Stockholm is a city shaped by life in the North. Its long winters, access to the Baltic Sea, and changing seasons have influenced what people eat for centuries. Locals have their own food traditions and unusual dishes, and they know how to turn familiar ingredients into something new. Fish, meat, potatoes, berries, and preserved foods appear in many traditional recipes, while modern Stockholm chefs often give these old favorites a fresh twist.
1. Try the famous sandwich in a new form
We are all used to sandwiches made with two slices of bread and a filling in the middle, but the Scandinavian version often leaves out the top slice. One of the best-known Swedish open sandwiches is räksmörgås, also called räkmacka. It is usually topped with shrimp, boiled egg, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and a creamy sauce.The dish is so popular in Sweden that it even inspired the expression “glida in på en räkmacka,” literally “to slide in on a shrimp sandwich.” It means to have an easy ride or achieve something with little effort.
Café Chokladkoppen
You can try räkmacka at Café Chokladkoppen, a small café standing right on the Stortorget square reknown for its charming colorful buildings. It occupies a historic building dating back to the 16th century and has a small summer terrace facing the square.The available options include large sandwiches with ham and cheese, turkey with Swedish mustard, salami and Brie, seafood, and chicken curry. For something sweet, add a cinnamon roll, chocolate cake, or white chocolate cheesecake, perhaps with the café’s hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
2. Eat a bowl of Northern sunshine
Another Swedish classic worth trying is yellow pea soup, or ärtsoppa. Thick, warming, and golden yellow, it has traditionally been eaten in Sweden on Thursdays, a custom that dates back centuries and is still maintained by the Swedish Armed Forces. The soup is usually made with yellow peas and pork and served with mustard.
Stockholms Gästabud
If you are in Stockholm on a Thursday, check restaurants serving traditional Swedish food, as ärtsoppa often appears as a weekly special. Visit Gästabud where it is perfectly cooked. The menu features other Swedish classics such as meatballs, reindeer, salmon, herring, and other seasonal dishes.
More Stockholm food guides to explore
Stockholm’s food scene goes far beyond these traditional favorites, so there is plenty more to taste around the city. Continue with 10 incredible dishes you simply can't miss in Stockholm or explore Swedish and international dishes and the best restaurants to try them. For something more refined, check out the city’s affordable Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants, or go all out with our guide to 12 Michelin-starred restaurants in Stockholm.
