I don’t know a lot about Scandinavian food.
As a person originating from outside the region known as Scandinavia, I’m not even sure how effective it is to use a coverall term such as Scandinavian to describe all the food developed across a handful of countries with diverse geographic landscapes and historic influences.
To develop an understanding of what really constitutes Scandinavian food, the best I can do as a non-Scandi living in London is to defer to a chef who is happy to use the term to describe the food they create.
And if this plate of deliciousness is the norm, sign me up as a Scandi fan!
DAUNS, a fully vegan Scandinavian-inspired café, deli, bar, and shop is serving this incredible plate of food and it’s all thanks to the culinary magic of Rickard Daun.
Hailing from Sweden, Rickard grew up learning the art of from-scratch cooking from his mother, a skill that served him well when he went vegetarian in the 90s. If he wanted a burger, he had to make it himself!
After moving to London and embracing a fully plant-based diet in 2017, Rickard took his passion for proper, hearty food to the streets, launching Dauns as a market stall before growing it into a full-fledged destination for stunning Scandinavian flavours. Now, with a permanent space on Wentworth Street, DAUNS is serving up comfort food, bakes, and Nordic delights.
If you’ve ever wondered what a veganised take on classic Swedish/Scandi fare tastes like, you now know where to go!
The comfort food main shown in the images on this page might very well be my favourite dish in London. Swedish meatballs, fluffy mash, creamy gravy, fried onions, pickled gherkins, and in-house made sweetened
lingonberries come together to make a truly dreamy meal.
If you are looking for the weekend meal to beat them all, make a booking for a table at DAUNS and order this plate.
You should also follow DAUNS on Instagram.
Extra note: I am hosting a one-night only supper club at DAUNS on Friday February 14th, 2025. This dinner is raising funds for food security charity Made In Hackney and is limited to only 20 spaces. Click here to read about the special menu planned by Rickard for the evening and book your spot. Yes, it is Valentine’s Day but you are welcome to come on your own, with friends, or with partners.
You can order my book ‘Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t’ online now. It has been out a while now but is still a good read. You can also listen to the Audiobook read by me!
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