TLDR
Charming East Village Nordic-inspired cafe and bakery serving up artisanal smørrebrød, crispy potatoes, and specialty pastries. A go-to spot for an airy, casual brunch or a quick Scandinavian-style treat.
Instagram Posts References
Smør, located on East 12th Street in the East Village, is a multi-faceted Nordic-influenced establishment featuring a bakery, candy store, and restaurant. The menu offers a range of Nordic-inspired dishes, with the reviewer particularly highlighting the quality of their cold brew, describing it as very chocolatey. The crispy potatoes, served with an addictive tarragon aioli, are lauded for their perfect crisp exterior and soft, fluffy interior. The smoked salmon smørrebrød, presented on dark seeded rye bread with salmon, cucumbers, lemon curd, and tarragon aioli, is praised for its balanced flavors—a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, silky, and crunchy textures. The jammy eggs are also noted for their exceptional preparation, contributing to an overall "easy, casual, wonderful" brunch experience.
Chef Sebastian Bangsgaard from Smør was featured in a video where chefs were asked about ingredients they secretly dislike.
Details
An East Village staple, this multi-faceted Nordic-influenced spot serves as an all-day cafe, bakery, and candy shop [2]. Diners can enjoy a range of Nordic-inspired offerings, including smørrebrød and various pastries, within an airy and casual light-wood space [1]. While many visitors praise the establishment for its excellent savory items and Nordic treats, experiences with some pastries can be inconsistent [2], [3], [4].
Food Overview
The cuisine centers on Nordic and Danish influences, featuring standout items like smoked salmon smørrebrød on dark seeded rye bread, perfectly prepared jammy eggs, and crispy potatoes served with addictive tarragon aioli [2]. While the cardamom bun is frequently highlighted as a favorite pastry, some guests have noted instances of it being dry [3], [4]. Other offerings include Danish-style pancakes, egg sandwiches, and chocolatey cold brew [1], [2].
Highly recommended items include the smoked salmon smørrebrød, the crispy potatoes with tarragon aioli, and the jammy eggs [2]. The cardamom bun is also a popular, albeit occasionally inconsistent, choice [3], [4].
Customer reception is generally positive, with many diners appreciating the unique Nordic offerings and casual brunch atmosphere [2]. However, there is mixed feedback regarding the consistency of their baked goods, with some finding specific pastries dry or stale at times [3], [4].
Most Mentioned Dishes
- 01cardamom bun5 mentions
- 02cardamom buns3 mentions
Caveats
Some visitors have reported that certain pastries can be dry or stale, and there is occasional debate regarding the hype surrounding the spot's long lines [3], [4].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About SMØR
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Expats And Transplants Of Nyc What Is Your
"A Norwegian-style restaurant that is very popular for cardamom buns."
PositiveFrom post: 24hour Pancakes Requesting Diner In East Village
"Mentioned as an alternative dining suggestion."
NeutralFrom post: Where Can I Find A Cheddar Chive Scone In
"Smør is mentioned as a place to consider for the requested item."
NeutralFrom post: Nyc Cookies Ranking 12 Spots From Lower Manhattan
"The author's girlfriend ranked Smor's cookie."
NeutralFrom post: Planning A Fullday Europeanstyle Dining Itinerary
"Smør is mentioned as an alternative if one wants to stay in Manhattan for coffee and pastries."
Positive