10 Traditional Swedish foods to try in Stockholm

Swedish culinary culture revolves around seasonal ingredients, pure flavours and simple dishes with a story behind them. Many products come straight from Sweden’s bountiful natural environment: fresh fish from the lakes and the sea, game meat and berries from the forests, potatoes from the fields and local dairy products. Of course, almost everyone is familiar with the famous Swedish meatballs (köttbullar) and the delicious cinnamon buns (kanelbullar), but Swedish cuisine has many more surprising flavours to discover. Are you planning a city trip to Stockholm soon? In this blog, we’ll share 10 traditional Swedish foods that you absolutely must try during your visit to the city. Keep reading to find out more!

1. Köttbullar

One of Sweden’s best-known dishes is, of course, meatballs: köttbullar. Chances are you’ve already tried them at that well-known Swedish homeware store, but during a visit to Stockholm, you certainly shouldn’t miss out on the authentic Swedish version. You can eat köttbullar on their own, but traditionally they’re served with potatoes (mashed or boiled), lingonberry jam, gravy and pickled cucumber. The combination of savoury, sweet, fresh, creamy and tangy flavours is what makes this dish so characteristic of Swedish culinary culture. A true classic that you simply must try during your visit to Stockholm!

2. Kanelbullar

A delicious, typically Swedish sweet treat is the kanelbulle, or Swedish cinnamon bun. You’ll find these at almost every bakery, and they play an important role during the famous Swedish fika. This is a cosy break with coffee, tea and something tasty to enjoy whilst relaxing together.

The kanelbulle is characterised by its plaited dough, a topping of pearl sugar and, of course, the warm flavours of cinnamon and cardamom. The buns are light, soft and delicious without being too sweet. Swedes are so fond of this treat that Kanelbulle Day (Cinnamon Bun Day) is celebrated every year on 4 October. Want to experience Stockholm like a true local? Then be sure to plan a fika break during your visit and enjoy a fresh kanelbulle with a cup of coffee or tea.

3. Knäckebröd

Knäckebröd are thin, crispy crackers made from rye, yeast, salt and water. These crackers have been an indispensable part of Swedish cuisine for centuries and are one of the oldest types of bread in the country. The crackers are baked until all the moisture has been removed, which gives them a very long shelf life. ‘Knäcka’ means ‘crack’ in Swedish and refers to the sound the cracker makes when you break it. Knäckebröd can be eaten at any time of day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack. You can top knäckebröd with just about anything. Some of the Swedes’ favourite toppings include: slices of Västerbotten cheese, gravad lax, a boiled egg with Kalles Kaviar (caviar from a tube), liver pâté and pickles, and many more delicious combinations.

4. Inlagd sill

For many years, herring has been an important part of Swedish cuisine. The herring swims in the North Sea and has therefore been widely available in Sweden for centuries. One of the best-known herring dishes is inlagd sill, which is pickled herring. This traditional dish has been enjoyed for generations, particularly during festive occasions. During the Midsummer celebrations, inlagd sill is an essential part of the festive buffet.

Pickling the herring gives it a fresh, sweet-and-sour and slightly salty flavour. Originally, the herring was pickled to preserve it for longer during the winter, but the flavour proved so popular that it became a true Swedish classic. Inlagd sill is often eaten on knäckebröd or served with boiled potatoes, sour cream, red onion and chives. If you're in Sweden, be sure to try a piece of inlagd sill and discover for yourself why this dish has been so popular for centuries.

5. Prinsesstårta

Are you in Stockholm and fancy something sweet? Then you must try the famous Prinsesstårta, which translates to princess cake! You’ll find this Swedish classic in almost every bakery, and it’s definitely worth a try. The cake consists of several layers of vanilla sponge, pastry cream, whipped cream and raspberry jam, covered in a layer of green marzipan and finished with a small pink marzipan rose. The cake owes its name, to three Swedish princesses who were fond of it in the early 20th century. It has since become one of Sweden’s best-known and most beloved cakes.

6. Gravad lax

In Swedish, gravad means ‘buried’ and lax means ‘salmon’. The literal meaning of gravad lax is therefore ‘buried salmon’. The dish dates back to the Middle Ages and has since become a favourite in Swedish culinary culture. Fishermen devised this method to preserve the salmon for longer and give it a unique flavour. They salted the salmon and then buried it in the ground near the coast, so that the fish could mature slowly. Nowadays, gravad lax is no longer buried in the ground, but the traditional flavour has been preserved. The salmon is thinly sliced and marinated in salt, sugar, dill, lemon and pepper. The dish is often served as a starter at Swedish dinners, for example with a mustard and dill sauce. Gravad lax is delicious on its own, but is also very tasty on a piece of knäckebröd.

7. Lingonsylt

Lingonsylt is a jam made from lingonberries and is served with lots of Swedish dishes. Lingonberries grow in Sweden’s forests, and picking them, often with family, is a much-loved tradition. The fresh lingonberries are then turned into delicious jam. Lingonsylt is often served with köttbullar, kroppkakor and other meat dishes, but is also delicious with sweet dishes such as pancakes or a bowl of porridge. Lingonberry jam has been enjoyed in Sweden for centuries and has become a true classic of Swedish cuisine. So, when visiting Sweden, a dish featuring lingonsylt is an absolute must!

8. Semlor

Semlor are sweet cardamom buns filled with almond paste and a generous topping of whipped cream. They’re also known as fastlagsbulle and are a much-loved treat in Sweden, where they’re often eaten during a fika. Originally, a semla was a special treat for Fettisdagen, the Tuesday seven weeks before Easter. On this day, Swedes would enjoy this rich, sweet bun one last time before Lent began. Nowadays, these delicious buns are widely available from as early as January and are a popular winter treat.

9. Kroppkakor and palt

Kroppkakor are Swedish potato dumplings and a truly traditional dish. This dish originally comes from the Swedish island of Öland. Kroppkakor are mainly eaten in the south of Sweden, whilst a similar variant is popular in the north: palt. For kroppkakor, the potatoes are (partly) boiled, whilst palt is made from raw potatoes mixed with barley or wheat flour.

Both kroppkakor and palt are filled with onion and bacon and traditionally served with lingonberry jam, melted butter or sour cream. Thanks to their simple ingredients and nutritious filling, these dumplings used to be a favourite meal amongst farmers and fishermen. These days, kroppkakor and palt are still popular dishes and highly recommended if you want to sample traditional Swedish cuisine!

10. Skagen toast

Skagen toast is one of the best-known starters you’ll come across in Swedish restaurants. But it can also be eaten for lunch, as a light meal or on special occasions. The dish was invented in the 1950s and is therefore a fairly modern creation. It takes its name from the Danish port town of Skagen, but has nothing else to do with it. Skagen toast consists of toasted white bread topped with prawns, mayonnaise, dill, mustard, lemon and salmon roe. Combining these ingredients creates a deliciously fresh, light and refined flavour that is characteristic of Swedish cuisine.

Enjoy the food in Stockholm

Are you heading to Stockholm for a city break soon and keen to discover traditional Swedish cuisine? Then these ten dishes are definitely worth trying! Our personal favourites are köttbullar, kanelbullar, gravad lax and, of course, the Prinsesstårta, but really, none of these classics should be missed during your visit. Between admiring the sights, taking a boat trip through the archipelago and visiting the many museums, there’s always time to discover Swedish cuisine. Smaklig måltid!