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Stockholm Food

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Eating & drinking

As a thriving modern city there are restaurants to suit all tastes in Stockholm, but an effort to seek out traditional Swedish food is highly advised for all visitors to the capital.

Although Swedish food was dominated somewhat by French and German influences during the last century, a number of Swedish chefs are working towards creating 'modern Swedish food' – keeping the main elements of traditional Swedish recipes while incorporating ideas from the continent, America and Asia.

The first thing that may spring to mind when thinking about Swedish food is meatballs, yet one of the most striking things about restaurants in Stockholm is the amount of fish on offer. It is unsurprising however considering that the city is built on 14 islands, and numerous restaurants serve fresh shellfish.

Smorgasbord is perhaps one of the most well known of Sweden's culinary offerings. Traditionally, a smorgasbord is not a rushed meal, with numerous trips to the array of food expected; the board will almost always consists of pickled herring but can also include anything from cheese, other fish, meat, potatoes and vegetables. Cheeses to look out for include Arla Hushallsost, a mild cheese popular with Swedes since the 13th century, and Wastgota Kloster Red, a nutty sweet cheese often eaten at breakfast.

With a long history of hunting as well as fishing, Swedish cuisine consists of meat including deer and moose. Often found accompanying the meat are jams such as cowberry and cloudberry and cracker breads known as knackebrod.

So where should you head to find traditional Swedish food in Stockholm? A number of markets in the city provide the opportunity to purchase both raw ingredients and ready-to-eat dishes. Ostermalmshallen, Stockholm's time-honoured covered market, provides traditional Swedish food and fresh shellfish, while more modern day food can be found at Soderhallarna. The Hotorgetshallen market has a more exotic selection of food which tends to be slightly cheaper and more varied. It also has a number of small cafes and ethnic foods to provide a break from all the sightseeing.

Decent restaurants for lunch or dinner can be found mainly in the three areas of Norrmalm, Gamla Stan and Sodermalm. Those on a tighter budget should avoid the old town, or Gamla Stan, although set lunch meals can often be affordable.

Scandinavia is famous for its high prices for alcohol, and it is worth seeking out bars to drink in that will not break the bank. Sweet Swedish drinks include Enbarsdricka and Sockerdricka. Stronger beverages on offer include Scandinavian vodka and schnapps, while for those visiting during the cold winter months, Glogg is a traditional beverage which is perfect for warming cold hands and bodies, consisting of sherry and brandy and heated with a variety of spices.