“I lufe-a sfeen’s svedeesh peezza. bork. bork. bork.” – The Swedish Chef.
So begins the website menu for Sven’s Viking Pizza. Yes you read right, Vikings apparently eat pizza.
Mr NQN’s colleague just given him with a slice of this Viking pizza and he was a fan of it from the first bite. So on Mr NQN’s tastebud’s recommendation, Queen Viv, Mr NQN and I head there one rainy Summer’s night – Valentines Day to be exact but let’s not stand on ceremony.
We walk in and it’s dimly lit with candles and it’s busy. On the right are individual tables and on the left there is a large wooden communal table made of a thick, nubbly wood. Mr NQN’s Scandinavian heritage comes out and nods his head in quiet approval. On the wall there’s the plushest reindeer skin – it had to be felt to be believed as it’s plusher than any other hide we’ve stroked.
Reindeer skin – has to be touched to be believed!
There is a Swedish armour next to it and a shield which I rather foolishly mistake for a lighting fixture before medieval studies student Queen Viv points out that it is a shield. The menu has a selection of “Swedish Classic” pizzas including toppings such as rib eye with bearnaise, a doner kebab pizza topping and then there’s a section with meat, fish, chicken and vegetarian pizzas all with names representing pieces of Norse mythology. Pizzas come in two sizes: 11inch and 13 inch and half and half pizzas incur a surcharge of $2.50.
“Crumpled” water glasses
We sit down and watch as other tables are brought their meals. The pizzas are huge and thin crusted and the salads are platter sized. We elect to order three half and half pizzas so we get to sample six toppings. When we ask the waitress about the most popular topping she answers with certainty-the #1 aka the “Frö“.
Left: #1 Frö – Worshipped as a male fertility god and Right: #3 Embla- The First Woman on Earth $28
The Frö
The Frö is topped with beef eye fillet, bearnaise sauce, mushrooms, onion and black pepper. The bearnaise is strong with tarragon and the whole pizza is tasty indeed although it has to be said that for people who usually adore steak with bearnaise and savour it in a fine dining sort of atmosphere, it is a little strange to be eating it on pizza. Not strange in a bad way but just a bit strange. The bases it has to be said are perfect – thin but never wet or weighed down by the toppings.
The Embla
We ordered the #3 pizza, the Embla which is the first woman on earth whilst the #2 pizza which we didn’t order is called the “Ask” aka the first man on earth. The only difference between the Ask and Embla is the sheaf of lettuce on top. Queen Viv doesn’t like this pizza at all and doesn’t quite understand what they’re trying to do with the giant pieces of lettuce. Mr NQN prefers the version without the lettuce and although I agree that perhaps the #2 is a better choice, I don’t mind this as it’s like eating a Doner Kebab pizza although admittedly I find the large lettuce leaves too hard to eat with decorum.
Left: #13 Midgård – The World of Humans and Right: #4 Yggdrasil – The World Tree $28.50
Yggdrasil
Our favourite pizza is the ambiguous to pronounce Yggdrasil. There are garlic and chilli prawns, pancetta, roma tomatoes and chevre goat’s cheese. Absolutely gorgeous, it’s full of garlicky, spicy fresh prawns and a pancetta that combines well with the garlic to give it a chorizo flavour. We had to rearrange some of the toppings on the pizza as not every slice has the goat’s cheese and one piece has no pancetta or prawn on it. This pizza has us smacking our lips and looking for more.
The Midgård
The Midgård which is the old Germanic term for “the human world” features thinly sliced chicken breast, pancetta, avocado, pineapple and red chilli. Mr NQN finds this a touch too dry but I like it as the chicken is sliced thinly and there is avocado and pineapple although I’d like a bit more avocado on it. The chilli flakes do not impart much heat.
#17 Idun The Goddess of Spring and #15 Asgård – The World of Gods $26.50
The Asgård
I adore smoked salmon but from we know that this is different from the other pizzas. The base is dry like a cracker and whilst the topping of Tasmanian Smoked salmon, avocado, spanish onion and dill creme is delicious, it’s like eating it on a giant slice of cracker which isn’t very pizza like at all.
The Idun
The Idun is the vegetarian choice with fresh baby spinach, semi dried tomatoes, field mushrooms. avocado and artichoke. It’s rather good and is Queen Viv’s second favourite choice of the evening. The semi dried tomatoes are lusciously sweet and gorgeous. One thing that we noticed that whilst it says on the website that all salads are served with the healthy Swedish Pizza Salad, made from crisp Savoy cabbage leaves but we didn’t get any of these nor did we see any other tables with them.
Swedish Kladdcake $9.50
Like good children, we’ve made room for dessert. The Swedish Kladdcake is similar to a chocolate mud cake. It is a rich but slightly dry on the outside chocolate cake. It’s paired with Streets Blue ribbon vanilla icecream.
Creme Brulee $11.50
The creme Brulee is more eggy than creamy and there is a faint crack on top but the raspberries accompanying it are just the right balance of sweet and tart.
Log stools, Swedish armour, shields and reindeer skins help complete the whole Swedish Viking pizza experience and even as they’re about to close, eager people wander in seeking their own version of pizza Valhalla.
So tell me Dear Reader, what is your favourite pizza topping and how do you like your base?
Sven’s Viking Pizza
364 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9389 33939
Also a location in Coogee for Pick up and Delivery
Friday lunch special: $15 all pizzas with a drink
http://www.svens.com.au
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50 Comments | Add your own
Wow what an interesting pizza place!
I love vegie pizzas – on a thin base. My all time favourite would have to be roasted pumpkin with fets
Haha I’ve been meaning to go to this place, but the idea of a “Swedish pizza” didn’t really sound right… After reading this post, I might just have to give it a go! I’d like a reindeer pizza with a thin crispy base, please!
Mmmmmm….pizza *insert Homer-esque drool here*
Fav would have to be lashing of pepperoni, fresh sliced tomato, garlic, chilli, sliced mushies and red onion and mounds of cheese (of course) all on a nice thin crisp-ish base.
PS: Finally tried foie gras on the weekend….have updated.
I’m gobsmacked. Viking pizzas? There’s really nothing to say other than I had no idea one of their long boats crashed into the Appian Way.
I spot you in that last shot!
I might just have to try that… it sounds like fun. And a little bit yummy.
Curious pizza toppings… The yggdrasil and the vegetarian option look the best (and I’m a serious carnivore!).
At uni I used to work for a large pizza company so got to try out a multitude of topping varieties. My favourite was a heart attack on a plate – layer upon layer of pepperoni, anchovies and lots of kalamata olives on a thin base. It used to come out of the oven dripping with oil. Mmmmmm…
Love a thin and crispy base. My favorite toppings would have to be hot salami, rocket leaves, Jalepeno peppers, avocado and olives!!
I have only just woken up but I really could eat a pizza now! I like a thin, crispy base and all the salty things others often don’t like – anchovies, olives and capers. Never, ever, never could I eat pineapple on pizza.
Oh, I was hoping the “fro” was named after the hair-style and was going to be covered in something crazy like seaweed moss or fairy floss or something
Sadly, I’m not really a pizza person (though half think this will change once I get to Italy ina month or so…), so in fact the idea of smoked salmon cracker pizza sounds awesome to me!
INteresting to say the least. The Yggdrasil does look traditionally like the best pizza- but nothing wrong with interesting!
I’m a sucker for themed-up places like this, and the pizzas look unique! I’m intrigued…
Amazing, I never imagined there would be a swedish pizzeria anywhere but they have managed it and it’s not even in Sweden. The food section in Ikea sells reindeer salami, worth investigating.
ALL looks so very delicious.
I just want you to know I actually read, rather than skim your blog. These are the most fascinating pizzas I’ve ever heard of.
I would want one with bbq sauce and brisket, please. Or loaded with meat. Lots of meat.
I like my pizzas to be one step away from a heart attack.
what a nice pizza place layout, hehe @ vikings eating pizza
i just had pizza last night too from carlingford gourmet pizza mmm i dont think they have eat in space (maybe only one or two tables)
http://www.carlingfordpizza.com.au/
i had the vegetarian ‘athens’
really nice, by far the nicest pizza i’ve had
The vegetarian pizza looks delicious, and that chocolate cake!!!
I love a thin crust ham, cheese and pineapple from anywhere but dominos/pizza hut etc
i think i need the Fro in my life.
Funnily enough I read this post and instantly think great marketing concept and the pizzas are presented rather nicely.
However – after spending a very long time in N.Y as locals we have become accustomed to N.Y pizza. I am talking Lombardis – Pepe’s in Connecticut – Grimaldis in Brooklyn. Any way…. having eaten pizza in Sydney for 20 years plus I could safely say we both came back vowing never to eat pizza in sydney. We would have to fly back to N.Y for pizza.
I haven’t tasted this pizza but am now interested to see if it rates as high or will we again be disillusioned by the excessive toppings and bland flavours.
Wonder if anyone in sydney actually uses a coal fire oven to cook pizza?
Thanks L. was an interesting post
Some of the most unusual pizzas I’ve ever seen! We like our pizzas thin-crusted and homemade, and one of our favourites is a simple potato pizza, topped with thinly sliced spuds, oregano, salt and evoo.
I really enjoyed Sven’s Viking Pizza. I was very taken with the Fro with the Bearnaise Sauce.
(When I first heard about it I was sceptical – thinking what do Swedish have to do with pizza? When we got there and heard how the Vikings went around and took the best of each country, it felt more understandable – after all Bearnaise Sauce is excellent, pizza is excellent, kebabs are excellent… hence their seemingly outlandish combinations started making perfect sense.)
I like super thin and crispy bases and my fave pizza so far was at the Oaks Hotel in Neutral bay. Spicy sausage with caramelised onions and slow roasted pickled onions…. 100% drool worthy!!
So hungry I could eat ten of those pizzas!
Offically time for an early lunch now. The Yggdrasil looks mouthwatering. I love seafood on a pizza.
I love a thin pizz crust, and my favourite topping is pumpkin, rocket, goats cheese and chilli..although almost any pizza can have it’s wicked way with me.I love an achovie too,and vegetarian toppings. The Viking Pizza looked lovely, especially the salmon one. Yum. I’m hungry now!
What a great find. All time favourite is chorizo, jalapeno mushroom and anchovies on at thin crust. Although a recent lamb souvlaki pizza is a close second
Haha, what a curious, unique place! Love pizzas, but I always get sick of the usual toppings.
My fave is figs, prosciutto, goat cheese, arugula, balsamic syrup.
My fave crust, however, is a black rice chewy crust with sweet potato (or chestnut) filling!
I actually ate quite a lot of pizza when I was living in Sweden, though the pizzerias tended to be owned/run by middle eastern men and did not have such topping combinations as there, generally speaking! A lot of the places had a cabbage salad that came with the pizza, but it was in a large communal bowl that you went and served yourself from – perhaps this was the case here?
I like my base reasonably thin, with a crisp enough bottom to hold its shape, and I like too many toppings to say
My favourite pizza is the Hawaiian on a bready but not fried base – like Angelos Pizzas used to make for home consumption.
I have a side of my family that is Danish (my aunt and cousins) so I half-expected the pizza to be made with rye flour and have a topping of cold cuts, dill and smoked salmon. I am not crazy about the heavy-duty meat topping. I prefer simple, like cheese, tomato and basil. Did they not serve aquavit?
I think I’m with Queen Viv–pizza with lettuce just seems wrong…
These pizzas sound so interesting, and the decor must have been great! I like a non-traditional pizza with smoked salmon from time to time, but my usual favorite is one with tomato sauce, mushrooms, and lots of cheese.
These pizzas look amazing! Thanks for sharing.
I think the pizza that you regard as your favourite looks the best and you have inspired me to make something similar soon. Yum!
Wow, pizza AND the opportunity to stroke reindeer skin! Sounds like an interesting night out. I’ve seen those crumpled glasses somewhere here in NYC too…always wanted to buy them.
ps: I’ve been away from food blog land for a while, and i’m so glad to be back and reading your posts, especially that crazy bread down there!
As I can’t eat tomatoit is impossible for me to buy a pizza. So I make my own. My fav. is thin base, white sauce (with herb of choice) smoked salmon, avocado & camembert. Sometimes I will throw on some prawns too.
Great post L.
I never imagined you could put Scandinavian / Viking cuisine on a pizza, but from what you just wrote, it actually works!
I’m partial to portobello mushrooms and bulk sausage on my pizza, by the way.
Nothing beats a Margerita, made with fresh basil leaves, vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil on a thin ( but not too thin) base. The best I’ve ever eaten is from the ghetto side of my hometown, where it was sold by the slice, straight out of the old wood-fired oven. Mmmmmmmmmmmm, can still remember the taste sensation. American pizzas ( made by Italians), come a close second.
Love the decor! I used to love deep dish pizzas but as a later in life wheat intolerance made pizza less friendly (gluten-free just doesn’t cut it!) I moved onto thin crust and I have to say nothing beats a plain garlic pizza or a plain thinly sliced mushroom on a very sparsely spread tomato base is still my favourite. Hmmm, is this the reason I’m ordering pizza tonight?!
I see you half-and-halfed all your pizzas for maximum variety. Ha, it’s the only way!
‘interesting’ doesn’t even begin to describe the combination of toppings on these pizzas. wow. also evoking a ‘wow’ is the word yggdrasil. i wouldn’t even know where to begin!
my beef with this place–who wants to sit on a stump while eating? not this gal.
This is some seriously new-age pizza! I never knew there was Swedish pizza around, fancy that! I think the names are a definite conversation starter and will probably guarantee a fun night out..especially after a few cocktails in those cute crumpled paper glasses. heh
You know my daughter has been pretending to be a Viking this whole week. She’ll be thrilled to read about Viking pizzas. I need to make one of those for her!
Love this place!!! The beef and bearnaise and Kebab pizzas are actually common Swedish pizzas.
What a shame you didn’t get the pizza salad. It’s very nice too.
i really think i need to start a journal and write down all the places you recommend to dine in. It’s 11pm and my stomach is grumbling! that look like some damn good handmade pizza & the most scrumptious dessert! but personally i’d like more toppings on the pizza
thin and crispy and Aussie pizza with asparagus.
Trust me.
Ommm nommm nommm
Ahh. I’ve been to place once after having passed by so many times! I can’t really remember, but I think we ordered pretty much the same thing.
They don’t seem to have much of an impressive wow factor but our waitress was very attentive and friendly, we had a fun dinner there
have been wondering what this place is like since i’ve passed many times. also noticed there’s one which has opened up near randwick on carrington road near coogee way. good to know what was your favourite. i’ll have to try this one when i visit. lettuce on pizza, that just seems so wrong on so many levels — was this a joke by the chef hehe
what an interesting concept. i’ll have to show this to my husband.
my favorite toppings lately are mushrooms, anchovies, garlic, and artichokes. the anchovies and artichokes are a new favorite. mushrooms and garlic, a staple.
Now that is what I call perfect pizza! The crust is thin and crispy like in Italy and the toppings are gorgeous! All of them! Love the prawns! I would eat here in a flash! The desserts look just scrumptious!
Hi Lisa-Mmm I love the sound of that combo! the sweetness of the pumpkin would go so well with salty feta!
Hi Maria-hehe it does sound a little odd but it’s really good pizza!
Mmm yum!
Hi Aussie Foodie-haha that was me too
Yum! You’ve just described my favourite pizza! 
Hi neil-Hehe yes there might be a little bit of poetic license there!
Hi fat mum slim-Hehe eagle eye shot!
It is very good! 
Hi BuBbles-Mmm we all love the yggdrasil!
Mmm it does sound good though! 
Hi Evelyn-yes salami or pepperoni goes so well with tomato and cheese!
Hi Amy-I think pizza should be a breakfast food no?
Ahhh interesting! 
Hi Hannah-haha we thought it was an afro too!
Ahh I wonder if you’ll like the pizzas in Italy!
Hi Gastronomy Gal-Yes the flavours were really so good and it was nice and garlicy!
Hi Steph-It’s worth a visit!
Hi Sarah-I know, me too!
Ahh I must look out for it here! 
Hi Mary-it was indeed!
Hi Blond Duck-thankyou Duckie!
Brisket, now that’s a new one for me! 
haha!
Hi Betty-Oh really! Wow the nicest ever is a great recommendation!
Hi ljb-yes those brands are not good at all!
Hi elise-haha you do!
Hi Sophy-Ahh yes NY pizza! it’s so legendary isn’t it! I think most places use wood fire ovens. Do they use coal fire for NY pizzas? You’re welcome!
Hi Celia-Ahh yes I do like a potato pizza too! So simple but tasty
Hi Miss Dissent-I know, I was skeptical at first too!
that’s great that you enjoyed it!
Hi Joy-ahh the Oaks! I didn’t realise that they did good pizzas!
Hi Reemski-They’re quite light though, seriously!
Hi Pip-Absolutely, when the seafood is not overdone it can be delicious!
Hi Anna-Haha! I like the way that you put it!
Hi Shanks-Ooh lamb souvlaki! That sounds amazing!
Hi sophia-Yum! That sounds amazing!
I’ve never tried that crust though!
Hi Conor-Ahh is that why the kebab pizzas started? Ahh perhaps it was but funnily enough they didn’t mention it to us or the people on either side of us. A
shame!
Hi Cakelaw-Ahh I don’t think we have Angelo’s here. Sounds interesting!
Hi tasteofbeirut-Ahh I see what you mean. Aquavit? No they don’t there
Hi MaryPoppinsinHeels-Haha!
She was very sure of that too!
Hi Lisa-I love that kind of decor
Mmm sounds delish!
Hi Carly-You’re welcome!
Oh fabulous! I bet it tastes great! 
Hi La Pastry Chef-Haha I know! I’ve never felt it before!
They’re nice, I should snap some up if I see them. I’m so glad that you’re back sweetie! 
Hi dessertfirst-Ahh some places here now do a white pizza without tomato
But making your own is a great idea! 
Yum, it sounds delicious!
Hi Midge-I know, me too but it really does!
Ooh what is bulk sausage Midge? 
Hi Matilda-yum, you and Mr NQN are pizza buddies! Ahh sounds like heaven!
Hi Gummi Baby-Thankyou!
hehe nothing wrong with ordering pizza! It sounds like you choose very healthy ones! 
Hi mlle délicieuse-Haha of course!
Hi grace-Haha I love the stumps but then again I didn’t road test one for comfort!
Hi Vicky-Haha yes everyone looked like they were having a good time!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Haha has she? Well this is perfect for her!
Hi grace-yes I wonder where the salad was? I would have loved to have tried it!
Hi lily-hehe great idea!
I wonder if you could ask for more here? They seemed quite friendly but they did stress less topping on the menu 
Hi Kelley-Hmm now I’ve never had this combo!
Hi Yas-Haha really? A shame you didn’t like it!
Hi Simon-Yes that’s the takeaway one. Nope it looks like that’s the way some like it! At least it’s not cooked though!
Hi clearlytangled-Sounds like a delicious vegetarian pizza!
Hi Jamie-hehe the prawns on that pizza were great I have to say!
I think you have to be Swedish to truly get the “Swedish pizza” thing. Whenever and wherever you go for pizza in Sweden it will arrive on a thin base. So when we’re talking about Swedish pizza at Sven’s it’s more about the “style” of pizza that you will only get in Sweden, ie thin crispy base rather than typical Swedish fare. When it comes to the toppings…in my opnion there are only 3 “traditional style” pizza’s on Sven’s menu. The bernaise sauce pizza (which in Sweden is a take on Average Joe’s love of steak with bernaise sauce) and the ones with doner kebab – which reflects the fact that many pizza parlours in Sweden is run by immigrants. As for the coleslaw they serve you when you wait for the pizza. That’s SO Swedish pizza parlour it’s not even funny. You will find that at almost every pizza place in Sweden. Anyhow, as a Swede – I LOVE Sven’s.
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