Midsummer in Stockholm

People in traditional Swedish folk costumes gather around a maypole for Midsummer at Skansen

For many Swedes, Midsummer is the most important holiday of the year. It’s a celebration that, for families, rivals even Christmas in significance. It marks the unofficial start of summer,. This is a time when nature is at its peak and the nights are nearly non-existent.   But if you are visiting Stockholm, you will notice … Read more

Two-day Stockholm archipelago itinerary: Svartsö and Finnhamn

Gravel path through the forest leading to the red wooden buildings of Bistro Sågen on Svartsö

Two days in Stockholm’s archipelago is enough time to feel like you’ve genuinely left the city behind. This itinerary takes you through two islands in the central archipelago, Svartsö and Finnhamn, and the reason to pick these two specifically comes down to contrast. They sit close enough together to connect in a single trip, but … Read more

What is a semla? A simple guide to Sweden’s classic cream bun

A semla: cardamom bun topped with whipped cream, almond paste and powdered sugar on a plate

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

Restaurant Tradition Stockholm Review: Traditional Swedish Food in Gamla Stan

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

Swedish Christmas food: A simple guide to the Julbord

Open sandwiches with egg and pickles laid out on a julbord table with candles and a glass of drink

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

Knut Regeringsgatan Review: A Taste of Northern Sweden in the Heart of Stockholm

Step into Knut and you’ll discover authentic flavors from Sweden’s northern wilderness right in the heart of Stockholm’s Norrmalm district. This restaurant brings Norrland cuisine, the culinary traditions of Sweden’s vast northern region, to the capital with genuine warmth and rustic charm that makes the setting feel both cozy and sophisticated. Northern Swedish cuisine Knut … Read more

A guide to New Nordic Cuisine in Stockholm: What to eat and where

Chef preparing food on a tree slab

Stockholm’s New Nordic restaurants have revolutionized Scandinavian dining over the past two decades. This culinary movement represents a return to local, seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking. It often reinterprets traditional Nordic recipes and food traditions in contemporary ways. It is characterized by a minimalistic and elegant presentation, highlighting natural flavors of ingredients. Preservation techniques such … Read more

Konstnärsbaren

Konstnärsbaren, or KB as the locals call it, is a restaurant in the Norrmalm district that serves traditional Swedish cuisine. Their menu features typical Swedish dishes such as pickled herring, and Toast Skagen, which is toast with shrimps in mayonnaise. We tried their seasonal menu options of asparagus for starters and the duck, which both … Read more