The guide to the best meatballs in Stockholm

The guide to the best meatballs in Stockholm

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.

Tatty Good, Content Writer UK & Translator SE, Thatsup Tatty Good, Content Writer UK & Translator SE, Thatsup
Tatty Good
  1. Stockholm's best meatballs
    1. 1
      Riche A safe bet
    2. 2
      Meatballs A passion for meatballs
    3. 3
      Tranan Off menu
    4. 4
      Pelikan XL meatballs
    5. 5
      Tradition Traditional
    6. 6
      Operakällaren Bakfickan The right accompaniments
    7. 7
      Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog Meatballs for lunch and dinner
    8. 8
      Prinsen Since 1887
    9. 9
      Ulla Winbladh Maintaining tradition
    10. 10
      Nalen Sustainable meatballs
    11. 11
      Nybrogatan 38 Tasty
    12. 12
      Villa Godthem Hand-rolled
    13. 13
      Rökeriet Homecooking in the archipelago

Stockholm's best meatballs

The restaurants with the best meatballs in Stockholm.

Riche

Website

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.

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

Website

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. 

Tranan

Website

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.

Pelikan

Website

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.

Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition
Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition
Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition
Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition
Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition
Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition
Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition
Tradition – Meatballs
Tradition

Tradition

Website

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.

Operakällaren Bakfickan

Website

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.

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

Website

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. 

Prinsen

Website

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.

Ulla Winbladh

Website

Maintaining tradition

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

Nalen

Website

Sustainable meatballs

Nalen has KRAV organic certification and they select all their ingredients with great care. The meatballs are made from Swedish meat and come served pureed potato, cream sauce, pressed cucumber and lingonberries.

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

Website

Tasty

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

Villa Godthem

Website

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.

Rökeriet

Website

Homecooking in the archipelago

You'll find Fjäderholmarna, "the feather islands", just a short boat trip from Stockholm city centre. This smokery restaurant serves meatballs just like granny used to make, with almond-potato puree and classic accompaniments.

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.

Send suggestion

Did we miss something in this guide?

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.

Writer