The best Swedish restaurants in Stockholm

Best meatballs in town?

This classic establishment opened in 1929 and is widely considered to serve the best meatballs in the city - despite the face that they are not even featured on the menu. What could be more quintessentially Swedish than meatballs, butter fried herring and mashed potatoes?

A culinary trip to the north

Knut pays tribute to the land of the midnight sun. The northern Swedish influences are apparent in the decor - wooden surfaces and furs. The rustic menu, features game, Norrland-style flatbread pizza and cranberry cocktails, with emphasis on local produce and ingredients.

Rustic charm

This charming inn with its picturesque location is a real classic. Rustic homemade Swedish food is served such as meatballs and salted salmon. The offering also includes vegetarian dishes as well as tasting menus.

Named after Bellman's muse

Ulla Winbladh was named after the muse of Sweden's 18th century national bard, Carl Michael Bellman and her character sets the tone for this historic restaurant on Djurgården. Traditional Swedish cuisine lives on here with favourite classics such as meatballs and Toast Skagen on the menu, and all the big high days and holidays are celebrated here with the appropriate Swedish dishes, such as Midsummer pickled herring and crayfish in August.

Rustic luxury

Celebrity chef Niklas Ekstedt combines seasonal Swedish flavours, employing ancient techniques to create a rustic, fine-dining experience. Food is prepared over a fire pit or in a wood fired oven - no cookers or burners - old-school style. The decor pays homage to the forests of Jämtland and Skåne.

Genuine beer hall

Pelikan was first founded in 1660 in Gamla Stan and has since relocated to Södermalm. This genuine beer hall serves hearty Swedish food such as herring, potato dumplings, pork and golfball-sized meatballs. The rustic influences translate perfectly from the menu to the decor.

Historic meeting place

Tennstopet has been around for some 150 years and the restaurant has been serving up Swedish classics with French elements for just as long. Tuck into their lovingly hand-rolled meatballs, cured salmon with dill potatoes or fried pork with onion sauce, among traditional favourites.

Since 1722

Den Gyldene Freden is a distinguished establishment and since opening in 1722 has been frequented by the likes of Bellman, Zorn and Taube - famous troubadours of their day. The traditional menu features classic Swedish delicacies such as meatballs, reindeer and pickled herring with a modern twist.

A fresh take on homecooking

At this Södermalm restaurant they've given traditional Swedish homecooking dishes a modern revamp - so you don't need to be an old-school, dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist to enjoy their innovative small dishes. The name comes from the old Swedish word "tabberas", to eat up everything on your plate.

Historic turn-of-the-century restaurant

Prinsen has been serving classic Swedish dishes to hungry Stockholmers since 1897. The restaurant has retained its original decor, with art-covered walls, wooden panels and impressively high ceilings. They are passionate about preserving Swedish culinary history and the menu includes iconic dishes such as meatballs, Wallenbergare veal patties and Beef Rydberg.

Danish delicacy

Not strictly speaking Swedish, but our Scandinavian sibling Denmark gives us traditional smörrebröd, open sandwiches, at Nybroe Smørrebrød in Östermalms Saluhall. The Danish delicacy can be endlessly varied with different toppings and is perfect for lunch, a snack or dinner.

Quintessentially Swedish

Beautifully located on leafy Skeppsholmen, Långa Raden is a popular restaurant specialising in authentic Swedish cuisine. Chanterelles, meatballs and of course Swedish 'fika' are all part of this hotel restaurant's repertoire.