The best Swedish restaurants in Stockholm

Stockholm 1897's heart beats a little extra for Swedish traditions, holidays, and seasons. In addition to daily offerings of food and drink with Swedish flavours, the restaurant also celebrates the crayfish premiere, Mårten Gås, Christmas, Easter, and all the other holidays that pop up in the calendar. The restaurant is right by the water near Djurgårdsbron, so it couldn't be more romantic.

Guests at Knut are transported straight to the forests of northern Sweden. The restaurant is styled like an updated mountain lodge, and both the food and drinks follow the same theme. Moose, Arctic char and thin flatbreads meet pickled mushrooms, lingonberries, and Västerbotten cheese, just to name a few items on the nature-inspired menu.

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?

At Hantverket, it's safe to say that a love of craftsmanship takes centre stage. This runs like a red thread from the cooking in the kitchen to the decor in the dining room. The food prepared is inspired by and designed with Swedish and European traditional cuisine in mind, and the menu includes everything from Hasselback potatoes with löjrom to matjes herring and chanterelle sandwiches with Västerbotten cheese.

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.

Niklas Ekstedt conjures up Swedish, Scandinavian, and luxurious seasonal flavours using ancient techniques. Cooking is done over an open fire and an exciting tasting menu is served. The interior is also characterised by Swedish materials, with nostalgic touches from Jämtland and Skåne.

Pelikan was founded in the Old Town back in 1660, and these days you'll find the airy beer hall in Södermalm. Treat yourself to a "classic merchant's dinner" and hearty traditional fare in the spirit of Tore Wretman. Pickled herring, kroppkakor potato and pork dumplings, pork knuckle, and golf ball-sized meatballs are just a few of the dishes that make all generations feel at home here.

Villa Källhagen is a tried-and-tested oasis for many Stockholmers. Eat lunch, breakfast, brunch and dinner surrounded by their leafy gardens. The menu includes classic meat, fish and vegetarian dishes in Swedish and French style 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 Bar Nordic in the city centre, the love for the Nordics is strong. Scandinavian culinary culture is celebrated through food and drink, particularly with the bar's own drinks made from Nordic fruits and berries. Complementing this are classic Swedish dishes such as meatballs, fish, Swedish cheeses, and charcuterie such as smoked moose. 

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. 

An exciting fusion between Europe and Sweden takes place at this local restaurant. Classic dishes are given a modern touch, with Swedish ingredients that change according to the seasons. On the menu, you'll also find perhaps the most Swedish dish of all: meatballs with cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and lingonberries. 

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.

At Ölhyttan, you can certainly enjoy beer, as the name suggests, but also indulge in hearty dishes from Swedish cuisine. The menu features dishes such as meatballs, toast Skagen, potato pancakes, and grilled salmon, as well as pub favourites like burgers and schnitzel. You can have lunch and dinner here all week, at great prices.

Bring your international guests and showcase Swedish cuisine at Hotel Skeppsholmen's popular restaurant on Skeppsholmen. You'll find everything from smoked prawns to fried chanterelles, meatballs, and Skeppsholm sausage.

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.

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.