Review on Aquavit London
Aquavit is the London outpost of the two Michelin-starred restaurant that originally opened in New York in 1987, followed by a Tokyo branch in 2008. An all-day venue serving traditional Nordic cuisine with a contemporary twist, it's located in the recently re-developed St James's Market in central London. A lavishly appointed dining room, flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, it has been designed by the international acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Studio. The high ceiling is illuminated by striking low-hanging modern chandeliers, soft toffee coloured leather seating is set against polished wood tables laid with Georg Jensen cutlery. Shiny marble flooring and brass fittings add to the luxurious ambience, with chic high stools next to the horseshoe bar.
Executive Chef Emma Bengtsson of the New York branch has overseen the menus together with Aquavit London's Executive Chef, Swedish Henrik Ritzén, who previously held the post of Executive Chef at the highly regarded Lutyens restaurant. On offer there's a smörgĺsbord of small sharing plates such as mackerel tartare, sorrel and lumpfish roe or blood pudding, lingonberries, bacon and lardo. Amongst the starters look for crab, rye brioche and fennel followed by main courses of Swedish meatballs, lingonberries, and pickled cucumber or cod, shrimps, cucumber, egg and dill. To finish there's warm chocolate cake, tarragon ice cream and clementine sorbet or the prettily assembled Arctic Bird's Nest.
To complement the food there's an international wine list, Swedish beers and ciders together with seventeen different types of Aquavits, a flavoured spirit that has been produced in Scandinavia since the 15th century. The restaurant was the proud recipient of a Michelin star in the 2018 edition of the Guide.
Aquavit London is also featured in: Hardens
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Scandinavian / Contemporary European / International
Chef
Emma Bengtsson and Henrik Ritzén
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 2.30pm (12.00 - 3.30pm Sat & Sun)
Dinner: 5.30 - 10.30pm Mon-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express