Olsen Restaurant

I went there the other day for my birthday. As soon as you come, in it is a perfect atmosphere, as if you knew you're goin to have a good time and enjoy a very good lunch.

I must admit, we had no idea of what to order so we went for the SAS meal (yes, like the airline). And we were not disappointed, everything was very good and in perfect quantities to be satisfied but not overly full. All this went with a good Polish vodka, very very smooth and very good, although if you are not used to drink it as an aperitif it can be quite tough... I had deer meat and I liked it. I had eagerly wanted to try it for a long time. It has a very smooth taste, with a slightly strong aftertaste, very tasty overall. Before the deer we had a Skrei carpaccio with cucumber, green apple, yogurt and dill. The main course was shrimp ravioli with Krein foam and scallion shoots, DELICIOUS!

The dessert was impressive: fresh red fruits with milk gelée, blackcurrant pate and almond in white chocolate. To finish we ordered the Loewe cocktail, very nice and posh haha..

Viva all things Nordic! Olsen is one of the few restaurants in Madrid which specializes in Scandinavian cuisine. I went there for a private catered event and I was really impressed by the place. I went back to actually try the menu and all I can say is YES!

We were a bit cautious going in since I’d read that the portions were small, but we couldn’t have been more wrong. With two starters (split between four), a main, and a dessert we were stuffed.

I love Olsen because it’s very out of the ordinary (none of the ubiquitous trendy stuff like goat cheese, balsamic reductions, caramelized onions, foie gras, and the like). Nordic cuisine is based on fish like herring, salmon, and tuna; venison, lamb, sour cream, delicious breads, and vegetables like celery, potatoes, cucumbers, and radishes. So, for me at least, it was an exquisite and really original experience.

If you asked me to recommend a Swedish restaurant in Madrid, I’d tell you “El Olsen” is that place ! It’s the place of reference when it comes to Nordic cuisine in the Spanish capital and it’s truly more than recommendable place if you feel like trying salmon blintz, reindeer meat or a good Swedish vodka.

The place has a ton of Nordic charm, sporting the strange mix between functional and cozy that Ikea has mastered. From the menu, I’d recommend the blintz and the salmon tacos and, of course, the selection of Swedish vodkas. However, I’d have to say that it’s a bit expensive for the quality they offer. It’s a shame because, if it had better suited prices, it could be one of my favorite restaurants in Madrid.