Raw, rainy Saturday evening in DC - a perfect night for seafood soup, halibut, and the two dessert specials. Great service. Cozy outdoor space. read more

I've been wanting to check-out Mikko for a long time and I am so glad I finally did. I love the casual, European café feel. The staff is lovely and the food was delicious. You can also pick up your favorite Nordic snacks in the grocery section. I couldn't leave without taking home a few cardamom buns for breakfast tomorrow! read more

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Really enjoyed a recent brunch at Mikko, and they're so so close to 5-stars. As always, I appreciated the ability to make a reservation online, which my group did. We were seated on the patio. Mikko has tables both in their immediate front patio and on the sidewalk in a covered, mostly enclosed streatery tables. Not sure what the inside really looked like, but I loved the fresh air on a bright weekend day. Though, the patio tables were a little narrow. My party started with mimosas (no bottomless, but they're only $7 a pop, and that's pretty much break even for the volume of mimosas I'd normally have in a bottomless situation). We ordered a chocolate croissant and a ham and cheese pastry for the table before hand. Both were delicious and fresh. They are decently warm, but maybe 5 more seconds in the oven would have made the heat more even, but really no impact on the excellent flavor. My entree was the ham Benedict. The ham was nicely griddled and not burned, and the poached eggs were cooked to the ideal hardness. The side salad was good, but I could have done without the fruit -- maybe an option for a starchier side, like breakfast potatoes or similar. Service was friendly and quick without feeling like the staff were cutting corners or sacrificing attention to favor speed. I'll definitely be back! read more

Mikko - Ham Benedict - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The person working behind the desk did not know what was in the sandwiches. The bagel was stale from being refrigerated for too long, the coffee was cold and weak, the fish soup was microwaved and lacked flavor. For the price, I would expect more. read more

My rating = 65 (food 49/75, ambiance 3/10, service 13/15). Lisa's rating = 70. Neighborhood cafe and grocery serving pretty good Scandinavian food (mostly, there were curries and gnocchi and schnitzel, too) on card tables by the curb of R street. We had: 1. Nordic Old Fashioned (made with aquavit, a potato-based liqueur) 2. Assortment of herring 3. Monkfish stew* 4. Chicken schnitzel 5. Potato gnocchi* 6. Alexander cake* 7. Lingonberry bread pudding 8. Date cake * = my favorites read more

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One of my favorite spots in the neighborhood! Great food and friendly atmosphere. The inside space is quite small but plenty of outdoor space on a nice day! read more

The nicest, most friendly team of hosts / hostesses, waiters, and chefs you'd ever want to meet. If you'd like to sample authentic Nordic cuisine, there is no need to jet off to Norway, or Sweden, or other Scandinavian countries. Just get to Washington DC -- get here now -- and immerse yourself in the Scandinavian experience that is Mikko's! read more

Finnish flavors in a quieter off street in Northwest DC! Finding true Scandinavian food is a rarity in the United States, and Mikko has it! When I arrived on a weekday evening I was not sure I had found the right place--Reggae music was blaring onto a patio. But yes, this was Mikko. The inside has an aura of an informal city deli. You can peer into the kitchen toward the back and see a few fellows working hard. After a few minutes, I was greeted at the register. After a few questions, I decided to order the Fish Burger. I sat outside and water was brought to me in a pleasantly European glass bottle. After about 10 minutes, my fish burger arrived... I started with the accompanying French Fries, which were not made in house and were rather average. More like filler. Then for the moment of truth--I sunk my teeth through a whole grain bun into the fish. It had a consistency remarkably similar to a beef hamburger. Dense, slithery, and firm yet soft. It was warm but not hot. Not greasy. The combination of white fish and cod struck was potent and somewhat fishy. Yet it was flavorful and good. An Omega-3 rich burger. More natural than Beyond Meat, and more healthy than beef. The onion and lettuce helped make the burger. There's tarter sauce too if you need it. All in all, a unique, fun, neighborhood experience. Let's grant more immigration visas to Scandinavians--Americans stand to benefit from their pescatarian diet and friendly cooking! read more

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I've walked past this restaurant a million times and decided to finally try it last night. The front & outdoor seating is so cute and the menu is very unique. I split 2 "small plates" ($10 each) with my friend-- the shrimp skagen with potato rosti & the herring plate. Both are SMALL-- I would recommend getting your own appetizers versus sharing since they taste so good and are so tiny. For entrees, I ordered the mushroom pasta (very creamy & salty). My friend ordered the lamb burger. We both enjoyed our food and will come back! Next time, I will probably order more of the small plates and then split an entree with someone. read more

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Mikko is the restaurant I go to the most in DC! I love the quality, authenticity and unique Swedish dishes they serve! Food Fish Soup My favorite dish hands down is their fish soup! They serve it with salmon and cod, I think, so it's yummy. The broth is light and has some dill flavor without it being fishy or anything. They serve it with rye bread and butter, or you can upgrade for a grilled cheese. This soup definitely got me through a cold winter quarantining in DC! Swedish Meatballs Their Swedish meatballs are well-made and flavorful - you can see some onions in the filling. They come with a side salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, as well as traditional lingonberry sauce! Perfect comfort meal when you just want a food coma! Salmon Quiche I love their salmon quiche - it's filling, just the right amount of salty and well-made. It rivals other French restaurants in the area, for sure! Meat Pie The meat pies are a bit garlicky and nice and filling. I love getting them when I'm craving something substantive Dessert and Pastries Cardamon Bun I always grab a cardamon bun - it reminds me of my travels through Scandinavia when you need a hot tea with a bun to get through a rainy day. It's nice with some jam and butter. Rhubarb Tarte I loved the tartness of their rhubarb tarte. The filling is not too sour, but it does balance out the sweetness of the dough. I felt like it was perfect for an afternoon tea with friends! Service and Ambiance They're always so nice and friendly. I usually call in to order pick up and they always let me know how long it will take. We've also done eat in dining before the pandemic and their seating is really cute. So glad they've opened up outdoor seating for the spring/summer! It's the perfect weather to enjoy that. Final Verdict I LOVE Mikko - it's definitely quality comfort food, but they also serve good salads and great coffee, lattes, tea and drinks! Bonus is their colorful ambiance, eclectic mix of Scandinavian chocolates and friendly service. read more

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Unusual Nordic place in DuPont. I got a tasty mocktail (a lot of people enjoying beer), Alexander cake (a bit too sweet for me), and a very flavorful tuna salad on bread. My friend enjoyed the duck. We both were happily surprised by place & plan to return. Friendly environment, good food. Definitely try it! read more

Excellent fish soup with salmon/cod. Good flavor and simple! Although more potatoes then fish:) Excellent latte as well. Got cod liver to go! I hear Gravlax with smoked salmon is good as well may be next time! Thanks again! read more

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What a nice refreshing array of Nordic foods and pastries in the DuPont circle area. Off of R St ans surrounded by little shops this delicious stop is a testimony to the many cultures that make up DC. My open faced shrimp salad sandwich was excellent. The shrimp salad very tasty and beautifully presented. The cinnamon bun, reminded me fondly of the breads my mother made. They have several open faced sandwiches including salmon, herring and shrimp. Pastries of all flavors, bottled sodas and waters, espresso as well as some dry crisps Www.chefmikko.com is where you can find more information. read more

Mikko - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Even though Swedish blood runs think through my veins, I am not one for Nordic cooking, mainly because the amount of seafood they use. Mikko changed my opinion after just one visit. My Swedish friend and I grabbed lunch on a Friday at Mikko. It was a perfect sunny day and Mikko's was the ideal spot with it's patio seating and open window concept. It also is the best dressed restaurant in DC with blues and reds on brand, evoking a brighter summer. The staff are friendly from the host to chef Mikko himself. You order inside from their limited, yet excellent lunch menu. They have pastries (sweet and savory) and packages snacks from northern Europe. I ordered the Swedish hot dog with shrimp skagen (like a dill and shrimp potato salad) and it was legit and tasty! As my friend and I were dining outside, the server brought us free cinnamon roll treats and an extra serving of shrimp skagen. Wow! If you want a friendly and tasty restaurant, walk to Dupont Circle to Mikko! read more

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Very cozy spot near DuPont circle with a very hospitable staff. I had the mushroom soup and trout salad mini naans, loved them both. The soup was so hearty and flavorful and in such a generous portion; I can't wait to come back for a brunch or on a wintry afternoon. read more

Mikko was awesome. Very great drinks and very good food. I had the smoked butternut squash soup with the grilled cheese and it was delicious. Get the Finnish Summer Cocktail. The employees were super kind, helpful and accommodating. Colorful place with colorful chairs and tables and very well lit. read more

Mikko - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delicious Nordic food, very friendly service, and cozy ambience. Best fish soup I've ever had. read more

Mikko - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Absolutely amazing food. Had the seared salmon and it was so moist with a nice crisp on top. Also tried the meatballs and the pita and hummus and it was all delicious. Now I want to go back and try everything! The people at the next table got the fish and chips and it smelled so good - I'll definitely try that next! Price-wise, considering how much we got, it was very reasonable. read more

Great spot for a casual lunch. I sat outside and had the Swedish meatballs and butternut squash soup - both great. Woman working the register was super friendly, too (Mikko was operating as a takeout window when I visited). read more

Mikko - Butternut Squash Soup - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Had a delicious dinner here recently. Food was delicious, inexpensive, and the service was excellent! We were a party of 9 and it's a small place and the only tables large enough were outside. The weather wasn't bad but that would have been nice to know when I made the reservation. I'll definitely be back. read more

Solid 3.5 stars for me. The food was decent, the service and ambience were great, but I didn't feel the prices were completely justified. Mikko is a cool little bakery in the DuPont neighborhood, with an awesome storefront complete with windows that open up and offer seating on both sides. The guy that helped me was super friendly and provided recommendations. We tried the following: roast beef sandwich, salmon sandwich, ham and cheese pastry, and a chicken empanada type thing (sorry - I forget the name). The sandwiches were good. Fresh ingredients, good (but subtle) flavors. They are served open faced on rye (for the most part). While tasty, neither blew me away, and at $12-$13 these were tiny with little protein. The ham and cheese pastry was delicious, probably my favorite thing we ordered. I want to say it was $3.50 or so. Not terribly priced but also not filling in its own. The chicken filled pastry was also good, but not extraordinary. Overall, a great place to sit for a quick bite once in a while. Not for those looking for a large/filling breakfast. We spent $36 total and could've eaten a lot more. read more

Stopped by Mikko on a whim a while back for brunch and was super pleased with the experience! Firstly a solid place for a solo brunch, something I'm always looking for as someone who finds myself on a lot of long coffee and food fueled solo walks around town. Secondly, I'm a huge lover of Scandinavian pastries so I was super stoked to find a place in town with my favorite type of cinnamon and cardamom buns! I also got the short rib Benedict that day and quite enjoyed it! Will say a hair pricey but it is in the dupont/Logan circle area so that is to be expected. Definitely need to stop by again to try more of their pastry selection! read more

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Cute little shop with a great big menu with everything looking delish! Also love the finnish candies they have there, the chocolate fudge mints were delicious. Will be back! read more

The Trout taco was fine...tho I wouldn't use Mexican salsa on a Scandinavian dish... but I was expecting a more sit down establishment and this is more of a Cafe than a true restaurant. Staff were very nice tho. read more

I am SO happy that I was looking for a place in the neighborhood to grab a bite and stumbled upon this treasure. I'm Slavic so this little cafe was perfect to get a dose of Nordic food that I am so used to when I was growing up! I got the fish soup with black bread and dill and it was delicious - simple and just brought me back to childhood. The service was wonderful, the atmosphere so quaint, and I really look forward to coming back again for happy hour! The only downside are the prices. I personally think they are a little steep otherwise I would be here everyday! read more

Mikko - Fish Soup - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

At Mikko, you pay for customer service and ambience. The food, not so much. I came here last weekend, and I really enjoyed how the hostess was able to explain the menu to me and told me it was open seating, so I could sit anywhere. I opted to sit on the patio as it was a sunny day, the weekend before the end of the summer. The menu was diverse, a bit steep, but I decided on the bratwurst and eggs. It took 15 minutes for my food to come out, the norm, and the food was good- crisp bratwurst, fresh arugula sald, refreshing fruits, warm eggs, but it was missing the mark for something that cost over $15. I wanted something that had a little bit more technique in being made and wasn't so cookie cutter. Other places in the area are priced a little bit less. I also wish I got more of a taste of Nordic food. I am not sure if I would come here again, but I would urge anyone else to visit once. Nice quaint place, overpriced food. They provide Nordic food, which is niche. read more

Mikko - Bratwurst and eggs - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

There's no better way to start a weekend than popping into Mikko. Every Saturday morning that I've gone in, there's a case full of pastries, quiches, sandwiches, and other incredible creations that are all so fresh, some of them are still steaming hot when you buy them. The star of the show for me is their cinnamon buns and cardamom buns. The cinnamon buns are not what you'd think of with a traditional American cinnamon roll- they look a bit more like a danish or pain aux raisins, but the top is studded with pearl sugar instead of covered in icing. The cardamom bun is more like a sweet roll, with cardamom sugar and butter on the outside. Both are so, so good and an absolute steal at $3.50. Lately I've also been trying other things from the case, including the salmon quiche, which is fantastic. There are also shelves with traditional Scandinavian treats like rye crackers, licorice, and hard candies for sale, which are always fun to try. The inside has very limited seating, but there's a patio outside with more tables to enjoy in nicer weather. I usually make quick stops, but Mikko also serves a delicious-looking brunch that I've always wanted to try! read more

I love a place that serves up incredible food plus offers an education in broadening my cultural/culinary horizons. Mikko is a casual Nordic cafe/market with amazing savory, sweet, and alcoholic options. If only I lived closer, I might be here everyday. The first thing you notice is the striking exterior. It really is one of the most beautiful designs in the city, hands down. A vibrant red bay window juts out from a bright white and blue brick exterior. The paint job cuts colorful triangle shapes into the side of the building. It's dramatic and beautiful. They say they are inspired by the cuisines of Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. I don't think I know a single thing about those culinary traditions, but you know you can trust that Mikko does them justice because the chef was the chef to the Finnish ambassador for 15 years! The food was displayed in a case near the register, and everything looked so good. They have lots of shrimp, herring, and smoked salmon options, and I am a sucker for a good salmon, so I had an open faced smoked salmon sandwich that also includes tomato, lettuce, a little dill, and a poached egg. It was so simple but so delicious. One of the best smoked salmon dishes I have had in DC. They also had mini beef meat pies for just $1, and who could pass up such a deal? It was tasty, too. While I sat and enjoyed, I tried one of their signature cocktails. Their drinks include traditional liquors (very cool), such as linie, an herbal potato based spirit, and Nordic beers. I went with the Nordic coffee, which is a red eye (espresso and coffee) mixed with aquavit and walnut liquer, all topped with a homemade whipped cream. It was amazing, smooth and potent, and the cream was very thick. In warmer months, enjoying a drink out on the patio sounds like paradise. I have to finish by quoting their website, which offers this gem: Hygge (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cozy, charming or special. Wow. What a great summary of my experience. read more

Have been wanting to come here for lunch for a while now and today happen to be in the area so decided to stop by anyway even though it's a Saturday so there's only a brunch menu. The restaurant has been around for about three years now and pre-pandemic there was much less outdoor space, just the small patio in front. However now it's taken over a substantial stretch of curbside space, covered and with quite a few more distanced tables which is a big improvement on the dining environment and seating availability. We had the salmon Benedict and mushroom omelet, both served with some greens and cut fruit. Both dishes were delicious, the Benedict had a generous amount of salmon and the omelet packed with several kinds of mushrooms. They also have a small store right inside offering a variety of pastries and sandwiches easy for takeout. Will definitely return to try other menu items next time we get a chance. read more

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Lunch with a friend. Our first time at Mikko. Service was easy. The outside patio was lovely. The menu was easy on the eye. I had the vegetable soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. The broth for the soup was amazing! Not too light, not to heavy. The sandwich was a perfect accompany. Looking forward to returning and exploring the menu. read more

Shrimp Skagen was... OMG amazing!! So good, so fresh, and so satisfying. Though the portion looked small (for the price), it was surprisingly filling. Herring sandwich was delicious too, but the herring portion was rather too tiny for the price, and the bread was a bit too hard (stale-tasting) for me. The fish meat was great though, and the sweet onion cream complemented the fish and bread well. The Gravlax wrap was absolutely delicious and creamy and satisfying. The egg yolk inside blended incredibly well with the salmon meat, making everything taste creamy and rich. I never knew egg yolk and seafood could go so well together. After trying those 3 sandwiches (all of which have egg with the meat) here at Mikko, I now know that egg yolk + fish = da bomb! Definitely returning to try other dishes. Very cute place, hygge-like. Nice service and lots of European sweets and chocolates here if you ever crave one. read more

Experience a delightful blend of Nordic culture and cuisine. Indulge in Fazer sweets from Finland and savor exquisite delicacies from Sweden. For fans of the Moomins, you'll find an array of charming merchandise as well. read more

Love this establishment - Hidden gem of DuPont! There is a small shop inside and a restaurant menu with a variety of selections: cocktails, coffee, wines, soups, pastries, brunch (eggs, French toast, etc ) and main dishes. I had salmon on rye bread and the fish soup (potatoes, dill, fish) - it was delicious and so fresh! The presentation of the blue lemongrass tea is also super cute - it comes with a timer and small glass teapot! One thing to note is that there are not a lot of seats inside but about ~6 tables outside. This is probably not a great place for a large group. Happy hour: 5-7 - tuesday- Sunday. Cocktails are $5 off and there are discounts on food as well! read more

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Profoundly disappointing: baked goods were beyond stale. I've been longing for Karelian pies ever since my last trip to Finland back in 2018. The price tag of $4.50 was alarming but I hoped it could be worth it: but no. Although the rice filling had the right soft texture, the crust was limp and both were generally flavorless; apparently the butter is supposed to make up for the rye lacking depth. Yet I don't know of any others in the US these days. Also had a cardamom bun, which at least had the right sweet and cardamomy flavors, but had the chalk texture of a prefab cinnamon roll cut up and left out to dry. Vastly inferior to even those in Chicago at Lost Larson. Admittedly the rye crisps are pretty good. I suppose those would hold up well. Maybe I just went on an off-day: it was Black Friday and maybe they cooked these before Thanksgiving. And I didn't try any of the hot food. But still, if they can't get a Karelian rice pie right, why should I trust anything else? read more

Ever since I returned from a trip to Sweden, I've been on the lookout for Nordic / Scandinavian food in the city - and thankfully, I found Mikko! The colors of their seating remind me of a primary school playground but it's a cute little cafe/resto, and the food and drink offerings are great. They have everything from bratwurst to lingonberry bread pudding (which I highly recommend if you're into sweet brunch plates). Bonus point is they do happy hour, even on weekends, starting at 3pm. $5 off of cocktails, can't remember what it was for beers and wine (?) but probably something like $2-$3 off. They also sell products like Swedish candy, mustard, etc. read more

Couldn't decide, so I ordered the Swedish pancakes with eggs and bratwurst on the side. Delicious! Cute spot and friendly service for Sunday brunch. Don't forget to order some pastries to go. read more

Mikko - Swedish pancakes, bratwurst and eggs, mimosa - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I tried Mikko with a friend on a recent business trip to Washington, D.C. We sat at the counter and enjoyed dinner. They were changing the menu. We were referred to the board at the front. Based on the experience, I would return with enthusiasm. Scandinavian cuisine is not familiar to me. There was a restaurant I went to maybe a half dozen times in San Francisco. It was excellent, located near symphony hall and the opera house. They had platters of open faced sandwiches. They perished during the pandemic. You're not supposed to mention IKEA meatballs in discussing fine dining. That is the extent of my knowledge though. I like strong flavors. So I am game for herring and the like. We had four dishes, two starters and two mains, with aquavit (they offer three labels, and I sampled all). The starters were rosti (crisply fried potato, like a high end hash brown) with mushrooms; a savory waffle with salmon; pumpkin ravioli; and cod in cheese. They were all powerful, not mild. The rosti and the waffle were sizable enough you could make a meal of the two small dishes. We were hungry. We finished everything except a couple of ravioli, which I brought home for my elderly father to have with a fried egg. This year I hope to become better as a food writer. That is a difficult genre, as is food photography. We all eat. That renders it more challenging to say something original and insightful. For now, I'm trying to take better notes. That will enable me at least to list ingredients. I'd highlight in particular the richness of the pumpkin stuffing. I believe from my reading that the pumpkins we carve for jack o'lanterns are not the same as the squash that is cooked in dishes. The space is intimate. They sell things too. They have a couple of small tables and a counter. They also have an outdoor heated parklet. I infer the restaurant is a base for a catering operation. That is said to be extensive. Both servers helped us. They were outgoing and engaging. In conclusion, Mikko is a start up that should expand. The food and the service are both commendable. I hope they will grow. Their space is more modest than their aspirations. read more

If I was rating this place solely on the atmosphere it would get 5 stars. This is such a cute, little colorful spot with mostly outdoor seating on a nice patio that borders right up against the sidewalk. Its on a less busy, side street with trees lining and the restaurant has an open air window facing into the inside where you order, its such a great place to bring a book and hang out on a beautiful day. I was disappointed by the actual food though. I think they change their options throughout the day but I came at a time where they were only offering food from behind the glass counter. I opted for this bread with smoked salmon on top, which paying $14 for something small that is premade and they are just taking from behind the glass I found to be a bit steep in price. The bread it was served on was thin and circular and I found to be the worst part of the dish. The bread was dry and crumbly. The smoked salmon on top was delicious, very tender and soft and easy to bite into to. But the dish was a bit simple with just the salmon and lettuce and some garnish. They also have cocktails which were refreshing and good. If I come back here its for the great atmosphere and maybe to see if there is a time of day when they serve from a made-to-order menu. read more

Mikko - Scandinavian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very cute place! The patio was nice, with the breeze I felt a bit vacation-y! The server was kind and checked on us even though she was busting her ass! The French Sauvignon Blanc was nice and a generous pour. I could only eat half of the yummy Swedish meatballs but my twelve year old took care of the leftovers stat! I also bought some cute chocolate bunnies for the baskets! (12 and even 24 still enjoy a visit from the bunny)! read more

We went yesterday around 7pm for dinner. Seated outside. Table of 8. First of all, this is the only Nordic restaurant in DC. They cater a lot of the Scandinavian embassies' events, which is pretty cool!!! TLDR: their food was okay. The salmon with the fried risotto balls was good. I don't know if my palate is not just used to Nordic food but everything was a bit salty. But cool vibe and super nice waitress. read more