Unusual dining experiences in Stockholm

Have you ever wondered whether things really were better in the olden days? Sjätte Tunnan in the Old Town takes you back to the Middle Ages, to the year 1435. Rustic homecooked food is served and washed down with lashings of mead. You can also book large banquettes à la "the Dark Ages", with entertainment in the form of fire-eaters, belly dancers and magicians.

Chef duo Jocke Almqvist and Katherine Bont create innovative dishes with an unexpected, decadent twist. They serve a luxurious menu consisting of “more dishes than you can keep count of”, which change regularly. You never know quite what to expect here, with smoke machines, half-naked waiting staff (and guests!) and lashings of vodka - we've heard…

Svartklubben is a dining experience in complete darkness. Eat and enjoy the entertainment provided by the singing, visually impaired waiting staff. How does food taste and how do you communicate without eye contact? Challenge your senses and discover new dimensions.

Take a pew right in the kitchen and watch the chefs in action. Eat a special set tasting menu including everything from classic favourites to innovative dishes such as a Flintstones-sized bone marrow with bleak roe. They only have one sitting per evening, for 6-8 people, and guests' own music and maybe even a little dancing is welcome. But watch out for the huge antler hanging over the table - "you break it, you buy it (12 000 SEK)", as they put it.

Combine a cosy dinner with a round of minigolf at Swing by Golfbaren, a perfect evening out with the family or for a group of friends or colleagues. Food is inspired by Prohibition-era America with dishes such as lobster rolls, hot dogs and pizza.

Enjoy an entertaining, unique show while you eat dinner at Wallmans. International live performances and lively music make this a really special dinner experience. Perfect for an evening out with colleagues or a group of friends.

You don't have to travel any further than Solna Centrum for an authentic Chinese food experience. R Asia serves family favourites from Hunan and Sichuan cuisine, with elements of Chinese BBQ and dishes from Cantonese, Zhejiana and Huaiyang cuisines. If you want to embark on a real gastronomic journey, gather a group of friends and book the restaurant's chambre séparée, where the chef serves dishes you've probably never encountered before - preferably accompanied by the Chinese spirit, baijiu. 

When was the last time you laughed so much that your stomach muscles ached? Norra Brunn promises an evening full of humour and laughter, accompanied by a à la carte or set menu. Some of Sweden's best stand-up comedians grace the stage and it's a great night out for groups of friends or work colleagues alike. (Nb acts generally perform in Swedish but they occasionally have English-speaking comedians - check with the club)

Do you long for ice and the Northern Lights? Well Icebar, within the Nordic C Hotel, can at least provide the former. Naturally the interiors are completely made of ice - as are the drinking glasses. Bundle up in warm clothes and enjoy a cocktail à la the original Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. Book your visit in advance. Perfect for groups of friends or corporate events.

Boulebar provides an atmospheric French experience, complete with authentic food and boules. Their restaurants feel like indoor parks in southern France, allowing you to transport yourself to the continent all year round. If you want to improve your boules game, you can employ the assistance of a boules-geek instructor.

At Pom Friterie, French fries have been given a serious glow-up. After several years of experimenting to find the perfect recipe, the team set up this stylish restaurant on Lästmakargatan, where they deep-fry organic, hand-cut potatoes topped with various accompaniments and sides. The concept comes from Dutch street food, and flavour inspiration comes from all corners of the world.

At intimate Nana Omakase you can enjoy a Nordic dining experience with Japanese influences. There's room for a handful of guests and the menu is a seven course tasting menu served at the chef's table. The food is seasonal and they use locally and own-grown produce wherever possible.

Chef Richard Söderberg has opened a food studio in a shed in his garden in Älvsjö. The restaurant, just 25 square metres, has space for eight diners at a time to experience an intimate dinner in homely (literally) surroundings.

Travel through time back to the middle ages and the age of Vikings at Aifur. The decor, live music and food are all Viking themed. Try a Viking-inspired dish washed down with a glass of mead in true Viking spirit.

Feel the Thai vibes at Koh Phangan as you eat in a tuk-tuk, listen to the sounds of tropical thunder and lightening surrounded by bamboo, palm trees and Buddha statues. The menu consists of classic Thai dishes cooked traditional style.

At Meatballs you can enjoy this iconic Swedish dish in a slightly different way. They serve meatballs in a number of variations, from vegetarian versions to wild boar, elk and bear meatballs. If you want to go all-in, order the Meatball Feast, where you can sample a selection of eight different kinds of meatballs.

Turn your meal into an activity and try something new. The concept at Ping Sakura is all about creating a sociable dining experience where you can choose to cook hot-pot at your table, Taiwanese-style. If you want to choose something else from the menu you'll find dishes such as yakiniku, wok and curry, and if you feel like hitting the high notes you can carry on the evening's activities by booking their karaoke room.

There are several companies in Stockholm that organise food tours. Join one of the tours and you'll spend a few hours visiting various different restaurants and/or food halls and tasting their food. You'll also get to hear stories about the menus and the history of the restaurant and the surrounding area.