What is a semla? A simple guide to Sweden’s classic cream bun
Walk past any Stockholm bakery between January and March, and you’ll spot them: tall cardamom buns piled with whipped cream, sitting in their own dedicated display. These are semlor (plural of semla), Sweden’s seasonal pastry obsession. They’re most common from mid-January through March, and after that they become much harder to find. Traditionally, semlor are … Read more
Where to find the best semla in Stockholm
Swedes traditionally eat semlor on Shrove Tuesday (“Fettisdagen”), a last indulgence before Lent. These days, semla season runs much longer, and most Stockholm bakeries sell them from mid-January through February, often into March. If you’re visiting in winter, you don’t need to time your trip to one specific Tuesday. During semla season, you can find … Read more
Valentine’s Day in Stockholm: ideas for cosy, active, and spa dates
Valentine’s Day in Stockholm falls right in the heart of winter, when the city has settled into its quietest, darkest weeks. But February here has its own kind of romance; long evenings that make candlelit dinners feel even more intimate, empty streets that turn a simple walk into something almost private, and a cold that … Read more
Best bakeries and confectioneries in Stockholm
If you like pastries, Stockholm will keep you busy. You’ll find classic Swedish favorites alongside modern cakes and excellent bread, easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. Stockholm has so many excellent places, that limiting our choices for this list was not easy. To keep things simple, we’ve picked 12 favorites. This is not … Read more
Restaurant Tradition
Tradition offers a retreat from Gamla Stan’s tourist crowds – a quiet courtyard restaurant steps from the Royal Palace where you can experience traditional Swedish cuisine. The menu features several Swedish classics, such as Swedish meatballs, kroppkakor (meat-filled potato dumplings), and cured salmon with creamy dill potatoes, all served in a contemporary Scandinavian setting. They … Read more
Villa Dahlia Restaurant & Bar
While most hotel restaurants play it safe with international menus, Villa Dahlia takes the opposite approach: authentic Italian small plates served in a Scandinavian-minimalist space overlooking a quiet park. The 2024 opening brought serious Italian cooking to a neighborhood better known for modern international eateries and wine bars. As we enter, we’re greeted by a … Read more
Stockholm’s best restaurants for solo diners
Stockholm is a great city for eating out on your own. You’ll spot plenty of locals eating alone at lunch counters, wine bars, and food halls throughout the week. The key is choosing restaurants with bar seating, community tables, or stadium-style seating where you can watch the crowd. These restaurants make solo dining feel natural … Read more
Mahalo Södermalm
A pink neon sign spelling “Mahalo” glows against the building’s yellow brick facade. Inside, weekend brunchers are filling the lively café. It smells of freshly brewed coffee and toasted grains. We already know this will be a good experience. Mahalo is a plant-based café serving breakfast and lunch. They serve breakfast until 11 am on … Read more
Misshumasshu
Step into the dimly lit arcade Birger Jarlspassagen and you’ll find yourself at the restaurant Misshumasshu. The name comes from the Japanese pronunciation of ‘mishmash’, perfectly capturing the restaurant’s blend of Tokyo and Stockholm. The dining room is one of Stockholm’s most fascinating examples of contemporary Scandinavian interior design, and shows a modern version of … Read more
Swedish Christmas food: A simple guide to the Julbord
Sweden’s Christmas feast is built around the julbord. It’s a buffet-style meal that families serve on Christmas Eve and many restaurants offer throughout December. You eat it in rounds with a fresh plate each time. Start with herring, move on to other fish, then cold cuts, hot dishes, and finally desserts and sweets. It’s simple … Read more
