Botica — Restaurant in Stockholm

I went to Botica with my partner last week to specifically try out the "Francesinha" that I saw was available on their menu. This is a traditional comfort food dish from the north of Portugal. After finding out this restaurant served this peculiar dish (and to my knowledge, it is the only one in Stockholm), it immediately meant that I had to try it. For context, this review comes from someone who was born and raised in the north of Portugal.

After getting to the venue, we were informed by the staff that the dish was unfortunately only available in their Wine Bar Section, and we had unfortunately booked a table on the restaurant side instead. However, the staff was extremely kind and understanding of our mistake and agreed to serve us both the Francesinha there.

The dish itself? Superb. The secret to a good Francesinha is the sauce since this is the "soul" of it, and Botica has brought that to Stockholm with a very charismatic and distinct "smokey" flavour that I had never before experienced in this dish (it is from my experience usually a bit more sweet or spicy). I cannot speak for the rest of the dishes as I have yet to try them. Still, if they are as good as this one (and they certainly did look so from the ones we saw being delivered), I can guarantee that Botica has a perfect representation of good traditional Portuguese food that you will most certainly enjoy, especially if like me, you are a native who misses these dishes.

The ambience in the restaurant was also charming. We sat at a table next to a window with a view towards Saint Jacob's Church to our left, while to our right, we could see the staff preparing the dishes with passion.

If I were to give a few pointers for constructive feedback, however, I would state that although the dish was correctly served on a deep plate, the plate itself could have been a bit larger, as it is meant to have fries served on the side that is meant to be bathed in the sauce. In this case, the Francesinha itself covered about 95% of the plate, which, although not a problem, since it just means that you need to start with that first; it does mean that, unfortunately, the fries will cool down in the meantime.

Overall, my review of the overall experience is a solid 9/10, and I will definitely come back, especially if I would like to introduce some dishes from my home country to some colleagues. I also believe that this dish should be added as an option on the main menu as I am sure it would be a massive success with the residents of Stockholm (During our meal, we had other guests commenting on how good it looked when they would walk past our table so that should serve as a good indication of its...

This visit was a major disappointment. Despite filling in all the necessary details, including special requests and the reason for our visit, when making the reservation, I never felt truly welcome. In a bistro or fast-food setting, this might have been understandable, but in a place that aims for higher quality, it was unexpected and disheartening.

The service made the experience sad. From the moment we arrived, I was surprised that the staff didn’t offer to show us where to hang our coats. I had clearly indicated during booking that we were celebrating a graduation and that the guest of honor was a vegetarian, yet none of this seemed to register with the staff.

When we were handed the wine list, we were informed that some wines were unavailable but without specifying which ones. Naturally, we selected one that was out of stock. In a restaurant of this caliber, I would have expected the staff to proactively suggest alternatives and adjust the price accordingly, but this did not happen.

As for the food, the appetizers — tuna and octopus —were a mixed experience. The sauce on the octopus was overly salty, overpowering the dish. For the main courses, the piri piri chicken was neither remarkable nor justified its price, while the cod was well-prepared and enjoyable. The highlight of the meal was the desserts — both the chocolate mousse and pastel de nata were truly delightful.

Unfortunately, the evening ended on a sour note. The staff had already begun cleaning the restaurant while we were still dining, leaving an unpleasant smell of cleaning products in the air. To top it off, after we paid, there was no thank you, no farewell, nothing — something I have rarely experienced in a restaurant of this standard.

Overall, this visit fell far below expectations, and I would not recommend it based on...

Tried Botica, a Portuguese restaurant tucked away in Stockholm, right next to Kungstägården. They offer a great selection of dishes that feel both authentic and elevated.

We had the Frango Piri Piri, the chicken was grilled to perfection with a slight char, and the peri peri sauce was bold, flavorful, and nicely balanced without being overwhelming.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist the Pastel de Nata which was crisp pastry, creamy center, just like the ones in Portugal. We also tried their Basque burnt cheesecake, and it was phenomenal. Creamy, slightly caramelized on top, and not too sweet, rich but not heavy. Melts in your mouth. A must-try!

Our server recommended a couple of drinks to go with the meal (wish I remembered the names!) that both were refreshing and paired well with the food.

The space itself is modern and cozy, with a brighter atmosphere than many Stockholm spots, not the usual dark and moody vibe. It felt welcoming and relaxed.

Overall, highly recommend Botica if you're looking for Portuguese flavors in Stockholm. Great food, warm service, and a space that feels fresh and inviting. Definitely...