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The Nordics • Eat & drink • The 2025 hot list: the 33 best new restaurants in Scandinavia and the Nordics
Do you want to know where to eat and drink in Scandinavia and the Nordics, right now? Restaurant aficionados want to know what’s new, what’s popular and where their favourite chefs have settled – and with a slew of highly anticipated debuts across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, there are more places to explore than ever before. We maintain a current list of all new restaurants, bars and cafés that have opened in the last year, conveniently divided down month by month so you can see exactly when they opened. Here is the complete guide to the newest, best and buzziest restaurants, bars and cafés.
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Top photography courtesy of Misshumasshu
															14/10
Stockholm’s Stureplan might not exactly need another restaurant, but Sperling & Co makes a strong case. It’s the newest project from Stureplansgruppen – the group behind Nour, Ekstedt and Bank Hotel – and it plants its flag in a 17th-century quarter called Sperlingens Backe. The name is a nod to history, but the fire-driven menu is pure present tense. Running the grill is Michael Andersson, freshly crowned winner of Årets Kock 2024 – Sweden’s national chef championship and the country’s top culinary prize. Expect cuts you know and cuts you don’t, all kissed by open flame, with Old World wines to match. Designed by Dinell Johansson, the two-floor space glows with ash wood, leather and visual drama.
Photography courtesy of Sperling & Co
															19/9
Many a foodie — us included, since Agrikultur once delivered one of our most memorable meals — has been waiting for the sequel. It now plays out under Guldbron, the gleaming “Golden Bridge” at Slussen, Stockholm’s chaotic traffic hub where Södermalm brushes against Gamla stan, the medieval Old Town, and Lake Mälaren slides into the Baltic. Chef Filip Fastén, Årets Kock 2014 and the man who once bagged Agrikultur a Michelin star, ditches the star chase for a more familiar restaurant with pulse. Think à la carte built for sharing, mid-range prices, 85 seats and a room humming with energy.
Photography courtesy of Krog Agrikultur
															
															13/9
Village Bagels is where Stockholmers go when they want real New York-style bagels – dense, chewy, boiled, then baked – with toppings that don’t compromise. Their fillings span from savoury smoked salmon and cream cheese to sweet spreads like strawberry jam, so there’s flexibility whether you’re in breakfast or brunch mode. Their lox bagel, a nod to classic deli traditions, is our favourite, especially during the colder months when the warmth of freshly baked bread and delicious fillings offers comfort. The queues appear without notice – for good reason. Go just before opening or between brunch and lunch to avoid the crowd.
Photography courtesy of Village Bagels
															
															25/8
Photography courtesy of Purple and Tripletta
															10/6
Overlooking the glittering Baggensfjärden in Saltsjöbaden, Bistron & Köket is where Swedish‑French bistro flair collides with Scandi restraint. Designed by Stockholm studio Koncept, this newly opened restaurant at historic resort Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden is all about raw materials, folklore‑inspired textiles and mood‑setting acoustics. Expect a three‑zone layout: sea‑view veranda, buzzing bistro hall and velvet‑sofa Klubben corner for drinks and slow starts. Next door, Köket brings a domestic touch – open kitchen, window banquettes, even a living room nook. The food? Seasonal, local, equal parts butter and backbone. This isn’t just a hotel restaurant refresh. It’s a radical shift in how countryside dining should feel: layered, local and very now.
Photography courtesy of Bistron & köket
															
															27/5
Photography courtesy of Matateljén
															
															26/5
The converted warehouse space that is Pascal’s new roastery, is stripped down to the essentials. Raw brick, polished concrete and a focus so tight it’s almost surgical. It is clear that, to the small Café Pascal chain of coffee shops, focus lies 100% in making immaculate coffee. In their newest addition, Café Pascal Roastery, beans are roasted on-site and brewed with intent. Filter or espresso, the beans are single-origin and sourced with rigour – Pascal has always been about being precise. And this space doubles down. There’s no kitchen, no brunch theatrics. A sharp lineup of pastries and a handful of stools is all you get, and all you need. It’s not a café. It’s a temple to technique – Stockholm’s clearest expression of caffeine minimalism.
Photography courtesy of Café Pascal
															
															24/5
Not far from the city of Jönköping, Grimstorp Hagen is chef Fredrik Hartelius’s homecoming project, set on the family farm where he grew up. Opening summer 2025 in a beautifully reworked grain store, the restaurant serves a seasonal menu built around grass-fed beef from the farm’s own herds and vegetables grown by sister Lisa and nephew Sten. It’s a full family affair, with Hartelius’s partner Evelina Hedlund working alongside him in the dining room. Hartelius’s path has included stints at Ett Hem and Mathias Dahlgren, but here, the flavours stay local and honest. Guests wanting the true escape can even rent an apartment in the farm’s main house. Grimstorp Hagen is Sweden, right where it lives.
Photography courtesy of Grimstorp Hagen
															
															19/5
Tucked into Malmö’s revitalised Dockan district on Stora Varvsgatan, Varv is the all‑day eatery and bakery redefining waterfront dining. Open from dawn ’til late evening, it serves house‑baked croissants and artisanal breads alongside a daily-changing menu of modern European dishes – think gnocchi ragù, crispy squid with fries or cauliflower purée with seasonal salad. Helmed by seasoned chefs and restaurateurs from Michelin‑adjacent Vyn and Ruths/Bastard, the place channels industrial‑heritage charm with views across the dry‑dock. Whether you’re after a casual breakfast, a laid‑back lunch or a post‑work glass of wine in the sunny backyard garden, Varv offers both craft and comfort.
Photography courtesy of Varv
															9/5
Misshumasshu reclaims Stockholm’s historic Birger Jarlspassagen with Michelin-starred duo Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman. Architect Maja Bernvill’s rostrous palette of deep reds and natural textures folds New York energy into Tokyo edge, shaping a warm yet dynamic dining arena anchored by a showstopping central bar. The entire 800-square-metre passage has been restored by Yllw, and signature plates impress. Think chewy Korean tteokbokki ablaze with spice or buttery tuna tartare sparked by yuzu kosho. As day shifts to night, Misshumasshu’s spirited atmosphere encourages lingering over smoky yakitori and lively cocktails well into the evening.
Photography courtesy of Misshumasshu
															
															7/5
Shii doesn’t advertise its presence – you find it, or someone lets you in on the secret. Tucked behind an unmarked courtyard door on Fabianinkatu, it’s chef Nadim Nasser’s answer to Helsinki’s omakase fatigue. Stripped-back, intimate and a touch irreverent. The 11-course menu veers from pristine sashimi to left-field moves like shiokoji ice cream with caviar and pumpkin powder – bold, strange and brilliant. The room is all restraint with 15 counter seats, blonde wood, soft light. No theatrics. No ego. Just a sharp champagne and sake list, and Nadi talking you through every dish like you’re a guest at his kitchen table.
Photography courtesy of Shii
															2/5
Situated in the traffic hum of HC Andersen’s Boulevard, Ambassador Indian Dining brings a sharper edge to Copenhagen’s curry game. This sleek, dark-toned spot serves classic North Indian dishes with polish – butter chicken lands silky, chicken tikka is fire-kissed and tender and the vegan aloo matar holds its own. Co-run by brothers Aman and Ramanpreet Singh, the kitchen is rooted in family tradition but isn’t stuck in nostalgia. The space is moody but smart – textured walls, sculptural lighting, none of the usual kitsch. A welcome detour from smørrebrød fatigue, Ambassador manages to be both familiar and surprising, with enough heat and ambition to make it more than just another tikka joint.
Photography courtesy of Ambassador
															
															23/4
Epicurus – a welcome addition to Copenhagen’s high-concept dining scene – part supper club, part jazz salon, all precision. Conceived by jazz pianist Niels Lan Doky with partners from Geranium and Dragsholm Slot, it’s a stage for sensory indulgence. Chef Oliver Bergholt delivers Nordic-French plates that hit familiar notes with finesse – think truffle gougères, scallops in green apple sauce, grilled pigeon over mash. Downstairs, live jazz pulses beneath a Miles Davis painting, while cocktails – like the clarified milk punch with jasmine – are poured with the same polish as the piano solos. It’s not only theatre. It’s taste, texture and tone, in synch.
Photography courtesy of Emil Vendelbo Stegemejer and Epicurus
															
															23/4
Without fuss or fanfare Élan arrives in central Copenhagen with low-key confidence and a Mediterranean agenda. The menu swings from croque monsieur and steak tartare by day to richer, shareable dishes after dark. Think grilled squid, burrata, anchovy-dressed greens. Smørrebrød makes a cameo at lunch, but the vibe is more Marseille than Nyhavn. Interiors are clean, chalky and warm, with a courtyard that’s likely to be this summer’s hardest table. The wine list is unapologetically French, with over 20 by the glass and plenty of Burgundy muscle. No gimmicks, no overwrought plating – just good food, serious wine and a sense that Copenhagen might finally be relaxing a little.
Photography courtesy of Élan Restaurant
															15/4
Wulff & Konstali’s Vesterbro outpost doesn’t do brunch, but lets you build it. Pick five or seven dishes from a rotating menu of over 20 options: pecorino-laced scrambled eggs, sea buckthorn yoghurt, serrano focaccia or a cardamom bun that could pass for dessert. The space, designed by Studio David Thulstrup, is diner-meets-Scandi. Glazed blue tiles, lava stone tables and curved neon lighting make it feel more gallery than café. Store manager Niels Emil Løkkegaard keeps things humming, while the kitchen bakes through the night to stock the pastry case by morning. It’s casual, yes – but with a precision that makes even a cinnamon roll feel curated. Brunch runs daily and the locals know it’s best enjoyed slowly.
Photography courtesy of Wulff & Konstali
															15/4
No warehouse grit, no Meatpacking sprawl – Mother in the City trades steel for stone and settles into their second Ny Østergade location with quiet swagger. The sourdough still ferments with seawater, the oven still spits fire and the pizza – especially the Porcella with confit porcini and fennel sausage – still lands like a warm handshake. Interiors are moodier, more Milan than market hall, with deep green walls and sleek terrazzo. House wines pour from taps, brewed beers use leftover yeast and the lunch crowd mixes linen suits with bike messengers. It’s Mother grown up, but not grown old. Same crust, sharper tailoring. A soft power move in the heart of the city.
Photography courtesy of Mother
															
															3/4
Juno is where Fridhemsplan meets the Mediterranean – or at least feels like it. Opened by Brasseriegruppen and led by restaurateur Marco Campos, this warm, detail-driven bistro channels coastal Europe without falling into cliché. The menu leans into bold, sun-soaked flavours: whipped ricotta with pistachio pesto, charred pulpo with sobrasada and pimentón, or paella layered with grilled shrimp and octopus. From the bar, negroni-marinated olives and a Kalamata-laced spicy margarita keep things playful. The space moves easily from casual to celebratory – just as suited to a lingering weeknight dinner as it is to a late weekend lunch. Like its namesake dessert, the Juno Mess, it’s a little decadent, a little unexpected and surprisingly hard to forget.
Photography courtesy of Juno
															
															28/3
Photography courtesy of Miss Miso
															26/3
Framfickan isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel – just make it sharper, better seasoned and timed to your pre-show appetite. Tucked into the newly revived Maxim on Karlaplan, this compact bistro from Tim Alton and Andrew Jones (the duo behind Bistro Barbro) delivers Asian-inspired small plates with a Scandinavian pulse. The menu reads like a greatest hits of umami and crunch: kimchi toast on levain, hand-cut beef tartare with jalapeño and fried capers, fried chicken crusted in cornflakes and Korean chili. Come for a snack and a glass or stay for the whole run. Either way, Framfickan nails the mood – casual, precise and just loud enough to feel alive.
Photography courtesy of Framfickan
															
															23/3
Photography courtesy of Abigail
															
															20/3
Pontus Frithiof at Bro Hof transforms the grand Bro Hof Slott into a year-round culinary and event destination. Chef Frithiof’s signature style – elegant yet approachable – shines through a menu rooted in Swedish flavours with global accents, crafted from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant will also serve as a summer outpost for his acclaimed La Tour, bringing fine dining to the castle’s lush grounds. Wine director Mario E. Moroni curates a cellar that balances Old World classics with bold New World selections.
Photography courtesy of Pontus Fritihiof at Bro Hof
															7/3
In the heart of Frederiksberg on Allé, Rørt Frederiksberg reimagines smørrebrød as a fresh veggie‑first experience. Forget stodgy open‑faced sandwiches – this is organic rye topped with truffle‑egg cauliflower, Greenlandic‑prawn salad or plant‑based potato mash on rye baked by Svaneke, freshly toasted to order. With a youthful, informal vibe, it’s the kind of upbeat café that turns a quick snack into a design‑minded ritual. Whether you’re grabbing a convenient combo or savouring singular bites, Rørt delivers craft, conscience and a playful twist on Danish tradition – ideal for Nordic travellers seeking both authenticity and innovation.
Photography courtesy of Rørt Frederiksberg
															
															4/3
At first glance, Ponti could pass for just another polished newcomer near Nytorget – but that would miss the point entirely. This Italian-American bistro from the French Express group (Schmaltz, Tengu and Babette) trades nostalgia for attitude, pulling more from L.A. than Liguria. The menu plays it straight – crudo with tomato and lovage, confit duck with pancetta and pearl onions – but with just enough swagger to keep things interesting. The pizzas are sharp-edged and well-balanced (see: ’nduja, gorgonzola, fennel and honey), the zeppole land exactly where you want them, and the small bar begs for a negroni before or after.
Photography courtesy of Ponti
															
															23/2
Matsalen, the fine dining establishment within recently opened Stockholm Stadshotell, offers a culinary experience led by Executive Chef Olle T. Cellton. Matsalen presents a daily changing menu focused on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The interior design, by Ateljé Nord, Saga Arkitektur & Design and Studio Escapist, reflects the building’s 19th-century heritage while incorporating contemporary elegance. Original architectural details are preserved, complemented by bespoke furnishings and a muted colour palette that enhances the dining atmosphere
Photography courtesy of Stockholm stadshotell
															
															22/2
It’s a bit of a trek – Ålstensgatan isn’t exactly central – but that’s part of Ygbergs charm. Set in a quiet corner of Bromma, this modern neighbourhood bistro brings together the right mix of casual and ambitious. Sofia Gustafson (ex-PS Matsal), together with Fabian Cervin and Sebastian Johannisson, wanted a place locals could eat at every night. The result: a menu that’s classic without being dull, with seasonal sourcing, a rotating daily special and dishes like fried quail legs, handmade meatballs and the soon-to-be-signature Biff Ygberg. Architect Mattias Pontén handled the warm, pared-back interiors. Come for a Sunday roast with the family – or just drop in for a glass and a snack. The door is, quite literally, always open.
Photography courtesy of Ygbergs
															
															7/2
Set in the historic Clas på Hörnet hotel, Bastardo isn’t your typical trattoria. The name nods to its origins – three Swedes reworking Italian food their own way – and that irreverence runs through the menu. Here, rigatoni amatriciana comes with house-made guanciale, and gnocchi are tossed with spruce tips and browned butter. It’s indulgent, offbeat and surprisingly refined. Jesper Skemark, Daniel Gunneriusson and Joakim Mering Andersson are behind it all, balancing serious cooking with a wink. Plates are built to share, the pastas hold their own, and the desserts – like laurel ice cream with apple and almond cake – are reason enough to come. Call it a mutt if you want. We call it delicious.
Photography courtesy of Bastardo
															
															6/2
Photography courtesy of Akmē
															
															2/2
Kersh has brought new life to an old tobacco shop on Götgatan, turning it into a café where the focus is firmly on the essentials – good coffee, thoughtful food and a space that feels lived-in from day one. Behind it are Aadel Kersh and Storken, both familiar names in Södermalm. The menu leans into mellanmål – Sweden’s in-between meals – offering satisfying bites that suit both slow mornings and late afternoons. There’s no fanfare, just filter coffee brewed with care and a warm room designed for reading, talking or sitting still. It’s a café that doesn’t ask much, and gives plenty.
Photography courtesy of Kersch
															20/1
Photography courtesy of Fabriken by Pontus Frithiof
															16/1
One of the most exciting openings on Stockholm’s bar scene this year – and it’s not even trying hard. Bar Othilia, Operakällaren’s velvet-gloved spin-off, is where elegance shrugs off the rules. The team from A Bar Called Gemma is behind the bar, with award-winning mixologist Johan Evers leading the charge. Cocktails are sharp and understated, like the namesake Othilia – a bright, sour and refreshing mix of Thomas Dakin Gin, Pisco Waqar, Sauvignon Blanc, green tea and gooseberry. Just a handful of tables, most walk-ins, and no reservation needed. Add wines from Nobiskällaren’s cellar and guest appearances by top international bartenders, and you’ve got Stockholm’s most assured new night spot.
Photography courtesy of Bar Othilia
9/1
Flor Matbar gets away with more than most places would dare – oysters in XO sauce, passionfruit on octopus carpaccio, a hamachi ceviche that arrives laced with mango and hot sauce. It shouldn’t work, but it does. It’s equal parts bar, bistro and living room, with a menu that wanders freely across borders without asking permission. Come alone and eat at the bar, or bring someone and order too much – Kalix roe, lamb loin, cod in lobster velouté. The wine list leans easy-drinking, the lighting flatters everyone, and the vibe says: stay. Not polished, just exactly what you want on a Wednesday night.
Photography courtesy of Flor Matbar
															
															7/1
Inside the DN-skrapan – Stockholm’s iconic high-rise built in the 1960s to house Dagens Nyheter, Sweden’s largest daily newspaper – Typ brings new life to a space once filled with headlines and printing presses. Now part restaurant, part canteen, part deli, it caters to everything from early breakfasts to private evening events. Mornings start with coffee and warm pastries from the deli, while lunch sees a steady stream of guests choosing between the daily specials or à la carte plates like raw beef with chili vinaigrette or trout with beurre blanc and roe. By night, the mood shifts – dinners, tastings, even culinary pentathlons. A place built for news now makes room for something tastier.
Photography courtesy of Typ
															7/1
After a decade on Bryggargatan, Bistro Bestick has crossed the bridge – literally – to open its second location in Gamla Stan. Set on Skeppsbron with views of the water and the old city’s winding streets, this family-run spot balances the warmth of a neighbourhood bistro with the precision of fine dining. Chef Björn Fischer, formerly of Stadshuskällaren, keeps the menu grounded in Swedish classics – hand-rolled meatballs with pressed cucumber, dry-aged sirloin with bone marrow crust – while weaving in modern touches like trout tartare with shiso emulsion or thyme-roasted chicken with black cabbage and parmesan. The room is calm, the staff confident, and the feeling? Like you’ve always had a table here.
Photography courtesy of Bistro Bestick
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