The Nordic Table: Where to Dine Scandinavian in Paris

The Nordic Table: Where to Dine Scandinavian in Paris
Smørrebrød, aquavit, and minimalist beauty—served à la française.

Paris may be a city of beurre, baguette, and Bordeaux—but tucked behind Haussmannian façades and beneath moody pendant lamps is a quieter culinary revolution: the rise of Nordic cuisine. With its clean lines, fermented notes, forest-foraged accents, and unapologetic use of dill, Scandinavian dining has carved out a niche in the Parisian food scene that’s as elegant as it is elemental.

The Socialites went north—without leaving the 7th, 9th, or 11th—to find Paris’s most refined and delicious Nordic tables, where hygge meets haute.

1. Smørrebrød

📍 17 Rue Cadet, 9e
The Danish Classic, Paris-Perfected

Named after the iconic open-faced sandwich, Smørrebrød is exactly what you want from a Nordic bistro in Paris: raw wood interiors, glass jars of pickles, and rye bread that could rival Copenhagen’s best. The menu is minimalist but rich in detail—think smoked herring with remoulade, gravlax with horseradish cream, and karrysild (curried herring) that’s deeply satisfying.

🧂 Must-try: The roast beef smørrebrød with crispy onions and pickled cucumber
🍺 Pair with: Danish craft beer or a shot of cold aquavit
🖋 Vibe: Chic Copenhagen café meets Left Bank cool

2. La Maison Nordique – The Elegant Epicerie-Restaurant

📍 221 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8e
Luxury with a Latitude of 60°

Half boutique, half restaurant, La Maison Nordique is where Scandi indulgence meets Parisian polish. You’ll find ultra-premium smoked salmon, tarama, king crab, and Swedish gravlax, served in a quietly lavish dining room or ordered à emporter for a refined apéro.

🧊 Must-try: The “Dégustation Nordique” plate, with salmon three ways
🍸 Don’t miss: Their aquavit-based cocktails—sharp, herbal, and clean
🖋 Insider tip: They cater, too—for when you want your dinner party to feel like Oslo in silk.

3. Kaviar

📍 15 Rue Hérold, 1er
Fjord Mood, Paris Precision

New on the scene and quietly Michelin-obsessed, Kaviar is a tasting-menu restaurant inspired by the stark beauty and umami-laced traditions of Norway and Sweden. Expect dishes like charred cabbage with smoked vendace roe, or scallops with pickled spruce tips and kefir foam. Everything is locally sourced, but Nordic in soul.

🍽 Must-book: The seasonal tasting menu—it changes monthly, and is always divine
🕯 Ambiance: Think limestone, candlelight, and silence that tastes like snow
🖋 Pro move: Go in winter. The contrast makes it all the more seductive.

4. Café Suédois – Institut Suédois

📍 11 Rue Payenne, 3e (Marais)
Your Secret Scandinavian Escape in the Marais

Inside the Institut Suédois, you’ll find a serene café that feels more like a Stockholm garden room than a Paris courtyard. Their cinnamon buns are arguably the best in the city, and everything from the open sandwiches to the elderflower sodas is lovingly minimalist. This is where creatives and students come to read, sketch, and nibble under linden trees.

🥪 Must-order: Gravlax sandwich on rye with mustard-dill sauce
☕ Best time: Mid-afternoon, with a cardamom bun and a notebook
🖋 Bonus: The art exhibitions upstairs are always worth a peek.

5. Flora Danica – Nordic Chic on the Champs

📍 142 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 8e
Danish Modernism, Paris Glamour

Located within the Maison du Danemark, Flora Danica offers Scandinavian cuisine with a Parisian sensibility—light, precise, beautifully plated. The interior is a dream of Fritz Hansen chairs, brass fixtures, and botanical prints, and the menu features everything from cured fish to frikadeller (Danish meatballs).

🍽 Best for: Business lunches with a twist or low-key elegant dinners
🌿 Must-try: Dill-marinated salmon with beetroot and horseradish
🖋 Secret weapon: The secluded outdoor terrace in spring

6. Deli Gothenburg

📍 74 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 11e
Swedish Pantry Meets Parisian Brunch

Founded by two Swedes, this charming canteen-style spot brings Gothenburg’s food culture to the edgy 11th. Expect Scandinavian deli platters, seasonal stews, smoked fish toasties, and homemade cakes, all served in a space that feels like your minimalist friend’s loft.

🥣 Best for: Saturday brunches with pickled everything
🖋 Menu tip: Try the “Nordic Bowl” for a healthful twist—salmon, eggs, rye, greens
☁️ Vibe: Soft, slow, understated hygge

7. Skall Club (Pop-up/Private Dining – Watch This One)

📍 Nomadic – follow via social media or invite list
Nordic Underground Meets Paris Art Scene

Part supper club, part culinary performance, Skall is an underground dining concept that pops up in private homes, art galleries, or design studios. The menu is usually wildly seasonal, plant-forward, fermented, and served on handcrafted ceramics. Think Noma energy with a poetic French wink.

🖋 For: The culture-forward diner with a penchant for storytelling and natural wine
👀 Where to find: Instagram, whisper networks, or designer friends
📖 Expect: A story with every bite and cutlery that doubles as sculpture

Nordic Dining, à la Parisienne – Tips from The Socialites:

Don’t expect kitsch. Scandinavian dining in Paris is refined, architectural, and all about details.
Fermentation is your friend. From cured herring to pickled cucumber foam—trust the process.
Lunch menus often offer the best value. Especially at Flora Danica and Smørrebrød.
Pace yourself. Nordic dining favours slow pleasure over Parisian frenzy.