What to eat at The Norwegian Restaurant in Rockford, Illinois (USA)

Well-known for having deep Scandinavian roots, the town of Rockford, Illinois (USA) just became a bit more Nordic with the addition of a restaurant appropriately called “The Norwegian”. If you are looking for some of the the best Nordic food in the American Midwest, try The Norwegian Restaurant in Rockford, Illinois.

This Scandinavian-inspired dining establishment will give you the feeling of stepping into a Scandinavian town with its windows filled with facades of colorful buildings similar to the ones found on the fisherman’s street in Bergen, Norway.

If the subtle touches of Danish and Swedish design doesn’t transport you mentally across the ocean, the food definitely will.

After spending a few years living in Denmark, I have had much experience with Nordic cuisine. When we heard about “The Norwegian”, we were more than a bit curious of just how Americans would interpret not only Danish food, but also foods from Sweden and Norway. This marked the beginning of our culinary journey to find Danish foods in the USA.

Thank you to The Norwegian for hosting our lunch! We really enjoyed our time there! Though the meal was gifted to us, the thoughts and feelings about the food and our overall experiences at The Norwegian Restaurant are completely my own! This post may also include affiliate links. See the disclaimer page for details.

Danish Food in the USA

We were in northern Illinois, visiting family, and we thought that it would be great to spend a few days in Rockford, Illinois to see the best places in family fun as well as try some really great food.

My husband is Danish and enjoys trying different foods, so I thought he was the best person to try a Scandinavia restaurant in the USA with me! He is also my favorite “date”, so that worked out well! Being a vegetarian for the past 25 years, I was more than willing to try what I could find for vegetarians, but it was so nice to have a meat-eater to try what I couldn’t.

Since traditional Danish food is very much a meat-and-potatoes type of food, I knew he would find plenty to eat. Finding vegetarian food for me in Denmark was always a challenge, so I was very curious to see what The Norwegian would offer people like me.

The Neighborhood of The Norwegian

The Norwegian restaurant was located on Main Street in Rockford, IL., which was very close to one of the town’s only roundabouts, which are found everywhere in Denmark. I loved this small coincidence. Also the fact that the restaurant was in walking distance to a German restaurant made us feel that we were in the “Little Europe” section of the town.

This area of Rockford had many older homes, and the quaint building that housed The Norwegian was originally built in 1930. The charm of the building, however, was 100% due to the hard work and TLC of the owners, Mark and Emily Hurd Christensen, who gave life to a dying, forgotten building and transformed it into a historical treasure for the entire community to enjoy.

Getting to The Norwegian in Rockford, Illinois was easy because it was located near the corner of two main roads of the city, and the parking lot that was behind the building was large for many patrons as well as free to use.

A Look Inside at The Norwegian Restaurant

We decided to try The Norwegian on a Thursday for an early lunch and arrived around eleven o’clock in the morning. We were fortunate to arrive before the lunch crowd and easily found a table within the half-full dining area.

While you are in Rockford, check out the dinosaurs at the Burpee Museum of Natural History!

The back of the restaurant

We arrived through the back door near the parking lot, which gave us a different view of the restaurant. This section was very cozy, and if I had to describe it, I would call it the Cozy Corner (“hyggeligt hjørne” in Danish) because there was a section of lounge chairs near a fireplace.

The front of the restaurant

In the center of the restaurant was a bar, where you could get a specialty coffee like in any café in Copenhagen combined with a nice, Swedish, small cake or cookie from a local bakery. The Norwegian restaurant worked with local businesses to get fresh breads, organic foods, local brews and more.

Using local products in collaboration with small businesses was very much at the center of any great Danish business, as well.

Entertainment for all Ages

Live Entertainment

If these sections of the restaurant weren’t enough, there was also a music stage where local groups performed regularly. The Norwegian was the type of hip restaurant that would attract younger college students, but was perfect for families and older customers who were looking for a great place to get a nice meal for breakfast, lunch or supper.

Family-Friendly Restaurant

There was also another sitting section at the front of the restaurant near the building façade. Here, you could find comfortable chairs, a coffee table, and many baskets filled with toys and books to entertain the younger customers. This place seemed to have something for everyone, and it would be very easy for parents to bring their children to this restaurant. Child-friendly restaurants are the best!

The Scandinavian “Hygge” at the Norwegian

One thing that I noticed right away was the charm of the restaurant and how many style elements that were very Nordic. Of course, the menu was very Scandinavian. You’ll hear more about that later. I also enjoyed The Norwegian’s impressive coffee maker and delicious Swedish cakes and breads.

The beautiful wooden tables and chairs as well as the bar-style tables and ceilings reminded me of the things that you would commonly see in Danish bars or even in Danish homes. Another very Scandinavia element to this comfortable space was the addition of many live plants. They even had their own herb garden and real flowers at each table.

An Overall View of the Menu at The Norwegian Restaurant

We took our time looking over the menu and realized that we were going to have a hard time deciding on what to choose. There were so many different types of foods, and I loved how there were many vegetarian options on the menu.

The menu at The Norwegian was separated into different sections, such as: Bords, Salads, Sandwiches/Wraps, Plates, Breads/Grains, a la carte, and søtsakker. I thought it was very sweet that they chose to use two Scandinavian words, “bord” and “søtsakker” in their menu to add a bit more of a Scandinavian authenticity.

Looking to get closer to Chicago? Check out the family-friendly Morton Arboretum!

The Norwegian Restaurant Menu: Bords

In the “bord” section, we found three different options; all of which were vegetarian-friendly. The choices were salmon, potatoes or a nut and fruit plate. It was from this menu that my husband and I ordered a starter to share. We chose to go with the Potato Flight, which was an interesting idea.

Potatoes are a staple of any traditional Danish meal, and they are normally somewhat bland. I was very excited to see how The Norwegian would present their potato dish.

Starting with a Potato Appetizer

When the Potato Flight came to us, we were very pleasantly surprised. There were three different types of potatoes on a rectangular board of wood.

Potato Bord #1

The first of the potato dishes looked very interesting with cooked onions, oil and small pieces of snapped peas. I loved the smooth taste of the potatoes and the crunchiness of the pea pods. It was such a delicious choice, and I felt there was just the right amount of flavor without overwhelming the potato taste.

Potato Bord #2

The second option on the potato flight was a potato rosti. Though this type of potato dish is very Swiss and not Scandinavian, I thought it was another nice choice for a very European meal. It was complemented with a small line of herbed, crème fraiche. The texture of the rostis were also very crunchy with just the right amount of soft, potato on the inside.

Potato Bord #3

The last of the three potato options on the flight looked much like the potato salad my great grandmother used to make, which had always been my most favorite of recipes. The appearance of the potato salad was a delightful, yellow color with small signs of the skins being left on the potatoes. The creaminess combined with hints of dill really made this one of the best potato salads I have had in a long time.

My Husband’s Main Course at the Norwegian: The Gravlax (dill-cured salmon)

My husband actually decided to pick his main course from the “bord” section of the menu. He was hoping to find some very Danish food at The Norwegian, so he went with the Gravlax because of its combination of dill-cured salmon, soft-boiled egg and rye bread.

Though we knew it is very difficult to find proper Danish rye bread outside of Scandinavia, we were still very excited to try an American version of Danish rye bread.

Pleasing a Dane with Scandinavian Food in the American Midwest

When the food came, it was very stylishly placed on a longer, rectangular board made of wood. The dill-cured salmon was wrapped around itself and made to look like a rose with thinly-sliced, pickled cucumbers next to it. The cucumbers were also covered in capers, which happen to be a personal favorite of my husband.

To the right, there were three, large pieces of the bread and a hole in the board for the soft-boiled egg that we learned came from a cage-free chicken.

My Husband’s Thoughts of the Meal at the Norwegian

In the middle of the Gravlax plate was some more of the delicious herbed, crème fraiche, but that wasn’t the only addition to the food, since there was also a small cup of mustard. The subtle flavor of the salmon mixed with the light marinate of the herbs made this fish very enjoyable. The capers were a wise choice and added a slight ting of saltiness to the fish.

The ingredients on this plate are often seen in Denmark, though often during Christmastime. However, my husband was still glad to try it  in the American Midwest during the summer months.

Caring for the Environment and the Local Community

I loved how The Norwegian wasn’t just supporting a local bakery when buying their bread, but they were also making sure that the eggs were cage-free.

The Norwegian Restaurant shared Denmark’s desire for sustainability in working with local businesses. It was nice that they used eggs from farmers who believed in the ethical treatment of animals. It really gave us the feeling that we could have a part in making the world a more fair place to live.

The Norwegian Menu: Salads

All three salads on their menu were either, vegetarian-friendly, dairy-free, vegan, or gluten-free. The combination of healthy choices and Scandinavian flare made this restaurant a great restaurant for those with food allergies as well as for those who chose a more alternative, culinary lifestyle.

The Norwegian Menu: Sandwiches/Wraps

I loved the options in the Sandwiches/ Wrap section at The Norwegian restaurant. They were a perfect combination of Danish/Scandinavian traditional foods with a little bit of American influence. This included an American classic like the grilled cheese sandwich, that was made with European cheese and Swedish jam.

There was also a Frikadeller sandwich, which was made with traditional Danish meatballs. However, this recipe added the complement of American barbeque sauce and caramelized onions. It made me wish I ate meat. The thought of so many flavors coming together in one sandwich sounded extremely exciting.

The Norwegian Menu: Breads/Grains

If we were visiting The Norwegian for breakfast, I would have definitely tried something from their Breads/Grains section. Here, you can find such favorites as French toast and waffles. They even have the traditional, Danish, Christmas favorite of Æbleskiver, which tastes very similar to pancake balls.

I was told by another patron that he came to The Norwegian for two consecutive days because he couldn’t get enough of the Æbleskiver! That definitely made me wish I had an extra stomach! 🙂

The Norwegian Menu: A La Carte

If you are looking for a little extra to your meal at The Norwegian, you can choose something from the A La Care section. Here, you will find American, breakfast options, like eggs, bacon, and muffins, or some other more Scandinavian sides, like red potatoes, dill-cured salmon, and pickled herring.

I love how the The Norwegian allows you to have the best of both worlds by giving many different options from both the American and Nordic cuisines.

The Norwegian Menu: Plates

Another section of The Norwegian’s menu was labeled “plates”, which was mainly a section for different egg dishes. Many of these could be good for a typical, American breakfast, but I could see myself eating them during other parts of the day. That is probably why I chose one of the “plates” for my main course that day.

My Main Course at The Norwegian Restaurant: Shakshuka

After having quite a difficult time deciding what to get, I finally ordered the Shakshuka. I really wanted to try something completely different, and the Shakshuka seemed to fit into that category. I also thought it was very interesting to find a Mediterranean dish in a Scandinavian restaurant.

Tomato Omelet in an Iron Skillet

When the waitress brought over the Shakshuka, I noticed that it was in a cast-iron skillet on top of a rectangular, wooden board next to two pieces of bread. It looked much different from a normal omelet! I could see the red color of the tomatoes, and it reminded me more of a pizza skillet than an egg dish. I was very excited to try the taste, because it looked just delicious!

I didn’t know what to expect with the taste of the Shakshuka. I have to say that it was quite an adventure. The flavor was not too “egg-y” nor too “tomato-y”, but the combination of the two seemed to go very well together. This dish also had a bit of a kick to it, which was almost unheard of in Danish cuisine. I loved it!

Subtle hints of red pepper and onion also added to the robustness of the dish. I also thought that the saltiness of the feta cheese really gave the overall flavor an added boost. I loved that it was also served with bread which gave the feeling that it was more like a stew than an egg dish. The Norwegian’s Shakshuka gave me a completely new way of looking at eggs! 

Søtsakker / Desserts at The Norwegian Restaurant

Though we were beginning to get very full during our lunch at The Norwegian, we really wanted to see if we could squeeze in a dessert. We could choose from a Scandinavian cookie, ice cream sandwich, marzipan, and a cinnamon roll. However, it was one of the desserts that they didn’t have on the menu that really caught our attention.

Our Dessert at the Norwegian Restaurant: Snøfisk Tart

Emily Hurd Christiansen, one of the owners and the “creative director” when it came to food choices was the one to tell us about the dessert called Snøfrisk Tart, which is what we decided to order. The description, alone, would be enough reason for anyone to try it.

Tips for the Chef

“I first foraged wild black raspberries from the forest and created a concentrate from them. I then added that concentrate to sweetened Snøfrisk, a spreadable Norwegian cheese. Then, I piped this mixture onto a brown, buttered shortbread cookie that had been infused with orange blossom water,” said Emily.

She had me at the words, “spreadable cheese”! I had no idea how black raspberries and a Norwegian cheese would taste, but I also knew I had to find out.

What we thought of this Norwegian Dessert

When the food came, it truly looked more like a piece of art than a dessert. I could compare the way it looked on that orange-infused cookie to that of soft-serve ice cream. Also, the color was very dark purple with a decoration of blueberries. I almost expected it to taste cold and sweet like ice cream, so I was surprised when it didn’t.

It was soft and creamy, and had a perfect blend of berries and cheese to the point where neither flavor was overpowering the other. It was also a bit difficult for me to believe that it was, in fact, a cheese. The flavor was mild like a cream cheese, but it tasted much differently. However, the addition of the shortbread cookie really helped to add a bit of texture and crunch to this already soft and delicate dessert.

Why You Should Eat at The Norwegian Restaurant in Rockford, Illinois (USA)

If you are looking to try some European cuisine in the American Midwest, I highly recommend trying The Norwegian restaurant. As a person who has lived much of my life with an alternative diet, I appreciate the options for delicious and healthy meals at The Norwegian.

I know that families will love The Norwegian for its openness, kid-friendly menu, and cozy “play” area. Music lovers will be drawn to shows at The Norwegian. While many others will enjoy a wine-tasting or The Norwegian’s happy hour.  

No matter what reason you have for visiting, you will find yourself being drawn back time and time again for one of the American Midwest’s best Scandinavian-inspired, culinary experiences at The Norwegian!

Getting in Touch with The Norwegian Restaurant in Rockford, Illinois

Address: 1402 N Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103 (USA)

Telephone: (+01) 815-329-6191

Website: www.thenorwegian.com

Email: rockfordnorwegian@gmail.com

Events: https://thenorwegian.com/events

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