TLDR
Authentic Nordic-inspired cafe and bakery serving savory smørrebrød and signature pastries in a bright, casual East Village space.
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
A Scandinavian all-day café and bakery in the East Village, this spot is celebrated for its airy, light-wood aesthetic and diverse menu of Nordic-inspired fare [1]. From morning coffee and pastries to savory lunch items like smørrebrød and hot dogs, it offers a casual, multi-faceted dining experience [1]. While many guests rave about the quality of the food [2], others have noted that some baked goods can be inconsistent in texture [3].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on Nordic classics, with high praise for the crispy potatoes served with tarragon aioli, the smoked salmon smørrebrød on dark seeded rye, and their chocolatey cold brew [2]. Recommended items frequently include the cardamom buns and savory treats [4], [5], though some diners have reported instances of dry pastries [3].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About SMØR
Recent Reddit Mentions
From 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."
PositiveFrom post: Food Cinnamon Roll Recs
"Suggests trying a cardamom bun from Smør for a 'crazy' and different option."
PositiveFrom post: Best Place For Savory Pasteries
"Smor is seconding mentioned for its Nordic treats."
PositiveFrom post: Best Place For Savory Pasteries
"Smor is highly recommended for its excellent savory items and is described as a place for Nordic treats."
PositiveFrom post: Bakery Delivery In Manhattan W Savory Options
"This user recommended Smor, specifically mentioning the zebirke and cardamom bun as being very good."
PositiveFrom post: East Village Bakery Crawl Feedback
"This commenter acknowledges Smør's ambition and creativity but notes that their items don't hold up well, becoming dry. However, they consider a warm cardamom bun from Smør a favorite pastry moment."
NegativeFrom post: East Village Bakery Crawl Feedback
"This commenter was not thrilled with Smør but has visited Hani's many times with no bad experiences."
NegativeFrom post: East Village Bakery Crawl Feedback
"This commenter suggests removing Smør and La Cabra from the list, finding Smør less interesting than other options."
NegativeFrom post: East Village Bakery Crawl Feedback
"This commenter suggests choosing between Smør and La Cabra, implying they are similar options."
NeutralFrom post: Recommendation For Morning Coffee And Savory
"Smor was mentioned."
NeutralFrom post: Any Spots Near The East Village For Sweet Or Fun
"Smør is listed as a place in the East Village that offers sweet iced coffees for those who enjoy flavored drinks."
PositiveFrom post: Follow Up Food From Wifes Surprise Trip 1st Week
"The commenter questions the hype around Smor, expressing bewilderment as to why people line up for the spot."
NegativeFrom post: Follow Up Food From Wifes Surprise Trip 1st Week
"The author was very disappointed with Smor's Cardamom Bun, finding it dry and stale, a stark contrast to highly-rated bakeries. They hoped it was due to visiting at a suboptimal time."
NegativeFrom post: Finnish Restaurant In Nyc
"The user was looking for Finnish restaurants in NYC and mentioned Smør as a Nordic place they were aware of."
NeutralFrom post: Where Do You Go For Really Good Coffee In New York
"This coffee shop was listed among other coffee recommendations."
NeutralFrom post: Quiet Breakfast Spot In Midtown
"Smør is mentioned as a quiet breakfast spot."
Positive