AALTO BISTRO
Nordic cool at it's best
AALTO BISTRO is a unique restaurant and café in the Nordic House in Reykjavik. The chef, Sveinn Kjartansson, is renowned for his popular TV programmes in Iceland. AALTO Bistro emphasis on Scandinavian food inspired by central European cuisine.
AALTO BISTRO is named by the Nordic House acclaimed Finnish modernist architect, Alvar Aalto.
The Nordic House is one of his later works, a hidden gem and features most of Aalto's signature traits. In the Nordic house, all installed furnishings, lamps and almost all of the furniture are by Aalto.
Spectacular seafood
For years, the renowned chef Sveinn Kjartansson has been showing viewers of Icelandic television how to make the most of the country’s natural food sources, especially its impressive range of seafood. Now, visitors to the Nordic House can sample for themselves the work of this creative genius, in the form of delicious smørrebrød (open sandwiches), delightful fresh lunch specials and, over the weekends, a delicately constructed dinner menu. Naturally, the fruits of the sea feature prominently, although meat and vegan options are also on offer.
Healthy food for a happy heart
In true New Nordic style, the food at AALTO Bistro draws on fresh, local, healthy produce, ingredients which change with the seasons. Head chef Sveinn stirs in a dash of his trademark magic to create the prettiest of plates – dishes such as hot-smoked catfish on a citrus salad with wild angelica mayonnaise, and pan-fried seafood speckled with fresh herbs in a white wine sauce.
For a light lunch or anytime-treat, try the traditional Scandinavian style sandwich; a slice of moist, dark bread piled high with crisp fried plaice, shrimps and chervil sauce, for example. And when it comes to morning coffee or afternoon tea, linger awhile, over delicious homemade cakes, all made with the best ingredients available at the time, for example a slice of lavender-orange cake topped with Icelandic skyr.
A distinct pleasure
Named in honour of the visionary Finnish architect who designed the building – Alvar Aalto – the Bistro’s setting within the Nordic House is as pleasurable as the menu. This distinctive blue-roofed building is an architectural jewel in the heart of Reykjavík and an icon of Nordic aesthetics, offering guests to the Bistro a chance to explore the rich seam of art, literature and culture coming out of the region. Close to the national museum and university, it is less than ten minutes’ walk from the city centre and a haven of cultural tranquillity and Nordic cool. Truly worth a visit.
ALVAR AALTO AND THE NORDIC HOUSE
The Nordic House in Reykjavík is a cultural institution opened in 1968 and operated by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Its goal is to foster and support cultural connections between Iceland and the other Nordic countries. To this end the Nordic House organizes a diverse program of cultural events and exhibitions.
The house is the venue for front row activities in the Icelandic cultural calendar: Reykjavík International Film and Literary Festivals, Iceland Airwaves and The Nordic Fashion Biennale—launched by the Nordic House.
The house maintains a library and the Nordic Region in Focus information service.
In addition, there is a shop for Nordic design and food products, exhibition space and auditoriums. The house also features an acclaimed restaurant serving New Nordic food.
The Nordic House is designed by acclaimed Finnish modernist architect Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). The house is one of his later works, a hidden gem among the better known masterpieces, and features most of Aalto's signature traits. These are evident in the ultramarine blue ceramic rooftop that takes its organic shape from the mountain row in the background, the central well in the library and the extensive use of white, tile and wood throughout the building.
Alvar Aalto also designed the furnishings in most of his buildings. In the Nordic house, all installed furnishings, lamps and almost all of the furniture are by Aalto.
The Nordic House is the only building in Iceland designed by an internationally acclaimed architect.
Click here to read more about Alvar Aalto Architect from Finland.
AALTO BISTRO EMPLOYEES
Nordic cool at it's best
AALTO BISTRO is a unique restaurant and café in the Nordic House in Reykjavik. The chef, Sveinn Kjartansson, is renowned for his popular TV programmes in Iceland. AALTO Bistro emphasis on Scandinavian food inspired by central European cuisine.
AALTO BISTRO is named by the Nordic House acclaimed Finnish modernist architect, Alvar Aalto.
The Nordic House is one of his later works, a hidden gem and features most of Aalto's signature traits. In the Nordic house, all installed furnishings, lamps and almost all of the furniture are by Aalto.
Spectacular seafood
For years, the renowned chef Sveinn Kjartansson has been showing viewers of Icelandic television how to make the most of the country’s natural food sources, especially its impressive range of seafood. Now, visitors to the Nordic House can sample for themselves the work of this creative genius, in the form of delicious smørrebrød (open sandwiches), delightful fresh lunch specials and, over the weekends, a delicately constructed dinner menu. Naturally, the fruits of the sea feature prominently, although meat and vegan options are also on offer.
Healthy food for a happy heart
In true New Nordic style, the food at AALTO Bistro draws on fresh, local, healthy produce, ingredients which change with the seasons. Head chef Sveinn stirs in a dash of his trademark magic to create the prettiest of plates – dishes such as hot-smoked catfish on a citrus salad with wild angelica mayonnaise, and pan-fried seafood speckled with fresh herbs in a white wine sauce.
For a light lunch or anytime-treat, try the traditional Scandinavian style sandwich; a slice of moist, dark bread piled high with crisp fried plaice, shrimps and chervil sauce, for example. And when it comes to morning coffee or afternoon tea, linger awhile, over delicious homemade cakes, all made with the best ingredients available at the time, for example a slice of lavender-orange cake topped with Icelandic skyr.
A distinct pleasure
Named in honour of the visionary Finnish architect who designed the building – Alvar Aalto – the Bistro’s setting within the Nordic House is as pleasurable as the menu. This distinctive blue-roofed building is an architectural jewel in the heart of Reykjavík and an icon of Nordic aesthetics, offering guests to the Bistro a chance to explore the rich seam of art, literature and culture coming out of the region. Close to the national museum and university, it is less than ten minutes’ walk from the city centre and a haven of cultural tranquillity and Nordic cool. Truly worth a visit.
ALVAR AALTO AND THE NORDIC HOUSE
The Nordic House in Reykjavík is a cultural institution opened in 1968 and operated by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Its goal is to foster and support cultural connections between Iceland and the other Nordic countries. To this end the Nordic House organizes a diverse program of cultural events and exhibitions.
The house is the venue for front row activities in the Icelandic cultural calendar: Reykjavík International Film and Literary Festivals, Iceland Airwaves and The Nordic Fashion Biennale—launched by the Nordic House.
The house maintains a library and the Nordic Region in Focus information service.
In addition, there is a shop for Nordic design and food products, exhibition space and auditoriums. The house also features an acclaimed restaurant serving New Nordic food.
The Nordic House is designed by acclaimed Finnish modernist architect Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). The house is one of his later works, a hidden gem among the better known masterpieces, and features most of Aalto's signature traits. These are evident in the ultramarine blue ceramic rooftop that takes its organic shape from the mountain row in the background, the central well in the library and the extensive use of white, tile and wood throughout the building.
Alvar Aalto also designed the furnishings in most of his buildings. In the Nordic house, all installed furnishings, lamps and almost all of the furniture are by Aalto.
The Nordic House is the only building in Iceland designed by an internationally acclaimed architect.
Click here to read more about Alvar Aalto Architect from Finland.
AALTO BISTRO EMPLOYEES
Sveinn Kjartansson
Owner and Chef
Owner and Chef
