Dauns London Review: Scandinavian Plant-Based Café

We visited Dauns Scandinavian Plant-Based Café & Restaurant on Friday, September 13th, 2024.

On this day, I was travelling to my brother’s and made a quick stop at Dauns, a Scandinavian plant-based café/restaurant. I first visited in 2023 when I wasn’t fully plant-based, and it was much quieter back then.

This time, it was absolutely packed — I was lucky to grab the last available table just as someone left. It wasn’t the best-lit spot, but after travelling from Colchester, I was just happy to get a seat.

What we had

Swedish Meatballs & Mash (£12)
This dish did exactly what you’d expect — authentic Swedish-style meatballs served with fluffy mashed potatoes, creamy gravy, crispy fried onions, pickled gherkins, and their in-house rårörda lingonberries.

It was very tasty and well balanced. The tangy gherkins and sweet lingonberries cut through the richness nicely. They also offer a large portion for £16 or a kids’ portion for £8.

Mixed Leaf Salad (£3.50)
A fresh side of mixed leaves, carrot, apple, and Dijon vinaigrette. I usually like to add something fresh to the meal, and this worked well.

Sipp’d Apple Juice (£2.60)
A refreshing, locally sourced apple juice. I’ve had this before at Patch, and it’s nice to see familiar brands appearing in different places.

Final thoughts

Dauns has clearly grown in popularity since my last visit, and it’s easy to see why. Good coffee, hearty Scandinavian-inspired dishes, and a cosy atmosphere make it a solid spot.

I’ve had their coffee before and it’s very good, so it was nice to come back and try more of the food.

If you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit.