Swedish Restaurant

- 1 Beard St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

The Swedish Restaurant at 1 Beard St in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood is more than just a place to grab a bite; it's a local institution and a highly popular dining spot for New Yorkers seeking simple, delicious, and incredibly affordable comfort food. Known for bringing a taste of Scandinavian cuisine to the bustling streets of Brooklyn, this restaurant, which is famously located within the IKEA store, offers a casual and family-friendly dining experience that draws in crowds from all five boroughs and beyond. For those in New York looking for a quick, satisfying meal during a lunch break, a casual dinner, or just a place to refuel, the Swedish Restaurant is a reliable and well-loved choice.

The core of the menu is built around classic, well-known Swedish dishes, but it also provides a wide variety of American comfort food options, ensuring there's something to please every palate. The atmosphere is unpretentious and geared toward ease, making it an excellent stop for solo diners, families with children, and groups of friends looking for a low-key dining experience. The restaurant's popularity is a testament to its value proposition—offering wholesome meals that are easy on the wallet, a combination that resonates strongly with New Yorkers. It is a true local favorite, evidenced by the steady stream of Brooklyn residents who treat it as their go-to spot for a dependable and fast meal.

Location and Accessibility

Strategically situated in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, the Swedish Restaurant's address is 1 Beard St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA. This unique location is part of the larger IKEA retail complex, which is a major destination in itself, making the restaurant easy to find and access for those traveling by car or public transportation. For Brooklynites and New Yorkers from other boroughs, getting to this Red Hook spot is convenient.

The location's prominence near the Erie Basin Park and its accessibility off the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), specifically Exit 26 Hamilton Ave, make driving a viable option, with ample parking usually available as part of the retail complex. For those relying on public transit, the restaurant is accessible via MTA public transportation routes, including the B61 bus, with stops conveniently located near the front of the store. Furthermore, the restaurant benefits from the unique transportation option of the NY Waterway ferry service, which often provides a free ferry to the IKEA store on weekends, offering a scenic and stress-free way to arrive from Manhattan.

A key highlight for accessibility is the physical design of the dining area itself. The entire facility, being a part of a large modern retail establishment, features a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of mobility needs, can comfortably enter and enjoy a meal. The general layout is casual and spacious, designed to handle a large volume of customers, which contributes to its welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

Services Offered

The Swedish Restaurant provides a variety of services to meet the needs of all its local patrons:

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LI Dine-in: The primary service, offering a casual and comfortable dining area for patrons to sit and enjoy their meal.

LI Takeout: Quick service is available for those who prefer to grab their meal and go. This is ideal for busy New Yorkers on the move.

LI Lunch Service: Extremely popular for midday meals, offering a swift and affordable option for a quick bite.

LI Dinner Service: Available as a casual option for evening meals, perfect for solo dining, a family night out, or a relaxed get-together.

LI Dessert Offerings: A dedicated selection of classic Scandinavian and American desserts is available to complete the dining experience.

LI Good for Kids: The restaurant is designed to be very welcoming to families, featuring kid-friendly meal options (Kids' Meals) and a comfortable atmosphere for children.

LI Accepts Credit and Debit Cards: A range of convenient payment methods are accepted.

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Features / Highlights

The restaurant's features are what truly define its appeal to the New York community, combining familiarity, value, and comfort.

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LI Authentic Swedish Comfort Food: The menu is a highlight, centered on the classic, world-famous Meat Balls served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and lingonberry jam. This is complemented by the Plant Balls and Veggie Balls, catering to vegetarian and vegan preferences, all maintaining the iconic Swedish flavor profile.

LI Excellent Value and Quick Bite: Known for its affordability, the restaurant is an excellent source of Quick bites and Comfort food, providing substantial portions at accessible prices. It is one of the cheapest and most reliable meal options in the area.

LI Diverse Menu Selection: Beyond the meatballs, the menu offers a solid selection of hot and cold entrees, including the Salmon Fillet, Cod, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and the American favorite, Mac & Cheese. Cold options like the Stockholm, Chicken Caesar, and Greek Salad are available for lighter fare.

LI A Treat for Sweet Lovers: The dessert menu is a major draw, featuring classic items such as Almond Cake, Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake, Rainbow Cake, Strawberry Cake, Apple Cake, and the indulgent Gooey Chocolate Cake.

LI Casual and Inclusive Atmosphere: The atmosphere is distinctly Casual, making everyone feel welcome. The main Crowd is composed of Locals, indicating its integration into the daily life of Brooklyn residents. The dining area includes restrooms and is popular for solo dining.

LI Focus on Family: The availability of dedicated Kids' Meals and a general ambiance that is Good for kids solidifies its status as a go-to family destination in the borough.

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Contact Information

For New Yorkers planning their visit, here is the essential contact information:

P Address: 1 Beard St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA

P Phone: The general store phone number is typically used, but the most direct way for up-to-date hours and information is generally through the company's official website. A typical phone contact for the overall store is (888) 888-4532.

What is Worth Choosing

For the New York diner, the Swedish Restaurant offers a unique blend of familiarity and novelty that is truly worth choosing. It stands out in a city full of dining options by providing consistency and exceptional value.

Firstly, you simply must experience the iconic Swedish Meat Balls. Served with creamy mashed potatoes, a savory gravy, and a dollop of tart lingonberry jam, this dish is the culinary cornerstone of the restaurant and a rite of passage for any New Yorker who hasn't tried them. The combination of savory and sweet is a satisfying and classic flavor profile that holds up to its international reputation. For a modern, plant-based twist, the Plant Balls or Veggie Balls offer the same comforting experience with an eye toward sustainability.

Secondly, for those seeking a lighter or more premium dish, the Salmon Fillet is an excellent choice. As a staple of Scandinavian cuisine, the salmon is prepared simply to highlight its natural flavor, often served with a lemon dill sauce and vegetable sides. It's a healthy, filling option that feels far more upscale than the restaurant's price point would suggest.

Finally, the restaurant is unparalleled as a family-friendly dining option in Brooklyn. New Yorkers know how challenging it can be to find an establishment that genuinely caters to all ages. The casual atmosphere, the dedicated Kids' Meals, and the availability of simple, universally appealing dishes like Mac & Cheese and Chicken Tenders make this a stress-free environment for parents. The ability to grab an affordable and satisfying meal for the entire family is, by itself, a compelling reason for local residents to choose this spot.

While some customer feedback points to occasional operational hiccups—such as slow service or temporary shortages of items like utensils or coffee—the overwhelming sentiment remains positive. As one customer noted, the menu features "original dishes where flavors speak clearly," and the "setting here breaks the mold." It is a place that offers a consistently warm and welcoming experience, and its mission to provide affordable, hearty, and tasty food makes it a valuable fixture in the Red Hook dining landscape. Whether you’re on a quick solo lunch or an outing with your family, a stop at the Swedish Restaurant is a comforting and worthwhile detour from the fast pace of New York life.

Swedish Restaurant

1 Beard St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA