Sweden is not a country that stands out in the world with its cuisine, but there are quite a few restaurants with delicious food. I can say that you will have a pleasant trip in terms of gastronomy in general. In this Stockholm food guide, I will share with you the traditional dishes you can eat in Stockholm, Sweden’s fika culture and my favorite places.
What to Eat and Drink in Stockholm?
Köttbullar: Swedish meatballs, perhaps one of the most well-known dishes of Swedish cuisine. It is usually served with potatoes, lingonberry jam and a brown sauce. Not very tasty in my opinion.
Gravlax: Salmon marinated with sugar, salt and dill. This Scandinavian specialty is also made with different types of oily fish other than salmon.
Skagenröra: A type of seafood salad made with shrimp, mayonnaise, dill and lemon juice. It is served on bread or on its own as a starter.
Toast Skagen: A kind of open sandwich, usually eaten as a starter or appetizer. They put the shrimp salad I mentioned above on toasted bread.
By the way, an additional information; in Sweden, the buffet-style meal is called Smörgasbord.
Raggmunk: Similar to potato pancakes or hashbrowns, it is a traditional Swedish dish.
Semla: Sweden’s famous cream bun, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Semla is made from a soft and light dough. The center of the doughnut is hollowed out and filled with marzipan. A generous amount of whipped cream is added on top and the top part of the dough is placed again as a lid. Finally, powdered sugar is sprinkled on top.
Kanelbulle: A cinnamon and soft bun that accompanies Swedish coffee hours. They also add cardamom in this bun, so it has a slightly sharper taste than normal cinnamon buns. It may not be for everyone, but I liked it a lot. It is also sprinkled with large sugar grains.
Fika: For Swedish people, coffee time is more than just drinking coffee, it is considered a social ritual and they call it fika. In their own words, they see it as an opportunity to slow down in the fast-paced modern life and spend quality time with loved ones.
Where to Eat in Stockholm?
There are some really nice places in Stockholm, I’ve always been very satisfied with the ones I’ve tried. I’m still thinking about the ones I haven’t tried. 🙂
Coffee Shops in Stockholm – Fika Spots
Vete-Katten: Serving since 1928, this historic cafe is ideal for an authentic fika experience. You can find Kanelbulle and all other Swedish desserts here. Located in Norrmalm.
Stora bageriet: Located in Östermalm, this bakery used to supply fresh bread to the army. Both inside and the garden are very sweet.
Under Kastanjen: A cozy cafe in a quiet courtyard in Gamla Stan. The name means “Under the Chestnut Tree”. It has a wide menu including gluten-free and vegan options.
Drop Coffee: Located in Södermalm, one of Sweden’s award-winning coffee shops. Famous for its organic and high quality coffee beans.
Fabrique: A sweet cafe located in Gamla Stan. I love the ambiance and the buns here. This place has become a chain and there are more in other neighborhoods.
Bakeries and Patisseries in Stockholm
Lillebrors Bageri: A small bakery in Stockholm’s Vasastan neighborhood, famous for its handmade breads and pastries. The bakery’s products are prepared using natural and organic ingredients. I especially loved the almond croissant.
Komet: If you are ever in Kungsholmen, be sure to stop by here. Both their coffee and bakery products are very good.
Krümel Cookies & Crumbs: A famous place in Stockholm, especially for its cookies. Here you can find delicious cookies prepared in various flavors and shapes. I can say that it is one of the favorite stops for both locals and tourists.
Breakfast Spots in Stockholm
Pom&Flora: They have three branches in Stockholm, I went to the Odengatan branch and I think it’s one of the best places for breakfast in Stockholm. There are options for everyone; healthy bowls, breakfast plates with eggs, etc. The ambiance is nice and the quality and freshness of the ingredients are good.
Greasy Spoon: Another breakfast spot with many branches in Stockholm, I went to the Södermalm branch. They have a lot of breakfast options. Eggs, avocado, pancakes etc. you can find whatever kind of breakfast you like here, the service was a bit slow but the food was delicious.
Burger joints in Stockholm
Flippin’ Burgers: A burger joint with an American-style interior that was named one of the 50 best burgers in the world in 2020. There are six different burgers on the menu, one of which is vegetarian, and the buns are made by one of the best bakers in the city. The fries are also very good. They don’t accept cash.
bap – Burgers & Pastrami: This place is also considered one of the best burger joints in the world. The ambiance, the burgers, the fries, everything is very good. Located in Östermalm.
Swedish meatballs and traditional cuisine in Stockholm
Meatballs for the People: Located in the Södermalm neighborhood, this is one of the most popular places to eat Swedish meatballs. This restaurant serves traditional Swedish meatballs in a modern and creative way, making it a favorite among locals and tourists. On the menu you can find meatballs made with different types of meat: beef, pork, chicken, deer, bear meat, etc. There are also vegetarian options.
Pelikan: Another place located in the Södermalm neighborhood. It is a very good option for those who want to experience traditional Swedish food in an elegant atmosphere. This place is a bit like fine dining, so the prices are high.
Den Gyldene Freden: This place is located in Gamla Stan. Stockholm’s oldest restaurant, it has a very authentic atmosphere. You can try traditional Swedish cuisine here.
Street Food in Stockholm
Falloumi: If there is a good falafel in a place, I never miss it. There are many falafel places in Stockholm, this place has won awards before. I think the taste is really good and the interior design is like a neighborhood in Lebanon which makes it authentic. Located in Södermalm.
Strömmingsvagnen: A buffet where you can eat traditional Swedish herring fried. If you like fish, you should try this place when you are in Gamla Stan.
Günters: A very popular buffet serving hot dogs. They stand out with their special sauce and there are usually long queues in front of them. Located in Vasastan. Another alternative for hot dogs is Brunos Korvbar, located in Östermalm.
Stockholm Bars – Nightlife
Röda Huset: Bartender Hampus Thunholm is famous for his cocktails made from local Swedish products. It is located in a tiny three-story red building. It is on the 2023 list of the 50 best bars in the world.
Lucy’s Flower Shop: Located in a hidden basement in Stockholm’s Östermalm district. Famous for its special cocktails prepared with ingredients collected from nature. It is on the 2022 list of the 50 best bars in the world. It is necessary to make a reservation here in advance.
Tjoget: It has been on the list of the 50 best bars in the world for a while, offers cocktails inspired by Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. In addition to the cocktail bar, there is also a food section, wine section and beer section.
Stampen: A small bar located in Gamla Stan. The atmosphere is quite colorful, there are a lot of objects inside. There is live music in the evening and it is quite fun.
I hope my Stockholm Food Guide will be useful for you and you will have a nice trip to Stockholm where you can enjoy delicious meals. If there are any other questions or additions about the Belgium trip, you can leave them as comments.
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