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Eat & Drink

The Swedish food culture spans from traditional dishes and foraging to modern cuisine with a strong vegetarian and vegan food culture and plant based recipes.

All of sweden

Göteborg

Malmö

Northern sweden

Småland

Southern sweden

Stockholm

Uppland

Västsverige

A woman is standing by a wood fired oven, holding bread, in a garden during summer.

Dans un jardin pendant l'été, une femme se tient debout devant un four à bois avec du pain dans sa main.

Krakas Krog, Gotland

The regional flavours of Sweden

Swedish cuisine is geared towards sustainability and high-quality local produce. The country&#x27;s varied geography and climate has therefore given rise to a wonderfully diverse food culture. Travelling from south to north, you’ll discover many different types of food, all worth trying for their unique character alone. Here’s an introduction to the Swedish food cultures of Malmö, Gotland, Sundsvall and the High Coast.

Processed vegetables at Kolåsens Fjällhotell

Plant based by Sweden – guiding you to planet-friendly and delicious dining experiences

Green food is delicious and good – for you and the planet. The initiative “Plant based by Sweden” highlights not only the dining experiences but also the enthusiastic foodies at the forefront of this culinary shift.

Plant based by Sweden – planet-friendly and delicious dining experiences

The Edible Country

100 million acres of fine do-it-yourself dining.

The Drinkable Country

Welcome to the world’s largest open-air bar.

Five different meals, three bottles,  a spool with jute twine and flowers on a wooden table.

Fünf verschiedene Mahlzeiten, drei Flaschen, eine Spule mit Jutegarn und Blumen auf einem Holztisch.

Tisch auf dem Bauernmarkt, Varberg

Table at Farmers market, Varberg

Swedish food and drink festivals for every taste

Sweden’s culinary scene is thriving, with an increasing focus on sustainability. Discover the country’s rich food culture by visiting one of the food and drink festivals that will take place in 2025.

Zahlreiche typisch schwedische Snacks, wie eine Wurst, Käse und Süßigkeiten auf einem Tisch.

Köstliche Souvenirs aus Schweden

De nombreux délices typiquement suédois, comme une saucisse, du fromage et des bonbons sont disposés sur une table.

Souvenirs culinaires

Tal van typisch Zweedse snacks, zoals worst, kaas en zoetigheden op tafel.

Souvenirs om op te eten

Food Souvenirs

From fika to flatbread: 11 must-have Swedish food souvenirs

Snacks and sweets to bring with you home.

A person is plating food with a long tweezer. It's served on granite rocks and decorated with edible flowers.

Une personne prépare un plat à l'aide d'une longue brucelle de cuisine. Le plat est servi sur des pierres en granit et décoré de fleurs comestibles.

Dressage des plats au restaurant ÄNG

Food plating at restaurant ÄNG

Swedish food culture - local produce, international flavours and forward thinking

Swedish cuisine today centres on healthy, locally sourced produce, while certain preparation methods can be traced back to the Viking era.

A chef is standing outside by the sea cooking mussels in a large pan.

Eine Köchin steht draußen am Meer und kocht Muscheln in einer großen Pfanne.

Musselbaren, Ljungskile

Een chef-kok staat buiten bij de zee mosselen te koken in een grote pan.

9 unique sustainable food experiences

Discover acclaimed one-of-a-kind foodie adventure.

9 sustainable Swedish food and drink experiences

Cueillette de champignons

Picking mushroom

Swedish food safaris on land – from foraging to truffle hunting

A pair of cupped hands filled with fresh blueberries. The fingers are coloured blue from the berries.

Newly picked blueberries

Swedish cuisine – from foraging to artisanal food

Nordic gastronomy is today the very focus of attention for the international food media. Sweden, along with the other Nordic countries, offers a refuge of clean, unspoiled nature, as well as the taste of contemporary exoticism.

Catching lobster in West Sweden

Swedish seafood safaris – from lobster and crayfish to oysters and seaweed

Whether you’re a lobster lover, on the hunt for oysters or want to try a sustainable seaweed safari, the Swedish west coast has it all. Join an adventure that will satisfy your senses beyond taste.

Swedish seafood safaris

Different plates with food on a grey table.

Långholmen Hotel & Restaurant, Stockholm

Swedish food – the ultimate foodie bucket list

10 culinary highlights – from regional delicacies to modern fine dining.

The ultimate Swedish foodie bucket list

The back of two women that walk and talk in a food market.

Food market

Top restaurants in Malmö – from street food to fine dining

A delicious bite to eat isn’t hard to find in Malmö.

Table setting at Restaurant Jay Fu

Sample the diverse flavours of Uppsala

The charming town of Uppsala serves up a smorgasbord of high-quality restaurants that lends it a decidedly “big city” feel due to its sheer variety alone.

Berns nightclub filled with dancing people. Smoke from smoke cannons and confetti spray in the air.

Berns, Stockholm

Nightlife in Stockholm

The best cocktail bars, breweries, rooftops, wine cafés and nightclubs in the capital.

Two men walking in nature and holding hands.

Together

Stockholm under the rainbow

Arto Winter runs one of Stockholm’s most popular summer restaurants with an outspoken LGBTQI profile. Thanks to its waterside location and laid-back ambience Mälarpaviljongen attracts an audience far beyond the gay community.“There aren’t many restaurants targeted solely at gays in Stockholm – instead, the whole city is tolerant,” he says.

A man wearing a white t-shirt, glasses and a thick beard and an apron is pouring steamed milk into an espresso cup.

Barista at a Swedish café

Swedish café culture – steeped in tradition yet forward-thinking

Ever since the first cluster of patisseries arrived in Sweden at the end of the 19th century, the Swedish café has continued to flourish in a style uniquely its own. There are cafés for all tastes, whether you are particular with your brew, your pastries or into design and interior.

Fika in Gothenburg

Cafés in Gothenburg

Gothenburgers love their cafés and the city is noted for its laid-back café vibe. Forget about going to the pub – the coffee shop is where it’s all at in Gothenburg. Here are a few of the best cafés you&#x27;ll find in Gothenburg.

Ängavallen, Skåne

Five Swedish roadside restaurants worth stopping for

Food on the road is not always something to write home about – or, more accurately these days, to post on Instagram. These five restaurants, however, are exceptions that prove the rule.

Baldersnäs Manor, Unionsleden

5 must-visit restaurants in West Sweden

West Sweden has everything from seafood restaurants right by the sea to manor houses with food prepared with local ingredients. Here are five favourite restaurants from A Taste of West Sweden.

Outdoor eating, Stockholm

Top restaurants in Stockholm – from trendy hotspots to Nordic classics

Stockholm, also known as the Capital of Scandinavia, is home to one of Europe’s most exciting food scenes. Whether you&#x27;re craving traditional Swedish flavours, a buzzing new hotspot, an affordable gem – or even a world-class dining experience – you’ll find it here. Discover some of the top restaurants in Stockholm in this curated guide.

The outdoor seating area in front of the restaurant Prinsen.

Prinsen, Stockholm

8 iconic restaurants in Stockholm

From Michelin-starred dining rooms to cosy pubs and loads of traditional Swedish food.

8 iconic restaurants in Stockholm – a gastronomical heritage

Girl sitting at a table with some friends at the restaurant PM & Vänner.

Design hotel and restaurant

Top Swedish food experiences in Småland

Interested in traditional Swedish food, gastro hotels or healthy gourmet tours in Swedish nature? Småland has got you covered.This region in southern Sweden has a diverse food scene with great restaurants. In fact, even Björn from ABBA has opened a restaurant here! Oh, and don’t miss the beloved Swedish dessert ‘ostkaka’ originating from Småland.

People standing in line by a cake buffet in a cafe.

Swedish fika

Cafés in Stockholm

Swedes love their <a id="5339" linktype="page">fika</a>, and the country is pickled with cafés. Here you&#x27;ll find a selection of Stockholm&#x27;s best cafés, from traditional patisseries to artisan bakeries and design cafés.

Seafood

Top 4 fish and seafood restaurants in Gothenburg

Gothenburg&#x27;s coastal location and access to the North Sea make it a paradise for those who enjoy fish and seafood. Here are some of the top fish and seafood restaurants in Gothenburg.

Three women at an outside serving in Malmö having coffee and other drinks and smiling and laughing.

Fika in Malmö

Cafés in Malmö

It’s all about the coffee in Malmö. Their coffee bars mean business and locals know their beans, brews and blends like it was their lifeline. Here are a few of the best cafés in Malmö and Skåne.

Interior of Restaurant Tavolo in Gothenburg, featuring a towering horse sculpture, industrial-style lighting, and elegantly set wooden tables in a spacious dining hall.

Tavolo, Gothenburg

Top restaurants in Gothenburg – from Michelin stars to street food gems

Gothenburg’s prime location on Sweden’s west coast makes it a top destination for seafood lovers. But there’s more to the city’s culinary scene than just world-class fish and shellfish. With a laid-back vibe and a strong focus on sustainability, Gothenburg offers an exciting mix of Michelin-starred restaurants, innovative bistros, and buzzing food trucks.

Bars, Cafés and Restaurants

Cinnamon buns

Cinnamon buns ('Kanelbullar') – recipe

Swedes love cinnamon buns so much that we have a special Cinnamon Bun Day on 4 October. Follow this recipe, and you can have your own cinnamon bun feast every day.

A plate with 'Chokladsnittar' (chocolate slices) cookies.

Chocolate slices

Chocolate slices ('Chokladsnittar') – recipe

Recipe by top patisserie chef Mia Öhrn.

A rustic wooden table is set with a tray of typical Swedish Christmas treats such as lussebullar, nuts, and cups of mulled wine.

Christmas fika

Saffronbuns ('Lussekatter') – recipe

Along with gingerbread, saffron buns are a seasonal treat Swedes make for Advent and Lucia in the run-up to Christmas. This sweet, saffron-flavoured bun, known as &#x27;lussekatt&#x27; (directly translated as &#x27;Lucia cat&#x27;), is typically shaped into the letter ‘S’ to look like a curled-up cat, with raisins for decoration to resemble the cat’s eyes.

Seen from above, a wooden table is set with a plate of potato pancakes and bacon, a jar of lingonberry jam and a glass of milk.

Potato pancakes

Potato pancakes ('Raggmunk') – recipe

Potato pancakes might sound unusual but it is a classic Swedish dish. Follow this easy potato pancake recipe and serve it with bacon and lingonberry jam for the full experience.

A table with gingerbread cookies in different shapes and a cup of mulled wine.

Gingerbread

Swedish Gingerbread ('Pepparkakor') – recipe

Making Swedish &#x27;pepparkakor&#x27; — or gingerbread cookies — is a tradition many Swedish families will do every Christmas. These spiced cookies are an integral part of Swedish Christmas celebrations like advent and Lucia.Bake your own gingerbread cookies with this easy gingerbread recipe. Whether you want to make gingerbread men or build a whole gingerbread house, this is where to start.

A wooden table is set with a glass of beer, a fork and a plate of meatballs with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and brown gravy.

Meatballs with mashed potato

Traditional Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and lingonberries – recipe

Swedish meatballs are as close to a national dish that we have in Sweden. Everyone has their own favourite recipe and many celebrity chefs serve their own versions in their restaurants.Most people will say that their mum’s recipe is the best of course! Why not impress your friends and cook your own Swedish meatballs with this easy recipe?

Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and lingonberries – recipe

A piece has been carved out of a chocolate cake topped with chopped nuts.

Swedish 'kladdkaka'

Swedish sticky chocolate cake ('Kladdkaka') – recipe

This gooey chocolate cake is similar to mud cake or a sticky brownie and is great served with some whipped cream. Remember to allow the cake to cool properly before serving it. Then the cake gets the perfect sticky consistency!

A cookie jar with Swedish ‘hallongrottor’ (raspberry caves) cookies.

Raspberry caves

Raspberry caves ('Hallongrottor') – recipe

A table is set with Princess cake and pitcher of cordial.

Princess cake

Princess cake ('Prinsesstårta') – recipe

Princess cake is one of the most well-loved Swedish cakes, often served as a birthday cake or even as a wedding cake. It’s essentially a cream and marzipan cake, easily recognisable by its green colour and decorated with a pink rose. With this Swedish princess cake recipe, you can host your own Swedish fika!

A tray with a plate of cured salmon with dill and a few drink glasses.

Cured salmon

Cured salmon ('gravad lax') – recipe

Cured salmon, &#x27;gravad lax&#x27; or &#x27;gravlax&#x27;, is a marinated salmon dish and along with smoked salmon it&#x27;s hugely popular on the Swedish smorgasbord. It is often served with a mustard sauce called &#x27;Hovmästarsås&#x27;.Keep in mind that salmon should be frozen for 72 hours beforehand to kill any parasites. However, you can also cure it and freeze it afterwards. This is great if you are planning a big dinner and want to prepare a couple of days ahead.

A sandwich cake covered in slices of radishes, presented on a plate in the outdoors.

Traditional sandwich cake

Savoury cake ('Smörgåstårta') – recipe

A Savoury cake? Yes, this is precisely what it is, and it’s delicious. The Sandwich cake, or &#x27;Smörgåstårta&#x27;, is a retro cake, hugely popular in the 70s and now having a revival as a Savoury cake served at parties. It looks like a cake, but instead of cream and sugary decorations, it can be decorated with radishes, dill, salmon, prawns or cucumber, to name a few toppings.

A plate with vegan meatballs, sauce, pickled cucumber, lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes.

Vegan meatballs

Vegan meatballs with mash potatoes and cream sauce – recipe

Swedish meatballs, or &#x27;köttbullar&#x27;, has a cherished status in Sweden. Whether you&#x27;re taking a break at a furniture store or dining at a trendy restaurant, whether you lean towards the classic beef version or the vegan option, the Swedish national dish, featuring its meatballs, creamy mashed potatoes, irresistible gravy, and tart lingonberries is always a delightful choice.

A strawberry cake is placed on a Dollie in nature.

Swedish strawberry cake

Classic strawberry cake ('Jordgubbstårta') – recipe

An authentic Swedish strawberry and cream cake is essential for a <a id="8270" linktype="page">Midsummer</a> feast. It is quite an easy cake to make, essentially a sponge cake filled with vanilla cream and strawberry jam, and decorated with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Here’s an easy strawberry cake recipe to try at home.

Close up picture of a bunch of ready baked Schackrutor (chessboards)

Chessboards

Chessboard cookies ('Schackrutor') – recipe

Swedish 'semlor' in the making

Fat Tuesday-buns ('Semlor') – recipe

Bake your own Fat Tuesday-bun (&#x27;semla&#x27;) with this easy traditional recipe. A Swedish &#x27;semla&#x27; is a delicious sweet bun with an almond paste and whipped cream filling. Traditionally eaten for Lent (the Christian fasting period), &#x27;semlor&#x27; are now consumed from New Year&#x27;s until Easter.

Recipes

Three people are standing by a service counter in a food hall talking to a salesperson.

Food market hall, Dalarna

4 Swedish dishes you must try

Food classics that are as Swedish as ABBA and IKEA.

4 lesser-known delicious dishes you must try

A table is set with a plate of meatballs, mashed potatoes, brown gravy and lingonberry jam next to a glass and fork.

Swedish meatballs

The best Swedish meatballs and where to get them

No dish is more typically Swedish than meatballs. Learn more about the meatball phenomenon and where to get the best Swedish meatballs in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.