Stockholm
Dining And Drinking
add to Travel Bag (NEW)
"An appetizer (or a main course) which consists of among others bread and butter, cold cuts and small hot dishes" is how a smorgåsbord is defined according to the National Encyclopedia. Stockholm's restaurant world could be described as giant smorgasbord, offering something for every tastebud. Over the last twenty years the Stockholm smorgasbord has developed enormously, inspired by culinary art from the four corners of the earth as well as the Swedish cuisine. One explanation for today's multi-cultural restaurant life lies in the fact that Swedes, including Swedish chefs, travel greatly all over the world, bringing new ingredients and flavours as they come back to their own kitchen. In the old days it would have been sacrilege if one served herring in any other way than the traditional. Today it is not uncommon that herring is flavoured with ginger or oregano; it is no longer a question of breaking the rules of the local cuisine, but about reinventing and blending. A couple of years ago every self-respecting neighbourhood had a pizzeria; now the pizzerias have been forced to move closer together to make space for more exotic spices offered by Indian and Thai cuisines. Restaurants have been and still are springing up like colorful mushrooms all over the city, which has left the ordinary man and woman in Stockholm more gastronomically knowledgeable.
Norrmalm - City
Why not start off with a real Swedish breakfast at Grand Hotel one of the most exclusive hotels and restaurants in Stockholm? The buffet and the view over the water will take your breath away, and some famous faces may be hidden behind the morning paper. If you would rather have people to complement your breakfast, grab a smoothie at the American-inspired Wayne's Coffee Or have a pleasant awakening with a cup of mint-chocolate coffee across the street at Dilas, the little Italian coffee shop, where a genuinely Italian atmosphere rules, even in the early morning hours.
A must for champagne drinkers and lobster guzzlers is Berns in Berzelli Park. Operakällaren is a classic in the Stockholm restaurant world, but if the prices are too high one can find equally fine food on the other side of the Kungliga Operan at Bakfickan. Another classic and immortal restaurant is Café Opera where simple home cooking is the main attraction. The paradox of combining luxury with simple home cooking can be enjoyed at Sturehof the present hub of Stockholm's restaurant life, open practically round the clock. Prinsen is still the rendezvous place for many actors, poets and artists, and at KB the cultural elite mixed with Internet elite, sampling crossover and traditional Swedish dishes. Crossover and other food trends that characterised the Swedish cuisine during the Nineties began at Rolfs Kök. East regarded as the best soul bar in town, offers modern Asian food from Thailand, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
Vasastaden
Have a generous lunch and drink as much blueberry juice as you want to at Blåbär If the craving for a juicy entrecôt becomes to unbearable, visit the French tavern Minerva. Il Forno (which in Italian means "wood oven") does not look like much on the outside. It is a well-kept secret amongst pizza-lovers who make a pilgrimage from all over town to get their wood oven-baked pizzas. These, combined with great pasta at bargain prices are part of Leonardo's winning concept. Norma on the corner could easily be missed, but the cosy atmosphere and the traditional Swedish food with European influences make a meal here a long-lasting memory. Hoedupbab is a giant hit among other fun Korean specialties at Koreana. Habana (La) is a great introduction to Cuban cuisine. Another modern Asian restaurant is Mooncake with its focus on Chinese food, serves with finesse and fantasy. A personal and relaxed atmosphere accompanied by the seas' delicacies is Musslan specialty.
Peppar is a classic in its neighbourhood; here stout and masculine dishes such as chili, jambalaya and so forth dominate the menu. Sala Thai has for a long time been the Thai king of Vasastan. Small, fastidious, nice and comfortable is September, worth a visit; a piece of advice, though, is to book one of the few tables beforehand. Storstad on the other hand won the Stockholm Award for best restaurant, and is extremely popular. Tranan is well-visited, whether it is in the actual restaurant where the favourite dish is meatballs and Rydbergare, or downstairs in the bar with the pinball machines. Especially during the weekends it is frequented by young people out clubbing. Bistro de Wasahof is the pride of Vasastan located at Vasaparken where French cuisine gets on well with Swedish; it is appreciated by older-generation journalists, authors and actors. Last but not least, spend your Sunday morning relaxing at Sirap over a fragrant American brunch.
Östermalm
It may not be Bagdad Café, but it is Beirut Café that whets the appetite for Lebanese food. The Lebanese cuisine has a lot in common with the Turkish, and the Turkish cuisine has a lot in common with the Greek. The result is Halv Grek Plus Turk The name is a wordplay as one of the owners is a Turk and the other is half Greek. Step in through the somewhat anonymous door and in an instant you are in the Mediterranean with a taste of aniseed and green figs. Grodan Grev Ture is the mecca for many young, hip, hardworking people around Stureplan, who go to enjoy its traditional dishes. Ciao Ciao Due crowd consists of both young gluttons and well-behaved families ordering the same tasty, traditional Italian food.
Lydmar has a stylish dining room where one can choose between a range of appetizing dishes, no matter what the budget, since the food comes in three different sizes. Tures is the natural hang-out after the end of a working day, while No 18 gets better the closer it gets to midnight. Wedholms Fisk is the fish restaurant with a capital F, and has kept its winning concept through the years: fresh fish, heavenly sauces and enormous portions.
Djurgården
Ulla Winbladh was originally built as a baker's shop for the international Stockholm exhibition in 1897, and everything from the interior décor to the food still is genuinely Swedish. Villa Källhagen is regarded as one of the best restaurants in town. The food is made with a never-ending passion for the Swedish flora and the four seasons. Please make a trip to Rosendals trädgård a priority. On a sunny day either go here for an early fresh lunch (the queue starts early) or have one of the irresistible home-baked pastries and sit down among the old, beautiful, knotty apple trees in the garden.
The Old Town
The historical Den Gyldene Freden was opened in celebration of the peace at Nystad in 1722. Hence the name, Gyldene Freden, which means "the golden peace". Ever since, the restaurant has been much frequented, and well-established among locals. A comfortable quality restaurant with staff that does everything to make you happy is Järnet. Kaos is an imaginative retreat and a culinary surprise. Gourmet food is served at Lejontornet, in medieval surroundings. The modern and robust atmosphere at Mårten Trotzig is hard to resist. Trattoria Romana is located in a charming basement, with equally charming food and accompanying violinists.
Södermalm
The view is unique and dazzling at the international Gondolen and the same goes for the food. The flagship at Södermalm is Hannas with unaffected and unconventional food and patrons. Across the street is Hannas Deli which is much more crowded and fashionable. Il Tempo Italian food is a cherished culinary dream. The kitchen's concept is "food from all over the world" and Matkultur is a place where lunch is a sacred institution. Muggen is a romantic place with praiseworthy, modern Italian food. Delicious French crepes are made in a steady succession at Creperie Fyra Knop and ordering in French is deeply appreciated. Snaps/Rangus Tangus is an affable restaurant located in a palatial building at Medborgarplatsen. An unpretentious eaterie is Sjögräs either after work or before the adventure of the evening. Sushi and sashimi are very good reasons to visit Sushi-Ya. Wake up slowly at Mosebacke Etablissement eat their weekend buffet and play a game of chess.
Kungsholmen
Mamas and Tapas is Spanish culture and cuisine personified. You are well taken care of, plus you have the opportunity of enjoying traditional Swedish food in the yellow-painted place called Absinth Bar & Bistro. Snails cooked in a variety of ways are L'Escargot's speciality. High-class food and perfection are Bon Lloc's guidelines—the world champion chef Mathias Dahlgren rules in this kitchen. Göken used to be a beer-house, and has developed into a little pearl with regards to the food and the service. The sushi is in a division of its own at Roppongi Something as original as a crossover between Gotlandish and Mediterranean food is what people eat at Spisa hos Helena. Beautiful restaurants with carefully cooked food close to the water are Sjöpaviljongen and Ocean.
Although the Stockholmer has become more educated in the culinary art, a hot dog with bostongurka and rostad lök still has a sacred place in most hearts. You might actually get one of your best culinary experiences in Stockholm at one of the hot-dog stands around town.
