Top Swedish food experiences in Småland

Curious about what the stars of ABBA ate when touring the world? ABBA star Björn Ulvaeus grew up in the small town of Västervik and has always had a deep love for his hometown. In 2018 he opened Slottsholmen – an eye-catching boutique hotel and restaurant with magnificent sea views in Västervik. At the age of 13, Ulvaeus worked as an errand-boy at the restaurant located here at the time. The food is inspired by the dishes Björn served when working here and by the traditional Swedish food his mother cooked when he was a child. However, the menu is also inspired by Björn’s favourite meals from his travels worldwide with ABBA.

Idö Skärgårdskrog is tucked away on the island of Idö in the Tjust archipelago. The restaurant is located on a hill, and on clear days you can gaze out over miles of glittering sea while enjoying a delicious seafood lunch. In the summer, Idö Skärgårdskrog offers a popular lunch menu inspired by the flavours of the Swedish archipelago. Or why not stay for dinner and try the freshly caught fish as you watch the sun set over the sea? You can sit inside the marine-themed restaurant or on the terrace in the summer breeze. Pack your swimsuit and comfortable shoes as Idö offers excellent swimming opportunities and pristine nature to explore after your meal. Regular boats take you between the island and Västervik in just half an hour in the summer.

On the shores of Lake Skirö lies the idyllic estate Wallby Säteri. The restaurant serves innovative Swedish cuisine with influences from around the world. This is the place to visit if you’re interested in experiencing Swedish food traditions. The menu at Wallby Säteri changes with the seasons as all food is made from scratch, with ingredients sourced from the own farm or producers in the local area. You can taste the home-grown new potatoes and sweet vegetables in spring with a smorgasbord of herring, snaps and songs. Or why not experience cray fishing and a Swedish crayfish party in the early autumn or an outstanding Christmas buffet of Swedish dishes at the end of the year? The table is set after the season, meaning you might enjoy the food outdoors under the stars or in a historical dining room from the 19th century. 

Syltan is the perfect place to experience tasty sustainable Swedish food and Scandinavian design. Here, everything is baked and cooked from scratch, using only locally sourced and organic ingredients, for a delicious and nutritious experience. They offer both an affordable lunch menu on weekdays and an à la carte menu every day, with both traditional Swedish food and other dishes. For dessert, try one of the mouth-watering home-baked pastries before hitting the exhibitions. Yes, Syltan is in fact the museum restaurant of Vandalorum, a prominent design museum showcasing works by international and Swedish designers in four wooden barns outside Värnamo!

PM & Vänner is a gastro hotel aiming to create a modern interpretation of the culinary traditions of Småland. To do so, the restaurant uses local produce from the forest, lakes and meadows of the area – creating Swedish food with a twist. Thanks to the chefs’ dedication, skilled craftsmanship and creative gastronomic thinking, the menu at the restaurant is constantly evolving. There is an impressive selection of wines from all over the world. Like the menu, the wine selection is frequently assessed to create a unique gastronomic experience. Furthermore, PM & Vänner is a prime example of Swedish design and architecture. The key elements ‘forest, lake and meadow’ are visible in the design too, such as the oak floor sourced from local forests and the bathrooms decorated with limestone from the nearby island of Öland.

The little handicraft village of Korrö dates back to the 16th century when it was first mentioned in writing. Today it is a village of 22 traditional red wooden houses dotted around the Ronneby River. Korrö Restaurang & Café is a popular spot in the village, which offers Swedish cuisine such as potato pancakes and lingonberry jam. However, the restaurant also organises an appreciated Health & Gourmet tour in the Korrö nature reserve. The guided tour lasts 4-5 hours, and you’ll stop at different stations in stunning surroundings to try local delicacies such as cheese, sausages, jam and fruit juices. You’ll also learn what edible ingredients you can forage yourself, and you’ll get to know more about Swedish folklore stories.