Gorgeous Stockholm is Sweden’s capital and with its many fascinating islands, beautiful architecture, cozy eateries and stylish streets, it’s a city that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
I recently spent a long weekend in the city where I was catching up with my Swedish friend who I had not seen since pre-Covid. Although we only had a couple of days and the winter weather didn’t allow us to do everything we wanted, we had a fantastic time exploring attractions like the Abba museum, Fotografiska (a stylish contemporary photography centre) and enjoying plenty of Glogg at the Christmas market in the old town, Gamla Stan.
However with the weather being so cold, there was one primary objective to our Stockholm trip and that was, of course, food. So, if you too are planning a trip to the Swedish capital, I thought I’d share some of the hidden gems that we found to eat at in the city.
Restaurant Kyrp In, Sodemalm
The food that I ate at Kryp In will go down as one of the best meals I have eaten in my life. Located in the trendy Sodemalm neighbourhood, this tiny restaurant has a homely yet chic interior, with little tables crammed in, with a cozy candle-lit ambience. The menu is small and focuses on local produce and offers some of the best modern take on traditional Swedish cuisine in the city.
Meatballs for the people, Soderlmalm
When you want to try Sweden’s national dish, there is only one place to go. Meatballs for the people is packed full of locals and tourists and is so popular that dinner reservations need to be made days in advance (don’t worry there is usually space to book for lunch). The restaurant serves a variety of meatballs where you can try anything from the classic pork and beef mix to reindeer, bear or vegetarian ones. For the traditional pairing opt to have these with a side of mashed potato, lingonberry jam, pickled cucumber and then some lingonberry juice to drink.
Pelikan, Soderlmalm
If you’re after ‘Swedish food like my grandma would make’, as my friend said, then head to Pelikan. This sophisticated restaurant is larger than most others in the city meaning that getting a table last-minute is a lot easier. The menu is extensive and features Swedish classics such as meatballs, Swedish hash, reindeer steak and vegetarian dumplings. It’s a great place to visit for an introduction to the local cuisine.
Mr Cake, Radmansgatan
Mr Cake is incredibly popular with locals and is the ideal place to go for your Fika (that’s a break to have coffee and a sweet treat with a friend, something Swedes do most days). The cafe has a varied selection of cakes including local classics like saffron, cardamom and cinnamon buns. You should also try Princess Cake, a Scandinavian torte with layers of sponge cake sandwiched together with custard, jam, marzipan and cream.
Pharmarium bar, Gamla Stan
Ok not technically somewhere to eat, however, Pharmarium is a must-visit bar for cocktails in the old town. This beautiful bar is housed in Sweden’s first apothecary and dates back to the 16th century. The renowned cocktail menu has been expertly crafted to pair with its selection of snacks and its cozy booths and elegant decor will transport you back to the old world.
Know any other places that are great to eat in Stockholm? Leave your suggestions in the comments.
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