Café Sten Sture — Restaurant in Stockholm

A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Old Stockholm

While exploring the charming cobblestone streets of Old Stockholm on a local walking Viking tour, I stumbled upon a restaurant that truly exceeded all expectations. In a city known for its rich history and culinary offerings, this place stands out as an absolute gem—so much so that I returned not once, but twice during my short vacation.

From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the warm, inviting atmosphere. Nestled in the lower levels of a historic building, the restaurant offers an intimate setting filled with character—and if you ask one of the friendly staff members, they’ll even share fascinating details about the location’s heritage.

Now let’s talk food. This restaurant delivers an authentic taste of Sweden with a menu that honors traditional flavors while maintaining high-quality, consistent preparation. I had the pleasure of trying the classic Swedish meatballs served with creamy mashed potatoes, tart lingonberries, and crisp pickled cucumbers—comfort food done to perfection. I also tried the deer, and I must say, the flavor was rich and memorable.

For starters, we enjoyed a hearty bowl of goulash soup—beef and potatoes infused with just the right amount of spice—and a delightful shrimp salad on toast that was light, fresh, and beautifully presented. We capped off our meal with a slice of homemade blueberry pie and a smooth Irish coffee cocktail that brought everything together in the most satisfying way.

Whether it was during the bustling afternoon crowd of cruise ship tourists or the quieter, cozy evening ambiance, the service was nothing short of impeccable. The staff was incredibly attentive, engaging, and made us feel right at home with their genuine hospitality.

If you’re in Stockholm and want a true taste of Swedish cuisine paired with great service and historical charm, do yourself a favor—and make your way here. This restaurant has certainly earned a top spot on my list, and I’ll be back without a doubt on my next...

We visited Café Sten Sture on our last night in Sweden, and unfortunately it turned out to be a very unpleasant experience.

I ordered the salmon, but discovered a hair in the food. One staff member initially removed it and said they would replace it with meatballs. However, after some visible argument in the kitchen, our server came back and very rudely told us they would not replace the dish. To make things worse, they brought out the same plate with the contaminated food instead of providing a fresh meal.

This level of service and disregard for basic food hygiene is unacceptable anywhere, especially in a restaurant that promotes itself as historic and welcoming. What should have been a memorable last night in Sweden turned into a disappointing and uncomfortable experience.

Only men seemed to be working that evening, and unfortunately the service we received was dismissive and unprofessional.

I hope management takes these issues seriously, as the location and setting are beautiful, but the way customers are treated and the lack of food safety ruined the...

A huge disappointment. The meal was excellent and we really wanted to come back. The waiter who took care of us was very friendly, we chatted a lot with him and he created a pleasant atmosphere. We even made it clear to him that we were au pairs - so young, and with limited means. He was perfectly aware of this, which made what happened next all the more shocking.

At the end of the meal, he strongly insisted that we take shots, clearly implying that this was a gesture on his part - without ever specifying that it would be charged for, let alone at an exaggerated price. One of us had said she didn't want to drink, but shots were served for everyone anyway.

When it came time to pay, we were unpleasantly surprised to see these drinks added to the bill, and no discussion was possible, despite our astonishment.

This kind of practice is deeply dishonest, underhanded and disrespectful. It's really regrettable, because the food was very good. But after such an experience, we'll never set foot in this establishment again, and strongly...