Tearoom Review: Oslo’s Tea Lounge

With a funky atmosphere, the Tea Lounge in Oslo is about as close to hip as any place with the word “tea” in its name. The lights are dim, and a candle glows on every table. Even at noon on a Friday a steady stream of young Norwegians sit down with laptops and cell phones to chill out for a few minutes.

The menu boasts a nice selection of teas from China and India, plus plenty of flavored greens, rooibos, and herbals. I have only two complaints. Like every other cafe I’ve been to in Scandinavia, the Tea Lounge uses a tea ball or tea spoon in which to confine the leaves in a cup. They just don’t have enough room for the leaves to open and release their full flavor. My second complaint is that the wall behind the bar displays far more alcohol than tea. I’m not sure I’d feel as happy here in the evening as I am in the early afternoon.