Michelin-starred À L'aise closes amid Oslo restaurant crisis

The owners and operators of the Michelin-starred restaurant À L'aise in Oslo have announced their immediate resignation. The news comes just two months after the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2023.

This closure is part of a broader trend affecting Oslo's gourmet scene, following the recent closures of other Michelin-starred establishments such as Bar Amour and Hot Shop. Industry representatives point to several economic pressures, including rising raw material costs and increased interest rates.

NHO Reiseliv has criticized the current tax structure, specifically noting that the VAT on dine-in services is 25%, while take-away services are taxed at only 15%. Tobias Strandskog-Christensen of NHO Reiseliv stated, "This is an extra tax on our industry, and it favors take-away over dining out."

Ove Jakobsen, manager of Norsk Restaurantforening, noted that the industry is facing an unprecedented level of tax and duty pressure.