Grünerløkka is the Brooklyn of Oslo.
Grünerløkka named the Brooklyn of Oslo
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Grünerløkka the Brooklyn of Oslo.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Oslo's verdict went to Grünerløkka ahead of Tøyen, Vulkan and Grønland, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Grünerløkka the Brooklyn of Oslo, and it was not a hard call. Old industrial buildings along the river, coffee as good as anywhere in Europe, and stroller-pushing parents sharing the sidewalk with tattooed bartenders. Locals are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Grünerløkka's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Oslo verdict: brooklynof.com/oslo
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/oslo
Runner-up neighborhoods: Tøyen, Vulkan, Grønland
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.