Tips for Visitors

Basic Information

A typical lunch in Stockholm costs 65-130 kr. Dinners cost a bit more, starting around 200 kr. Tipping is not expected unless you are at a fairly nice restaurant, and even then 5-10% is sufficient. It should be noted that alcohol is heavily taxed in Sweden, and thus very expensive both in restaurants and at Systembolaget (the Swedish State Alcohol Monopoly). Expect to pay at least 65 kr/glass or 200 kr/bottle of wine at a restaurant. Beer typically costs around 50 kr/bottle.

Eating on the Cheap

Scared after reading the previous section? Well, don’t be. It is possible to eat for less in Stockholm. If you want to eat what normal Swedes eat, order the husmanskost at lunch. It’s the daily special and usually includes your choice of drink, a small side sallad, and coffee. Typical price is 65-75 kr. Not too bad for all that.

If that still sounds expensive to you, consider the fast food options. Remember, this doesn’t have to mean McDonald’s. The cheapest food in town is from the sausage or korv stands. You can get a hotdog for around 15 kr. Most also offer higher quality sausages such as lamb sausages or choritzo for a few kr. extra. In roughly the same price range, there are a huge number of kebab places in the city. You can order kebab (thinly sliced beef cooked on a spit and served with garlic sauce and spicy sauce in bread or with fries) or felafel (a vegetarian option). If you feel more like going the McDonald’s route, consider trying Max instead. It’s the Swedish version of McDonald’s.

Typical Swedish Food

So you want to taste real Swedish food? Well, good luck to you. We’ve compiled a list of authentic Swedish food below:

• Swedish meatballs – typically served with a brown gravy and boiled potatoes
• Salmon – Swedes love to eat all kinds of Salmon: smoked, grilled, marinated
• Shrimp sandwiches – Openface sandwich with mayonnaise and shrimp served with lemon (räksmörgås)
• Shrimp salad sandwiches – Openface sandwich with shrimp salad on top (toast skagen)
• Herring – served either fried or marinated (sill or strömming)
• Snaps – traditional Swedish hard alcohol flavored with herbs, usually matched to herring or crayfish
• Bullar – these are Swedish sweet buns, served in almost all cafes and perfect with coffee or tea

Seasonal Specialities

Late Summer:

• kräftor – Crayfish, usually flavored of dill. You may be able to find them in restaurants or alternatively at markets. Hötorgshallen, Söderhallen, and Östermalmshallen are lovely markets to visit.

Christmas Specialities:

• pepparkakor – Swedish ginger cookies. These are sold in grocery stores year round, but are especially popular during the winter holidays.
• Glögg – Spiced wine that comes in different strength and is served warm, absolutely amazing if you are lucky enough to find the right place
• Luciabullar – saffron buns sold only during the holiday season. Buy them at a nice bakery or cafe, avoid the cheap ones at 7-11 and other convenience stores.

January/February

• semlor – sweet buns cut in half and filled with almond cream and whipped cream, with the lid delicately replaced. Buy at a nice bakery or cafe.