8 Best Restaurants in Sweden

AIRA's dark and moody exterior, tucked away on the island of Djurgården, belies its light, airy interior, scattered with white-clothed tables and seats and banquettes of chocolate-brown velvet. The cuisine from one of Sweden's best known chefs, Tommy Myllymäki, skews toward local ingredients infused with international flavors, offering the best of land and sea, all prepared in an open kitchen alongside the high-ceilinged dining space.

Situated 7 km (4½ miles) south of Visby in the midst of farmland, Lilla Bjers prides itself on creating seasonal menus largely from its own-grown produce, complimented with locally sourced organic ingredients. Meals are served in light, airy repurposed greenhouses in the shade of the olive trees interspersed between the wooden tables, and heated in the winter months by a wood-burning stove. In the summer months, meals can be enjoyed outside on the terrace. The farm shop, alongside the restaurant, also sells Lilla Bjers' produce.

Chef Björn Frantzén creates exquisite dishes using imagination, passion, and a little science—a combination that has earned his restaurant Sweden’s first (and so far only) Michelin three-star rating. The extensive tasting menu, which changes daily, is the only option, so eating here is extremely expensive but also unforgettable. Every meal begins in the lounge bar with appetizers, then moves to the downstairs dining room, where chefs present every dish personally. The experience concludes with dessert back in the lounge bar. Wine and non-alcoholic pairing menus are available, though you can also order separately off the huge wine list. Note that reservations for the following month are released at 10 am local time on the first day of each month, and you need to be quick to snatch one up.

This extremely popular restaurant specializes in seafood and shellfish prepared in Swedish and Continental styles. The white walls, tiled floor, and crisp white tablecloths give this airy space an elegance that contrasts with the generally casual dress of the customers. An outdoor section is open in summer.

Decorated in light-colored wood with red accents, Koka provides a cozy setting for a special night out. It prides itself on offering seasonal, local, and organic produce alongside organic and biodiverse wine pairings. The fixed menus offer the best of seasonal plant-based produce, accented with flavors from the forests and waters of West Sweden. Preselected wine packages are designed to accompany the menu, but the knowledgeable staff will gladly suggest other options if you prefer. 

Arguably one of the best seafood restaurants in Sweden, this icon remains a leading champion of west-coast fish. In the delightful oak-beamed dining room, part of a 200-year-old renovated shipping warehouse, you can eat carefully presented, delicious fish dishes with a classical local touch. In summer, you can enjoy the sea air while dining on the outdoor terrace.

Opened in 2012, VRÅ mixes Japan and Sweden in both its decor and its food. The highly refined menus and à la carte dishes set a west-coast Swedish slant to the Japanese kitchen, using seasonal and organic seafood and other local ingredients, including vegetables grown up on the roof. Be sure to reserve one of its coveted tables well in advance.

On the Nybroviken waterfront in central Stockholm, Wedholms Fisk serves almost exclusively seafood that is simply but beautifully prepared. The menu is divided by fish type, with a number of options for each type of fish. Shellfish dishes are also available but require at least two days' advance notice (send an email). High ceilings, large windows, and tasteful modern paintings by featured artists create an airy, sophisticated space to match the elegance of the cuisine.