Smør offers an exceptional Scandinavian-inspired dining experience, combining fresh, high-quality ingredients with a cozy and stylish atmosphere. The space is inviting and modern, perfect for casual meals or special occasions.
The food is outstanding—innovative Nordic dishes, including open-faced sandwiches, smoked fish, and seasonal small plates, are prepared with precision and full of flavor. Each dish is thoughtfully composed, beautifully presented, and satisfying, showcasing both authenticity and creativity.
Service is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. Staff provide helpful recommendations and make every guest feel welcome.
Smør consistently delivers excellent cuisine, inviting ambiance, and exceptional service, making it a well-deserved five-star choice for anyone seeking Nordic flavors in New York City.
The banana bread was special.
Brunch here is great but dinner here is AMAZING. So slept on. Every dish slapped so hard including the whipped ricotta, fish and chips, and chicken schnitzel. The ambience is cozy danish chic and the service was great.
Great place ! Really recommend
No idea why people in the reviews are complaining, the food was incredible. Especially the fries with tarragon sauce.
I recently visited Smør, and it delivered a refined yet approachable take on Scandinavian-inspired café dining in Manhattan’s East Village. The café has a bright and welcoming atmosphere, with a clean and minimalist design that reflects the Nordic aesthetic often associated with Scandinavian food culture. The space feels relaxed and comfortable, making it a pleasant spot for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch.
The menu highlights Nordic-style open-faced sandwiches, known as smørrebrød, which are a central element of Danish cuisine. These dishes are built on dense rye bread and layered with thoughtfully selected ingredients such as smoked fish, cured meats, eggs, and fresh herbs. The sandwiches were visually appealing and demonstrated careful balance between textures and flavors. The rye bread provided a hearty base while the toppings added freshness and depth.
Another strength of the café is its emphasis on quality ingredients. Scandinavian cuisine often focuses on simplicity and allowing individual components to stand out. The ingredients used in the dishes felt fresh and carefully chosen, with flavors that remained clean and well balanced. Items such as pickled vegetables, herbs, and creamy spreads helped add brightness and contrast to the richer toppings.
The café also offers a strong coffee program and lighter breakfast options that complement the food menu well. Scandinavian café culture often emphasizes good coffee alongside simple but well-executed food, and Smør captures that tradition effectively. The combination of well-prepared dishes and quality coffee makes it an appealing place to spend a relaxed morning.
Service during the visit was friendly and efficient. Staff members maintained a welcoming attitude and helped guide customers through the menu when needed. The pace of service matched the casual café setting, allowing guests to enjoy their meal without feeling rushed.
The overall atmosphere contributes strongly to the experience. Smør manages to bring Scandinavian café culture into the East Village while maintaining a neighborhood feel that fits naturally within the area’s dining scene.
Overall, Smør offers a thoughtful and well-executed Scandinavian café experience with fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and a welcoming environment. It stands out as a unique destination for Nordic-style dishes in New York City.
The hot dog was okay overall, and the staff was friendly. However, the sausage was very small and quite thin, which was a bit disappointing. They also added too much Remoulade sauce, in my opinion.
We came this morning for breakfast at Smør without a reservation and were placed on the waitlist. The female worker told us it would be about 20 minutes, possibly 30 just in case. That was completely fine — we were happy to wait because we really wanted to try the food.
After waiting 40 minutes with no text or update, we went to ask what was happening. A male employee then told us we would need to wait another 20-ish minutes because they “don’t control how long people stay.” Meanwhile, we could clearly see that the entire seating had already turned over. It was obvious that we had simply been forgotten.
We never received any text saying our table was ready. There was no apology, just excuses.
This is unacceptable for any restaurant.
Mistakes happen, but ignoring guests and then refusing to take responsibility is not okay. Very disappointing experience.
Smør has been on my to-go list forever now but it was quite a let down? I ordered the smoked salmon plate — the portion was small, the bread dry and hard, and the avocado was not ripe at all. The server did little to help which made the atmosphere even less inviting. Definitely lacking in that Scandanavian warmth and food quality despite claiming to provide it.
I’ve been craving a danish hotdog for ages and I’m so happy to have found this place! It is very cozy inside and the server was very friendly. I’m visiting from out of state and am so sad we don’t have a place like this back home. If you’re craving some Scandinavian comfort food then this is your spot :)
Me and my friend always come here every start of the semester to celebrate. the food always hits every time and the service is great. Small place but feels very homey and cute ! our go-to is always the sweet potato fries. The hotdogs and their soups are good too. everything here is good lol
Awesome spot with great vibes. I don't even have to say this, but get the potatoes. You won't be sorry. My girlfriend and I come here a lot, and she brought her stepmom once too. I brought my mom and she loved it. My girlfriend's sister likes it as does my sister. My girlfriend brought her eldest brother. I don't have a brother. If I did, I'd bring him.