Amsterdam,Helsinki, Visby, Copenhagen, Stockholm
 

Can you suggest restaurants in these cities. Not necessarily expensive ones but a variety. Also what are MUST have snacks or local foods in these places? Thanks. Stopping for a day or a few hours as we are on a cruise but want the flavor of the trip!

Even modest meals are expensive, be prepared.

Amsterdam prices are not too bad. In the other places expect meal prices to be high - even for modest places.

One favorite local food is herring (even at breakfast) - although that's something I can;t get into.'
In Sweden we saw quite a bit of reindeer, cloudberries, etc. In denmark we went for the delicious open sandwiches - esp all those tiny little shrimp on black bread with homemade mayo. but there are lots of different options,

I can't give you the names of restaurants and such, but as for food... in the Netherlands, make sure you try stroopwafels. Raw herring is quite nice, but not for all I guess. Dutch pancakes.

In Denmark you really must try rødgrød med fløde. It sounds terrible when you hear it pronounced in Danish, but it is a quite good desert. Lots of fish (herring mainly, but there are many other typical fish).

In Sweden: reindeer, yes. But a lot more: gravlax (salmon), Jansson's frestelse (but I guess that'll be hard to find in a restaurant), Ostkaka (cheesecake), Kanelbulle (cinamon rolls), Våfflor (waffles) and so on. Yes, I'm a bit of a fan of Swedish food :-D

Thank you all for the heads up on the food. Scandinavian food is not my thing but I will look for what you suggested.

Amsterdam..www.lucius.nl a fish restaurant we enjoyed and returned to twice. Fresh Herring from a stand. Stroopwaffles are wonderful and can become an addiction! You should go to a Rijsttafel, Indonesian, delicious.
Copenhagen: for excellent smorrebrod, Told & Snaps, Toldbodgade 2 (cellar level) in Nyhaven area but not on the water,nicely away from the crowds.
Sweden: Herring prepared in a variety of ways. And those delicious small boiled potatoes.Lingonberries.

Visby: Saffron pancakes
Stockholm: I guess you will opt for the Vasa museum and the old town? Why not try a traditional Swedish Smorgosbord? A suggestion is the Grand Hotel. It is not cheap but you will get an oportunity to try a wide selection of traditional Swedish dishes. The Grand Hotel is within walking distance from the old town (just across the bridge from the royal palace) or a short tram ride from the Vasa museum.
Link: http://www.grandhotel.se/en/explore/...da/smorgasbord

If you want to have lunch after exploring the Vasa museum there is an excellent restaurant inside the nearby Liljevalchs Konsthall (an art exhibition center). The food is not traditional Swedish though, it is more Mediterranean. The name of the restaurant is "Blå Porten". Highly recommended!

Most restaurants in the old town are tourist traps with a few exceptions and they tend to be on the expensive side.

Visby- Lamb dishes of any sort. And yes, definitely try the säffron pancake for dessert. They are usually served with a berry jam and whipped cream.

Stockholm- for a cheap and fast food fix try a hotdog dish called a korv special pr halvspecial at one of the hotdog stands. They will usually have a pic of what to order. You can try the hotdog with mashed potatoes and no bun or my favorite is the hotdog, mashed potatoes, relish and ketchup all in a soft thin bread wrap.

If you eat at a pizza place then you order one pizza per person. They are large by US standards and could be shared if you ask for an extra plate.

There is a wonderful coffee shop in the square kitty korner from the Nobel museum. It has a chalkboard outside....you will go not to that one but the neighbor cafe right next door to the left, go in and down the steps...so full of atmosphere!!! Great bakegoods, hot chocolate and coffee.

Fen Sma Haus is a wonderful, not cheap, but authentic Swedish restaurant in Stockholm. Our Swedish friends said it is a must. And is was! Dark, busy and the real thing! Make reservations online ahead of time! We walked there from hotel. Not too far from Nobel Museum.

Believe it or not we HAD to try the Danish in Denmark and it is great!!!!! It is a MUST!!!!!!Even delicious at the airport. ALso in Stockholm and Copenhagen, there are a ton of candy stores. Our Swedish friends told us (even at 7/11) you must have the black licorice! What we replied. But it is all over. They love their candy. Amazing candy shops abound. Try it. We were hooked!

You will get tired of the pancakes in Amsterdam but delicious. We ha trouble deciding on dinners and eventually and reluctantly decided on Argentinian food as we were in Argentina a few years ago. How silly it seemed BUT to our surprise it was great! Quite a few of them even on the same street (an most owned by same company!) Very cosmopolitan city with a variety of foods.

Yes, Scandinavia prices are high but it is part of the experience. Currency changes a lot so you need to be prepared. If you have not tried the Sandman's walking tours check it out online. A free walking tour in a variety of countries incl Denmark is such fun. Only tips and they are appreciated! College kids are he tour guides and excellent. We had such fun.