Nordic Bakery

Three words: Apple Tosca Bun

I think the place is largely overrated. Don’t get me wrong; the place is nice, minimalist and the smell is lovely: cinnamon and coffee. So what else could you ask for? Ummmm, maybe that the quality of the food and the customer service is up to that as well…
I had a salmon salad for lunch. It was a pre-​packed salad. No dressing included and couldn’t find it anywhere in the shop. So salad I had, mostly green as there was only one or two pieces of smoked salmon on it.
The coffee was very good though.
Cinnamon buns were too hard for my taste. I have tried them in other places and they have been by far, much softer and tastier than here. Maybe they were overcooked? Maybe left overs from previous days? May need to try again…

When walking to the Nordic Bakery, the first thing that hits you half a block away is the heavenly smell of cinnamon. Upon arriving, the space is cozy and clean, with lots of wood and a large tapestry adorning the wall. I ordered a latte and a cinnamon bun, although they had a variety of Scandinavian pastries and sandwiches as well. I thought the cinnamon bun was a bit dry, but this may just have been because I’m not accustomed to Scandinavian cinnamon buns, as opposed to the gooey, sugary American version. It would be interesting to return to try some of their other dishes.

Pas forcément emballée par cet endroit recommandé par la prêtresse de la BD et de Londres, Pénelope B… Peut-​être que cela veut plus le coup en take away (les cinnamon buns sont clairement à tomber et le café est délicieux); Peut-​être que cela tient au lieu, il y a trois emplacements, je suis peut-​être tombée sur le moins convivial (?) Nous avions donc choisi de faire une pause dans cette bakery, dont la déco est vendue comme de l’authentique «Scandinavian Style», pour ma part, scandinave né signifie pas froide et sombre. Quant au mobilier, il n’est pas spécialement confortable et né donne pas envie de s’attarder. Les produits, pourtant appétissants, pourraient être davantage mis en valeur, d’autant qu’ils sont excellents… Bref, je vais rapidement oublier cet endroit, preuve en est que je n’ai même pas daigné rapporter une jolie bouteille de Blueberry Juice en souvenir.

First impression when you walk in the door is of this cute café with an amazing cinnamon smell and delicious looking pastries. It just pulls you in. Sadly, that is just about it on the positive notes.
Nordic was by far the most horrendous bakery experience I have ever been to. Having tried MANY bakeries in London, I can say that the quality of food at this place was TERRIBLE. The quiche I ordered had to be one of the most disgusting I have EVER had. I asked for it to be slightly heated, staff refused. I then thought fine, surely the cinnamon roll will make up for the horrible quiche. Boy was I ever wrong. Looks and smell can be deceiving. Texture was just too dense for my liking (borderline raw) and was lacking umf in the flavor department. To add insult to injury, customer service etiquette was inexistente. If a customer is asking or telling you something, listen rather than going about your business pretending you didn’t hear anything.

The setting is nice. Very minimalist. Comfortable. No US style marketing shoved in your face.
I had a rye and herring sandwich. It wasn’t good. The ‘salad cream’ addition to the bread was so overwhelming (too much of the dressing/​strong vinegar like flavour) that I couldn’t enjoy the texture, nor flavour, of the tiny sliver of fish that was contained inside. It was also £4.50. The sandwich was circumference of a pot of yoghurt: very small.
The coffee was outstanding. Served in a thick glass, it had a smooth, velvety texture with notes of caramel and vanilla.
We had one rye and herring sandwich, one small latte and a mango smoothie (pre-​packaged and not made by the store), total: £9.90. Sorry folks! That’s just way too much for a snack that left us wanting.

I work nearby and I always wanted to try it before, so I went there with a couple of friends during my lunch break.
I loved the place when I first came in. Scandinavian design everywhere, familiar products and an amazing smell! I ordered some coffee (really good one!) and a couple of bites: Prawns rye bread sandwich and a famous cinnamon roll. Sandwich was the best thing I ever tried recently, so tasty! I loved the bread. Not too fan of my dessert. I heard a lot of nice things about these cinnamon roll but mine, although it was big and tasty enough, was quite hard and overcoked.
Staff was friendly enough and I can say I had a nice time there. I’ll be back to try something new for sure!

My favorite Nordic Bakery location. It’s understated and calm ambience and the food — pastries and ryebread sandwiches — have the Nordic-​coolness to it. Great place for brunch or lunch.
My favorites — egg+herring s’wich, cinnamon buns, berry pancake. The filter coffee is dark and flavourful. As described in Scandi noir crime mysteries.
Slice of Copenhagen in London

Lovely café — great cakes and lovely coffee. We had a mummy baby meet up here and they were very accommodating. Prices were reasonable as well. Will be going back for meet ups!

If you are looking for a café without distractions, look no further. No music, no wifi, minimalist interior.
A quiet haven in buzzing Central London where you can relax over excellent coffee. Don’t forget to try the huge cinnamon buns (great to share) and the tasty pancakes with wild berry jam!

I love love love the Nordic Bakery. I moved away from London three months ago and whenever I am back I try and visit the Nordic Bakery for a delicious coffee and the best cinnamon buns I have ever tasted.
The New Cavendish Street Nordic Bakery is a little quieter than the Golden Square one and is great escape from the Oxford Street hordes if you are shopping. The coffee is always lovely and the cinnamon bun is as filling as lunch, or just as nice as a little afternoon snack.

The cinnamon buns are delicious: sticky and sweet like one would expect. We visited the one in Westmoreland St but it felt like landing in Copenhagen. The little Swedish chairs, the plainly decorated plates, the staff, the tall windows… everything really is Nordic in this place. The blueberry buns are divine too. Our only complain was that the sandwiches were served cold. Not cheap but not over priced either.

MISSION COMPLETE. To try all three nordic bakeries in London, why? BECAUSE I CAN AND I’VE DONE IT NOW.
I was actually walking from great portland street to the office, cutting through marylebone high street, and lo’ and behold, I smelt a tempting sexy smell, something that reached out to my base instincts. Cinnamon, I turned around and looked, and looked again. And, there it was, the source of the smell, the familiar sign, Nordic Bakery. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I was.
Since, I was on my way, I grabbed a cinnamon bun to takeout and it was warm, gooey, cinnamony and my life just felt complete. It stuck to the paper bag, but that just makes it that much more sexy when you peel it away. Nothing could take my happiness away that day, not even a closet to clean.

Another Nordic Bakery has opend its door in Marylebone… and this can be a little confusing when you set up a meeting with someone saying: «Let’s meet at the Nordic Bakery in Marylebone.» In fact, this is exactly what happened to me the other day, and I ended up waiting at the shop on Dorset Street, while the other person was at this new branch on New Cavendish Street. Anyway, we had quickly realised this confusion and so I headed over to New Cavendish Street… already smelling the cinnamon buns from a block away!
What I like about the Nordic Bakery is… well all of the good stuff that they offer: cinnamon buns, oatmeal cookies, salmon or Gravadlax on dark rye bread and a Finnish specialty called Karelian Pie, the latter being a rye-​crusted savoury snack with rice or potato mash filling.
I once had to plan a breakfast at my office for around 30 people and I placed an order of all of the above items… you won’t believe how happy and satisfied my colleagues were. They loved it… even the Scandinavian colleagues amongst them.

Oh the serenity. At the moment this place is nothing like the Golden Square branch where every weekend there seems to be a competition to see how many people can fit in, kind of like the clowns in the miniature car at the circus. This branch on the other hand is nearly deserted on a Saturday afternoon.
The coffee is OK but nothing spectacular. If it works the same as the other branch then most likely this is because it’s on the weekend. This also applies to the cinnamon buns which look a bit small. The best bet is to come on a weekday if possible.
The interior follows the same concept as the other branch with a simple design and lots of wood.

Why did I not know about this branch of Nordic Bakery before?
My office moved to Fitzrovia very recently, and I’ve just about gone through each and every coffee shop over the last few weeks. Given that Nordic Bakery in Golden Square rates as one of my top five cafes — I love the minimalist décor, the wooden furniture, and, most importantly, the cinnamon buns! — I can’t believe I only found out three days ago that Nordic Bakery’s within walking distance of my office.
In spite of my current baked goods abstinence, I made a mad dash for Nordic Bakery once it was time for lunch. It wasn’t too easy to find. Although its address is New Cavendish Street, the café’s actually located on Westmoreland St, and easy to miss if you’re not aware of its number. The window looks exactly like the original in Soho, with the distinctive wording of «dark rye bread, cinnamon buns, coffee» written across it.
But, be aware that a meal here is not cheap. I had a smoked salmon sandwich (small), two karellian pies and a cappuccino for £9.40. I’m still a little hungry now, to be honest! It’s probably better value to come here for a tea-​time snack. Try one of the cinnamon buns. They’re done the Finnish way, and are very substantial. They’re incredibly delicious, and at £2.20 each, are a bargain given just how tasty they are. I’m salivating just thinking of one now.
The Scandinavian Kitchen also offers cinnamon buns, but, in my (admittedly not-​at-​all expert) eyes, they didn’t qutie match up to Nordic Bakery’s.
Nordic Bakery’s also great if you have time to spare, and you want a place where you can sit down for a while, whether by yourself to read a book, or with friends to indulge in a long afternoon chat, this is most definitely the place to come to. The mood of the place positively encourages lingering.
You can bet I’ll be back here once Easter comes around. I want my cinnamon bun, and I want it baaaad.