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What was once a dour landscape of overpriced, uninspiring eateries is now a creative hotbed of culinary achievement to rival any major European capital. Industry investment in training, receptivity to international influence, and a flair for creativity all mean that Stockholm's best chefs have stayed way ahead of the game. Increasingly, this achievement is rubbing off on their mid-price colleagues and in terms of culinary experience per krona, mid-range restaurants represent the best value for money in town. Two recent trends have seen many of the city's better restaurants pick up on this and offer more set-price tasting menus and increasing numbers of wines by the glass—making even the most expensive restaurants relatively affordable. In terms of food, New Swedish remains the buzzword, with chefs looking no further than their backyards for fine, seasonal, traditional ingredients, served with a modern twist. Of course, there are also many less expensive restaurants with traditional Swedish cooking. Among Swedish dishes, the best bets are wild game and fish, particularly salmon, and the smorgasbord buffet, which usually offers a good variety at an inexpensive price. Reservations are often necessary. Some restaurants close for a month or more for summer vacation, so be sure to confirm opening hours if visiting between June and August.
Don't let the concrete exterior of this small restaurant fool you: Bleck is a light, airy oasis in one corner of Blecktornspark, with an extensive summer terrace and a cozy, intimate atmosphere in the cooler months, enhanced by a wood-burning stove and faux fur rugs. The evening menu of small dishes satisfies vegetarians and meat lovers both, offering modern Swedish cuisine in a charming setting.
Calling itself a "neo-bistro," this restaurant located down a short flight of steps is anything but gloomy, with cream-colored walls, sage-green paintwork, and contemporary art and photography gracing the walls. The menu takes its influence from France but applies a Swedish twist with choices of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes alike. Guests are seated at marble-topped tables or at seats by the bar under green bistro-style lamps.
This Gamla Stan favorite avoids the tourist-trap label, attracting both visitors and locals, with its broad and reliably good menu of small sharing dishes, burgers, and classics. In the summer, meals can be enjoyed outside on the terrace while watching the world pass by along the cobblestone streets.
