If you can’t make it to Scandinavia don’t fear. I will be sharing the top Scandinavian establishments here in the UK, with design and style of course. Starting with The Nordic Bakery, London’s peaceful Scandinavian style café.
I met up with blogger and journalist friend Cate St Hill for a coffee and bite to eat at the newly opened Nordic Bakery in Covent Garden. What surprised me was how quiet the café was even though there were plenty of people. There was an infectious sense of calm, it’s certainly a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of central London. There’s a mouthwatering selection of baked goods and open sandwhices, not to mention filter coffee. Maybe everyone was quiet because they were too busy eating, though I have a feeling it’s to do with the design.
The designs of the Nordic bakery cafés are very peaceful, grey and wooden cladded walls. The tableware and furniture are designed by iconic Nordic designers that myself and Cate particularly love. Ceramics by Kaj Franck, Chairs and tables by Alvar Aalto and benches and long tables by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Using such iconic design pieces in an everyday café fills me with happiness, these products are designed with purpose so why not put them to use?!
The design for the Nordic Bakery in Seven Dials, Covent Garden is inspired by ‘Biophilic design principles (design that connects people to nature)’. The moss green tiles are reminiscent of Scandinavian Pine forests, sky-grey paint on the walls and an expansive natural pine wall (the pine wall is a distinct Nordic Bakery interior feature used in all of their locations).
The Nordic Bakery classic cinnamon bun, always a hit with a filter coffee.
There may be a few scratches and dints on the Aalto tables but that’s ok, it’s a sign that they’ve been used and loved, each scratch could tell a story.
Founder of the Nordic Bakery Miisa Mink is an author too. With her famous Nordic Bakery cookbook and a lifestyle book to be launch in April 2017! exciting!
Teema Mug by Iittala | Aalto 66 Chair | Font and Flavour: Scandinavia Moments with Nordic Bakery Hardcover – 15 Apr 2017 | Nordic Bakery Cookbook | Teema Plate by Iittala | Artek Pirkka Bench
A Scandinavian café you must visit!
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Nordic bakery on instagram #MyQuietMoment
Locations
Neal Street, London
55 Neal Street, Seven Dials
Covent Garden, London WC2H 9PJ
Tel. +44 (0)2078364996
Golden Square, London
14a Golden Square
Soho, London W1F 9JG
Tel. +44 (0)20 3230 1077
New Cavendish Street, London
37b New Cavendish Street
Marylebone, London W1G 8JR
(Entrance off Westmoreland Street)
Tel. +44 (0)20 7935 3590
Dorset Street, London
48 Dorset Street
London W1U 7NE
Tel. +44 (0)20 7487 5877
visit www.nordicbakery.com for more details
6 Comments
If you’re in Edinburgh, Peter’s Yard is a Scandic bakery and coffee shop that I’m sure you’d love. The cardamom buns are fantastic. They also have a couple of small take away shops in other parts of the city.
Ah I want to go back now, got me craving those buns!! It was such a lovely calm space xxx
Oh I LOVE Nordic Bakery, wish there was something similar near me, just love the whole atmosphere. Now…off to bake some buns…
Oh I must pay a visit next time I’m in London
That looks and sounds lovely! One to add to the list if I’m ever in those parts.
This place sounds incredible! I’m craving coffee and a cinnamon bun just reading your post…!