It was a DREAM. As someone who loves to cook, experiences like SKADI are what I dream about. If you love food, appreciate incredible ingredients, and enjoy truly special dining experiences, you have to visit SKADI. From the moment you walk in, the entire experience is top tier. The restaurant is intimate, beautifully decorated with Norwegian and Baltic art, and the open kitchen lets you watch Chef Ian and his sous chef masterfully execute dish after dish. It's calm, composed, and honestly just fascinating to watch. The staff is exceptionally well trained, but what impressed me most is that if they don't know an answer, Chef Ian is happy to come to your table himself. He spent time talking with us, answering questions, and making sure we were enjoying everything. He even told us he doesn't have a single wine on the list that he doesn't personally love. Every course was beautifully prepared and perfectly portioned so we could enjoy each one without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. My husband and I genuinely loved every single thing we ate. If you're anywhere near Mammoth Lakes, make a reservation. (No kids under 10, but I promise it's worth getting a sitter.) This is one of those meals you'll be talking about long after it's over. read more

See all

Very good restaurant in a unassuming hotel. Ample parking outside. Reservations highly recommended as they were not taking walk ins. Service was timely and friendly. Good sized wine list and a few good single glasses of wine. Modern inside with an open kitchen to finish dishes. Duck was made very well with crispy skin and came with veggies which were good and not too salty. Dessert was a chocolate tasting which was sweet but each had a different texture. Overall a great restaurant to try if you are in the area! read more

SKADI - Duck - Modern European Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

See all

Came here for dinner (had a reservation). It's a unique restaurant with Scandinavian influences. We tried the smoked red deer heart, smoked trout, and mushroom/cheese crepe for appetizers. My fave was the crepe! The mushroom had such a rich flavor! The crepe itself could have been warmer and not as soggy, but still enjoyable. The deer heart wasn't my fave and plus I didn't like the goat cheese. The smoked trout was too dry in my opinion. For the entree I got the duck breast with lingonberry sauce, and my husband got the venison. The duck breast was delicious! The skin was crunchy, and the meat was tender. The spatzli that came with it was fun to try. The venison was solid, but I liked the duck breast better. For dessert, we got the chocolate dessert tasting. The hazelnut chocolate one was sooooo good. The mousse and flourless chocolate cake were just average - not enough chocolate flavor. read more

See all

We came to Skadi with pretty high expectations based on the reviews, and unfortunately, we left wondering what we missed. The highlight of dinner was the sourdough bread and butter. And to be fair, it was damn good bread and butter. The problem is, when bread and butter are the most memorable flavors from dinner at a restaurant in this price range, something went sideways. Everything looked beautiful. The presentation was thoughtful, the atmosphere was nice, and you can clearly see the effort and technique going into the food. But once we actually started eating, the flavors just weren't there for us. Dish after dish felt surprisingly muted and underwhelming. At one point I started wondering if Skadi means "flavorless" in Norwegian. Apparently it doesn't. I checked. Maybe our expectations were too high, or maybe this style of cooking simply isn't for us. With a 4.8-star rating, clearly plenty of people love this place. We just weren't among them. I don't mind spending good money on a great dinner. What I hate is spending good money and leaving disappointed. Beautiful presentation. Nice atmosphere. Excellent sourdough. Unfortunately, that's about where our enthusiasm ends. 2 stars -- one of them belongs entirely to the bread. read more

Booked a reservation for my husband to celebrate Fathers Day. Every single dish was amazing! The starter bread was delicious! We had the mushroom crepe, a corn soup, salmon, ny steak, raspberry panda cotta, trio chocolate dessert. We LOVED it all! We are already planning to come in the near future! read more

See all

By far the best restaurant in Mammoth. Excellent service, top notch food, small intimate setting with about 12 tables. Prices really aren't much higher than places in the village. Well worth the effort of getting a reservation. read more

See all

Absolutely perfect. This place is a gem and I can't believe you can get French level culinary experience in the middle of a ski town. Absolutely perfect from every sense. Great smaller restaurants with a European look. The service was on point and the food was excellent. This is an open concept kitchen restaurant and it is certainly a show. Must try for you foodies. read more

SKADI - Chef prepares the food with diligence and precision. - Modern European Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

Great meal in the mountains. Mammoth Lakes is best known for fabulous skiing and mountain biking but it has incredible restaurants as well. The top reviews it gets are well deserved.They only take reservations by text and have two seatings a night. A bit different than the usual but their system works well. I originally made reservations for a Thursday night but adjusting to the 8000' altitude had robbed me of my appetite. They kindly switched by reservation to Friday. No problem. They are located in the Empeiria High Sierra Hotel. Easy to find and ready parking. The restaurant has a very cool rustic Scandinavian vibe. Waitstaff is friendly, attentive and accommodating without unnecessary hovering. They automatically bring a basket of freshly made sour dough bread with a brown butter spread. The menu changes seasonally. The night I was there they had an amazing terrine with rabbit. Chef Ian and I bonded over our mutual love of terrines (I make them too though not as well as he does) and cooking good food with great ingredients. The corn soup was very good. I picked the duck entree. It is sourced in Canada and was frankly the best duck I've ever eaten. Crispy well seasoned skin, fine textured and a perfect amount of gaminess. It was accompanied by seasonal vegetables, rotkohl and spatzle with a duck sauce and lingonberries. To top it off I had their trio of chocolate desserts. Again absolutely amazing and delicious. Worth every single calorie plus. I will be back! read more

See all

We chose Skadi for a special night out with friends (including two Swedes in our group) because of its Norwegian chef and intriguing, thoughtfully curated menu.....and it absolutely delivered. Located inside the Empeiria High Sierra Hotel, the restaurant is small and intimate, with only about ten tables, making the experience feel personal and intentional from the moment you arrive. The entrance resembles a classic Scandinavian house--painted red, just as you'd expect--and inside you'll find beautiful Scandinavian art pieces, including a stunning, intricately carved wooden bench. The open-kitchen floor plan adds to the experience; it was fascinating to watch the team work with such precision and calm. Skadi's menu is truly special and adventurous, featuring items many people might hesitate to order. The shaved deer heart starter was surprisingly one of the highlights of the evening. The combination of ingredients was perfectly balanced, with flavors that complemented each other and melted together beautifully. My personal favorite was the Canadian duck breast, cooked to absolute perfection. Every single person in our group cleaned their plate, which says a lot. They also offer a thoughtfully curated wine list designed to pair seamlessly with the food. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and we even had the pleasure of meeting Chef Ian Algerøen, which made the experience feel even more special. This is absolutely a special-occasion restaurant....intimate, unique, and memorable. Highly recommend Skadi if you're looking for something truly different and exceptional in the Mammoth Lakes Area. read more

See all

Loved It! I absolutely love Skadi. The food is so unique and eclectic, and everything we tried was delicious. The service was wonderful, and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. It's one of those places that just feels special. read more

We never have a bad meal. This is the highest and beautiful restaurant. The ambience and the service are amazing and chef you're still doing the greatest job 30 years later. read more

The experience at Skadi was above and beyond. I have never been treated so well at a restaurant, AND the food was incredible. The head chef visited our table to check in on us, which is SUCH a treat. We had a yellowtail tar tar appetizer, and the quality of the fish was out of this world. I had a pork belly entree, which was excellent and my partner had the steak, and the steak was really top notch. The portions may have looked small, but after savoring the meal we both left the restaurant with full bellies and happy hearts. read more

Had a fabulous meal. Food, service excellent. I would make this restaurant a Michelin star! read more

See all

Dining at Skadi was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Mammoth. This exceptional Norwegian restaurant is nestled right in the heart of Mammoth Village, offering an upscale yet inviting atmosphere with a refined, cozy ambiance that immediately sets the tone for a memorable evening. We visited as a family of four and made reservations ahead of time after hearing so many great things--and we felt incredibly fortunate to secure a Sunday booking, especially since they're closed Monday through Wednesday. It ended up being the perfect way to begin our time in Mammoth. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm, attentive, and efficient without ever feeling rushed. And the food? Absolutely divine. Every dish reflected the expertise and care of a master chef with decades of experience in Norwegian cuisine. What truly elevated the evening was the personal touch--the chef graciously visited our table to greet us and ensure everything was to our liking. That kind of hospitality is rare and deeply appreciated. We ordered three appetizers, a soup, three entrées, and finished with crème brûlée for dessert--and every single item was flawless. An exceptional dining experience from start to finish. Five stars--well deserved. Thank you for an unforgettable meal. read more

See all

Incredible food, atmosphere, and service. I'm going to recommend to any friends and family who mention visiting mammoth. It's evident that the chef is passionate about his work. read more

See all

Excellent meal here for our anniversary. Lots of couples celebrating. I had the perfectly cooked and curated scallops, DH had the duck breast. Oh the joy of well-prepared food! The salad was fine - nothing to write home about - the beets lacked flavor and I personally grow weary of cheesy salad. The gravlax was amazing and we loved that. We enjoyed our wine, too. A lovely pinot noir. Good pairing for him and I can't resist a pinot noir. Then back to our escape at Tamarack Lodge. read more

Skadi moved to a new location on Main Street in the relatively new Sierra Emperia hotel. Their venue just off the main lobby is a great improvement over their last location in an industrial park off the town center. Ian, the owner, transferred all their Scandinavian artwork and motifs to create a very airy and inviting restaurant The food continued to be outstanding! Every dish you need to eat slowly to savor, enjoy and appreciate the nuances of the contrasting flavors. The duck and scallops are standouts in the varied and great menu. Service is competent and friendly. Wine service is also excellent with fair prices for the various wines. Don't miss this restaurant while in Mammoth. It is hands down the best! Book well in advance because they sell out just about every night. read more

See all

Wonderful dining experience here and excellent wine recommendations from the chef. An absolute must for visitors to Mammoth. It's right inside of a hotel, just turn right after you walk in! We're coming back for more soon! read more

My wife and I came here for our wedding anniversary, as it appears to be one of the few fine dining spots in Mammoth. The restaurant is really vibrant and well decorated. The open kitchen adds a level of sophistication and elegance that made us very excited for the meal. Our server was very friendly, personable, attentive and helpful with recommendations. Unfortunately, ambiance and service proved to be the two best attributes of this restaurant. We started the meal with the Hamachi Crudo, which was well constructed, but something was unpleasantly fishy on the plate... not sure if it was the roe, the scallops, or the fish itself. The Little Gems salad had a nice flavorful Danish blue cheese, but the lettuce looked like it was washed, cut and prepped the day before (rotten sections where it had been chopped). The beets were totally bland and unseasoned, like they were just boiled, cooled, cubed and thrown on the plate. For a fine dining restaurant, you would hope that every component on its own would be individually seasoned. The mushroom soup was very flat tasting, and the texture of the puck of mushrooms in the bottom of the bowl that had hot broth poured table side was not enjoyable to eat at all. They tasted like gross, chewy reconstituted dried mushrooms... very unpleasant. For our mains, we ordered the Scallops and the Steak. The scallops were undercooked. My wife had a hard time finishing them. We weren't concerned about health risks considering how upscale this place was, but texturally you want a seared scallop to have a nice bouncy texture when you bite into it. These were very soft. On a positive note, the sauce was flavorful though. I am assuming my steak was cooked sous vide because it was insanely soft (almost mushy) and cooled down about 2 minutes after being brought to the table. There was no texture to it at all, and it had an odd warmed over flavor, like it was maybe cooked far in advance and then seared to order. The sides of potatoes and vegetables were more delicious to be honest. Overall, while I cannot fault the setting, ambiance and service, the food fell extremely short. Especially for the $300 we spent after tip. read more

We celebrated our 29th anniversary at Skadi. We were welcome at the door by Ian. The service and food is amazing. We had the mushroom crêpe, little gem salad, and the scallops, all the dishes were awesome. I can't say enough about the service, it was beyond anything I've ever experienced. Definitely recommend and will return, well done. read more

This was one of the best restaurants we've been to in California. Absolutely such a cool atmosphere for a ski town, really amazing and thoughtful food, great desert, and a talented chef. Thanks Skadi! read more

SKADI - Modern European Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

Please don't get fooled by the hype of "we're always booked" or "you need a reservation two weeks in advance." This restaurant simply doesn't live up to the reputation. The food and service were so poor that I genuinely don't understand how they're still in business. Do yourself a favor--there are plenty of great places to eat in Mammoth that actually care about quality and service. From the moment we sat down, it was obvious the staff had no clue what they were doing. Most of them seemed like they were just there to collect a paycheck, with zero enthusiasm. Our server didn't even know the menu--despite the fact that it hasn't changed in over three years. He couldn't explain any of the dishes. We placed our order right away: the Venetian and deer heart for appetizers, duck and pork for the mains. They dropped off a basket of bread and butter and then disappeared. It sat there untouched for over 30 minutes with no one checking in--not even to see if we wanted more wine, even though both of our glasses had been empty for half an hour. Then the same server shows up and starts serving us soup. Soup we never ordered. When I told him, he just took it back to the counter, cleaned the bowl, and served it to another table--with zero apology. That was shocking. Fifteen more minutes went by with still no wine service. Finally, the appetizers arrived. The Venetian was extremely dry--a cracker from Vons with a bit of jam. No flavor. The deer heart was also dry, paired with cheap-tasting jams that might as well have come from the dollar store. Completely bland. Another 30 minutes passed before the main courses showed up. The duck was overcooked, paired with sides that made no sense and didn't complement the dish at all. The pork was flavorless and came with sides that were just as tasteless. The presentation of both dishes looked outdated and uninspired. From start to finish, the entire experience was a disappointment. We were expecting something special and ended up with something barely passable. Honestly, if it wasn't for the wine and the fact that we were already in a good mood, we would have walked out after the first 30 minutes of waiting. I truly don't understand how this place is booked out or how it doesn't have far more negative reviews. Total disappointment. read more

Skadi was by far the best fine dining experience we've had in Mammoth so far. Chef Ian was there and even brought out some of our plates and explained everything in detail. The hamachi tartare and lemon panna cotta were standouts. The hand carved wooden butter knives were a lovely touch. The interior was warm and well lit - if it weren't for some noisy neighbors at the next table, it would have been a pretty perfect dinner. We'll be back to try some more adventurous dishes like the smoked deer heart and maybe the duck. read more

SKADI - lemon panna cotta - Modern European Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

See all

My husband, brother and I came here for dinner on a Friday night in December 2023 while we were visiting Mammoth Lakes. I'd seen reviews of Skadi saying that reservations were necessary, so I texted their number a week before coming and was able to get a reservation, though they had limited times. We came at our scheduled time and were seated immediately. The restaurant has an understated, rustic chic vibe that feels elegant at the same time. Our server was professional and efficient and gave us some recommendations. The three of us ordered some appetizers to share, one main each, and also shared the creme brulee and lemon panna cotta for dessert. Everything we had was perfect and flavorsome, as well as satiating. I'd highly recommend visiting for a nice dinner if you're in Mammoth Lakes, and will be dining here again whenever I come back. read more

The food is delicious as always! The new location is very reminiscent of the iterations. The menu also seems to be the same. But hey! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Skadi's is a wonderful meal and experience all around. read more

Excellent! We came here for our anniversary dinner. The food, wine, and atmosphere were perfect. Excellent all around- we will be back.

It's was just ok. Ordering is pretty rigid with requiring all ordering at once. Dessert was the best part of the meal by far. Service was fine. Bread and butter was also yummy. Would have appreciated tasting notes or flavor profiles on the wine list. read more

This used to be our special spot for a treat after a long day of skiing. The food is good but not much of a variety of the years but the service from one the male staff was TERRIBLE! I would keep myself from throwing this out there but just to provide an opportunity for improvement, the need to train this guy again. Sorry, Ian. Hope to see improvements. read more

been dining here 1-2 times a year for about 10 years. I have not been to the new location. i love the attention to detail.

The pastries are amazing! We also brought fresh baked bread home! So much to choose from.

Went with my honey today for my birthday; Ian is the absolute best and the service is incredible. The food is amazing, the staff is very kind, and the restaurant is beautiful. If I could give this place more stars I would, our experience couldn't have been better. They took such great care of us. :) Also, the vanilla bean crème brûlée was the best I've ever had. read more

SKADI - New York steak entree - Modern European Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

See all

My family took me to Skadi for my birthday. Everything was delightful. The crispy-skinned salmon was moist and paired well with the cream sauce and capers. The porcini soup was simple, velvety rich, and full of umami flavor and delicate textures of wild grain rice and crispy mushroom slivers. The crème brûlée and chocolate dessert plate had us smiling with every bite. My husband enjoyed his duck, too. The interior is cozy, relaxed and inviting, with tasteful nods to Norwegian influence. It's not stuffy nor pretentious. I wore jeans with a nice sweater and fit right in. Tony offered exceptional service and recommendations with affability and professionalism. Chef Ian personally brought us our dishes to explain culinary touches in the food. I asked him about his hand-carved butter knives, and he shared a brief family history, the story of their creation, and the Norse symbolism of the carvings in the handle. It was such an enlightening chat that personalized the meal. Visit Skadi if you want to taste something different, to watch the artful, busy dance of an open kitchen, to indulge for 2 hours, and to let food and conversation fill your senses and escape the mundane. read more

Best meal in Mammoth. The service was friendly and food was delicious! The salmon was cooked to perfection, the hamachi app was also a highlight. This was a great place to catch up with family, not too stuffy but more elevated than most of the restaurants in Mammoth. With apps, dessert, bottle of wine and entree ran about $100 per person (group of 6). Will definitely return when I'm back in the area! read more

Literally everything was top notch starting with the ambiance - tastefully mountain themed. Reservations were smooth, though we got lucky with a recent cancelation. Be forewarned, this place seats roughly 40, so if you're thinking about making a reservation, do it early! Service was just perfect with good communication and coordination of staff but not overly checking in. Chef came to the table and was charming and helpful. We ordered the porcini crepe appetizer which set the tone for the delicious entrees to come. The chicken and the scallops were fantastic! Such delicious flavors! We had no room for dessert, but we ordered it any way! Chocolate tastes and lemon curd! We had to take a walk afterwards but it was 100% worth the calories and splurge ($). The house red wines were also scrumptious. We'll be back! read more

Enjoyed a really exquisite meal here for my wife birthday . We sat in a charming throne table and decided to try new things. Started with an outstanding wild mushroom crepe that is crisped just right . Wife finally dies not care for crepes but the sauces and texture were fantastic, more like a crepe layer cake. The scallops with cauliflower puree was fantastic, as was the potato cooked in duck con fit. I had the venison sausage with corn cakes and fresh huckleberries which was a really light tasty sausage that was my first venison experience and I lived it. Unfortunately my duck breast was too well done, med well, which never should happen but that's ok we still had a great time. read more

My mom and I had a disappointing experience at Skadi. First, the restaurant was difficult to locate--there was little to no clear signage indicating it was inside a hotel. After eventually finding it, the service issues began immediately. When I informed the hostess that my mom was on her way (parking), she did not acknowledge this and rushed us to a table. We were seated in direct sunlight, which made the experience uncomfortable. When I asked if we could move to a shaded table, the request was quickly dismissed with a "sorry, we can't," without any attempt to accommodate or check further. Our waiter (male, tan, black hair, glasses) was unfriendly and disengaged throughout the meal. What stood out most was the inconsistency in service. While we were told moving tables was not possible, a nearby white couple who arrived later were not only acknowledged for the same issue (sun exposure), but had their situation addressed immediately. Their server apologized, and the head chef personally came out to relocate them to a different table. When we asked again about moving, our waiter simply responded that it was "out of [his] control," without any effort to advocate on our behalf. By the time we left, there were still at least four shaded tables in the back that had remained empty the entire time. We had been there since opening at 5pm, so it was clear there were available options that could have been offered. As the only Asian customers present, the contrast in treatment was difficult to ignore and left us feeling unwelcome. We left without tipping and will not be returning. read more

A very lovely and tasty experience in Mammoth Lakes. The service was good and very attentive. Skadi is a very nice modern elegant and fine Alpine dining alternative. Its Norwegian cuisine and decorative elements reminded me of my travels to Northern Europe. We ordered the scallops, chicken risotto, fig salad, and porcini mushroom crepe. The scallops and its accoutrements were tasty, especially the puréed cauliflower. My partner thought her chicken was delicious, but she raved about the risotto. And the complimentary bread and the accompanying browned butter were delightful. I would definitely make an effort to return on subsequent trips to Mammoth Lakes. read more

We celebrated my husband's birthday at Skadi and were completely blown away. The flavors, the presentation, the warm service, everything was perfect. Highlights: the Smoked Red Deer Heart with Cloudberries & Spruce Salt (wildly good), the Hamachi appetizer, the Canadian Duck Breast with Lingonberries, and the Duroc Pork Belly with Spiced Tenderloin & Jagerwurst, every dish was beautifully balanced and memorable. We ended with the Lemon Panna Cotta, which was bright, creamy, and the perfect finale. Chef Ian and Manager Chris made us feel like family. Skadi is a true Mammoth gem - We can't wait to come back! read more

See all

I was not expecting such an exceptional dining experience during a Mammoth ski vacation, but Skadi was wonderful. We loved every dish. We had the crepes, gravlax, smoked trout, venison sausage, corn/potato/leek soup, chicken breast, duck breast, pork trio of confit/tenderloin/sausage, salmon, chocolate dessert tasting, caramelized mac nut parfait, and gateau financier. The standouts for me were the venison sausage and chicken breast. The flavors, textures, and plating were gorgeous. Chef Ian and his staff were warm and attentive. We will be back. Hopefully soon. read more

See all

My husband and I took our Daughter to dinner here, she picked Skadi out to eat. It's a small city restaurant. It's an upscale restaurant, one of the best in Mammoth. We ordered two appetizers with our entree. It's near the Village so it's close to shops , restaurants etc The food was outstanding, definitely recommend dining here. We had great service while we dined. read more

See all