Scandinavian Fine Dining Menu Template

When it comes to designing your Scandinavian fine dining menu with Menuzen, there are a few things you need to pay attention to. The format of your menu is the first thing a guest will notice, and it’ll be the one thing that will leave an impression. So, when creating your Scandinavian fine dining menu design on Menuzen, pick the proper format from our wide range of free menu templates and customise it according to your needs.

Secondly, ensuring the design elements match your restaurant’s theme is vital. You’ll want to keep it simple but still memorable by choosing modern yet elegant fonts and neutral colours and incorporating illustrations that reflect the Scandinavian spirit. All in all, you’ll want a design with a classic touch that captures the atmosphere of this culinary tradition and exudes luxury at the same time.

Lastly, setting prices for exquisite meals in a high-end setting can be tricky. You don’t want to scare away potential customers; at the same time, understand that you’re offering something unique. You should also remember to consider taxes as well as food production costs when listing prices on your menu. You may glean further insights from our blog on how to cost a menu.

Scandinavian fine dining combines classic Nordic cuisine and a luxurious touch introduced by the restaurant’s setting and the unusual (yet creative) combination of Scandinavian food elements.

That said, the following are popular dishes at a Scandinavian fine dining restaurant:

1. Gravadlax With Soda Bread and Horseradish Cream

This classic Scandinavian fine dining dish comprises cured salmon, dense soda bread, and tangy horseradish cream. Gravadlax is typically made by curing salmon with a mixture of salt, sugar, and herbs, which infuses the fish with rich, complex flavours. To make gravadlax, you’ll need to prepare the cure mixture and coat the salmon fillets with it. The salmon should then be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for a few days to allow the flavours to develop.

While the salmon cures, you can prepare the soda bread by combining flour, baking soda, and buttermilk. The dough should be kneaded and shaped into a round loaf before baking in the oven. You’ll need to mix sour cream, horseradish, lemon juice, and salt for the horseradish cream. This tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the rich, flavorful gravadlax and hearty soda bread. Once the salmon is fully cured, it can be sliced thinly and served with soda bread and horseradish cream for a delicious and impressive meal. Including an image of this exquisite dish in your chosen Scandinavian fine dining menu template will make for an inviting menu.

2. Roasted Beetroot With Soured Cream, Hazelnuts and Dill

This popular Scandinavian fine dining dish combines the earthy sweetness of roasted beetroot with the tanginess of soured cream, the nuttiness of hazelnuts, and the freshness of dill. To make this dish, preheat the oven and roast the beets until tender. Once the beets are done, let them cool, peel, and slice them into thin slices. To assemble the dish, arrange the beet slices on a platter or individual plates, dollop soured cream over the beets, and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts and fresh dill. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. This dish is an excellent option for a dinner party or a special occasion at your fine dining spot, as it’s elegant and flavorful. It also showcases the fresh, seasonal ingredients central to Scandinavian cuisine.

3. Chicken, Dill and Potato Salad With Anchovy Dressing and Rye Bread Croutons

This classic Scandinavian dish combines savoury flavours with fresh herbs and vegetables. To make this dish, cook chicken and potatoes until tender, then cool and slice them. Next, prepare a tangy dressing using anchovies, mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil. Toss the chicken and potatoes in the dressing, along with chopped fresh dill and thinly sliced red onion. Now, make rye bread croutons by toasting cubes of rye bread with olive oil and salt to add a crunchy texture. Serve the salad chilled with the croutons on top for a delicious and satisfying meal for any occasion.

Authenticity is central to any stellar Scandinavian fine dining cuisine, and diners would surely be looking out for this. While you may introduce creative twists to any of the following traditional Scandinavian dishes at your restaurant, be sure they retain their true essence while you’re at it.

1. White Fishcakes With Prawn, Egg and Dill Sauce

This traditional Scandinavian dish features tender fishcakes made with white fish, blended with potatoes, herbs, and spices, and served with a rich and flavorful sauce of prawns, eggs, and fresh dill. To make this dish, poach white fish in milk and water, then mash it with cooked potatoes, eggs, and a blend of fresh herbs and spices. Form the mixture into small patties and fry until crispy and golden brown. For the sauce, sauté prawns in butter until pink; then add chopped boiled eggs, fresh dill, and cream, and cook until thick and creamy. Serve the fishcakes hot with a generous drizzle of the prawn, egg and dill sauce on top. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill and a wedge of lemon for extra flavour and presentation.

2. Beetroot and Dill Pilaf With Hot-Smoked Trout

This flavorful and colourful dish is often found in Scandinavia’s fine dining establishments. Without a doubt, an image of this dish will add a spark to your Scandinavian fine dining menu design. The dish combines cooked rice with roasted or grated beetroot, fresh dill, and other seasonings like lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Other ingredients include flaked hot-smoked trout, which adds a rich and smoky flavour. To make the dish, cook the rice according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, roast or grate the beetroot and chop the fresh dill. Once the rice is cooked, mix it with the beetroot, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Then, flake the hot-smoked trout and arrange it on top of the rice and beetroot mixture. Serve the dish hot to ensure your diners enjoy this authentic Scandinavian meal’s vibrant flavours and colours.

3. Veal Tartare With Dark Malt Crumble, Wild Herbs and Quail Eggs

This authentic Scandinavian dish combines the freshness of raw meat with the richness of malt and egg. It’s a popular Scandinavian fine dining meal that showcases the region’s emphasis on natural and locally-sourced ingredients. To make this dish, finely chop high-quality veal and mix it with Dijon mustard, capers, shallots, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and form the mixture into a circular shape on the plate. Top with a quail egg yolk and sprinkle with a crumble made from dark malt, flour, butter, and sugar. Garnish with wild herbs like sorrel, chervil, and chives, and serve immediately. This dish is perfect as a starter or light lunch and will impress guests with its unique combination of flavours and textures.

Considering that fine dining is heavy on unique combinations of ingredients and spices, you’ll need in-depth knowledge of the various flavours particular to Scandinavian cuisine.

That said, the following flavours and additives add exceptional taste to your fine dining recipes:

• Smoky: Smoked fish like salmon or herring are commonly found in Scandinavian cuisine. The smoky flavour comes from the smoking process, typically using wood chips to add a rich, smoky taste.
• Dill: Dill is a popular herb in many Scandinavian dishes, such as pickled herring or gravlax. Its distinct flavour is a combination of sweet and slightly bitter notes.
• Lingonberry: This tart and tangy berry is a staple in Scandinavian cuisine, often used in sauces, jams, and desserts. Its unique flavour can be described as a mix of sour and sweet.
• Malt: Malt is commonly used in Scandinavian bread and desserts but can also be found in savoury dishes like the veal tartare discussed earlier. It has a rich, slightly sweet flavour with hints of caramel.
• Piney: Juniper berries are often used in Scandinavian meat dishes, particularly with game meats like reindeer or elk. They add a distinctive piney flavour with a hint of citrus.

Fresh lumpfish roe with crispy chicken skin, onions, and cream is a classic Scandinavian fine dining dish that showcases the region’s love for fresh seafood and simple yet elegant preparations. The dish consists of a creamy sauce made from crème fraîche, sour cream, and onions, topped with fresh lumpfish roe and crispy chicken skin for added texture and flavour. The roe is typically seasoned with lemon juice and salt to enhance its natural saltiness.

This dish is often served as an appetiser or a light lunch and pairs well with a glass of crisp white wine. It’s an excellent example of how Scandinavian cuisine uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and minimal preparation to design bold yet refined flavours. See our seafood fine dining menu template for other great menu options.

A stellar Scandinavian fine dining menu should have a clean and minimalist layout with a focus on the ingredients and flavours of the dishes. If you're looking for scandinavian fine dining menu design ideas, you're in the right place. The menu should be divided into starters, mains, and desserts, briefly describing each dish and highlighting the key ingredients and preparation methods. Using simple, elegant fonts and neutral colours is common in Scandinavian design, and the menu may include illustrations or photographs to showcase the beauty of the dishes. The overall goal of the layout is to present a sense of harmony and balance between the menu design and the Nordic food itself, reflecting the Scandinavian emphasis on simplicity and natural beauty.