Skål Skål

Where to eat Scandinavian food in London

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.

In this guide
  1. The best Scandinavian food in London
    1. Svenska Kyrkan i London – Café where everyone is welcome
    2. Ole & Steen – Popular Danish bakery
    3. Arket – Modern Swedish market and café
    4. Blåbär – Celebrating Scandinavian lifestyle
    5. Kosmopol – Laid-back cocktail bar
    6. Söderberg – Swedish café from Scotland
    7. The Harcourt – England meets Finland meets Sweden
    8. Scandinavian Kitchen – Try a Nordic lunch
    9. Curious Yellow Kafe – Colourful Swedish eatery
    10. Mikkeller Bar & Mikkeller Brewpub – Hip Danish brewery
    11. Hjem – Artisan and organic
    12. Garlic & Shots – Atmospheric bar for garlic fans
    13. Skål – Sophisticated Northern European dining
    14. Fabrique – Artisan Scandi bakes
    15. Ekstedt at The Yard – London home for superstar chef
    16. Dauns – Plant-based Scandinavian favourites
    17. Bageriet – Enjoy classic Swedish baking
    18. TotallySwedish – Stock up on Swedish groceries
    19. Ekte Nordic Kitchen – A genuine taste of Scandinavia
    20. Hagen Espresso Bar – Danish coffee culture
    21. 26 Grains – Get that hygge feeling
    22. Hej Coffee – Independent roastery and cafés
    23. White Pine – Lifestyle store and café
    24. Nordic Bar – The place for a Scandi party
    25. Studio Frantzén – Food by one of the world's best chefs
    26. Köd – Steak a la Denmark

The best Scandinavian food in London

Svenska Kyrkan i London

Café where everyone is welcome

Svenska Kyrkan, the Swedish Church in London, is a Swedish-speaking Lutheran church that has its own café and shop. You don't have to be religious to visit - anyone with an interest in Sweden is welcome to stop by. Come for fika with cinnamon rolls, board games, coffee, and books.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt
The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt
The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt
The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt
The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt
The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt
The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt
The Harcourt – Scandinavian food
The Harcourt

The Harcourt

England meets Finland meets Sweden

The Harcourt brings together an English pub, a Finnish chef, and a Swedish mixologist. Whilst it might look like your typical pub, the spaces showcase Nordic design and the menu is modern and international with a distinct Scandinavian influence. You'll find plenty of seafood here, plus venison with potatoes, meatballs, and falafel.

Scandinavian Kitchen

Try a Nordic lunch

For a fresh take on a lunchtime staple, try out an open sandwich at Scandinavian Kitchen 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 Kafe

Colourful Swedish eatery

Swedish eatery Curious Yellow Kafe 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.

Hip Danish brewery

Get a taste for Danish beer at Mikkeller's two London venues in Shoreditch and Islington. Both spaces are cool spots with indoor and outdoor seating. The beers on tap change regularly, showcasing Mikkeller's beers as well as products from other breweries. These are cosy and buzzy spots for a refreshing drink.

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.

Garlic & Shots

Atmospheric bar for garlic fans

Swedish export Garlic & Shots does what it says on the tin. This gothic and dimly-lit bar and restaurant has 101 shots and a food menu of garlic-packed dishes. Think international options like tacos, pasta, and steak. The cocktails and shots are varied, with fruity, spicy, and garlicky flavours available.

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 gravad lax or kroppkakor dumplings, followed by venison meatballs or fish dishes. There are cocktails with a Nordic twist too.

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.

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.

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.

Stock up on Swedish groceries

Stock up on all your favourite Swedish groceries and treats at TotallySwedish. This business was started by a Swedish ex-pat. Everything you might want is here from meats, cheeses, and deli items to Scandinavian alcohol, sweets and snacks, and cupboard staples. You'll also find Scandinavian-designed home and lifestyle products in the store.

Ekte Nordic Kitchen

A genuine taste of Scandinavia

Ekte Nordic Kitchen has a name that means real or genuine in Norwegian. As the name suggests, this modern restaurant gives diners an authentic taste of Scandinavian food. The varied menu is seasonal, with choices like Danish open sandwiches and meatballs with mashed potato and lingonberries. You can also try aquavit and schnapps.

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.

26 Grains

Get that hygge feeling

Inspired by Danish culture, 26 Grains brings hygge to London. This contemporary and cosy spot serves breakfast all day with options like porridge, smoked salmon, or sourdough topped with ragu. You can opt for sandwiches and hot food too, but anything you eat here is intended to make you feel warm and fuzzy.

Independent roastery and cafés

Originating from Sweden, Hej Coffee has a roastery and coffee house in Elephant and Castle as well as another café in Bermondsey. These are inclusive spaces 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.

Lifestyle store and café

Get a bit of Scandi lifestyle for yourself at White Pine. These are modern stores offering shoppers Nordic homeware, books, gifts, and health and beauty products. Everything is sustainable and eco-friendly. Each store also has a plant-based café where you can indulge in fresh coffee and Nordic-inspired snacks.

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.

Studio Frantzén

Food by one of the world's best chefs

Acclaimed Swedish chef Björn Frantzén expands his trademark Scandinavia-meets-Asia cuisine that has landed his three Michelin-starred Stockholm flagship on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list to London. His restaurant at the famed department store is located in a custom-built space that includes Harrods' first rooftop terrace. The menu includes his signature dishes as well as twists on British classics, such as sticky toffee pudding with miso caramel, bourbon, sesame ice cream and candied pecans.

Köd

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.

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