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 serve both lunch and dinner, and since it’s a popular restaurant, dinner reservations are recommended. You’ll also find a few modern takes on dishes, such as vegetarian kroppkakor stuffed with mushrooms.
The experience
We visited for lunch during the summer, which is actually a quite relaxed time to sit in their shielded courtyard. There are fewer locals here at this time of year, and the outdoor seating wasn’t crowded at all. Even though the weather was perfect for eating outside, it was warm and sunny.
The bread course came with two options for bread and butter – one sprinkled with salt, the other mixed with Kalles Kaviar, a Swedish staple that can taste strong to first-timers but was perfectly mellowed in the butter.
We had the asparagus, garnished with radish, olive oil, and caviar, as well as the three types of herring for starters. For mains, we chose the cured salmon with creamy dill potatoes and the Swedish meatballs with potato purée. The meatballs were tender and well-seasoned. The asparagus had a fresh snap, and the salty roe provided bursts of oceanic flavor.
The bottom line
The service was relaxed, friendly and casual. The food was a great representation of what you would expect from a traditional Swedish kitchen. The meatballs were tasty, and both the herring and the asparagus were exactly what you would expect from a well-prepared traditional meal. We especially enjoyed the Kalles Kaviar mixed with butter, for the bread serving.
Getting there
The nearest metro station is Gamla Stan. Walk toward the Royal Palace, and you’ll find the restaurant just as you exit the Österlånggatan alley onto the sloping square, Slottsbacken, in front of the Royal Palace.
Practical information
Address: Österlånggatan 1
Website: https://www.restaurangtradition.se
Reservations: Reservations are recommended for dinner; drop-in are usually possible for lunch. Book online or call ahead for dinner reservations.
Average cost: Expect around 700-800 SEK ($76-86 / €64-73 / £56-65) for a three-course meal including drinks.
Best for: Couples and groups of friends, for lunch or dinner.
