Before traveling to Stockholm, my experience with Swedish cuisine was limited to the meatballs at Ikea. Tasty as those may be, I knew the country had more to offer. Having now made two trips to Stockholm, I’ve had plenty of time to explore the city’s dining scene. Here are the best restaurants in Stockholm, plus the most memorable dishes from each.
Wondering what to do in Stockholm between meals? Check out my city guide for the top sights and things to do.
Stockholms Gästabud
This charming little eatery is a gem of the Gamla Stan, just around the corner from the royal palace. Stockholms Gästabud serves up hearty classics like fish soup and Swedish sausages, though its most popular dish is the meatballs. I can see why there’s always a line of people out the door! This is definitely worth waiting for!
Bakfickan
Another great place for meatballs in Stockholm is Bakfickan. This small, casual bistro is the hip sibling to Operakällaren, the Michelin-starred restaurant next door.
After chatting with the locals sitting next to me at the counter, I learned that most Swedes don’t order meatballs in restaurants. They prefer to eat Grandma’s version back home. But it’s hard to imagine that Bakfickan’s meatballs could be improved upon. They are served with fresh lingonberries, pickled cucumbers, mashed potatoes, and mouthwatering gravy.
I also loved Bakfickan’s Baltic herring appetizer. The artistically arranged plate featured sever flavors of pickled herring, with the curry sauce, mustard, and black currant being my favorites. The herring was paired with the classic garnishes of potatoes, sour cream, and red onion.
Kryp In
Kryp In is Swedish for “cubbyhole,” or a small, cozy place that you won’t want to leave. This restaurant certainly lives up to its name!
I ordered the three course tasting menu and enjoyed every dish. My favorite was the reindeer steak, my first time trying this kind of meat. The steak was so tender it sliced like butter! It came with cheesy mashed potatoes, sweet apple compote, tangy dried lingonberries, silky celeriac cream, and a rich red wine sauce. Basically Scandinavia on a plate.
Master Anders
When I asked the front desk clerk of my hotel to make a reservation at Master Anders, he responded that it was one of his favorite restaurants. So I knew we were in for a treat! Located away from Stockholm’s touristy Old Town, Master Anders has been a local institution since 1905.
I ordered the grilled Arctic Char fillet, which came with tomato salad and a wonderful potato gratin. The daily special was a pork belly roulade with roasted summer vegetables. It’s easy to see why this place has been in business for so long!
Djurgårdsbron
Back in tourist central on museum island, Djurgårdsbron is a good option for lunch, especially if you have picky kids in tow. There are several pizzas on the menu along with more traditional Swedish fare. And in the warmer months you can enjoy your meal on the waterfront terrace.
The Flying Elk
(Temporarily closed as of 2024, according to their website.)
This fun gastropub serves up classic pub fare with a Swedish twist. The pork belly BLT sandwich was a winner, as was the fish and chips platter. The best bite, though, was the gougère appetizer. Made with Swedish farm cheese and drizzled with local honey, they were tiny flavor bombs. The Flying Elk also servers some tasty craft beers.
Coffee Shops
The Swedes are so passionate about their coffee breaks that they have a special word for it: fika. One of the best places for fika in Stockholm is Kaffekoppen. This café has been serving up coffee and cinnamon buns in one of the old town’s most charming buildings since 1997.
Another great choice is Under Kastanjen, which is tucked in a quiet square. This cute café has a tempting array of cakes to accompany your coffee.
Museum Restaurants
If you are visiting the Vasa Museum while in Stockholm, time so that you can pop by its restaurant for lunch. The menu usually includes a soup, salad, vegetarian option, and, of course, meatballs. You can also pick up an array of buns and puddings from the buffet line.
If the open-air museum Skansen is on your itinerary, I recommend having lunch at the outdoor terrace. My grilled-to-order sausage was served on a soft bun with a scoop of tangy coleslaw. Simple and delicious!
Ready to eat? Save this guide for easy reference!
What do you think are the best restaurants in Stockholm?
Which dishes would you most like to try?
I loved the Swedish meatballs at Bakfickan! I also enjoyed our conversation with the local couple that sat beside us. The cheese appetizer at the Flying Elk was wonderful. Was so disappointed when we went back on Sunday and they were closed. I had a few wonderful desserts too 🙂 I loved our trip to Stockholm and can’t wait to see where our next adventure takes us!!
There’s a castle in Germany with our name on it! 🙂
My, oh my… the fika section of this post has me jonesing. You had me at cinnamon bun!
As soon as I finished that giant cinnamon bun, I contemplated ordering a second 🙂
I have a friend visiting in September, so I’m forwarding your article along to her! I really enjoyed this, since I knew so little about the types of food eaten in Stockholm, thanks!
Thanks, Jess! I hope your friend has a fabulous visit! My favorite attractions were Drottningholm Palace and the Skansen museum, though I probably won’t have the chance to write about them before her visit.
We were recently at bakfickan too, were we met some really nice Americans 😄
Being foodies ourselves it is really fun to read your post and to learn what you think of our Swedish food.
The next time you are in Stockholm we would recommend you to try one or all of the following restaurants:
-Oaxen Slip. Situated on the island of Djurgården it features genuine Swedish cooking with a modern twist. A bonus is that almost all the produce used in the kitchen comes from farms situated near Stockholm. Another bonus is the fantastic traditional Swedish cocktails called “Grogg”. A must try!
-B.A.R. Situated at Blasieholmen behind Grand Hotel. One of Stockholms best seafood restaurants.
Dont miss the catch of the day from the charcoal grill.
-Wärdshuset Ulla Winblad. Super traditional Swedish cuisine extremely well executed in a very cosy enviroment. Try the “Biff Rydberg” its mouthwatering!
There are a lot more of really good places to eat, so dont hesitate to drop us a line if you want some more recommendations.
Your blog is very well written and fun to read, so we will surely drop in here again.
Best wishes to all of you.
/Pär & Lena
Thank you, Pär! I appreciate your kind words and your restaurant recommendations! This makes me want to return to Stockholm and meet you and Lena for dinner as soon as possible! And if you are ever in Riga or the vicinity, don’t hesitate to let me know. I do hope our paths cross again!
Cheers!
Heather
This post had me drooling at the screen… I am a huge fan of Swedish food – I would LOVE to live there and get to enjoy it all the time!
You and me both! I fell in love with Stockholm and could absolutely see myself living there someday!
In fact, Stockholm has so much to offer when it comes to food. What I like the most about it is the fact that all dishes are presented in such a nice way. Lovely food presentations! 10/10 🙂
I agree, Agness, the presentations are a feast for the eyes! 🙂
Now I want to go to Stockholm! Everything looks so delicious and you’ve done all the hard work for us finding out where to go. I know my husband would head straight to Bakfickan for the meatballs!
Jenny, you should go! Between the food and the beautiful old architecture, Stockholm is a Nordic jewel of a city.
Everything looks absolutely divine. People tend to think that Nordic food is boring but it isn’t at all. I mean, just look at your pictures making my mouth water with the lovely herring and seafood delights, Swedish meatballs (yum yum) and exotic reindeer. What’s not to like?
I can’t wait to visit Sweden in 2016. 🙂
In Stockholm, I couldn’t find any food not to like! It’s been over a month since I was there, and the memories still make my mouth water! Not many cuisines have that power over me LOL!
I had never thought much about what kind of food you would find in Sweden because, like you, I know they have those eponymous meatballs, so what more do they need? And really, WHAT MORE DO THEY NEED? Because that first plate of food you shared looks SO GOOD. I applaud you for not going there for every single meal… I’m not sure I would have had that fortitude. 🙂
After that first meal, I didn’t consume a single other meatball in Sweden because I didn’t want to besmirch the memory! Even the meatballs I had in Finland a month later didn’t compare. I think I’m forever spoiled! 🙂
As always Heather your photos are amazing, you are such an inspirational photographer! I love meatballs in all of their incarnations – the Italian version, and albondigas in Spain and Mexico, but I have to admit, I have never tried the Swedish ones! Sounds like I need to save my first try for a visit to Stolkholm 🙂
Thanks so much, Jenny! I truly appreciate your comment! I’ve had meatballs in a few other places (Finland, Spain, USA) and none have compared to the Swedish version. I hope you get to try them!
Oh gosh, reading this just made me really hungry! Your photos of the food and Stockholm are gorgeous, I love that city! It’s funny, England is famous for its fish ‘n’ chips but Scandinavia does them so much better!
Just imagine how hungry I felt while editing the photos and writing the post. It was enough to make me consider booking a return flight to Stockholm!
Incidentally, the best fish and chips I’ve ever had was at a British-style pub in Hong Kong. I can still recall the taste three years on!
My favorite restaurant was Hermans, a vegetarian buffet (and I’m not even vegetarian). Delicious food and with a stunning view over the port. Can’t ask for any better.
Those meatballs look damn good though!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to check that place out on my return visit!