Bistro Bestick Gamla Stan — Restaurant in Stockholm

The awesome, fun staff made our visit here memorable and the food was excellent. We didn't have reservations and since this was a newer restaurant than the other Bistro Bestick which had no openings, we were able to get in at a table by the bar. It actually turned out to be a prime table with a view of the bar, quiet, and being able to interact with the staff. Each person came by checked to see if they could clear away a dish or order us something. The running joke was "too slow" meaning someone already got our order and the next person who stopped by was "too slow."

The bread plate (extra charge) was nice to sample some brown breads with creamy butter. I was delighted to try authentic handmade Swedish meatballs ("better than Ikea" I was told) with mashed potatoes, lingonberries and pickled cucumbers. The meatballs were moist, flavorful and the sauce was good. The Arctic char fish was fresh, delicious with lots of zucchini and fresh dill. The cloudberry dessert with ice cream was a work of art.

The food and the staff at Bistro Bestick made this one of our favorite Stockholm memories,...

I almost went to some of the higher-rated places in Gamla Stan but was wary they might be tourist traps. I came here instead and have absolutely no regrets.

The Swedish meatballs were hands-down the best I’ve had in Stockholm, and I’ve tried a few. Everything on the plate was dialed in: the meatballs were hand-made and savory. You can tell because not every meatball was the same size and shape. The mashed potatoes were light and fluffy, and the presentation was beautiful. They served a generous amount of lingonberries, and the gravy was rich, savory, and brought everything together.

Service was incredibly friendly and welcoming from start to finish. Inside, the ambience is calm and elegant, which offers a real contrast to the noise and crowds just outside in Gamla Stan.

If you’re looking for amazing Swedish meatballs in Gamla Stan, skip the places with long lines and come here instead. The higher price point is worth...

What a pleasant surprise! We were out late, looking for a restaurant open past 10 p.m., and Google Maps showed this place open until after 11. However, when we arrived, we found out the kitchen was closing in about 15 minutes. To our great relief, the waitress insisted we stay and assured us it was no problem for the kitchen. We were so grateful, and our waitress, Vila, was an absolute gem. She truly made our evening memorable.

The dishes were beautifully executed, but what surprised me most was the bread—it completely stole the show. Soft, slightly sweet, and served with delicious chorizo butter, it was outstanding. The cod loin was another highlight: a generous portion with a rich, unforgettable sauce. I would skip the creme brûlée, it was the least special dish we had, but otherwise, solid bites.

In the end, we were so glad the night led us here. It was romantic, intimate, and felt personal—we...