Sweden's Most Exquisite Restaurants

The New Nordic Manifesto put the world on notice that Sweden is home to some exquisite and forward-thinking restaurants, with chefs across the country creating mind-boggling dishes using locally sourced ingredients and updated traditional recipes. While not all the best restaurants are onboard with this new/old way of creating menus it’s definitely a major influence. Here are the best restaurants in the country.

1. Hävvi i Glen

Restaurant, Swedish

Located about two hours from the glittering ski mecca of Åre, Hävvi i Glen subscribes to the Slow Food Sápmi movement, introducing diners to lush Sami cuisine. Game, mushrooms and berries feature heavily on the seasonal menu – prepare to delight in dishes such as reindeer fillet with blueberry chutney. It may be remote but this place is a must for any dedicated foodie looking for a unique experience. Check the website for opening hours, which may change during different seasons.

2. Thörnströms Kök

Restaurant, Swedish, European, Contemporary

This award-winning Michelin-starred eatery is all about Scandinavian and regional cooking, although it’s not averse to taking the best influences from other European cuisines. Each dish is matched with the appropriate wine. Elegant and slightly exclusive, while remaining relaxed, this is one of Sweden’s premier restaurants and a must for anyone interested in how Nordic food is leading the way.

3. PM & Vänner

Restaurant, Swedish, European

Located in the heart of Småland, PM & Vänner has grown from one restaurant and now includes a hotel, a bistro, a bakery, an events company and a rooftop bar. At the heart, though, is the restaurant, which is based on the three gastronomic philosophies: forest, lake and meadow. This means a local, seasonal and very modern interpretation of regional cuisine.

5. Mrs Saigon Restaurang

Restaurant, Vietnamese

Mrs. Saigon was the first Vietnamese restaurant in Malmö and it arguably remains the best. Using fresh ingredients and cooking with traditional methods, this is the place for those who want delicious authenticity. The lunch buffet is an excellent bargain and features not just Vietnamese cuisine, but food from around the world. Dinner, however, is where Mrs. Saigon really shines.

6. Köksbaren

Gastropub, Swedish, Pub Grub

This gastro pub way up north in Umeå above the Arctic Circle has gained a reputation far and wide for serving first class dishes featuring local ingredients in season. They handpick their own meat (always Swedish) and then cook it over charcoal. This is New Nordic with some guts – and the atmosphere of the restaurant is friendly, social, and very relaxing.

7. Fäviken Magasinet

Restaurant, Swedish, European

It’s been called the world’s most daring restaurant. In the glittering ski capital of Åre sits Fäviken, a restaurant that remains rooted in its surroundings. The restaurant harvests what they grow and prepare it using both local traditional methods and newly discovered ones. Fäviken takes advantage of the hunting season, to the benefit of guests. This is a restaurant that follows nature’s cycles, using what is fresh when seasons permit and storing for the seasons that are less hospitable. It enjoys such a fantastic reputation that it is fully booked months and months ahead.

8. Stationen

Restaurant, European, French, Pub Grub, Beer

Located at Uppsala‘s train station, which dates back to the 1800s, Stationen (The Station) is a brasserie with a taste of Paris, a bar with London’s pulse and a café with a scent of Rome. It’s all European and it’s one of Uppsala’s favourite meeting places. The food and drink never go out of style and it’s generous opening hours means you’ll find your way back here time and again. And just to note: it has the best fries in town.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.