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- A smörgåsbord of cuisine
A smörgåsbord of cuisine
Copenhagen may have put New Nordic cuisine on the map, but Sweden has been quick to catch up, with ten Michelin-starred restaurants in Stockholm, five in Gothenburg and one in Malmö. In the capital, Frantzén’s Japanese-influenced New Nordic tasting menu isn’t cheap, but it’s less a meal than an experience, that can last over five hours. Other highlights from Stockholm’s Michelin eateries are Sushi Sho, Agrikultur and Oaxen Krog.
Stockholm food halls Östermalms Saluhall and Söderhallarna offer both inventive street food and classic Swedish fare (Melanders fish restaurant, with branches in both, is a favourite for lunching executives).
Restaurant Frantzén
A beautiful dish at the Guide Michelin awarded restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm.
Photo: Frantzén group
Restaurant Frantzén
Photo: Frantzén group
Interior of Frantzén, Stockholm
Photo: Frantzén
Restaurant Frantzén
Photo: Frantzén group
Restaurant Oaxen, Stockholm
Photo: Agence Les Conteurs
Restaurant Agrikultur
Photo: Petter Bäcklund/Visit Stockholm
In recent years plant-based food has developed rapidly in Sweden. Malmö leads the way with restaurants like Sajvva offering Asian-style vegan dishes and the natural wine bar Mineral, transforming ordinary vegetables into extraordinary dishes.
In Stockholm, Mahalo offers fun vegan takes on streetfood staples like tacos, falafels and hummus. For old-school vegetarian food, there’s Hermans, the city’s oldest vegetarian restaurant with its views over the waters to the Gröna Lund amusement park.
For ethnic food, Tbilisis Hörna, south of Södermalm in Johanneshov, makes an authentic Georgian Khachapuri cheese pie. Pat’s Place in Södermalm offers excellent Thai, and the city has a growing roster of Indian restaurants, including the rapidly expanding Indian Street Food Company chain.
Vegan dinner
Restaurant Mineral in Malmö serves only vegan cuisine and offers great natural wines. For many Swedish restaurants sustainability is a key value, meaning that green options are important items on their menus.
Photo: Miriam Preis/imagebank.sweden.se
Vegan dinner
Photo: Miriam Preis/imagebank.sweden.se
Outdoor restaurant
Photo: Tina Axelsson/imagebank.sweden.se
On summer nights, there are few better places to be than the Mälarpaviljongen jetty bar on Kungsholmen. At Tak, a restaurant and bar, on top of the Gallerian shopping mall in the city centre, has a huge outdoor terrace with great views of the Royal Palace and City Hall.
But the prize for rooftop bars in Sweden went to Gothenburg in 2020. Taket, on top of the Comfort Hotel, was named the best party rooftop bar anywhere in the world by The Rooftop Guide. Taket’s founder Daniel Meyn credited its win to the atmosphere and views of the characteristic cranes of Gothenburg harbour. The nearby Cielo has also picked up numerous accolades in a city that is truly rivalling the capital these days. It offers great views of the city’s central main street Avenyn and has a fun-loving, carefree vibe.
Fine dining
TAK is an example of a Swedish restaurant serving Nordic food with an international twist. There are plenty of renowned restaurants, interesting bistros, cosy cafés and innovative bars to explore in Sweden. This means that Sweden is a great destination for travellers who value culinary experiences during their holidays.
Photo: Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se
At the other end of the scale, Gothenburg boasts the Ölhallen 7:an pub, a local institution whose original 1933 interior remains largely intact.
Gothenburg rivals Stockholm for innovative Scandinavian cuisine too, with Bhoga, Koka, SK Mat & Människor, 28+ and Project all winning Michelin stars. You can get classic seafood at Sjöbaren or “Feskar Brittas Kro”, while Daawat serves some of the city’s classiest Indian food and Pasha Grill some top-end Turkish cuisine.
Restaurant Bhoga
Restaurant Bhoga in Gothenburg.
Photo: Bhoga
Restaurant Bhoga
Photo: Bhoga
Restaurant Bhoga, Göteborg
Photo: Anthony Sastre/Göteborg & Co
Restaurant Koka, Gothenburg
Photo: Koka
Restaurant Koka, Gothenburg
Photo: Tina Stafrén/Göteborg & Co
Restaurant Koka, Gothenburg
Photo: Koka