Vegetarians are not exactly catered to in Oslo. If you’re a vegetarian on a budget, the game gets that much more complicated. There’s no shortage of Indian bistros serving a normal selection of meat-free dishes, but not many of them are cheap. So if you’re not in the mood for Indian, vegetarians are pretty much relegated to a small selection of restaurants. The best way to get around this obstacle is to head into a supermarket to pick up some food there. But without a microwave or kitchen to prepare anything in my hotel, for two full days my diet consisted of Norwegian cheese, bread, and chocolate. That’s fine for a minute, but I was ready to bite the bullet and eat some real food.
That’s when I stumbled upon Vegeta Vertshus, whose main draw is their all-vegetarian buffet. That’s all I needed to know—after watching the mass consumption of hot dogs and sausage since my arrival, I was eager to go somewhere where no one had stringy bits of meat stuck in their teeth or beard.
The atmosphere here is cozy enough, with low-hanging lamps decorated in floral designs and an island of plants on the main floor that accentuate the temperate warmth of the dining area. There were only a few tables occupied on my visit, though there’s certainly room to accommodate with two large floors of seating. Downstairs near the bathroom, and by the entrance, you’ll find a variety of flyers promoting healthy classes and programs such as yoga.
This isn’t gourmet cuisine by any stretch of the imagination, and at the price (NOK 145, about $20USD) I’m not even sure if I’d visit again. But most importantly, this was the rare occasion in Oslo where I could tie a blindfold over my eyes, spoon food onto my plate, and not have to worry about choking on swine. There’s a full salad bar, soup (the carrot soup had a nice body to it), and a hot bar with Middle Eastern-influenced dishes, pizza, vegetables, and rice. None of the food was labeled, which was somewhat inconvenient, but it isn’t hard to make a few educated guesses as to what you’re getting. Note that the desserts are NOT included in the cost of the buffet, and I couldn’t justify shelling out more cash after a somewhat lackluster main course.
All in all, Vegeta Vertshus is worth a visit for vegetarians, but if you’re in Oslo and enjoy eating meat, steer clear and sample something native to the area like reindeer or elk. There is a 10% discount for students, and Vegeta Vertshus does have great hours—everyday from 11am – 11pm.