Ostara - Oslo

I was excited about this restaurant. I am not a vegan but I was visiting with 2 friends who are. We had the tasting menu. The dishes were varied and could have been delicious but they all tasted as though they had been marinaded with the same marinade so they tasted very similar. The wasabi ice cream was quite different and I actually liked it. The decor is pretty and very unusual. As for the seating, the chairs are very low and in the inner room you are seated on the floor so not really my kind of thing.

This restaurant is a gem! Presentation, concept, food and drinks are exceptional and incredibly delicious. The food is completely vegan and is complemented with a wide accompaniment of drinking options, which can either be paired with a menu or enjoyed on their own. The sake selection deserves special attention, as there is a possibility to get the perfect sake with the corresponding food from the menu. This is now one of our favorite places in Oslo.

I went for the tasting menu and wasn’t disappointed. The pulled noodles were particularly good. Surprised about the dessert which included some sort of wasabi ice cream that I hadn’t tasted before.

Location with exceptional furnishings and friendly service. The food was also okay, but the portions are quite manageable. Overall, somehow a strange vibe: It really smells very penetrating after incense sticks and loud Goa music is playing. Both make the dining experience rather exhausting. Unfortunately, we did not feel comfortable and soon left. In view of the numerous positive reviews, perhaps we simply had the wrong expectations.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ostara in Oslo, and I must say it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The exceptional service provided by our waiter, Isabella, made us feel incredibly well taken care of throughout the evening. The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the tasting menu, which featured four exquisite dishes that delighted our taste buds and left us craving for more. The Watermelon sashimi with umeboshi, shiso, pickled rind, and tapioca crisps was a refreshing and creative combination of flavors. Each bite offered a delightful contrast of textures and the perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes. Next up was the Nasuden Caku, a dish that stole the show for me. The miso glazed aubergine with shitake mushrooms on crispy rice was a culinary masterpiece. The flavors were rich, savory, and perfectly complemented by the crunchy texture of the rice. It was a true delight to savor every mouthful. The Hand pulled noodles with pickled cabbage, garlic, cumin sauce, and szechuan had a tantalizing aroma that filled the air as it arrived at our table. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the combination of flavors was absolutely delicious. The cumin sauce added a unique twist to the dish, making it a memorable addition to the tasting menu. To conclude the meal on a high note, we were treated to a dessert that surpassed all expectations. The Wasabi ice cream with mango, cucumber, and roasted pistachios was an exquisite blend of flavors. The subtle heat from the wasabi paired surprisingly well with the sweet mango, while the cucumber added a refreshing element. The roasted pistachios provided a delightful crunch, making it a truly exceptional dessert.