Your guide to the 6 best Scandinavian bars and restaurants in New York City

As one of the world's culinary capitals, it’s no surprise that New York City boasts some of the best Scandinavian bars and restaurants outside of the region itself. From New Nordic tasting menus to casual comfort food, there is something Scandi for every diner in the city. Throw in a few Nordic-inspired cocktails and some customarily beautiful interior design, and you’ve got a perfect evening to delight your Scandinavian palette. These bars and restaurants indulge in old classics while pushing the boundaries of the cuisine, ensuring that you’ll leave as impressed as you are sated.

New on the scene as of this summer, Kabin is a bar and kitchen founded by Alex Tangen that is committed to bringing Norwegian flavours to New York’s bar scene. The cocktail offerings are mouthwatering, and with a great selection of non-alcoholic options, everyone can enjoy their night out. With interior architecture by Jeanette Didon (whose previous work includes Aska, also on this list), the cabin and sauna-inspired design perfectly complements an evening of bubbly concoctions and oysters.

300 Spring St, New York, NY

Led by renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, Hav & Mar serves a range of Swedish and Ethiopian fusion cuisine. After an inventive cocktail at the bar, make your way through Samuelsson and Executive Chef Fariyal Abdullahi’s primarily pescetarian menu. The blue cornbread with togarashi and blue masa serves as a warm welcome to Samuelsson’s ethos, and the ‘Swediopian’ berbere-cured salmon is a delicious mission statement for this take on fusion dining. When it comes to an entrée, you can’t go wrong with the Havatini 2.0. The al dente campanelle is a perfect vehicle for crab, shrimp, and uni butter. No matter your selection, you really can’t go wrong with flavours like these.

245 11th Ave, New York, NY

Founded by two Danes wanting to bring Nordic-inspired food to New York, Smør features both a restaurant and a bakery. Open all day, breakfast options like smoked salmon toast and morning buns are sure to get your day off to a good start. Lunchtime options include Danish favourites like classic hot dogs and smørrebrød, while brunch at Smør is the perfect time for crepe-style Danish pancakes. The dinner menu stays in cosy, familiar territory, with salmon and potatoes, Swedish meatballs, and chicken schnitzel its stars.

441 E 12th St, New York, NY

Boasting two Michelin stars, Aquavit is famed for a reason. Now helmed by Executive Chef Emma Bengtsson, Aquavit was founded in 1987 and has been a pioneer in bringing Nordic cuisine to the States. While the restaurant is best known for its tasting menu (concluding with its famed Arctic Bird’s Nest dessert), a more accessible option is the Bar Room, which has dishes from the tasting menu available à la carte. No matter your choice, Aquavit’s menus offer up delectable seasonal dishes that draw on Scandinavian tradition while remaining at the forefront of fine dining exploration.

65 E 55th St, New York, NY

Located in Scandinavia House, a cultural and community centre in Manhattan, Björk Café & Bistro will hit the spot for Scandi patrons and curious, non-Scandi visitors alike. Savoury potato waffles with a range of toppings and a variety of smörrebröd are great quick bites at lunchtime. Dinner fare is similarly classic, with a herring plate, toast skagen, and gravlax all on the menu. Of course, the perennial favourite is the Swedish meatballs, which are made from your choice of beef, chicken, fish, or plant-based meat.

58 Park Ave, New York, NY

Last but certainly not least, Aska brings Scandinavian cuisine to Brooklyn, with two Michelin stars cementing its status. Swedish chef Fredrik Berselius opened Aska in 2012 and has presented breathtaking dishes ever since. With a 12 to 14-course tasting menu, Aska (beautifully) plates up seasonal, local ingredients with a lean towards luxury. Venison, lobster, and roe have found their place on the menu in the past (the restaurant does not publicize current menus); just a peek into the culinary storytelling Aska does so well.

47 S 5th St, Brooklyn, NY