The beautiful Swedish capital of Stockholm is, frankly, a foodie’s paradise. Restaurants, bars and coffee shops of all kinds and calibers are easy to stumble upon, and whether it’s fine dining or just a simple coffee and cake that you’re after, there’s something for everyone. I’m not going to pretend I’ve sampled treats in every restaurant or coffee shop the city has to offer, however if you’re after some personal recommendations for eating and drinking in Stockholm, these are my favourite restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
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Is it expensive to eat and drink in Stockholm?
Scandinavia is known for being a pricey place and eating and drinking in Stockholm can be expensive, especially compared to other European countries like Spain or Italy. However I’d say prices are generally comparative to dining out in London. It all depends on what kind of restaurants, bars and coffee shops you’re looking for.
What are some must-try foods in Stockholm?
Of course, Sweden is renowned for its meatballs, so if you get the chance to try some meatballs in Stockholm then go for it. (However, I have to say the meatballs I tried in Stockholm weren’t actually that great; I think we selected our restaurant of choice quite poorly that day.)
Generally however, the quality of food in Sweden is really great: there’s an abundance food, and berries, fish (especially salmon- make sure you sample the salmon) and vegetables all feature heavily on any traditional Swedish menu.
And then there’s the fika. Fika is, basically, coffee and cake, but the cakes on offer here are extensive and delicious.
Read a detailed guide to the best foods and drink to try in Sweden here.
If you really want to experience as much Swedish food as you possibly can, get yourself onto a foodie tour. This Nordic Food Walk includes stops at a chocolate cafe, Stockholm’s oldest food hall, and fika in Gamla Stan, and the price includes all food on the tour.
Here’s a second tour which is equally highly-rated but includes a few different stops on the itinerary.
Without further ado: My favourite places for eating and drinking in Stockholm
Ricordi
‘Ricordi’ means ‘memories’ and my meal here has definitely stuck with me since then. This is an absolute stunner of an Italian restaurant right in the centre of town, with a colourful but elegant interior that conjures up an atmosphere of relaxed Mediterranean glam. As summer nights in Stockholm are light well into the evening, we sat outside for our meal- which was absolutely exquisite.
The quality and freshness of the ingredients is evident at the very first whiff, let alone the first mouthwatering bite, and the cocktails are to die for.
Ricordi, Kungsträdgårdsgatan 18
Hermans
One for the vegans (and the non-vegans, like me), I love the concept of Hermans, which is an unfussy vegan buffet restaurant perched on a spot overlooking the river. If the weather’s nice, make sure you get a spot outside on the shady terrace; the view is downright marvellous.
Pay when you enter, pick up a plate and grab as much food as you want from the tables laden with bowls and platters of some of the most colourful dishes you’ll ever see. There’s a massive selection of soups, salads, and hot and cold dishes like lasagnes, stews and curries, as well as desserts. Did I know what everything was when I put it on my plate? No I did not. But I went back for more, regardless.
Hermans, Fjällgatan 23B
Rosendals Trädgård
Considering Stockholm is the capital city, the pace of life is generally much more relaxed than other big cities like New York or London. However, if you still want a slice of the more peaceful life (like, even more peaceful than it already generally is), I highly recommend a visit to Rosendals Trädgård and its pretty garden cafe.
Not only is the setting reminiscent of an English country garden (it’s hard to believe you’re anywhere near any city at all, here), but the little garden cafe in the greenhouses is a lovely spot to enjoy fika (or a casual lunch, if you’re a bit hungrier.)
Almost everything in the cafe is grown right there in the garden, or baked in their in-house artisanal bakery. You can’t get much fresher than that, can you?
Rosendals Trädgård, Rosendalsterrassen 12
Panem
‘Panem’ is Latin for ‘bread,’ and baking is something that this cozy little coffee shop does extremely well.
Located in Gamla Stan- the city’s idyllic old town- this is a great pitstop for fika or lunch while you’re exploring the medieval streets. The bread and cakes are downright delicious (especially the cinnamon buns), but Panem also does a lovely selection of salads, pizzas and soups, if you’re after something a bit more substantial.
Panem, Stora Nygaten 26
Bonbot
Guys. Hear me out on this one; it may be a complete gimmick, and truthfully the ice cream is good but nothing to write home about. But the novelty of having my food prepared by a robotic claw behind a glass screen was one which I fully embraced. With open arms.
There are a couple of Bonbot ice cream shops in Stockholm (in fact there’s one right next to the main train station), but my robot ice cream prepper of choice is situated outside the Science and Technology Museum. In Stockholm a lot of the museums are located all together on a gorgeous green island, so our walk across the river was wonderfully rewarded with some ice cream on a hot day.
Bonbot, Museivägen 7
Eggs Inc.
I’m on a gimmicky roll here, but stick with me folks. Perhaps this is in part due to to not being able to get a decent scrambled egg on board the ship I work on (they tend to made from powdered eggs, wartime style), but when we discovered a whole fast food restaurant based around eggs, we were immediately sold. We simply had to go.
Egg buns, egg pizzas, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, and of course some classic pancakes…you name it, if it’s egg-based, this restaurant probably sells it. And on top of that, the entire restaurant has an incredibly photogenic pink diner-style set up. I loved it.
Eggs Inc, Regeringsgatan 29
Mister French
Moving away from the novelty fast food and back into a more classy vibe, Mister French is a French bistro and bar in Gamla Stan. This is a great place for brunch in Stockholm, and ditto goes for the cocktails.
There’s an airy terrace outside opposite the water where the ferries dock, and the decor inside is stylish with a 1920s feel; think palm leaves, warm lighting and all the velvet and wicker.
Mister French, Tullhus 2
Fotografiska
Museums and galleries here take their bars and restaurants super-seriously, and Fotografiska is a great spot for eating and drinking in Stockholm. The top floor restaurant of the photo museum has been awarded a Michelin Green Star every year since 2020, highlighting their commitment to sustainability. (Not only do they have a composting system on-site, but all their salad is grown on their hydroponic farm, located in the actual basement.)
‘What is hydroponic farming?’ I hear you ask. Well, that would be a method of growing vegetables using water and solution-based nutrients, instead of soil.
In summer, at the front of the museum entrance, is The Veranda, which is a gorgeous spot for a summer evening in Stockholm. Grab some drinks and order a stone-oven baked pizza or some home-grown grilled vegetables to sit under the fairy lights and take in the view across the water.
The museum also holds a Swedish fika buffet every weekday from 10am-4pm, which all visitors are welcome to sample. (For an extra charge.)
Fotografiska, Stadsgårdshamnen 22
Pharmarium
This teeny-weeny craft cocktail bar on Stortorget- an olde-worlde square in the heart of Gamla Stan- has got similar olde-worlde vibes about it. (Just, in a slightly dark Scandi-hipster way). They also serve food, although we stuck to the cocktails only.
Sweden’s first pharmacy opened here in 1575, and the bar takes inspiration from its pharmaceutical roots, with a series of medicinal-looking (but delicious) concoctions. Pharmarium’s interior is also in keeping with its heritage; it’s dark but inviting, with a warm glow emanating from within.
Having only visited on Sunday evenings (which are super quiet in this city), we always sat outside on the little verandah to soak in the atmosphere of the old town; even in the rain it’s a pretty place. I’d be interested to see how busy it gets on a Friday or Saturday night, as I’m told this is one of the more popular spots in Gamla Stan.
It’s expensive; expect to pay the equivalent of €20-25 for a cocktail, but it’s hard to find lower prices for cocktails in Stockholm.
Pharmarium, Stortorget 7
Hallwylska
Hallwylska is another museum-come-restaurant-come-bar in Stockholm. But with DJs and fancy lights galore, late at night the cavernous Hallwylska feels almost like a club.
The Hallwylska Museet is housed in a historical family home in the heart of the city. It once belonged to the Count and Countess von Hallwyl, who donated it to the Swedish state in 1920. The museum has preserved the rooms as they would have looked back in the days that the Swedish nobility lived in them; the exception being the elegant inner courtyard, which is set up as a restaurant and bar.
By day, get your food and coffees and drinks here, and at night head on down for a drink and a dance. The night we visited it was absolutely packed, but it truly is a great place for a party while keeping it classy.
Hallwylska, Hamngatan 4
Have you tried any of the places on my list? Let me know what you think, or if you have some recommendations of your own to share.
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