Where to eat Scandinavian food in London

Where to eat Scandinavian food in London

Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup
Daniel Sheppard

Scandinavia is the northern and snowy bit of Europe where you'll find Denmark, Norway, and the very place where Thatsup first began – Sweden. Whether you're a Nordic ex-pat or you just want some extra Scandi cosiness in your life, there are lots of restaurants, bars and cafés where you can explore Scandinavian food in London. If you're after an open sandwich, its slightly more extra cousin the smörgåstårta, a sweet cinnamon roll, or Nordic coffee or alcohol, we'll help you find it. Häng på! Here's our guide to Scandinavian food and drink in London.

  1. The best Scandinavian food in London
    1. 1
      Ekstedt at The Yard London home for superstar chef
    2. 2
      Köd Steak a la Denmark
    3. 3
      Skål Sophisticated Northern European dining
    4. 4
      Ole & Steen Popular Danish bakery
    5. 5
      Arket Modern Swedish market and café
    6. 6
      Blåbär Celebrating Scandinavian lifestyle
    7. 7
      Söderberg Swedish café from Scotland
    8. 8
      ScandiKitchen Try a Nordic lunch
    9. 9
      Curious Yellow Kafé Colourful Swedish eatery
    10. 10
      Hjem Artisan and organic
    11. 11
      Fabrique Artisan Scandi bakes
    12. 12
      Dauns Plant-based Scandinavian favourites
    13. 13
      Bageriet Enjoy classic Swedish baking
    14. 14
      Hagen Espresso Bar Danish coffee culture
    15. 15
      Hej Roastery and Coffee House Independent roastery and café
    16. 16
      Nordic Bar The place for a Scandi party
    17. 17
      Kosmopol Laid-back cocktail bar

Jump to

The best Scandinavian food in London

Ekstedt at The Yard

London home for superstar chef

Ekstedt at The Yard is the first restaurant outside of Sweden from top chef Niklas Ekstedt. It's a smart venue that specialises in smoking and cooking over open flames. In the earthy interior, try the seasonal set menu or a nine-course tasting menu with dishes like smoked Orkney scallop and hay-smoked custard.

Steak a la Denmark

KöD, a Danish steakhouse export, brings the renowned Scandi minimalism to the world of juicy, cooked-to-order steaks in an intimate and elegant setting. The menu offers a variety of steak options, such as Uruguayan chateaubriand, American ribeye, and the finest wagyu, along with sharing selections and Sunday roasts. Complement your steak with a range of sauces and sides, as well as a selection of fine wines.

  • 9A Devonshire Square, The City/City of London 2 St Anne's Ct, Soho
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining
Skål Nordic Dining – Scandinavian food
Skål Nordic Dining

Skål

Sophisticated Northern European dining

Try Northern European recipes in North London at Skål. The interior is comfortable, with white-washed walls and piles of logs. It's a minimalist space for exploring seasonal food with a modern twist. Sample gravlax or kroppkakor dumplings, followed by venison meatballs or fish dishes. There are cocktails with a Nordic twist too.

Popular Danish bakery

Ole & Steen has numerous London locations, specialising in classic Scandinavian recipes. Try an open sandwich, typical Danish breads, croissants, pastries, or one of the various flavoured buns here. Breakfast is available too, including lighter options. Enjoy a Danish snack in the contemporary bakery or get something to take away.

  • 41 Old Brompton Rd, Kensington Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 260-262 Chiswick High Rd., Hounslow 31 Eccleston Place, Belgravia 38 Hampstead High St, Hampstead 92 Kensington High St, Kensington Unit 8, 67 Charing Cross Rd, Soho/Covent Garden 92 Notting Hill Gate, Notting Hill/Kensington 46 Eastcastle St, Fitzrovia 59 George Street, Richmond Unit SU7, 6 Crescent Arcade, Greenwich 1 Sir Simon Milton Sq Ariel Way, Hammersmith and Fulham 2, 56 Haymarket, Westminster 39 Neal St, Covent Garden Unit B, 6 More London Place, Southwark 71-73 Wigmore Street, Marylebone 1 Bedford Avenue, Fitzrovia 351-353 Strand, Covent Garden 51 - 53 Northcote Road, Battersea Unit 4, 60 London Wall, The City/City of London 14 Church St Unit 84, Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets

Modern Swedish market and café

Established in Stockholm, Arket is a modern lifestyle market for Nordic design that's stylish and functional. As well as being a place to shop, each store has a vegetarian café focusing on the New Nordic food movement. Expect warming coffee and sandwiches and salads made from ethically-produced, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients.

  • 27-29 Long Acre, Covent Garden 224 Regent Street, Soho Westfield Stratford City, Montfichet Road, Newham
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär
Blåbär – Scandinavian food
Blåbär

Blåbär

Celebrating Scandinavian lifestyle

Discover Scandinavian food and living at Blåbär, which means blueberry in Swedish. This is a Nordic design showroom run by an Anglo-Swedish couple. It also houses a café and a private hire space. Try Swedish tarts and cinnamon buns or savoury options like open sandwiches, fresh soup, and toasties.

Swedish café from Scotland

Beginning in Edinburgh, Söderberg is a group of Swedish cafés that has expanded to London. During the day they provide a modern space where you can try authentic food made to classic recipes like open sandwiches and cardamom buns. In the evening, sample a Swedish twist on a cocktail like the Fika Martini.

  • 36 Berwick Street, Soho 36 Lordship Lane

ScandiKitchen

Try a Nordic lunch

For a fresh take on a lunchtime staple, try out an open sandwich at ScandiKitchen near Oxford Circus. This is a modern Nordic eatery that’s open for breakfast and lunch, offering sandwiches, salads, and some hot dishes. You can also pop into the Scandinavian grocery store on-site for a taste of home.

Curious Yellow Kafé

Colourful Swedish eatery

Swedish eatery Curious Yellow Kafé gives the game away immediately with its colourful blue and yellow exterior. This quirky spot has a mouthwatering menu of comforting soups, sandwiches, and meatballs. You can also enjoy coffee, beer, cake, and sweet treats. This place has indoor seating and an outdoor terrace.

Artisan and organic

Hjem in Kensington is a Danish coffee shop where you can enjoy artisan and organic products in a relaxed space. The interior is a celebration of Scandinavian design. It's a comfortable space for enjoying coffee and an all-day food menu. Go for a traditional rye bread sandwich or a fresh pastry.

  • 3 Launceston Place, Kensington 157 Gloucester Rd, Kensington

Artisan Scandi bakes

A favourite bakery all the way from Stockholm, Fabrique now has five locations in London, all with their distinctive industrial-chic decor. Using all-natural ingredients and traditional processes, this place rustles up artisan bread and pastries in a stone oven. If you’re after a classic cinnamon bun in London, the ones baked here are definitely worth a taste.

  • 8 Earlham St, Covent Garden 53 Goodge St, Fitzrovia 239 High Holborn, Holborn 212 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill 385 Geffrye St, Shoreditch Green & Stone, 267-277 King's Rd, Chelsea Denman Street, Soho

Dauns

Plant-based Scandinavian favourites

Head to Dauns to visit the only vegan Scandinavian restaurant in London. Opened by an ex-pat from Sweden, it’s a colourful and contemporary spot with menus that change regularly. Try plant-based Scandinavian favourites like cinnamon rolls and open sandwiches, or a toastie made with local ingredients. Coffee and alcoholic drinks are available.

Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet
Bageriet – Scandinavian food
Bageriet

Bageriet

Enjoy classic Swedish baking

For fresh and authentic Swedish baked goods, visit Bageriet. This bakery and café is modern and rustic, with fresh bread available every day, as well as traditional tarts and pastries. For special occasions, choose a celebration cake like the Prinsesstårta or the savoury smörgåstårta sandwich cake. Enjoy a snack here or take products home.

Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair – Scandinavian food
Hagen Espresso Bar Mayfair

Danish coffee culture

There are multiple branches of Hagen in London, bringing modern Danish coffee culture to the city. These espresso bars are welcoming and comfortable places that encourage social interaction. Drink your coffee standing, sit at the communal table, or samtalekøkken, or get a takeaway. Simple open sandwiches and sweet bakes are served too.

  • 27-29 Swallow Street, Mayfair 30A Pimlico Road, Chelsea/Belgravia 151 King's Road, Chelsea 82 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone 63A Ledbury Road, Notting Hill 9 Old Brompton Road, Kensington 70 Hampstead High Street, Hampstead 8 W Halkin St, Belgravia 29-32 Berners Street, Fitzrovia Borough Yards, Stoney St, Southwark Units 14 and 15, The Royal Exchange, The City/City of London 8 Leadenhall Market, The City/City of London 6 Brook Street, Mayfair 25 N Audley St, Mayfair 52 Hill St, Richmond Yy London, South Clnd, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 99 St John's Wood Terrace, Hampstead

Hej Roastery and Coffee House

Independent roastery and café

Originating from Sweden, Hej Coffee has a roastery and coffee house in Elephant and Castle. This is an inclusive space with a laid-back feel. Get a freshly-roasted coffee and treat yourself to a dessert like traditional apple cake or a cinnamon bun, or a savoury sandwich.

Nordic Bar

The place for a Scandi party

Scandi-themed Nordic Bar is a top destination for sport, cocktails, and a Nordic party. Beers and vodkas from Scandinavia are available here, plus accessible pub food. The menu also includes Swedish meatballs and pytt i panna meat and potato hash. Play beer pong and arcade games, watch live sport, and enjoy special offers throughout the week.

Kosmopol

Laid-back cocktail bar

Kosmopol does cocktails with a Swedish touch. This award-winning cocktail bar opened in 2002 and has an airy Scandinavian design. This smart space is Swedish-owned, with a laid-back bar area and buzzy downstairs club. Try the varied list of classic cocktails and enjoy a hot dog or toastie if you're peckish.

Scandinavian food – About the guide

Scandinavian food in London - Our guide to Scandinavian food and drink in London is updated regularly. If you know of a great Scandinavian restaurant in London that we haven't featured in our guide, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide Scandinavian food in London. Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

Send suggestion

Did we miss something in this guide?

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.