Aquavit Restaurant London

Aquavit is a Scandinavian inspired restaurant that originally opened its doors in New York in 1987. It not only earned two Michelin stars based on its singular Nordic cuisine, but also due to its novel and cohesive blend of formal and informal dining rooms both of which are imbued with elegant and sophisticated decor and styling.

Aquavit’s prowess and popularity in New York catalysed two more restaurants to be opened in both Tokyo and London. London’s Aquavit is located in the recently redeveloped St James’s Market in Central London, and is accompanied by Veneta and Anzu, two equally desirable restaurants. The interior design, overseen by Martin Brudnizki behind the design of Sexy Fish and the Ivy, is reminiscent of Nordic design with its timber-panelled walls, close-set and unclothed booth-like tables, and bright lighting. The simplicity of some design elements is effortlessly juxtaposed with chic chandeliers, sleek marble floors, and iridescent chrome fittings, creating an atmosphere of easy sophistication and contemporary Nordic dining.

The focal point of London’s Aquavit is its Swedish marble bar decorated with bottles of its namesake Aquavit, snaps and other Scandinavian spirits. Whilst waiting for your delicious meal to arrive indulge in a selection of Nordic cocktails such as Bergen Bitter and Nordfjord, both of which are fused with Nordic flavours like berries, fennel and caraway..

Aquavit’s head chef and fellow Swede Henrik Ritzen, previously a chef at The Arts Club in Mayfair as well as Lutyens in the city, offers cuisine resembling the clean flavours, healthy ingredients and simple presentation of well-known Nordic dishes. Guests will experience authentic Scandinavian delicacies starting with ‘smorgasbord’ small plates of pickled herring, scallop slices and venison tartare textualised with a sweet and savoury combination of blueberries, lingonberries, capers, shallots and potato strips. The ‘smorgasbord’ small plates can also be prepared as tapas-styled sharing meals reflecting some guests desire for lighter main meals, and a more intimate dining setting. Aquavit serves traditional Nordic main meals, including succulent chunks of steak, potato cubes and caramelised onions mixed together with an egg yolk, as well as sweetly seasoned pork and beef meatballs lightly doused in veal stock-based sauce, accompanied with mash, lingonberries and pickled cucumber. Aquavit’s cuisine captivates its guests with its motley of flavours and textures, creating unique dining experiences that emphasise the best of Nordic fine-dining.

London’s Aquavit is also renowned for its afternoon teas and day-time dining. Guests can enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious Swedish ‘smorrebrod’ served on rye bread studded with sunflower seeds, as well as the popular Nordic pastry mum-mums- swirls coated in dark chocolate and filled with fluffy marshmallow centres. Guests can end off their afternoon on an even sweeter note with dark chocolate and hazelnut cookies and Danish Hoogly tea with rhubarb, vanilla and custard flavours.

From day-time into the evening guests are immersed in Aquavit’s intimate dining experiences which fuse opulent interior design with a unique and contemporary adaptation of traditional Nordic cuisine.

Aquavit Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine:Contemporary Nordic

Dress Code: Casual Elegant 

Area: Central London

Address: St James’s Market, 1 Carlton Street, London SW1Y 4QQ

Website: http://www.aquavitrestaurants.com/