ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½

From cutting-edge neo-Nordic cuisine driven by Michelin-starred chefs, to traditional foods passed down through generations, Sweden’s capital is known for its lively culinary scene. This private tour gives you a chance to spend a morning exploring some of the many different aspects of the city’s gastronomic attractions, munching as you meander from market to café to chocolatier.

Led by a well-connected local guide, your tour is tailored to your interests and tastes, but you'll likely start at Östermalms Saluhall, the oldest food market in Stockholm. Here, you’ll have the chance to sample local delicacies like smoked reindeer, cured elk, crayfish and lobster.

Then, journey on to Chokladfabriken (a Stockholm institution) to try its renowned ultra-rich hot chocolate. Finally, you’ll visit the old town, Gamla Stan, where you can wind down with a traditional Swedish fika (coffee and conversation) and freshly baked cinnamon roll.

Your walking tour begins when you’re picked up from your hotel by your guide, a local who’s familiar with the ever-changing culinary landscape of Stockholm. Your precise route and the vendors you’ll visit will be determined by your interests, as well as any dietary restrictions.

 

The most likely first stop will be Östermalms Saluhall, the city’s oldest market. The building that houses the market is an imposing red-brick hall with spires, built in 1888, with a yawning interior supported by graceful iron struts. The architects were inspired by the just-opened Eiffel Tower.

Inside, you’ll find a sophisticated version of a traditional European market, with a wide array of artisans and vendors ranging from confectioners and patisseries to fishmongers and butchers. With your guide, you can nibble your way through the hall, trying traditional foods like smoked reindeer and cured elk.

From here, head to Chokladfabriken, a chocolate café that’s been a city institution since it opened in 1997. You can sample rich pastries, cakes, truffles and other delights, but may want to save space for the hot chocolate, a decadent drink that’s renowned among resident chocoholics.

Continuing on to the cobbled streets of the old town, you can indulge in fika. To an outsider, fika simply looks like a pause for coffee and a cinnamon roll, but to locals it’s arguably the most quintessential Swedish ritual. The conversation with friends and co-workers that happens during fika is part of what knits together the country’s culture and considered absolutely essential for daily life.