Créé par Emilie, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
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In Stockholm, you're sure to find very diverse culinary specialties. Indeed, from the edge of the Arctic Circle to the thick forests of the south of the country, Sweden has managed to exploit its products, despite a very unpredictable climate. We're talking about Nordic cuisine based on meat cooked in several ways, fish and dried vegetables. Swedes are also very fond of dairy products and therefore use them a lot in their dishes. Important tip: you should expect to eat early if you're traveling to the region! Indeed, in the capital, and more generally in Sweden, dinner is around 6 PM, so if you're planning a restaurant for dinner during your stay, remember to go there early.
What to eat in Stockholm? Our selection of the best culinary specialties
1.Köttbullar
This Swedish specialty translates to "meatballs" in English. They are usually made from ground meat such as pork, beef and sometimes even poultry. The meatballs are then mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, eggs and herbs. As accompaniment, you can find mashed potatoes, peas, and cranberry jam (this goes very well with meat). In Sweden, this dish is very popular and is even served during Swedish Christmas celebrations called "julbord".
2.Toast skagen
Nothing better than serving toast skagen for a Swedish appetizer! Put aside the traditional crackers and small peanuts, opt for a much more refined dish, which leaves a salty aftertaste in your mouth. This cold specialty consists of crispy toasted bread topped with a mixture of shrimp, dill, lemon and mayonnaise sprinkled on top with fish roe. The eggs in question are called "löjrom", but they are also considered to be Swedish caviar.
3.Gravlax
Warning, here's a dish that will awaken your taste buds and make your stomach quiver! For fish lovers, you'll be delighted to discover gravlax in Stockholm. It's actually salmon marinated with salt, sugar and dill. A preparation with a simple appearance, but which hides a secret that makes the whole appeal of this dish: its marinade. Indeed, the fresh salmon is marinated for 6 days in all its preparation, which gives it its so particular taste. A meal to remember!
4.Swedish schnitzel
Don't be mistaken, we're not talking about Viennese schnitzel, but Swedish schnitzel. Indeed, Swedish schnitzel is a dish based on white meat (veal), usually served in two pieces with a half lemon slice. Simply put, Swedish schnitzel is a breaded veal escalope usually accompanied by vegetables, fries or potatoes. This dish is very famous in Sweden. However, very salty, we advise you to order a large carafe of water before starting to eat it!
5.Elk
In Stockholm, this tender meat is appreciated, often eaten as stew. Its taste is often compared to duck, elk can be cooked "pink style" and has a very tender and pleasant texture to eat. To cook the famous stew, Swedes use älgskav, which are actually small pieces of elk recovered from the bones that allow for a more fragrant stew. A real recipe secret! Vegetables like carrots, mushrooms are added, as well as a hint of white wine and a little cream. Yum!
6.Smörgåsbord
The Smörgåsbord is a great classic of Swedish gastronomy. It's a kind of buffet based on several small dishes: small breads, salmon, herring, oysters, shrimp, eel, mussels, meats, cheese, as well as numerous raw vegetables. These dishes are accompanied by mayonnaise and hovmästarsås, a sauce based on honey mustard and dill. In this buffet, you can also find multiple rye bread tartines called "smörgås". Suffice to say it's a very complete buffet that surprises more than one.
7.Fermented herring
Fermented herring is probably THE most famous specialty of Stockholm. Indeed, it's very basic herring, caught in the Baltic Sea and packaged in a can with salt, which is then left to age. Tradition dictates that they are enjoyed with buttered bread, potatoes and chopped onions. In Stockholm, this dish is called Surströmming and it's from the third Thursday of August that you can find it in shops and restaurants in the capital. So, friends, don't miss the appointment!
8.Kroppkakor
Let's talk about Kroppkakor. What is it? A dish based on potato dumplings flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg. Original, isn't it? It is indeed very appreciated among visitors, who assure that it's one of their "best discovery of Sweden". This dish is usually served with smoked bacon and lingonberries, accompanied by a butter sauce. It has a very pronounced taste: that's why with kroppkakor, lingonberries are served to help reduce the acidity.
9. Chokladbollar
We know what you're thinking: this ranking lacks a bit of sweetness, right? Here's a specialty as fun to look at as it is delicious to savor. The Chokladbollar. A true little sweetness of Sweden, it's actually a small round cake, with chocolate and coconut. Very easy to make, the most gourmand love to add a little alcohol, which gives the dish an enticing smell and a perfectly pronounced taste with the chocolate. With coffee, it's even better!
10. Semla
After a delicious meat-based meal, how about washing it all down with a tasty brioche? The semla is filled with almond paste and cream, and is easily found in the streets of Stockholm during Shrove Tuesday in particular as well as during the month of February. Flavored with cardamom, this particularly smooth dessert is appreciated by children...and by adults!