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The Nordics

The Nordic hot list
January 2025

What we’re loving in January 2025 (and you will too)

Stay informed and stay inspired! The Nordic hot list is your monthly dossier of what’s shaping the cultural and creative landscape across the Nordics. From smart new openings and design-forward projects to events worth pencilling into your diary, we spotlight the ideas and initiatives that matter. Whether you’re a local with a keen eye on your surroundings or a traveller seeking authentic inspiration, this is your curated guide to the things that are getting our attention (and deserve your’s, too). 

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Top photography courtesy of Stockholm Stadshotell

Stockholm Stadshotell Stockholm Sweden hotel review
Stockholm Stadshotell Stockholm Sweden hotel review

01

Stockholm Stadshotell: a hotel with international clout

This landmark reinvention in Södermalm brings together some of the most influential names in hospitality. Johan Agrell, Jon Lacotte and Dan Källström – behind Stockholm favourites like Café Nizza and Babette – join forces with Fredrik Carlström of Alma and Ian Nicholson, known for his work at Mercer Hotel, Chiltern Firehouse and Chateau Marmont. With 32 uniquely designed rooms, a bistro by Olle T. Cellton and a bar led by Andrés Basile, Stockholm Stadshotell is a bustling hub of creativity. We stopped by for lunch and loved the beef tartare and the radicchio, mozzarella and anchovy salad. A courtyard garden, guest lounge and historic charm make this a an unusual destination in this part of the city destination in the heart of the city.

Stockholm Stadshotell
Björngårdsgatan 23
Stockholm
Sweden

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Photography courtesy of Stockholm Stadshotell

Levantin Copenhagen Denmark restaurant review
Levantin Copenhagen Denmark restaurant review

02

Levantin: bold Levantine flavours in Copenhagen

Levantin is on this month’s hot list for redefining Levantine cuisine in Copenhagen’s Little Paris. Co-founded by Thomas Fabricius-Bachmann and designed by All That Matters, this bistro combines minimalist Bauhaus-inspired interiors with a welcoming atmosphere and sharing plates that celebrate seasonal produce. The tasting menu, featuring dishes like lamb tartare and grilled blue oyster mushrooms, showcases the kitchen’s creativity and focus on fresh ingredients. Complemented by Levantine-inspired cocktails and natural wines, it’s a dining experience full of character. For a closer look at what makes Levantin so special, read our full review.

Levantin
Værnedamsvej 2
Copenhagen
Denmark

Photography courtesy of Levantin

03

Örum Bageri: Malmö’s new bakery star

After building a loyal following (us included) at Örum 119 in the southeastern Swedish region of Österlen, the team behind this beloved bakery has expanded to Malmö, bringing their signature craft to a new audience. We were blown away by the buttery, perfectly laminated croissants – especially the kimchi swirl, which balanced sweetness, tang and richness. The bergamot tart with Italian meringue was another favourite, alongside the yoghurt with house-made granola. Exceptional coffee and bold juice options, like the green juice with jalapeños, round out the experience. With its light-filled, Scandinavian-inspired interior and uncompromising attention to detail, Örum Bageri is already a must-visit for Malmö’s pastry lovers.

Örum Bageri
Citadellsvägen 23
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Örum Bageri

Sjøbua Ålesund Møre og Romsdal Norway restaurant reivew
Sjøbua Ålesund Møre og Romsdal Norway restaurant reivew

04

Ondrej Taldik at Sjøbua: a young chef redefining Norwegian seafood

A name to watch, Ondrej Taldik has taken the helm as Head Chef at Sjøbua, the seafood bistro located in Ålesund’s Hotel Brosundet. Set in the heart of Norway’s Art Nouveau capital, the hotel and its restaurant honours the coastal city’s deep connection to the sea. At just 26, Taldik brings experience from top Nordic kitchens like Copenhagen’s Restaurant 108 and Credo in Trondheim. His ingredient-driven menu includes dishes like dry-aged Sterling halibut with beurre blanc and grayling roe and reindeer tartare with lingonberry and bone marrow.

Sjøbua
Brunholmgata 1
Ålesund
Norway

Photography courtesy of Sjøbua
Toteme Copenhagen Denmark store review

05

Toteme: understated elegance lands in Copenhagen

Toteme has opened its first standalone boutique in Copenhagen, marking a new chapter for the Stockholm-based womenswear brand renowned for its understated silhouettes and Nordic refinement. Located on the ground floor of the historic Egmont Building, a striking example of 1930s Nordic Classicism, the boutique integrates the building’s architectural grandeur with Toteme’s modern aesthetic in an unusual way. Designed by Swedish architecture studio Halleroed, the space features travertine display tables, Josef Frank armchairs from Svenskt Tenn and a bronze figurine by Gerhard Henning,. With a full range of apparel, accessories and more, Toteme’s arrival cements Copenhagen’s position as a hub for Scandinavian fashion.

Toteme
Vognmagergade 7
Copenhagen
Denmark

Photography courtesy of Toteme
Balue Stockholm Sweden coffee bar review
Balue Stockholm Sweden coffee bar review

06

Balue: Stockholm’s artsy new coffee and tea haven

Walking into Balue feels more like entering an art gallery than a traditional café. With its rudimentary furniture pieces and a coffee bar built from layered bricks, the design is raw yet intentional, creating a space that feels both calming and thought-provoking. Founded by David You, formerly of the Lichen family in New York – a collective known for blending modern furniture, art and lifestyle concepts – Balue brings the same curated sensibility to the Södermalm neighbourhood. The menu features espresso classics alongside a standout hōjicha latte (a lovely Japanese roasted green tea with creamy, nutty and smoky notes). Pair it with a matcha raspberry scone or a buttery black sesame pound cake.

Balue
Nackagatan 3
Stockholm
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Balue

07

The Jeweller at Cadierbaren: craftsmanship in every sip

At a recent visit to Cadierbaren, we were struck by The Jeweller, a cocktail that’s as elegant as it is intriguing. Part of the new Craftsmanship signature cocktail menu, it combines clarified tomato water, lemon verbena and champagne for a fresh, layered flavour. Finished with edible gold leaf, it’s a drink that feels deliciously decadent from the first sip to the last. Created by Anton Windmar, Sweden’s Bartender of the Year in 2024, the menu is themed around craftsmanship. We enjoy seeing how Cadierbaren at the Grand Hôtel continues to lead the way in Stockholm’s cocktail scene.

Cadierbaren
Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8
Stockholm
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Cadierbaren
Patio Elsinore Denmark café review
Patio Elsinore Denmark café review

08

Patio: an Elsinor café with serious design flair

Patio is where thoughtful design meets a passion for quality food in the heart of Elsinore, Denmark. Founded by Sille Buchmann and Nikolaj Harpsøe – who relocated from Vesterbro, Copenhagen’s creative district – the café has quickly become a cornerstone of the local scene. Its serene courtyard and minimalist interior, featuring pieces by Danish designer Kristina Dam, reflect the couple’s eye for aesthetics and detail. The menu is equally considered, with sourdough bread and big platters of whipped butter, barista coffee and natural wines. Patio brings a fresh, modern touch to this historic coastal town.

Patio
Stengade 34D
Elsinor
Denmark

Photography courtesy of Kristina Dam and Patio

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