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Five Nordic Stops in London’s Food Scene
London’s Nordic-leaning places are few, but they feel purposeful, with clear flavors and a strong sense of atmosphere. Here are five addresses that do it in different ways—from a wood-fire fine-dining experience near Westminster to a Putney shop that serves food in a homely setting.
Ekstedt at The Yard
Celebrated Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt’s dining room at Great Scotland Yard Hotel suits anyone who likes food shaped by smoke, embers, and careful control of heat. The open kitchen showcases the skill and precision behind every dish, and seasonal British produce is handled through a Scandinavian lens, with flavor built through caramelization, clean acidity, and precise seasoning. Expect dishes such as flambadou oyster with beurre blanc, ember-grilled turbot with Jerusalem artichoke and seaweed, and hay-smoked pork with quince plus fermented celery and cucumber.
Blåbär
Blåbär in Putney has the feel of stepping into someone’s Scandinavian home. Across two floors, Nordic brands sit alongside pieces designed under the Blåbär name, from homeware and candles to gifts and small accessories that reward a slow browse. It evokes a cozy living-room atmosphere, with staff and a soundtrack that reflect a distinctly Nordic vibe. Food is part of the visit, from open-top sandwiches topped with Norwegian cured salmon, gravlax sauce, and dill to a toastie made with delightfully tangy Swedish Västerbotten cheese.
KöD London
The steakhouse format at KöD London is clean and efficient. In Danish, “kød” translates as “meat”, and the menu stays focused on grilled steaks, complemented by sides, sauces, and a drinks list that fits the brief. Expect cuts brushed with rosemary and garlic butter, served with carrot purée, then finished with sauces such as béarnaise, Madagascar pepper, or port glaze. There are two London sites: Devonshire Square by Liverpool Street and St Anne’s Court off Dean Street. The first address is suitable for business dinners; the one in Soho works well for a later West End booking.
Dauns
Dauns in Shoreditch, created by Swede Rickard Daun, has the ease of a daytime bistro and the pull of an evening stop. The vegan menu plays with Scandinavian-adjacent classics, including “Skagen” Tofish and Swedish varmkorv, plus a flatbread “quesadilla” filled with meatballs, cheese sauce, chilli, onions, and mustard. The bar side is integral, with Nordic beers, aquavit, and cocktails, and truly comes alive after dark.
ARKET Café
ARKET Café translates the brand’s Nordic design world into something edible, a compact and calm space for hearty plates, baked goods, and coffee just off Regent Street. The menus are created by chef Martin Berg, an early advocate of the New Nordic food movement, and the cooking follows its core ideas, with classic Nordic methods reworked for a modern context and clean flavors kept sharply defined. The result is vegetarian, with seasonal dishes joined by limited-edition pastry drops and house-made drinks.
