Dauns

Dauns is the first fully plant-based Scandinavian café in the country, offering an array of comforting vegan treats from Scandinavia in a welcoming modern setting that feels like home away from home.

After moving to London and switching to a vegan diet, self-taught Swedish chef Rickard Daun channelled his lifelong passion for cooking into Dauns, starting out small at first with market pop-ups and supper clubs. Today, Dauns is a Spitalfields fixture, a cosy contemporary café filled with light and featuring a playful take on Scandi minimalist aesthetics.

The menu at Dauns features plant-based versions of familiar Scandinavian favourites – classic open sandwiches on rye bread, Swedish hot dogs made with seitan sausage, and even meatballs with fluffy mash. A concise wine list, Nordic beers, aquavit spirits, and other typical drinks are available to go with the food, while those looking to enjoy a traditional fika can load up on vegan cinnamon buns and freshly brewed speciality coffee.

In addition to the main café offering, Dauns is also a deli that stocks a varied assortment of products from the old country, ranging from gourmet delicacies to classic treats that Scandi expats will recall fondly. Dauns can also provide catering for different events – weddings, festivals, photo shoots, and more, with chef Rickard helping make sure everything runs smoothly.

Daniel Sheppard