Baltazar

The Spis take

Tucked into the cobbled Kirkeristen courtyard behind Oslo Cathedral, Baltazar is one of Norway's original serious Italian restaurants, going strong for a quarter-century. It splits into a more ambitious upstairs ristorante and a relaxed ground-floor trattoria, with fresh pasta, focaccia and pizza from organic flour and a strongly Italian, Wine Spectator-recognised cellar. Purists will note it's Italian-inspired rather than strictly authentic, but the setting is genuinely lovely and the wine list is a real reason to go. A dependable, atmospheric choice for a grown-up Italian evening.