Few Things, Endless Discoveries

Where to find Scandinavian restaurants in Dubai?

Tucked in a quiet area of Al Barsha South, Smørrebrød feels like a Nordic postcard.
The interior mirrors traditional Danish design, with wood tones and minimal white accents.
You’ll find dishes like open-faced sandwiches stacked with beetroot, pickled herring, and creamy butter.
Coffee is served strong, pastries are flaky, and the service is relaxed but attentive.
Locals visit for rye-based lunches and imported Scandinavian snacks not found elsewhere in Dubai.

Studio Frantzén blends Nordic refinement with bold world flavors

Studio Frantzén sits at the heart of Atlantis The Palm, facing the blue Arabian Gulf.
It’s led by Björn Frantzén, a Swedish chef with global acclaim and Michelin-star heritage.
Dishes marry Nordic restraint with French complexity and Asian precision on every plate.
Expect cured salmon with yuzu, reindeer tartare, or charred leek with miso hollandaise.
The terrace offers views, but the real draw is the precision on the fork.

FZN offers a fine-dining performance wrapped in Scandinavian philosophy

FZN operates beside Studio Frantzén but delivers a quieter, more curated experience.
Guests enjoy tasting menus that reflect both discipline and playful curiosity.
The design is restrained, using clean lines, low lighting, and earthy textures throughout.
Every plate focuses on contrast—warm against cold, creamy against crisp, comfort against surprise.
It’s not about excess but about slowing down and savoring the moment.

Bageri Form bakes memories with butter and tradition

Inside a small bakery in Dubai’s Al Quoz district, Bageri Form awakens old traditions.
Their sourdough loaves use time-tested Swedish techniques and house-fermented cultures.
Cinnamon buns, cardamom rolls, and crunchy crispbreads line the wood-shelved display.
The smell of roasted nuts and browned butter fills the air from morning until dusk.
This isn’t fusion—it’s fidelity to baking heritage with every knead and fold.

Al Mahara channels Nordic elegance inside Burj Al Arab

Al Mahara, beneath the famed Burj Al Arab, now carries subtle Scandinavian inspiration.
Led by Danish chef Kasper Kurdahl, the menu emphasizes clarity and lightness in taste.
Seafood dominates, with seasonal vegetables presented in striking geometric arrangements.
The service is theatrical but the food is quiet, clean, and built on balance.
Dinner here feels like dining underwater, yet deeply rooted in Scandinavian thoughtfulness.

La Petite Brasserie Nordique hides near DIFC’s lively center

Not widely known, La Petite Brasserie Nordique sits between glass offices near DIFC.
Run by a Finnish couple, it serves weekday lunches with unapologetic simplicity.
Potato salad, cured trout, and buttered barley arrive quickly and taste like home cooking.
Locals from nearby banks visit for affordable, authentic food served without any frills.
It’s the kind of place you find once—and remember often.

Reykjavik Røst pops up during Dubai’s winter food festivals

During cooler months, Dubai hosts open-air food festivals across public plazas and parks.
Reykjavik Røst usually appears with its signature Icelandic lamb soup and rye hotdogs.
This is not a permanent restaurant but a mobile kitchen with a loyal following.
Some nights they serve gravlax wraps or beetroot mousse on thin rye crisps.
If you see the stall, stop—you won’t regret trying Nordic comfort in a paper bowl.

Nordic Home Kitchen serves a seasonal dinner series in Jumeirah

A villa in Jumeirah transforms once a month into a private Nordic kitchen experience.
The host, a retired Swedish hotelier, invites 12 guests for five-course seasonal menus.
Dinners feature wild mushrooms, pickled herring, and lingonberry desserts with cloudberry syrup.
Seats are usually filled by word-of-mouth through Dubai’s tight-knit Scandinavian expat community.
Expect quiet music, long tables, and candles flickering until well past dessert.

The Nordic Market pop-up brings flavors and groceries together

A few times yearly, Dubai’s Nordic expat groups organize temporary weekend markets.
These pop-ups include homemade gravlax, Finnish licorice, and Danish rye bread for sale.
Held in community halls or embassy gardens, they also feature cooking demos and crafts.
Though temporary, they offer a rare glimpse into Scandinavian kitchen life abroad.
Following local Facebook groups is often the only way to find their dates.

Scandi-style brunches appear across Dubai’s creative cafés

Dubai loves brunch, and a few local cafés now embrace Nordic-style morning spreads.
JLT’s lakefront cafes sometimes serve cold eggs, cured fish, and pickled vegetables.
In Alserkal Avenue, some roasteries add cardamom buns and skyr to their menus.
These aren’t full Nordic restaurants but playful nods to regional breakfast habits.
It’s proof that Scandinavian food is weaving itself into Dubai’s casual dining culture.

Scandinavian cuisine in Dubai isn’t loud or flashy—it’s quietly precise and comfort-driven.From white tablecloths to bakery counters, the Nordic approach prizes balance and depth.
Eating this food in a desert city may sound unlikely, but it feels surprisingly right.
In a place like Dubai, where global cultures cross paths daily, the North has found its voice.
We hope this guide helps you find that voice—softly spoken, perfectly salted, and warmly served.

This guide was prepared by the www.few.ae team.

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