Two-Michelin-Starred Nordic Restaurant SXSW Pop-Up Is Canceled Because of Novel Coronavirus Concerns

Now it turns out acclaimed Nordic restaurant isn’t coming to Austin for South by Southwest anymore, due to novel coronavirus concerns.

Two-Michelin-starred Denmark restaurant Kadeau was supposed to open a temporary restaurant for five days during the March festival, but sponsor Scandinavian Airlines is cancelling the event “due to the concern, related to coronavirus, that exists for larger public gatherings,” as noted by a rep today. The organizers have yet to comment on whether refunds will be issued.

The pop-up restaurant, called Boathouse Grill by Kadeau, was supposed to place at 74 Trinity Street (presumably Alta’s Cafe and its deck) from Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17.

The seven-course lunches and 11-course family-style dinners would’ve highlighted Scandinavian grilling, featuring seafood and fermented items (think preserved wildflowers and pickled greens) sourced from the Nordic and the Danish island of Bornholm (home to the original location of the restaurant), and produce from Austin farms. Leading the meals would’ve been Kadeau head chef Anika Madsen.

Courtesy of Boathouse Grill by Kadeau

While lunch prices and reservations weren’t available yet, dinner reservations were $60 per person, with seatings at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m.

Kadeau co-founder Nicolai Nørregaard, Magnus Koefoed, and Rasmus Kofoed opened the restaurant on Bornholm in 2007, and expanded with a second location in Copenhagen in 2013. Previously, Madsen had been the head chef of Kadeau’s sibling spot Restaurant Roxie in Copenhagen.

Last year’s pop-up restaurant, Lokal, featured food from an all-star chef team: Swedish chef Paul Svensson (Fotografiska Museet), Norwegian-Icelandic chef Atli Màr Yngvason (Katla, Pjoltergeist), and Danish chef Kamilla Seidler (Gustu).

March 6, 12:01 p.m.: This article has been updated to reflect that the pop-up restaurant is canceled.