knowledgeable about the history of Oslo. She was extremely patient with us, especially when we couldn’t decide what we wanted to do. Tanya-Lisa was also very sensitive to some of us in the group needing to stop and rest on the walking tour. Tanya-Lisa also took us to the once a year market that wasn’t included on the itinerary. She is definitely a tour guide I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great experience in Oslo!

    via Viator

    Marjorie_B · July 2025

    Not quite as advertised

    The tour was moderately interesting but we had hoped to get a little more history with the walking tour. Although we didn’t love the food, I do believe we got a small sampling of authentic Norwegian cuisine. However it wasn’t nearly as expansive as the advertisement would lead one to believe. We had several tastes of smoked salmon, some mackerel and lamb sausage, and a chicken sausage from what felt like a 7-11 type venue. While our guide was very personable, we had hoped to get a broader historical overview of the area. The guide pointed out a lot of places that we “should visit,” but didn’t give us much more than that. I don’t think it was a good value.

    Response from the operator: This was a short (3 hour tour) booked on the day of the tour for 6PM. The main tasting venue is closed after 6, so I made a special arrangements for this client. The clients had different type of tastings in 3 very different parts of central Oslo. The clients admired some of the traditional tastings, but left them unfinished, saying that it was very good but too much to eat. I showed most of the main landmarks on the way including the Royal Palace, Akershus Fortress, main street etc. er The same tour was well met by other groups previously. I understand that expectations could be very different.

    via Viator

    jennifergY3760KA · June 2025

    80th birthday at Queens Crossing

    Just been back to the Queens Crossing in South Queensferry for lunch and it was great once again served by Cesca a lovely lady always cheerful and very pleasant Had my husband’s 80th birthday meal here three weeks ago 28 people sitting down for starters main courses birthday cake and drinks James Cesca and the kitchen staff did a wonderful service thanks to you all Jennifer George

    via Tripadvisor

    suzanb565 · September 2024

    Take this tour!

    Had a very good tour - interesting, well planned, entertaining and well worth the price. There were 3-4 stops with different food tastings - great food and new knowledge about this fascinating city. The host took interest in all of us. Our party of 2 people plus the host worked out just right. Had a great time - it was a perfect way to experience Oslo.

    via Tripadvisor

    Laura_P · September 2024

    Very unprofessional guide

    The food is good. Guide was not. She started by sending me 8 messages changing time & meeting place twice. She talked non stop repeating herself often and giving us much wrong information. We walked at least 4 miles. At the end she asked if there was anything she could have done better. When I told her all the communication was confusing. She became very defensive. We tried to leave & she kept following us & trying to argue with me. I kept polite. Very disappointed. She was quite unprofessional

    Response from the operator: It was Sunday, and the food tastings were limited. I did my best to accommodate this group and suggested doing the tour on Saturday or on Monday instead. I didn't get a reply to all my messages and our communication didn't work as it should. I suggested meeting at their hotel, which was normal and polite, but they preferred to meet at the Town Hall. So I had to change the meeting place to the Town Hall. We had to walk for a long time only because most of the tasting places in the centre of Oslo were closed on Sunday. Before the tour I explained the route and marked the locations on the map. I also offered to make tour a little longer, without extra payment. It is unfortunate that some of my messages were not delivered to the client via Viator chat/not answered. It's such a shame that my good will/extra effort was not appreciated and I received this complaint instead.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $330 to $830
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    11
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Quality Tours, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.7.

    See everything Quality Tours runs

    Why this scores 58

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)61
    Review evidence (18% weight)52
    Booking momentum (14% weight)45
    Value for money (12% weight)34
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)40
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oslo.

    How much does A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen cost?

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    Prices start at $330 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oslo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen take?

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    Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oslo is not rushed.

    Is A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 30 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oslo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen?

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    Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oslo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oslo and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oslo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Oslo?

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    On Outty we rank every Oslo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Oslo Highlights Bike Tour, Oslo Nature Walks: Island hopping, Central Oslo Guided Walking Tour with Local Guide. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Oslo?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Oslo?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen?

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    Included: Professional local guide. Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified; and Food and drinks, other than the "value added offers" specified in your guidebook. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 7 listed pickup locations in and around Oslo.

    What languages is A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen offered in?

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    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Oslo. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen?

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    Across 30 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    What booking options are available for A Well Balanced History and Food Tour with Focus on the Scandinavian Kitchen?

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    There are 6 options to choose from, including Short foodie+tastings, 6 pers., Longer foodie+tastings, 4 pers, Short culinary tour (3 hours), Foodie 4 hrs, tastings extra. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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