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Are dogs allowed in cafés and restaurants in Norway?

What the rules say, and why you should ask the staff first.

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Short answer

Cafés and restaurants in Norway may let dogs in as long as they are no danger to the food or other guests, and many welcome dogs outdoors. Only a few also allow dogs by the table indoors. Staff can ask you to leave with your dog if another guest or an employee is allergic.

Travelling with pets in Norway a dog with a leash sitting next to a small moose silhouette and a vet cross

Why

  1. Visit Norway says pets are allowed where food and drink are served as long as they are not a danger to the food or other guests.
  2. According to Visit Norway, these rules apply to all restaurants in Norway and follow from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet).
  3. Staff can ask a dog owner to leave, indoors or outdoors, if a guest or an employee is allergic to dogs or uncomfortable around them.

Details

Visit Norway lists cafés and restaurants that welcome dogs, and some places even have their own dog menu. If you go inside without the dog, do not tie it up right outside the door: the Dog Act forbids leaving a tied dog right by the entrance to a building that is open to the public.

Tip

Ask at the door or call ahead before you bring the dog inside, and choose the outdoor seating when you are unsure.

What may differ

Guide dogs and service dogs have access to places such as restaurants and grocery shops, according to NAV.

People also ask

  • Can I bring my dog into a restaurant in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules and house rules can change, so ask the café or restaurant before you go in.

Travelling with pets in Norway

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    Emotional support animals do not count as service dogs in Norway, as NAV does not provide service dogs for psychological challenges and SAS carries them as pets.

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    One way to find a dog sitter in Oslo is Pawshake, an online service that connects dog owners with local sitters for dog walks, day care and overnight stays.

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    Nearly 90 percent of the homeless animals helped by Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge are cats, while dogs are often ID-marked and easy to trace to a responsible owner.

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  • How do you adopt a dog or a cat in Norway?

    You can adopt a dog or cat in Norway through the 25 local branches of Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge, which take in homeless animals and find them new homes.

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