The best Swedish restaurants in Stockholm

This classic establishment opened in 1929 and is widely considered to serve the best meatballs in the city - despite the face that they are not even featured on the menu. What could be more quintessentially Swedish than meatballs, butter fried herring and mashed potatoes?

Knut pays tribute to the land of the midnight sun. The northern Swedish influences are apparent in the decor - wooden surfaces and furs. The rustic menu, features game, Norrland-style flatbread pizza and cranberry cocktails, with emphasis on local produce and ingredients.

Celebrity chef Niklas Ekstedt combines seasonal Swedish flavours, employing ancient techniques to create a rustic, fine-dining experience. Food is prepared over a fire pit or in a wood fired oven - no cookers or burners - old-school style. The decor pays homage to the forests of Jämtland and Skåne.

Två Små Svin may be based on Danish-Czech cuisine, with dishes like open sandwiches, sausages, and schnitzel, but there are also many classic Swedish elements on the menu. For example, the Danish rye bread is topped with fried herring, egg and anchovy mix, pickled herring, and other delicacies that are particularly dear to many Swedes. You can also order snaps or aquavit to accompany your meal.

Pelikan was first founded in 1660 in Gamla Stan and has since relocated to Södermalm. This genuine beer hall serves hearty Swedish food such as herring, potato dumplings, pork and golfball-sized meatballs. The rustic influences translate perfectly from the menu to the decor.

Villa Källhagen is a tried-and-tested oasis for many Stockholmers. Eat lunch, brunch and dinner surrounded by their leafy garden. The menu includes classic meat, fish and vegetarian dishes with modern elements, which you can accompany with wine, beer or a signature cocktail. Why not stay the night in one of their hotel rooms?

Tennstopet has been around for some 150 years and the restaurant has been serving up Swedish classics with French elements for just as long. Tuck into their lovingly hand-rolled meatballs, cured salmon with dill potatoes or fried pork with onion sauce, among traditional favourites.

At Hasselbacken they serve classic Swedish dishes with a modern touch. Sample their eponymous and iconic Hasselback potatoes, served with all kinds of exciting accompaniments. The restaurant is beautifully located in historic surroundings in Djurgården.

Prinsen has been serving classic Swedish dishes to hungry Stockholmers since 1897. The restaurant has retained its original decor, with art-covered walls, wooden panels and impressively high ceilings. They are passionate about preserving Swedish culinary history and the menu includes iconic dishes such as meatballs, Wallenbergare veal patties and Beef Rydberg.

Few dishes are as closely associated with Sweden as meatballs with lingonberries, mashed potatoes and cream sauce. At Meatballs they've taken the humble meatball to the next level, serving everything from vegetarian versions to moose, bear and wild boar meatballs. The bar serves cocktails flavoured with lingon and other Swedish flavours, and if you want to enjoy your meatballs in true Swedish style you can pair them with a shot or two of snaps. 

Not strictly speaking Swedish, but our Scandinavian sibling Denmark gives us traditional smörrebröd, open sandwiches, at Nybroe Smørrebrød in Östermalms Saluhall. The Danish delicacy can be endlessly varied with different toppings and is perfect for lunch, a snack or dinner.

Beautifully located on leafy Skeppsholmen, Långa Raden is a popular restaurant specialising in authentic Swedish cuisine. Chanterelles, meatballs and of course Swedish 'fika' are all part of this hotel restaurant's repertoire.