Freyja

While Melbourne is heralded as the hub of multicultural fare, Nordic cuisine is at times hard to come by. Frejya is putting Scandinavia on the Australian culinary map by experimenting with ancient cooking techniques and local seasonal ingredients to provide the ultimate dining experience.

Taking on the culinary movement of Scandinavian cuisine, popularised by overseas institutions like Noma and Faviken, Freyja will be the newest addition to the Collins Street dining precinct. The name Freyja comes from the Norse goddess, who was responsible for beauty and love, residing inside the 130yo heritage-listed Olderfleet building, there’s a strong Scandinavian aesthetic with a collection of minimalist stylings including raw timbers and metallic flourishes with rich contrasting colours. Leading the charge in the kitchen are Jae Bang and Aaron Caccia who both hail from Michelin-starred diner, Re-Naa in Norway as well as Daniel Gordon, former head chef at Lee Ho Fook.

Embark on a magical NYE with Freyja’sstunning six-course chef’s selection, brimming with refined flavours, unique ingredients and sublime presentation. Each course can be paired with an elegant cocktail or wine, and extra excitingly, before the clock strikes twelve, you’ll have the chance to make your way up to the 35th level of the Olderfleet Building for Champagne matched with views of the fireworks over the Yarra. This breathtaking panorama is an incredible way to welcome 2024 in style.

A sophisticated exploration of Nordic cuisine boasting Michelin cred. Freyja provides Melbourne with a sophisticated taste of contemporary Nordic cuisine thanks to executive chef Jae Bang, who’s worked at several global award-winning restaurants — most notably, Norway’s Michelin-starred Re-naa. Food-wise, traditional practices like pickling, smoking and curing are given a reawakening, heroed alongside native ingredients and a touch of contemporary flair.

Freyja presents a contemporary ‘New Nordic’ approach to dining, located in the historic Olderfleet building at 477 Collins Street. The restaurant blends Australian ingredients with Nordic culinary principles, offering dishes like heart-shaped waffles with Yarra Valley trout roe and scotch fillet with seaweed mustard. The setting is sophisticated, with soaring cathedral windows and a visible kitchen adding to the dining experience.

Freyja is a modern Australian restaurant that combines innovation and simplicity, offering captivating dishes in a stylish atmosphere. Kisumé is renowned for its exquisite sushi and impressive wine cellar, a must-visit for sushi enthusiasts and wine lovers. Reine & La Rue, another French-inspired restaurant in the stock exchange building, focuses on freshly shucked oysters and woodfired meats for a sophisticated dining experience.

Best for: Australian ingredients expressed with Nordic techniques and light, healthy food.Cuisine: Nordic, Australia. Freyja occupies two floors of the 1880s Olderfleet building on Collins Street, proudly showcasing its heritage guts with original details like a spiral staircase, restored brick and vintage blue leather banquettes. The dining space at Freyja makes the most of its heritage building.

Offering a contemporary dining experience inspired by Nordic cuisine, Freyja’s seasonally changing menu highlights sustainably sourced ingredients and artfully crafted dishes that blend traditional Scandinavian flavours with modern Australian flair. The elegant yet cosy interior features natural wood accents and minimalist design, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Located in the historic Olderfleet building, Freyja feels like something truly novel. With a Nordic-approach to Aussie fine-dining, dishes are infused with the complex flavours of our native produce. The restaurant introduces Melburnians to Scandi gastronomy and you can expect unique flavour pairings that are beautifully executed, paired with Nordic rum cocktails.

Freyja is located in a tall-ceilinged, gothic 1890 building on Collins Street in Melbourne, offering a Nordic-inspired take on local dining. Its team combines classic techniques with Australian ingredients, creating a thoughtful blend of old and new. The restaurant’s historic setting and independent spirit add to Melbourne’s diverse culinary scene.

An upmarket New Nordic restaurant occupying two levels of Collins Street’s Gothic 1880s Olderfleet building. Stop by when the sun is up for various smorrebrod, or Scandi open sandwiches. Later on, you’ll find standout savoury waffles, not-your-average beef tartare and other dishes where simplicity tempers innovation.

Relative newcomer Freyja, the city’s only Nordic hatted restaurant, is a lovely escape from CBD bustle, especially when there’s a sweet lunch deal: $59 gets you main, dessert, a beverage and a tea or coffee. Our pick: the chicken with wild herbs and the Swiss roll with oolong, pumpkin seed and kumquat.

We’re quite lucky here in Melbourne, there’s thousands of venues providing many cuisines from across the world, but there’s a rare new one in Melbourne, Freyja providing Nordic inspired Australian dining.

If there’s ever been a time to explore new-wave Nordic cuisine, winter is it and chef Jae Bang has crafted an accessible $49 menu at Freyja that will give diners a snapshot of his technical prowess.