The guide to the best meatballs in Stockholm

The guide to the best meatballs in Stockholm

Tatty Good, Content Writer SE & Translator UK, Thatsup Tatty Good, Content Writer SE & Translator UK, Thatsup
Tatty Good

The mighty meatball is probably Sweden's most famous foodstuff. Few homecooking classics are as popular and in Stockholm you never need to go too far to find your next fix. The city is full of restaurants where meatballs retain a permanent place on the menu, year in and year out. But where to find the very best examples of these spherical delicacies and their accompaniments? To guide you to Stockholm's tastiest meatballs, we've listed a range of restaurants guaranteed to deliver.

  1. Stockholm's best meatballs
    1. 1
      Riche A safe bet
    2. 2
      Tranan Off menu
    3. 3
      Prinsen Since 1887
    4. 4
      Pelikan XL meatballs
    5. 5
      Kvarnen Historic beer hall
    6. 6
      Restaurant Reisen Classic on Skeppsbron
    7. 7
      Meatballs A passion for meatballs
    8. 8
      Operakällaren Bakfickan The right accompaniments
    9. 9
      Tennstopet Classic in Vasastan
    10. 10
      Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog Meatballs for lunch and dinner
    11. 11
      Mäster Anders Sedan 1905
    12. 12
      Ulla Winbladh Maintaining tradition
    13. 13
      Nybrogatan 38 Tasty in Östermalm
    14. 14
      Tradition Traditional
    15. 15
      Villa Godthem Hand-rolled

Stockholm's best meatballs

The restaurants with the best meatballs in Stockholm.

Riche

A safe bet

The meatballs at Riche are true classics and naturally they're served with all the traditional accompaniments - cream sauce, lingonberries and pickled cucumber and potato puree.

Tranan

Off menu

Historic Tranan may well serve the most popular meatballs in Stockholm and if you've visited the restaurant more than once you're very likely to have sampled them. Don't hesitate to ask for them even if you don't see them on the menu - their famous meatballs are always on offer.

Prinsen

Since 1887

Renowned "home-rolled" meatballs, served with a sauce made from rich meat stock, cream and port. Naturally, lingonberries, pickled cucumber and potato puree also accompany the balls. Historic Prinsen is as classic as it comes.

Pelikan

XL meatballs

The extra-large meatballs at Pelikan – one of the oldest restaurants in Sweden - draw in Stockholmers and tourists alike. Served, naturally, with cream sauce, salted cucumbers, sweetened lingonberries and pureed potato.

Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen
Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen
Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen
Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen
Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen
Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen
Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen
Kvarnen – Meatballs
Kvarnen

Kvarnen

Historic beer hall

Popular Kvarnen has been located at Björns trädgård on Medborgarplatsen since 1908, attracting a diverse clientele for just as long. Swedish classics and European comfort food are served in beautifully preserved surroundings with patterned floors, high ceilings, simple wooden furniture and small booths where regulars enjoy food and drinks. 

Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen
Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen
Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen
Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen
Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen
Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen
Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen
Restaurant Reisen – Meatballs
Restaurant Reisen

Restaurant Reisen

Classic on Skeppsbron

In recent years, Restaurant Reisen has shifted to a more international profile, but a couple of Swedish classics have retained their place on the menu at both lunch and dinner. One of these is the meatballs, which are served traditionally with mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberries, and pickled cucumber. 

Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People
Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People
Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People
Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People
Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People
Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People
Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People
Meatballs for the People – Meatballs
Meatballs for the People

Meatballs

A passion for meatballs

This Södermalm restaurant serves meatballs in various guises, both vegetarian and meat. Their aim is to serve “the world's best meatballs”. Choose from classic Swedish meatballs and other dishes with meatballs on the menu. Pair your food with wine, beer or cocktails. 

Operakällaren Bakfickan

The right accompaniments

Some regard the meatballs served at Operakällarens bakficka as the very best in Stockholm. The obligatory Swedish classic are served as they always have been, with cream sauce, potato puree, lingonberries and pickled cucumber.

Tennstopet

Classic in Vasastan

Tennstopet is a classic pub in Vasastan, known for its rustic decor and traditional home-cooked meals served in nostalgic surroundings. Meatballs are a staple on the menu and are served with the usual accompaniments.

Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering – Meatballs
Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog & Barservering

Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog

Meatballs for lunch and dinner

What would a Swedish neighbourhood restaurant be without meatballs? They may have created a restaurant with Parisian vibes and strong Southern European influences at Hornsgatan, but, like a warm, cosy hug, meatballs are always available here, made from veal mince and served with classic accompaniments. 

Mäster Anders

Sedan 1905

Mäster Anders is a classic neighbourhood bistro that has been at the same address in Kungsholmen since 1905 – but its roots go all the way back to 1692. In other words, they've had a long time to perfect their meatballs, which constantly attract both regulars and new guests. They're served with mashed potatoes, caramelised onions, cream sauce, lingonberries, and pickled cucumber.

Ulla Winbladh

Maintaining tradition

Uber-classic restaurant on Djurgården passionate about preserving Sweden's culinary heritage with traditional dishes on the menu. Their meatballs are served with cream sauce, pickled cucumber, lingonberries and pureed potato.

Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38
Nybrogatan 38 – Meatballs
Nybrogatan 38

Nybrogatan 38

Tasty in Östermalm

This popular neighbourhood restaurant in Östermalm has a Continental evening menu, which also includes veal meatballs with cream sauce, mashed potatoes, pickled cucumbers and lingonberries. The generous dinner menu boasts several Swedish homecooking favourites and also includes Southern European options for anyone craving something different.

Tradition

Traditional

If it's tradition you want, it's tradition you'll get. The name of this Old Town restaurant reflects their philosophy. They've fully embraced all things Scandinavian, from the decor to the menu, which includes both traditional and more contemporary dishes. They transform the finest ingredients into what is unofficially the national dish of Sweden - meatballs with classic accompaniments potato puree, cream sauce, lingonberries and pickled cucumber.

Villa Godthem

Hand-rolled

Take a trip out to Djurgården and enjoy hand-rolled meatballs in this imposing former merchant's home. Accompaniments? Cream sauce, lingonberries, pickled cucumber and pureed potato, of course.

Meatballs – About the guide

Stockholm's best meatballs - The guide to Stockholm's tastiest meatballs is updated regularly. Please let us know if you know of any restaurant serving really good meatballs that we ought to include, or if you spot any errors in the guide. Have you visited any of the restaurants mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.