Sweden, a land of stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, also boasts a unique and delicious culinary scene. From cozy cafes serving cinnamon-scented pastries to innovative restaurants showcasing foraged ingredients, Sweden Food offers a delightful experience for every palate. If you’re planning a trip to Sweden or simply curious about Scandinavian cuisine, here are ten must-try Sweden food dishes that will take you on an authentic gastronomic adventure.
1. Kanelbulle: The Iconic Cinnamon Bun
No exploration of Sweden food is complete without indulging in a Kanelbulle, the undisputed king of Swedish pastries. Considered by many as the unofficial national food of Sweden, these aromatic cinnamon buns are ubiquitous, found in every café (konditori), bakery, and food store across the country. Simply follow the irresistible aroma of freshly baked dough and spices to find your nearest source.
Kanelbullar are crafted from vetebröd, a lightly sweetened, leavened wheat bread dough, and are generously flavored with cinnamon. However, the Swedish spice rack extends beyond cinnamon, often incorporating cardamom, saffron, and vanilla into these delightful rolls. These spices, a legacy of the Viking age when traders returned from Istanbul, are a hallmark of Swedish baking. The perfect way to savor a kanelbulle is during fika, the cherished Swedish tradition of taking a break for coffee and something sweet. It’s more than just a coffee break; it’s a social ritual, a moment to pause and enjoy life’s simple pleasures, and kanelbulle is its perfect companion.
Want to bake your own taste of Sweden? Try this classic cinnamon bun recipe.
2. Filmjölk: Sweden’s Unique Fermented Milk
Navigating the Swedish dairy aisle can initially feel like deciphering a secret code. Rows upon rows of cartons with similar designs present a variety of milk options. From minimjölk, virtually fat-free, to gammaldags mjölk, the creamy, unhomogenized old-fashioned milk, and even latte art milk, specifically formulated for perfect frothy coffees, the choices are abundant. However, filmjölk is the dairy product that often sparks the most curiosity and debate.
This fermented milk product is a ‘love it or hate it’ experience for many. With a slightly acidic, yogurt-like tang, filmjölk is made from soured milk, sharing similarities with buttermilk or kefir. But beyond its unique taste, filmjölk is a powerhouse of healthy bacteria, making it a probiotic-rich addition to your diet. Swedes often enjoy it for breakfast with cereal or granola, sweetened with a touch of sugar. Its versatility extends to baking, where it adds a subtle tang and moistness to breads and cakes. Embrace the Swedish way and give filmjölk a try – you might just discover a new favorite.
Enhance your filmjölk experience with these healthy cereal recipes and delicious granola recipes.
3. Oat Milk Latte: Embracing Health and Sustainability
Health consciousness is deeply ingrained in Swedish culture. Conversations with locals often revolve around their latest fitness pursuits and outdoor adventures. Popular diets like Paleo, 5:2, and LCHF (low carb, high fat) reflect this health-oriented mindset. This, coupled with rising awareness of food intolerances and allergies, has driven Swedish restaurants to become pioneers in offering dietary alternatives.
Oat milk, with its naturally sweet and subtly nutty flavor, has become a staple in Sweden, perfectly aligning with these trends. Try a latte made with oat milk and experience a creamy, plant-based delight. Sweden’s embrace of oat milk exemplifies its forward-thinking approach to food, catering to a population that is increasingly health-aware and mindful of dietary needs, including lactose and gluten sensitivities. Explore the world of dairy alternatives and discover which milk is the right choice for you with our comprehensive guide.
Learn the art of making your own homemade oat milk and bring a touch of Swedish health consciousness into your kitchen.
4. Toast Skagen: A Luxurious Seafood Appetizer
Toast Skagen is Sweden’s sophisticated take on the classic prawn cocktail. This elegant appetizer features succulent peeled prawns mixed with a rich blend of mayonnaise, fresh dill, and zesty lemon, crowned with delicate fish roe and served atop crisp, sautéed bread. Despite its slightly retro charm, Toast Skagen remains a beloved dish, gracing dinner party tables and appearing on restaurant menus throughout Sweden.
Interestingly, despite its name referencing Skagen, a Danish fishing port, Toast Skagen is not of Danish origin. Its creation is attributed to Tore Wretman, a renowned chef who helmed some of Stockholm’s most prestigious restaurants. Legend has it that in 1956, while sailing in calm waters, Wretman concocted this now-iconic starter from available ingredients to uplift the spirits of his crew during a windless stretch. When asked about the dish’s name, Wretman, gazing towards the distant Danish coast, is said to have declared, “it’s a classic Toast Skagen!” Enjoy this taste of Swedish culinary history.
Discover more sensational seafood recipes with our ultimate prawn collection and elevate your next meal.
5. Foraged Berries: Treasures of the Swedish Forest
The Swedish affinity for nature is profound, and allemansrätten, the Swedish right of public access, allows everyone to freely roam the country’s vast forests, plains, and coastlines. Historically, facing periods of extreme poverty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Swedes became resourceful foragers, maximizing the abundant free produce nature offered.
Today, berry and mushroom picking, along with herb foraging, is a cherished tradition, a rite of passage for every Swedish child and a favorite family activity. This foraging culture has also permeated high-end dining. Cutting-edge restaurants like Fäviken in Åre and Frantzén in Stockholm champion foraged ingredients, showcasing the bounty of the Swedish landscape. However, you don’t need to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant to experience foraged flavors. Shops, markets, and even roadside stalls offer a treasure trove of foraged goods. Seek out delicate wild strawberries, earthy chanterelle mushrooms, or vibrant purple bilberries and taste the essence of Sweden food directly from nature.
Showcase your foraged strawberries in one of our vibrant strawberry dessert recipes and bring the taste of the Swedish forest to your table.
6. Herring: A Baltic Seafood Staple
The Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean teem with herring, and Swedes have become masters at preparing this small, flavorful fish through cooking, pickling, and smoking. Interestingly, Sweden uses two distinct names for herring: sill, referring to the slightly larger herring found off the west coast, and strömming, specifically for Baltic herring.
Strömming is often enjoyed breaded and fried, a simple yet satisfying preparation. Sill, on the other hand, is frequently pickled in a diverse array of marinades and sauces. Matjes (soused herring) is a popular choice, but marinades featuring sour cream, mustard, and even curry are also common. For a truly Swedish experience, try an SOS – Smör, Ost och Sill (‘butter, cheese and herring’). This classic combination is best enjoyed with crispbread and accompanied by a glass of aquavit, a traditional Scandinavian spirit. Herring is undeniably a cornerstone of Sweden food, reflecting the country’s maritime heritage and culinary ingenuity.
Try your hand at making herrings rolled with mustard & pancetta and explore the flavors of Swedish seafood.
7. Godis (Pick ‘n’ Mix): A Sweet Saturday Tradition
Step into any supermarket, corner shop, or newsagent in Sweden, and you’ll likely encounter an entire aisle dedicated to pick ‘n’ mix sweets, known as godis. Sweets are a national passion in Sweden, enjoyed by both young and old. Saturdays are especially dedicated to indulging in godis thanks to the tradition of lördagsgodis (‘Saturday sweets’). This custom originates from a 1950s dental health campaign aimed at curbing excessive sweet consumption by limiting it to one day a week.
Popular godis choices to try include bilar (pastel-colored car-shaped candies), dumle (chewy chocolate-covered caramels), and saltlakrits (salty liquorice), a uniquely Scandinavian flavor that may be an acquired taste for some but is deeply loved by many Swedes. Embrace your inner child and partake in the lördagsgodis tradition for a truly sweet taste of Sweden food culture.
Transform your kitchen into a sweet shop with our confectionery recipes and create your own godis-inspired treats.
8. Husmanskost: Hearty Home-Style Cooking
Husmanskost represents a style of Sweden food best described as ‘house owner’s fare’ or traditional home-style cooking. Rooted in peasant cuisine, husmanskost dishes were designed to provide sustenance for long days of manual labor. Today, husmanskost encompasses many of the dishes most famously associated with Sweden, including meatballs, Jansson’s temptation (a creamy potato gratin with sprats), and gravadlax (cured salmon).
Every Swede has a cherished family recipe for husmanskost classics, often claiming their grandmother’s meatballs or Jansson’s temptation are the best. This comforting and flavorful food is readily available as daily lunch specials at local restaurants throughout Sweden. For a truly authentic husmanskost experience, consider visiting renowned establishments like Kometen in Gothenburg and Den Gyldene Freden in Stockholm, both celebrated for their traditional Swedish fare. Exploring husmanskost is essential to understanding the heart and soul of Sweden food.
Bring the warmth of husmanskost to your home kitchen with these recipes: Gravadlax temptation, Swede dauphinoise, Creamy Swedish meatballs, Malmö meatball subs.
9. Prinsesstårta: The Elegant Princess Cake
Prinsesstårta, or princess cake, with its distinctive bright green marzipan dome, has gained international recognition, partly due to its appearance on The Great British Bake Off. This layered sponge cake, cloaked in almost fluorescent green marzipan, is a quintessential Swedish celebration cake, frequently chosen for graduations, retirements, and birthdays. You can also enjoy a slice of this rich and decadent treat at most Swedish konditori (bakeries).
Prinsesstårta’s origins trace back to the 1920s and Jenny Åkerström, who taught cooking to three Swedish princesses. The cake reportedly became a favorite of the young royals, leading to its regal name. Prinsesstårta embodies elegance and tradition, making it a must-try Sweden food for anyone with a sweet tooth and an appreciation for beautiful pastries.
Treat your family to a slice of this regal delight with our fantastic prinsesstårta recipe.
10. Lingonberries: Tart Berries with Versatile Appeal
Lingonberries, small tart berries resembling red blueberries, are a staple in Sweden food. Their high acidity makes them ideal for preserves like jam and cordial. Swedes particularly love rårörda lingon, a ‘raw-stirred’ jam simply made by mixing lingonberries with sugar and then preserving.
Lingonberries are most famously served as a classic condiment with Swedish meatballs, providing a tangy counterpoint to the rich meat. They are also traditionally paired with raggmunk (fried potato pancakes). Beyond savory dishes, lingonberries complement game, liver, and blood pudding. However, their tartness truly shines in desserts like cheesecake, ice cream, and mousse, adding a refreshing and uniquely Swedish flavor dimension. Lingonberries represent the balance of flavors and resourcefulness that defines Sweden food.
Explore the versatility of lingonberries with our lingonberry & ginger cheesecake pots for a uniquely zesty Swedish dessert.
Content adapted from an article by Steffi Knowles-Dellner, a Sweden-born, London-based food stylist, writer and home economist.
Explore More of Global Cuisine
Craving more culinary adventures? Check out our guides to the top foods in other countries:
Top 10 foods to try in Japan
Top 10 foods to try in Russia
Top 10 foods to eat in Iceland
Are you a fan of Scandinavian cuisine? Share your favorite Sweden food experiences in the comments below! Discover more gourmet travel inspiration in our travel section.
