With the summer sun never setting and our latest restaurant selection recently announced, now is the perfect time to visit the Nordic Countries. If you’re thinking of making a summer trip to Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) or surrounding countries like Finland and Iceland, then chances are you’re one of two types of traveler: the budget-conscious city-breaker, or the full-on foodie who wants the best experiences possible. Fortunately, this region has the answer for both.
The Nordic Countries are perhaps best known for their boundary-pushing high-end restaurants, places that hold multiple MICHELIN Stars and offer lengthy tasting menus packed with experimentation. But these experiences are not for everyone, and some travelers want to avoid the area’s notoriously high prices. Luckily our Inspectors have also scouted out some affordable options — quick, authentic and accessible spots you can weave into your sightseeing itinerary.
Here, we guide you through eight different city break destinations across all five countries, recommending a relaxed, wallet-friendly eatery and a full-on gastronomic experience for each city.
Colourful houses in Copenhagen, the gastronomic leader of the Nordic region. © Viacheslav Chernobrovin/iStock
Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark is the undoubted gastronomic leader in the region, and Copenhagen is its food-loving epicenter. Home to all of the country’s Three-Star restaurants and the majority of its Bib Gourmands, the capital is the ultimate destination for both styles of foodie trip sitting side by side.
The highly immersive dining room at Alchemist in Copenhagen. © Claus Bech Poulsen
Alchemist: An Otherworldly Experience
If you’ve come to the Nordics for boundary-pushing culinary innovation, this is as good as it gets. There is simply nowhere else like Alchemist, a six-hour-plus experience where you dine in multiple locations and eat fantastical creations such as a replica eyeball modeled on Chef Rasmus Munk’s own iris.démodé: Denmark’s Little Slice of France
Proving that not all Copenhagen restaurants are off-the-wall adventures, démodé keeps things simple. Its classic French dishes are cooked with heart and soul, swapping intricate delicacy for generous portions and big flavors. It’s also great value, having just been awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand.Aarhus, Denmark
Copenhagen may steal the spotlight in Denmark, but Aarhus still offers an enticing snapshot of the nation’s trademark culinary magic. The dashes of invention, the love of pickling and preserving, the elegant minimalism — they can all be found right here.
Just one of the many outstanding dishes at Two-MICHELIN-Star Frederikshøj in Aarhus. © Esther Lock-Hansen
Frederikshøj: Classics Reinvented With a Flourish
Aarhus’ best restaurant, holding Two MICHELIN Stars, is a masterclass in how to add a modern, personal spin to traditional recipes. Just look at their take on lobster à l'Américaine with veal sweetbreads: outstanding Danish produce with its natural flavors enhanced by superbly judged accompaniments.Restaurant ET: Everyday Eats of Premium Quality
With its extensive à la carte menu and prime location near Aarhus Harbor and the shopping district, Restaurant ET can easily be slotted into your day’s itinerary. Accessible, everyday dishes are skillfully executed, well-priced and hugely satisfying. Go for the classic fish soup with croutons and gruyère.
Sunset in Helsinki, one of the Nordic cities most focused local ingredients. © Subodh Agnihotri/iStock
Helsinki, Finland
Finland's capital is emblematic of the country's local approach to gastronomy. Finnish ingredients are the bedrock of the cooking, with low waste high on the agenda too. Here, food isn't just delicious, but it has a conscience too.
Monkfish topped with caviar from the brilliantly located Palace in Helsinki. © Tuukka Koski
Palace: Views to Take Your Breath Away
Restaurants like Palace were made for special occasions. Nestled on the top floor of a striking harborside building, its views over the water are ideal for a long romantic evening (be sure to ask for a seat near the window). The cooking is a match for the setting, with Japanese influences brought to Finnish ingredients with real panache.Nolla: No Waste, No Fuss
Palace may be Helsinki’s ultimate in luxury, but Nolla is the kind of place you could eat every day. Its hearty dishes are generous in both size and flavor while embracing a zero-waste mindset. There’s a relaxed vibe and it’s likely to be full of locals, so expect an energizing buzz to the atmosphere.
The Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, the city where you'll many of Iceland's best restaurants. © murat4art/iStock
Reykjavík, Iceland
As in Finland, Iceland’s chefs are always aware of their impact on the natural world, resulting in restaurants that utilize ingredients from their stunning surroundings. A sparsely populated place, most of its restaurants are in the capital of Reykjavík.
One of the memory-evoking Icelandic dishes from ÓX in Reykjavík. © Sigurjon
ÓX: An Immersive Experience to Remember
Those who like their meals to feel like an event will be right at home in this quirky, theatrical spot styled on the homes of the chef’s grandmothers. Pared-back, naturally delicious dishes are served at a communal table and aim to evoke memories of Icelandic home kitchens. Tip: look for the brass lion-shaped doorbell to enter.Hosiló: Simple Pleasures From a Trio of Friends
There are far fewer theatrics at Hosiló. This locally popular spot has the feel of a neighborhood bistro, where the food and the food alone is the focus. Local market produce guides the menu, so expect the likes of fresh fish of the day, cooked with precision to show off all its natural flavor.
A boat ride in Oslo, where restaurants make the most of brilliant Norwegian seafood. © anouchka/iStock
Oslo, Norway
As the linchpin of the Norwegian food scene, Oslo is a shining example of the country’s produce-driven approach. Known for its outstanding seafood from icy waters, Norway is home to kitchens that always put ingredient quality first.
A prime langoustine dish from Three-MICHELIN-Starred Maaemo in Oslo. © Esben Holmboe Bang
Maaemo: Theatricality at its Best
For the most ardent food lovers, visiting a Three-MICHELIN-Star restaurant is a bucket-list experience — which makes Maaemo top of the list in Oslo. Long and lavish, the tasting menu here is a sensory wonderland. Make sure you keep an eye on the open kitchen so you can witness the chefs’ mastery of their craft.The Little Pickle: Bistro Vibes and British Classics
It’s an unusual combination to find in Oslo, but The Little Pickle offers a delightful fusion of the relaxed style of a French bistro with traditional British culinary influences. By day it’s a bakery and café, ideal for a speedy stop; on Sundays, you can enjoy a classic, unpretentious British roast dinner, with the options changing every week.Trondheim, Norway
Norway’s fourth-largest city offers the same passion for premium seafood as Oslo while providing a great base for exploring the central and northern regions. Elsewhere in Norway, look out for restaurants in extraordinary locations, such as Iris and Under.
A truly beautiful dish from Speilsalen in Trondheim, showing off the chefs' craft and precision. © Tom Haga
Speilsalen: A Formal Touch to Make You Feel Special
Travelers often look for a relaxed atmosphere these days, but sometimes formality can make your meal feel more exciting and exclusive. You’ll find that here, where the dining room has an eye-catching opulence; think chandeliers, murals and a caviar bar. Top-shelf seafood is the backbone of the sumptuous menu.FAGN-Bistro: Minimal Frills, Maximum Flavor
Located underneath the more formal MICHELIN-Starred FAGN, the relaxed and rustic FAGN-Bistro is a shining example of Trondheim’s varied dining options. The cooking here utilizes the same high-quality produce as its parent restaurant in dishes that pack in plenty of intense, punchy flavors.
The Swedish capital of Stockholm, where the dining scene is more understated. © Martin Wahlborg/iStock
Stockholm, Sweden
If Denmark has the showiest Scandinavian restaurants, Sweden is its natural contrast. Its balanced dining scene provides ample quality and something for everyone while eschewing the pyrotechnics and eye-catching locations of its neighbors.
ÄRLA, a relaxed neighborhood restaurant offering affordable dining in Stockholm. © Joel Watz
Frantzén: Five Hours Will Fly By
Another member of the Three-Star club, Björn Frantzén’s flagship is outstanding in every conceivable way. The townhouse setting has a unique charm, the team ensures the lengthy menu unfolds with balletic precision and the produce is some of the best in the world. The signature chawanmushi (a savory Japanese egg custard) with pork broth and caviar is a work of art.ÄRLA: An Authentic Local Haunt
Five-hour lunches are not always what you want, especially when there’s sightseeing to do. For a more itinerary-friendly meal, head to newly crowned Bib Gourmand ÄRLA. A proper neighborhood spot in Östermalm, you’ll feel like a local while you enjoy the no-nonsense, big-flavor dishes. Go for the Kvällens Fyra Favoriter (“Favorites of the Night”) menu.Malmö, Sweden
As in Stockholm, Malmö has an understated dining scene focused on low-key quality and warm hospitality. With four Bib Gourmands in a small area, Malmö is also a great place to find affordable Scandinavian dining.
An autumnal, finely crafted dessert from Vollmers in Malmö. © david back
Vollmers: Simply the City’s Best Restaurant
As Malmö’s only MICHELIN-Starred restaurant, Vollmers is undoubtedly the city’s must-visit spot for food lovers. It has a proudly Swedish feel, with elegant Nordic minimalism that keeps the focus on the food, while the surprise tasting menu is rooted in traditional recipes and family memories. Playful dish names add to the sense of occasion.Västergatan: A Set Menu Without Breaking the Bank
It’s not the cheapest of our everyday selections, but Västergatan is still great value, with its generous four-course set menu showing off top ingredients cooked with skill. Run by a friendly couple in welcoming, cozy surroundings, it’s no surprise the place is so loved by the locals.Related Reads:
PAZ: An Inspector’s Visit to the Faroe Islands’ Two-Star Masterclass
One-of-a-Kind Hotels You Will Only Find in the Nordic Countries
2 Days in: Copenhagen / Helsinki / Oslo / Reykjavík / Stockholm
Hero Image: © Sonja Bajic / The MICHELIN Guide
