Jon Winding-Sørensen

Jon Winding-Sørensen is founding editor-in-chief of Norway’s biggest-selling automotive magazine, Bil. Despite parking difficulties with his Morgan roadster, he still lives and works not far from where he was born, in downtown Oslo.

Where do you live and why?

I live in a green area called Aker, right in the middle of town between East and West. I like it because it is very calm with a lot of things happening around. When I walk the dog I get the feeling of being in the countryside, and at the same time many of Oslo’s main buildings and attractions are only a couple of minutes away.

What advice would you give a tourist? Any must-dos?

A walk along the wharfs will make you aware of Oslo’s unique location. There are calm, beautiful parts and more busy ones, like the Aker Brygge (Aker Wharf), a huge complex that was built in the 1980s on the site of a former shipyard and offering numerous restaurants, shops, cinemas and other entertainment.

What advice would you give a visiting business person?

Grand Hotel has the best location, right on the main street, Karl Johan. Staying there is very comfortable, but if you can’t get a room, you can always enjoy its classic pavement café (playwright Henrik Ibsen used to visit it every day). Grand Hotel also offers one of the city centre’s very few indoor pools. There’s a sauna, a bar with a fantastic view and a huge roof terrace that is an event in summertime.

What and where have been your most memorable meals? Annen Etage at the Hotel Continental [see below] is a favourite because it never changes. The service is impeccable and the chef has one star in the Michelin guide.

Where would you take a client to wow them? Even though the modern architecture of the recently reopened East hillside Ekebergrestauranten is spectacular, I would still choose the Holmenkollen restaurant at the other side of town. The wooden façade and the decor are very close to Norwegian fairytales and the food is always excellent.