In Stockholm there are plenty of opportunities for great and expensive dining, but there are also lots of restaurants that serve excellent food at moderate prices. If you choose the daily special for either lunch or dinner, you won’t get ruined.

In traditional Swedish restaurants, you should taste herring or “köttbullar” (meat balls), of which most restaurants serve some kind of variety. Another Swedish specialty is “surströmming”, which – let’s be honest – is quite a challenging experience! In a few words, “surströmming” is canned rotten herring – something they affectionate particularly in the northern part of Sweden.

On weekdays, many restaurants in Stockholm are half empty. Like most other Scandinavians, the Swedes mainly go out for dinner on weekends. The evenings during the week are spent at home with family and friends.

In Sweden lunch is taken between 11.30 am and 3.30 pm. For dinner, most kitchens are open between 5 pm and 11 pm.

Kungsholmen

Kungsholmen is a combination of a food market and a restaurant, located in a low building on the quay with a view over the water. You enter a huge space with dark furniture and big white lamps. All the patrons are seated in the center of the space, surrounded by seven different food-bars and open kitchens for sushi, salad, soup, barbeque, bistro food, ice cream and cocktails.

On a huge pontoon in the water, Kungsholmen has a large floating bar where you can also have your food served, or maybe just take your dessert. There are heaters and lots of blankets so you don’t get cold.

The atmosphere is lively and informal and the clientele is very mixed. In the late hours it gets more party minded and the cocktail bar becomes crowded.

Once you’re full, it is enchanting to walk along the quay. It is simply one of the most beautiful places in Stockholm. Go for a walk with your loved one and enjoy the lights from the opposite quay. Or continue out in the city’s night life.

Kungsholmen, Norr Mälarstrand, Kajplats 464
www.kungsholmen.com

SALOUHALLEN

In the center of Östermalmtorg you will find Salouhallen, which is a horn of plenty as far as fresh food products are concerned. You can get meat, fish, vegetables and lots of delicacies.

The lovely space with high ceilings bears resemblance to a giant circus building and houses several intimate restaurants, cafés and bars. Savor a delicious fish soup or an open sandwich with shrimps at the counter of fish expert, Lisa Elmquist. Everything is prepared from exquisite fresh products and served in an informal atmosphere.

There is another Salouhall on Hötorget, but momondo’s favorite is the slightly more exclusive one on Östermalm.

SALOUHALLEN, Östermalmstorg 1
www.ostermalmshallen.se

Wärdhuset Ulla Winbladh

On Djurgården you will find Wärdshuset Ulla Winbladh, where you can get authentic Swedish home cooking.

A gravel path leads you to the white farmhouse, which is home to the restaurant. You can sit in either the heated garden room or the pretty indoor restaurant with light green chairs. The place is far from modern, but it’s authentic and super cozy and it attracts business people, parties of retirees celebrating birthdays as well as young couples on romantic dates. 

Needless to say, we had to try the “köttbullar” at 17 Euros. They were delicious, and as the tradition prescribes, they came with mashed potatoes, pickles and lingonberry.

It is an atmospheric experience to visit Wärdshuset Ulla Winbladh. Even though you’re in the middle of Stockholm, it feels like you’re in the countryside.

WÄRDSHUSET ULLA WINBLADH, Rosendalsvägen 8
www.ullawinbladh.se

Restaurant Bergamott

In the middle of Stockholm you can find Bergamott, which is a new place to eat that has quickly gained popularity among the Stockholmers. The atmosphere is good and the food is great and not too pricy.
The waiters are attentive and talkative and will quickly lead you to your table (remember to book!) and fill up your glass.

The selection is primarily French and Swedish and changes daily. The menu is written in chalk on a big blackboard that the waiters carry to your table when you order. Lovely fish dishes are offered as well.

In one end of the restaurant there is a small bar, and as the night moves on, that part of the room gets more and more crowded.

Bergamott, Hantverkargatan 35
www.restaurangbergamott.se

With its black walls, black leather couches and a bright green bar, Nox sets the tone! It’s an unusual place with a carried out style and one of Stockholm’s swankiest restaurants. Cocktails can be enjoyed upstairs and dinner is served under large chandeliers downstairs.

The food is mainly French and a three-course menu including wine costs around 80 Euros. You should definitely stay after having had dinner, since Nox is a fabulous place to hang out at night. In the summer they have one of the best outside terraces in Stockholm.

Nox, Grev Turegatan 30
www.nox.se

By Mette Lomholdt