The best traditional Swedish food in Stockholm

Belgobaren is the place for Belgian home cooking, with classics such as Moules Frites and the meat stew Stoofvlees, but also Swedish specialties such as Raggmunk and fried herring. All dishes are prepared with the best ingredients and care and served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Each dish is prepared from scratch and with a clear love of home cooking, regardless of the country it originates from.

Of course, Belgobaren is also a celebration of Belgium’s culinary culture, with a wide selection of Belgian beers that add an exciting twist to home cooking. The restaurant has over 300 different types of Belgian beer, making it possible to find the perfect drink to enhance the flavors of each dish. Whether you’re here for lunch or dinner, Belgobaren offers a genuine dining experience with hearty portions and a homely feel. Belgobaren is a perfect destination for both Stockholmers and visitors who appreciate traditional food and an unforgettable atmosphere – a place where Swedish home cooking and Belgian beer culture meet and complement each other in the best possible way.

Pelikan is a restaurant in Södermalm that is one of Stockholm’s most historic, and it’s like visiting a tavern in the past. The place dates back to the 17th century and has been located in several spots in the city over the centuries. But since 1904, Blekingegatan is the place to be, and foodies from near and far come here to eat and drink.

The restaurant describes itself as the heaven of home cooking, and they have a good point. If you want to eat genuine Swedish food in Stockholm, the menu has everything you could wish for. Everything from egg and sprat salad and S.O.S. (butter, cheese, and herring) to meatballs and potato dumplings are served. And if you’re really hungry, you can order a large ‘Grosshandlarmiddag’ (Wholesaler’s Dinner), prepared according to historical recipes. You can also have aquavit with your meal if you wish.

In short, Pelikan is part of Stockholm’s restaurant history. The environment has remained the same since ancient times and consists of a large beer hall (classified as a cultural monument), a smaller dining room, and a bar. So you get good food, a cultural experience, and a vibrant atmosphere – it couldn’t be better.

58% of Sweden’s surface is made up of the area Norrland – in other words, this part accounts for a large part of the country’s food heritage. And if you want to take a culinary trip to Sweden’s northern parts without having to leave Stockholm, you should head to Knut. They have two restaurants in the city center where they serve northern food with one foot in the wilderness and the other in civilization. The moment you enter the cozy premises with genuine wooden furniture, it’s as if the stress of the big city runs off you and the lovely Norrland feeling takes over.

Of course, both inspiration and ingredients come from Norrland and the passion for the northern cooking art is clear. They serve both lunch and dinner (Regeringsgatan also has brunch) and offer a varied menu with Norrland favorites such as minced moose, arctic char, duck breast, and flatbread pizza. And don’t miss the famous traditional Swedish palt (potato dumplings) on Mondays (Upplandsgatan). Knut also has a nice bar with tasty cocktails where the signature drink cloudberry mojito is a bestseller. In addition, the restaurant offers catering if you want Norrland classics at a party or event.

If you’re in the mood for traditional Swedish food in a relaxed setting right in the center of Stockholm, the bar and restaurant Ölhyttan on Vasagatan is a solid choice. The smell of freshly cooked food fills the air, mingling with the buzz of conversation and the clink of glasses – exactly what you want from a great neighborhood pub. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the staff friendly, and the menu packed with classic favorites. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a weekday lunch or after-work hangout as it does for a casual dinner with friends.

The kitchen at Ölhyttan celebrates Swedish home cooking with classics like meatballs with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, potato pancakes with pork, schnitzel, and seared salmon. There are also hearty burgers – from Västerbotten cheese to halloumi – plus fries with béarnaise for anyone after something simple with their beer. And don’t skip dessert: the blueberry pie or waffles with ice cream are worth it. Ölhyttan is, simply put, a cozy city pub serving great food and drinks with that familiar, welcoming feel that makes you want to come back.

Larsbodas Husman is a lunch restaurant specializing in homemade home cooking. With opening hours from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 14:00, they offer a varied menu that changes weekly.

The menu includes classic dishes such as breaded crispy chicken fillet with port wine stewed mushrooms and roasted potatoes, as well as tomato baked crayfish herring with potato puree. For those looking for vegetarian options, lasagna al forno is available. The restaurant also offers salads such as caesar salad with chicken or halloumi, but also halloumi burgers served with French fries and dipping sauce.

In addition to serving lunch, Larsbodas Husman offers catering and room rental for various events. In the latter case, you get a pleasant environment with a large outdoor courtyard and plenty of parking. In other words, Larsbodas Husman is an excellent choice for those who want well-prepared home cooking in a pleasant environment.

Craving classic Swedish flavors with a modern twist? Bistro Bestick is a family-run restaurant with two locations in Stockholm – one in the city center and one in the Old Town. Here, traditional flavors get a fresh update, served in a sleek but laid-back setting. The kitchen puts heart and soul into every dish, using high-quality ingredients, which has made Bistro Bestick a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The service is friendly and personal, and the welcoming dining room is perfect for long, relaxed meals with good company.

The menu offers something for everyone, from dry-aged sirloin and flame-seared Arctic char to the ever-popular homemade Swedish meatballs with all the classic fixings. Whether you’re in the mood for lunch or dinner, you’ll find something to satisfy your cravings at Bistro Bestick. Pair your meal with a curated selection of wines, craft beers, or signature cocktails for an even more memorable dining experience. If you’re planning a more private gathering, the Old Town location also offers a private dining room for up to twelve guests.

Tranan at Odenplan opened its doors back in 1929 and has been an institution among the city’s restaurants since then. Both Stockholmers and temporary visitors have met here to socialize, eat a bite to eat, and have a drink for many decades and the atmosphere is as pleasant then as now.

The venue is divided into a restaurant and a bar located in the basement. The restaurant is cozy with red checkered tablecloths and charming details that tell the rich history of the place. And the menu doesn’t disappoint anyone who’s looking for Swedish food in Stockholm. It contains a lot of classic Swedish dishes where the fried herring with mashed potatoes has been around since Tranan opened. Their meatballs with cream sauce are a big guest favorite as well. They’re ranked by many as the best in town but are not actually on the menu and must be requested.

The bar is also well worth a visit and is a popular after-work and evening hangout (open until 1 am). Back in the 1930s, regulars called Tranan “the club” and that spirit still lingers today. In addition to bar food with a Swedish theme, beer, wine, and drinks, there are music quizzes, live concerts, and exhibitions.

Old Town plus traditional Swedish cuisine, does that sound like your thing? If so, the old-timer Slingerbulten is for you. This is a true long runner in Stockholm’s historic neighborhood, and you’ll find the restaurant in a beautiful building dating back to the 18th century. Many original details from times gone by are preserved, including the fancy lamps and the original sign. The food is made from fresh ingredients, and it’s simple and delicious with large portions. A concept that has proven to be successful – the restaurant has plenty of regulars and constantly attracts new guests.

Slingerbulten offers both lunch and dinner. The menu is mainly dominated by classic Swedish food, but there are also some more modern elements. Toast Skagen, S.O.S., and smoked salmon are some of the starters while the main courses offer goodies such as meatballs, veal schnitzel, grilled venison, and seared salmon (there’s baked cabbage for those who prefer vegetarian). Good food in a lovely setting combined with friendly staff delivering great service – you won’t be disappointed at this Old Town restaurant.

If you want to dine in a historic setting on Stockholm’s royal island of Djurgården, the Ulla Winbladh Inn is an obvious choice. This grand and historic establishment, which opened its doors in 1897, holds on to its traditions and personal service in the true spirit of an inn. They call themselves a “popular concept restaurant” where the idea is that everyone is welcome, and it should feel like coming home when you sit down in one of the fine dining rooms (or on the outdoor terrace in summer). And the broad welcome has resulted in a good mix of guests – among the tables, you’ll find everything from royalties and Djurgården strollers to tourists and families with children.

The kitchen at this restaurant in Djurgården focuses on genuine food craftsmanship. They serve both lunch and dinner, and the menu includes a long list of classics that follow the seasons for those who are hungry for Swedish cuisine in Stockholm. Meatballs with cream sauce, Bellman’s fried herring, fish stew, and Biff Rydberg are some examples. All prepared from the finest ingredients. During the year, they also set the tables for various holidays such as Easter, Father’s and Mother’s Day, Midsummer, crayfish premiere, Mårten Gås, and Christmas celebrations. What about the name Ulla Winbladh, then? It’s taken from the muse of the national poet Bellman.

Among the alleys and cobblestones of the cozy Old Town, traditional home cooking has been eaten for ages. And the restaurant Tradition carries on that culinary legacy in the best way. They have a simple but highly appreciated concept: tasty home cooking prepared with a lot of love from high-quality ingredients from the Swedish and Nordic pantry. The interior meets the same high standards as the food. The homely environment with a Scandinavian feel is decorated with stylish wooden furniture and sober colors.

The menu includes delicious Swedish dishes such as Toast Skagen, steak tartare, chanterelle and Västerbotten pizza, sirloin, pike-perch, meatballs, and potato dumplings. Classic and excellent Swedish soul food, in short. Perfect for a lovely Sunday dinner as well as a lunch on an ordinary Tuesday. The drinks menu is also good with a solid selection of everything from schnapps to non-alcoholic. During the summer, Tradition has an inviting outdoor terrace in the courtyard – a quiet and cozy oasis if you want to take a break from the crowds of Old Town.

Few people need more than a guess to work out what’s on offer at Meatballs for the People – a restaurant, bar, and shop in one. As the name suggests, the focus is on perhaps the most famous Swedish dish, meatballs. In a beautiful brick building on the corner of Nytorgsgatan and Kocksgatan in Södermalm, you can feast on more than 15 different kinds of meatballs made from carefully selected quality meat, including pork, beef, wild boar, calf, moose, reindeer, haddock, salmon, and chicken (and there’s also a vegan option).

For you to enjoy your meatballs to the fullest, Meatballs for the People also has an excellent selection of drinks. You can pair your meal with fine wines, craft beers, sparkling wine, cocktails, and more. Add the delightfully lively atmosphere among the rustic wooden tables in this meatball palace, and you’ll understand why this gem has plenty of guests. If you prefer to eat at home or in the office, the restaurant offers takeaway, and if you want meatballs for a party or event, you can order catering. Simply a one-stop shop for Swedish meatballs.