Freyja Bar & Restaurant Bringing Nordic Mythology In Food Form To San Diego's North County

September 19, 2024

A new European-inspired bar & restaurant named Freyja is set to open in San Diego's North County at the end of the year. 

Named after the most renowned of the Norse goddesses, who represents fertility, love, and war, Freyja will focus on seasonal small plates influenced by faraway lands ranging from Nordic regions to the Mediterranean and even as far south as Morocco. The restaurant will be led by three local partners: Jarle Saupstad, Mike Mayaudon, and Shawn Seaman, all experienced veterans of North County’s restaurant scene.

Jarle Saupstad, known for his work at now-closed Smoke & Salt in Leucadia, will serve as Freyja’s executive chef. The menu will highlight local and seasonal ingredients, with produce sourced from nearby farms such as Sage Hill Ranch Gardens and Chino Farms, and proteins from Perennial Pastures and Da-Le Ranch. Freyja's concept will offer high-quality dishes in a relaxed, approachable setting, blending fine dining with a casual vibe.

The opening menu will feature eight to ten shareable plates, inspired by European coastal cuisine and traditional Nordic fare. Diners can expect dishes like Spanish-style tuna tartare with house-cured olives, fermented cherry, preserved Meyer lemons, and lemon vinaigrette. Freyja will also incorporate elements of classic steakhouse options, with à la carte proteins such as duck a l’orange and fresh pastas, including uni carbonara and fusilli alla vodka based on Saupstad’s grandmother’s recipe. Freyja’s culinary approach emphasizes a return to classic cooking techniques with a modern twist, bringing back traditional mother sauces and classic dishes with refreshed flavors and presentations.

The restaurant aims to become a late-night dining destination in Carlsbad, particularly for hospitality industry workers looking for a meal after 10pm. The partners are focused on creating a place they'd want to dine at, with a menu that allows them the freedom to be creative and draw on seasonal inspiration.

Freyja will occupy a 3,500-square-foot space, offering both indoor and outdoor dining areas with seating for 60 to 80 guests. The design will be inspired by the spirit of the Nordic goddess Freyja, with a green, white, and gold color palette. The restaurant will feature an open kitchen with bar seating for a front-row view of the culinary action, along with a bar that seats around 20 guests. This will be the team’s first venture together, with potential plans to expand and form a hospitality group in the future.

Freyja is set to open in December at 505 Oak Avenue, Suite C, in San Diego's North County city of Carlsbad.