Misc: fave shops, bodegas, etc

If it helps anyone, here are a few of my faves here:

Mitt Rom selling everything from  pop-up books charming handmade quilts made by one of the staff, to Burt´s bees (see first post where else to buy), to kids clothing, winter wools, storage, games. Fun, colorful, well-made things. Traditional backpacks, traditional wooden toys and paperdolls, etc. Tiny small shop, on the corner of the second block of the main high street, which will soon be the bybanen track going on towards Lagunen. Currently the main highstreet area is a pedestrian-only open space. Their shop is charming, staff friendly, very helpful, and I think you can order things not in the shop, or online shop. Also Bedroom playtent spaces if you don´t have the time to make them!


 International grocery store Arjoman Toufeq, corner of Hans Holmboes gate 4  . Excruciatingly tiny but well-stocked international grocery, for such things as pumpkin-like squash, okra, African dried fish, fresh whole spices, bitter melon, canned and dried foods, such as figs. Cash only though last time I went in. Nice if you bring your own recylable grocery bags, basket or such.

Global. International food grocery store, matbutikk, near the previous one. About a block away, directly across the back of the bus station shopping senter. Sells similar items. Okra, fresh banana leaves and curry leaves, red chili and other produce. Canned pickles, open containers of olives, jars of things, fresh spices, frozen meat (not sure where this comes from) and dried fish. Brown jasmin rice, polenta, red lentils, yellow and green split peas, black eyed peas, and other pulses and grains and dried beans.


Godt Brød 2 locations, one near the cinema, the other near the fish market/next door to the YMCA youth hostel. Organic bread, pastry, pizza, juices, tea, coffee. Sit in or out, or carry out. Made fresh in store daily.

Lerøy Mat Large grocery store in basement of Galleriet. Sells fresh baked pastries, breads, small breads, bagettes, pizza, calzones, cakes, sweets. Canned Libby´s Pumpkin, jarred Robertson´s mincemeat, various English jams, jellies, crisps, cookies, lemonade. Haagen Dazs ice creams. Fresh meats and fish, chicken, duck, etc. Pate and imported cheeses, etc. Whole uncooked raw unseasoned chicken. Cheddar cheese. Lots of variety of chocolate and chocolates. Picnic foods in individual sizes, such as strawberry Napoleans, creme brulee. Greek yogurts with honey. The usual stuff, local foods such as rice porridge, cream and sour cream. French butter and organic Norwegian butter and eggs. Fresh fruit, veg, flowers. Dried fruits and nuts. Cranberry juice, American rootbeer.


Various locations ICA, Safari, Rimi, Meny, KIWI grocery stores. Different locations carry different things, though most carry a large selection of similar products and brands. Some will have pumpkins, some won´t.

TGIF: there´s only one and you can´t miss it. It has a great staff, very friendly, talkative. Their burger and fries, with a coke is very good, especially after walking around, hiking all day, and you´re hungry now and can´t wait to make something at home. Kids like it too. They give out crayons and activity coloring books, balloons, fun kids cups.

Two blocks down from TGIF, going away from the city centre, is an organic shop selling fruits, veg, dried beans, grains, juices, essential oils and vitamins, chocolate, organic blue corn chips from the Southwestern US. And sugar pumpkins which are great for making pies!

Other places for pumpkins include various grocery stores located within Lagunen.

BK. Yes, Burger King. It´s in the bus station shopping mall. Shows free movies in a kids theatre area for the littles, which is fun for them. We usually bring yogurt, fresh fruit, water, the get a toy meal. They have parties there, and have fabric paints for tshirt making, coloring books, colors, balloons etc. if you ask.

Galleriet. Lots of good stores, and restaurants including a few on the top floors with playrooms for the kids. Our kids love going up to the top floor to see the fish aquarium too. 5th floor restaurant has a cold salad bar with greens, olives, feta, cold salmon, pastas, etc. Biscottis, pastry, breads, dessert. Ice cubes in an ice bucket with tongs, water, fresh lemon slices self-serve. Kids sized utensils and cups also. And really great fresh brewed coffee with cream and milk, also self serve. Please remember to pick up after yourself, taking your trays and things to the clean up area, well pointed out. It helps keep costs down, which yes are still expensive, but they´d be even more expensive if the staff had to also bus the tables!:) Staff are always very kind, helpful, nice. Place is always very clean. Stroller parking area. Free family bathrooms, breastfeeding areas, changing areas around the corner near the main toilet area. Main toilets for non-familys/adults without kids with them is not free, but if you show your receipt there are free toilets round the other side of the security desk:)

Kloverhuset

Spar kjøp Several locations, sentrum, Denmarksplass, Sotra in Satresenter has large location, with lots of buses going regularly to the main shopping center. Great prices on woolens for adults and kids, babies too.

Lagunen Huge shopping mall area with both indoor shopping center and surrounding large stores for furniture, food, sports, clothing. Buses run directly past frequently, with stop clearly marked. Taxi area is under covered area closer by entrance. Currently the main road past and walkway areas are under construction due to the expansion work for continuing the bybane out to Lagunen, then to the airport. Disappointingly my fave shop Lilla Gorilla is no longer there. It had fantastic designs for both clothing for kids and toys such as solid wood handmade racing car for kids, etc. Wish I´d taken photos before they closed! Great place!

Lille Gorilla. Will add a link and location if I find another location!

Link to suggestions from other mothers here for cute kids clothes and things

The Baby Shop (yes that is it´s actual name) around the block from the main shopping area by the Galleriet. Lots of nice things, including May 17th clothing for from little kids to teenagers, including shoes.

toy store (will write in name when I see it next time) also near by, has that cool wiggly twirly nightlight lamp plays music. Pinocchio wooden dolls of all sorts.

tatoo store near the Apple store. there is only one Apple Store, so find that, then the tatoo place is a few stores walk down.