Björk Cafe

Delicious food and drinks. Great ambience and it wasn’t too loud to have conversations. Tables were a little close to each other. Ordered a dish of fresh herrings and potatoes, it was delicious!

A quiet little place with delicious Swedish treats and coffees. Laptop-friendly, which is always a plus.

Kazue Kurahara

A quiet little place with delicious Swedish treats and coffees. Laptop-friendly, which is always a plus.

Backpacker Flip Flops

Excellent service! I highly recommend their Swedish meatballs as well as their frozen rhubarb mimosa.

Kristi Dosh

Fantastic experience! So many unique dishes and drinks to try. I had the lingonberry and bacon potato waffles, and my husband had the smorgasbord. We also sampled some Glogg and Aquavit to drink. We'll definitely be back!

Olivia Pang

Unique selection of Scandinavian dishes with delicious flavors! There were tons of vegan options, and my potato waffle was soft with perfectly roasted vegetables and ended with a chocolate truffle that was not too sweet, after visiting Scandinavian house this was a perfect treat to end the experience!

Olga Egorova

Wonderful food in a beautiful, a little IKEA-like setting. Mimosas (rhubarb and lingonberry) were pleasant, potato waffle with gravlax flavorful and not heavy on the stomach, räkmacka (toast with mixed greens, boiled egg and cold water shrimp) delicious and refreshing. Will definitely try the desserts next time.

Lisa Tsai

I had a lovely lunch here! Very peaceful Scandinavian experience. If you don’t like pickled fish, would just suggest getting the Swedish meatballs. The princess cake was also lovely. I liked the fish pie part of the smorgasbord plate.

Shells

As a life-long vegetarian and one who is allergic to tofu and soy, it is a constant battle for me to find any sort of dish that is hearty, delicious and doesn’t make me feel sick to my stomach. However, let me just say now that I have discovered this gem I can whole-heartedly state to others in the same predicament, look no further than Björk Café and Bistro at the Scandinavian Center right in the heart of NYC. My Mother has been raving about the place for years, Swedish by decent she often attends concerts there then follows by having a meal of meatballs at the Café. Also, side beat here, this isn’t just for vegetarians, my Mom who has been consuming Swedish food since she was a child eats the traditional meat ones and professes her love just as much as I do at their flavorful-savory balls of joy. But, I digress back to the message at hand and my experience- despite my lineage it must be noted that I never really understood the whole meatball thing. That was until I tried these vegetarian meatballs and now let me just say they are on my “death row” food list. Balls of mixed veg that feel hearty, but with the right consistency of what a meatball should be. A bit chewy, yet with a toothsome-tasty bite that comes in a hot skillet bathing in a sea of mushroom gravy. Two heaping sides of mashed potatoes, lingonberry and a small heap of cucumber salad make this the Swedish dish of the year. So warm and comforting, yet you don’t leave with a belly bomb rather a feeling of satisfaction that your satiated your hunger and body with great, healthy ingredients that are not only delicious but good for you too. Not to be missed either, is their infamous princess cake. Another Swedish delicacy I ordered one specifically for my sister’s birthday with many a friend asking me, “why on EARTH would you get your sister a green cake for her birthday?!?!” All were immediately silenced once they sampled the light as air confectionary at her birthday party. My phone continuing to beep more than a drug dealer’s pager on New Year’s Eve for days later with friends raving about it and still does to this day. Ulrika (the head chef) and her team just know how to do it right. This wondrous establishment isn’t just for those from Scandinavia, it’s for anyone looking for great quality food at a reasonable price all throughout the day. Lastly, they are perhaps the kindest kitchen team I have ever come across. As a former food blogger and culinary consultant and marketer, never have I experienced such gracious generosity as I did recently with Björk Café. I sent them an off-handed emailing thinking nothing of it, describing how my family and I were holed up in Long Island during the holidays which was a difficult time for us and how we so missed having their traditional food. Meant more as a compliment then anything else, yet no sooner had I sent the email did my inbox ping with a reply that they would only be more than happy to find a way to deliver us a meal. Keeping in mind that this is at the height of their busiest time of year, with yule boards and the Santa Lucia festival. Even still, they made and took the time to carefully wrap, package and send three orders of their vegetarian meatball meals to me and my family in Long Island. I have never in my life been so touched by the gesture or the food. At a relatively painful time for us, the savory aromas and fond memory-inducing fare brought sweet moments of joy and reflection. It is true what they say, “"Food, in the end, in our own tradition, is something holy. It's not about nutrients and calories. It's about sharing. It's about honesty. It's about identity." - Louise Fresco. This could not be truer for Björk Café, head chef Ulrika and her wondrous staff. If you ever find yourself in the area, right on Park Ave. in NYC stop in for a meal that will not only leave you gastronomically satisfied but with a true sense of hygge like a warm hug from a long-lost Norsemen gnome of a grandparent.

Adriana Fischetti

Absolutely delightful experience at Bjork for lunch. My meal was fresh and the flavors were wonderful. The presentation is beautiful. Tea and dessert was also fabulous. Service is friendly and excellent. Super.

Nicholas T

Delicious food and drinks. Great ambience and it wasn’t too loud to have conversations. Tables were a little close to each other. Ordered a dish of fresh herrings and potatoes, it was delicious!

J

Happy to see that another fantastic Scandinavian restaurant remains in this space! Dinner tonight with my boys for my bday and none of the courses disappointed any of us! Feeding a wide range from 7 to 40 somethings, we were all really happy with every dish that came out of their kitchen. Must order ALL of the open face sandwiches: they were all delicious but surprisingly my kids faves were the gentleman's delight: egg salad with chopped pickled Herring, the gravlox one and the chunks of pickled Herring on top of sliced boiled egg. Every night they have a special dish on offer and tonight's happened to be cod with an egg sauce, more like a soft scramble on top of the cod, a really great combo. The swedish meatballs were perfectly balanced, the braised pork was very tender and the sausages on top of mashed potatoes with all the fixings wrappers in potato crepe was a perfect combo. A generous slices of their delicious princess cake, chocolate cake, and almond cake concluded our meal perfectly. We will definitely be back for more!

Karitas Mitrogogos

When I'm in New York I always like to visit this Café/Bistro to enjoy delicious and well presented Scandinavian specialties. 👍😊 I especially like going there during the festive December/Xmas season where, like on today's visit, I order the Glögg, mulled wine that is yummy ( that is also available without alcohol) with some delicious open smoked salmon or shrimp sandwich, the herring plate ... or something a bit more substantial like the Icelandic Cod! 👍😋👍 The service is really friendly & professional and the prices competitive. 😊

Firdous Khan

First time trying Scandinavian cuisine and it was spectacular. Didn’t know what to order so I got the herring platter which is a staple in Scandinavian cuisine. Interesting contrast of flavors and the apple cake was also great . Good service

Ana Butler

We found the first visit so enjoyable that a second was necessary. You can bring your circle here for quality eating. The few dishes we tried were acceptable. Most significantly, staff members display sincere kindness. I'll definitely return without question.

Authentic Scandinavian cafe! The service here is fantastic. Everyone is so friendly and quick to wait your table. We went for brunch and started with complementary rolls, knäckebröd and ordered the small meatball plate (5 meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy + lingonberry jam). Meatballs were a tad dry but the gravy was great. Next, the Pytt i Panna. It was delicious — a hearty blend of potatoes, brisket, sausage, and onions with an egg on top. Topped it off with the Swedish pancake with jam and cream. Don’t skip this! It’s a must. We grabbed a few pastries on the way out (cinnamon bun + oat ball). They were okay. Highly recommend Björk if you’re looking for authentic Scandinavian food.

July 2024 - I sadly have to update my review to say I got pretty severe food poisoning from my lunch here. I was so excited to come back and check out he gallery and try more of their food today since my first visit back in March (see review below). This time I ordered the Bjork salmon duet (smoked salmon and salmon tartar) and got soooo sick afterwards. The tartar did taste a little odd but I chalked it up to not being used to the flavor. I have been throwing up for half a day now, sadly. And I'm certain it was food from here because I late absolutely nothing else today. The service was still lovely and I loved the ambiance, the two shops, and the gallery. I am open to giving the restaurant another shot but maybe will stay away from anything raw next time. My date's cauliflower soup with roe was fantastic. March 2024 - Full marks on food, service, and atmosphere!!! I'm so happy there's finally a Scandinavian restaurant that isn't a $300 tasting menu. The restaurant is situated in a cultural center so you eat while surrounded by beautiful art and craft goods. Special highlights were the arctic char, short rib, and apple cake dessert. I would give the fish meatballs a pass. All the flavors and preparations were both interesting and fresh - I would happily eat here multiple times a week to try everything. Our server was incredibly thoughtful, professional, and attentive. We came in during a crowded hour and were seated in the very center of the restaurant. As people left, our server came by to ask us if we'd like to switch to a more quiet, comfortable spot. So thoughtful!! It def would have been more work for him. We declined but were very grateful for the offer.

Hard to find a place in the US that serves Scandinavian food at decent prices. Food was high quality and tasty, although could have a bit more nuanced flavor, particularly the smörrebröd and meatballs. Service was perfect.

Michael Malachowski

Hard to find a place in the US that serves Scandinavian food at decent prices. Food was high quality and tasty, although could have a bit more nuanced flavor, particularly the smörrebröd and meatballs. Service was perfect.

Yiyi Zhang

July 2024 - I sadly have to update my review to say I got pretty severe food poisoning from my lunch here. I was so excited to come back and check out he gallery and try more of their food today since my first visit back in March (see review below). This time I ordered the Bjork salmon duet (smoked salmon and salmon tartar) and got soooo sick afterwards. The tartar did taste a little odd but I chalked it up to not being used to the flavor. I have been throwing up for half a day now, sadly. And I'm certain it was food from here because I late absolutely nothing else today. The service was still lovely and I loved the ambiance, the two shops, and the gallery. I am open to giving the restaurant another shot but maybe will stay away from anything raw next time. My date's cauliflower soup with roe was fantastic. March 2024 - Full marks on food, service, and atmosphere!!! I'm so happy there's finally a Scandinavian restaurant that isn't a $300 tasting menu. The restaurant is situated in a cultural center so you eat while surrounded by beautiful art and craft goods. Special highlights were the arctic char, short rib, and apple cake dessert. I would give the fish meatballs a pass. All the flavors and preparations were both interesting and fresh - I would happily eat here multiple times a week to try everything. Our server was incredibly thoughtful, professional, and attentive. We came in during a crowded hour and were seated in the very center of the restaurant. As people left, our server came by to ask us if we'd like to switch to a more quiet, comfortable spot. So thoughtful!! It def would have been more work for him. We declined but were very grateful for the offer.

Rylan Gordon

Authentic Scandinavian cafe! The service here is fantastic. Everyone is so friendly and quick to wait your table. We went for brunch and started with complementary rolls, knäckebröd and ordered the small meatball plate (5 meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy + lingonberry jam). Meatballs were a tad dry but the gravy was great. Next, the Pytt i Panna. It was delicious — a hearty blend of potatoes, brisket, sausage, and onions with an egg on top. Topped it off with the Swedish pancake with jam and cream. Don’t skip this! It’s a must. We grabbed a few pastries on the way out (cinnamon bun + oat ball). They were okay. Highly recommend Björk if you’re looking for authentic Scandinavian food.

I recently visited Bjork Cafe & Bistro, and it offered a pleasant and distinctive introduction to Scandinavian café dining in Manhattan. Located inside Scandinavia House along Park Avenue, the café carries a calm and refined atmosphere that reflects Nordic design and hospitality. The environment feels quiet and welcoming, making it a comfortable place for a relaxed meal, coffee, or light lunch while exploring the cultural center. The menu highlights traditional Scandinavian café fare with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and simple, well-balanced flavors. One of the most notable elements is the selection of open-faced sandwiches, which are a hallmark of Nordic cuisine. These dishes are typically served on dense rye bread and layered with ingredients such as smoked fish, cured meats, cheeses, and fresh herbs. The versions served here demonstrated thoughtful balance, with each component complementing the others without overwhelming the dish. Another highlight of the café is its approach to lighter dishes and salads. Scandinavian cooking often emphasizes clean flavors and fresh ingredients rather than heavy sauces, and many of the dishes reflected this philosophy. The use of herbs, pickled vegetables, and citrus elements added brightness and contrast to the plates. The café also offers a selection of Scandinavian pastries and desserts that reflect the region’s strong baking traditions. These baked goods pair naturally with the café’s coffee offerings, reinforcing the Nordic café culture where pastries and coffee are enjoyed as part of a relaxed social moment. Service during the visit was friendly and professional. Staff members maintained a welcoming and attentive presence while allowing guests to enjoy the calm atmosphere of the café. The pacing of the meal felt relaxed and well suited to the café environment. The setting within Scandinavia House contributes strongly to the experience. The café feels connected to the cultural mission of the building, offering a place where guests can enjoy Nordic cuisine while surrounded by Scandinavian art, design, and cultural programming. Overall, Bjork Cafe & Bistro delivers a thoughtful and authentic Scandinavian café experience with fresh ingredients, balanced dishes, and a peaceful atmosphere. It stands out as a unique dining destination for those interested in Nordic cuisine in New York City.

I was excited to try the cafe here but for some reasons the place was not welcoming. This review might be subjective but I did feel the host today intentionally separated consumers by races or appearances. Overall slightly pricy. The potato waffle with shrimp I got was good but nothing too impressive. The waffle had a chewy texture with a crispy edge. But I do appreciate the greens with it. Apple cake was served cold, crumbled as you dig in. Pretty decent.

I love the smorgasbord plate! That they have a nice selection of items on it and they were all very tasty. The fish soup was kind of bland. I know that the traditional Scandinavian flavors are not as bold but this was particularly bland. My boyfriend enjoyed the shrimp sandwich and my mom liked her eggs benedict salmon but said it was cold. It's very confusing to have two chocolate cakes on the menu that are both called chocolate cake but for two vastly different prices. I understand that the fika version is smaller. The waitress could not explain clearly what the difference was. We ordered the larger chocolate cake and it was fairly ordinary. The cookies and the pastry we had were also underwhelming. My tea was served in a teapot that was dangerously hot. This was a design fail on a nice looking teapot. The entire pot was metal including the top of the lid and there was no way to grab the top without using a napkin. The service was inexperienced which is a problem a lot of restaurants are having these days. The lobby of Scandi house is a fun place to eat and there's gift shop of all Scandinavian products next to the restaurant.

Julia H

I was excited to try the cafe here but for some reasons the place was not welcoming. This review might be subjective but I did feel the host today intentionally separated consumers by races or appearances. Overall slightly pricy. The potato waffle with shrimp I got was good but nothing too impressive. The waffle had a chewy texture with a crispy edge. But I do appreciate the greens with it. Apple cake was served cold, crumbled as you dig in. Pretty decent.

Jackie Gordon Singing Chef

I love the smorgasbord plate! That they have a nice selection of items on it and they were all very tasty. The fish soup was kind of bland. I know that the traditional Scandinavian flavors are not as bold but this was particularly bland. My boyfriend enjoyed the shrimp sandwich and my mom liked her eggs benedict salmon but said it was cold. It's very confusing to have two chocolate cakes on the menu that are both called chocolate cake but for two vastly different prices. I understand that the fika version is smaller. The waitress could not explain clearly what the difference was. We ordered the larger chocolate cake and it was fairly ordinary. The cookies and the pastry we had were also underwhelming. My tea was served in a teapot that was dangerously hot. This was a design fail on a nice looking teapot. The entire pot was metal including the top of the lid and there was no way to grab the top without using a napkin. The service was inexperienced which is a problem a lot of restaurants are having these days. The lobby of Scandi house is a fun place to eat and there's gift shop of all Scandinavian products next to the restaurant.

I ordered 3 side dishes as I was going down to Midsummer celebration and was expecting to eat there. $14 wild mushrooms bowl was the absolute worst I have ever eaten. Tasted just of lots of salt, not even a hint of mushroom. Jansons Temptation was not much better. $9 for about 3 bites and it was a far cry from the real deal. I told the waiter when he asked me how everything was, that they should NOT serve the mushrooms to anyone as I don’t wish people to think this is what Swedish/Scandinavian food is like. I asked another diner if what she had tasted OK and she said her Herring and gravlax were both good.

Catarina Spove

I ordered 3 side dishes as I was going down to Midsummer celebration and was expecting to eat there. $14 wild mushrooms bowl was the absolute worst I have ever eaten. Tasted just of lots of salt, not even a hint of mushroom. Jansons Temptation was not much better. $9 for about 3 bites and it was a far cry from the real deal. I told the waiter when he asked me how everything was, that they should NOT serve the mushrooms to anyone as I don’t wish people to think this is what Swedish/Scandinavian food is like. I asked another diner if what she had tasted OK and she said her Herring and gravlax were both good.

Tasteless cold water shrimp (Toast Skagen), Smörgasbord Plate: had worst gravlax in our life, Jansson's temptation - was inedible, the pickled & herb herring, meatballs with lingonberries were fair. Prior experience at this establishment was much better. Too bad kitchen went off the rails.

doc

Tasteless cold water shrimp (Toast Skagen), Smörgasbord Plate: had worst gravlax in our life, Jansson's temptation - was inedible, the pickled & herb herring, meatballs with lingonberries were fair. Prior experience at this establishment was much better. Too bad kitchen went off the rails.