The best pizza in Stockholm comes in two categories that are worlds apart in flavour: Swedish and classic Neapolitan. Both are delicious and affordable, but what differentiates the two varieties other than their countries of origin?
Swedish pizza uses a variety of toppings like curry chicken with bananas, fillet steak with bearnaise or kebab with garlic sauce, known as bakis-pizza, which translates to ‘hangover food’ and always comes with a side of marinated cabbage called ‘pizza salad’. The best bakis-pizza is also brick-oven-baked like Italian pizza and can come in splendidly large pies. Swedish pizza is rarely sliced and should be eaten with cutlery. As recently as five years ago the search for authentic Italian pizza meant an expensive visit to a white-table-cloth type of restaurant. Now for the best of Italian pizza, you can find Neapolitan pizzerias all over the city. Some are family-run and many feature Italian chefs, too. It should be noted that Stockholm pizzerias often offer gluten-free pizza and some even have vegan menus.
Birkastans Restaurang och Pizzeria
Pizzeria, Swedish, Italian, $$$
Tucked away for more than 35 years on a quiet residential street is this cosy pizzeria that serves enormous pizza pies made the Swedish way, thin and loaded with toppings. An extensive pizza menu includes 50 toppings and gluten-free pizza dough. Birkastans’ enormous pizzas are not made to be shared, and funnily enough, there is an additional surcharge if you do. It also serves pasta dishes and salads.
This unique bistro is family-owned and features interiors by the Swedish duo UglyCute. Its pizza dough is certifiably Neapolitan and it has an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu, too. There is beer on tap and a collection of microbrewery ales. Open for dinner and late night during the week, Bistro Bananas serves brunch on weekends, too.
Sourdough pizzas, both gluten-free and vegan options, with a monthly special menu item easily make this place a candidate for regular visits. Consistent with its hipster vibe Pizza Hatt is not online. Just show up hungry and hopefully find a seat!
One of the biggest issues for people who cannot have gluten is finding good pizza. Giro is one of the best Neapolitan-style pizzerias in Stockholm and it can make any pizza gluten-free. It has a huge range of different toppings as well as an excellent wine list, making it the perfect place for a romantic meal. It is right by Hötorget subway station, so it’s very easy to find.
Want a pizzeria with an authentic feel, classic Italian movie posters on the wall, a play corner for the little ones and a stationary moped in place for the perfect selfie? Meno Male comes complete with Italian wines and beers, and a dessert menu. The pizza order is made in your first name and that adds to the cosy feel of the place. Meno Male did so well at its first location that it now has opened a second in Kungsholmen, just down the road from City Hall.
