My husband and I are real foodies, so our trip to Stockholm in April/May turned into a true culinary adventure. The original reason for the trip was actually to attend a concert—this time, it was Pentatonix, a vocal group that performs mostly a cappella. Naturally, we got to hear their cover of "The Sound of Silence," and the song sounded divine with those powerful vocal harmonies. I am also impressed by how the group manages to maintain the tempo, offer a varied program, and keep the audience engaged using almost nothing but their voices!
Since we arrived in Stockholm a few days before Walpurgis Night, we were also able to celebrate the occasion with a bonfire and student choir performances at Skansen. An added bonus that evening was a performance by Sara Klang; she has an incredibly distinctive voice. However, it got too cold for us to stay until the very end, so I don’t know if she sang my favorite song, "Tula hem och tula vall." Regardless, I hope we get to hear it next time—perhaps in warmer weather.
You can’t visit the capital without enjoying a classic tourist experience, and this time, that meant admiring and photographing the cherry blossoms in Kungsträdgården. Unfortunately, they were past their peak, but a few scattered trees still had blossoms left—so I did manage to get some photos. We also spent the day at Skansen and visited the Vasa Museum.
Speaking of being foodies, we visited quite a few restaurants. The real highlight was Frantzéns—a three-star Michelin restaurant that truly lives up to its stars. The entire experience—from ringing the doorbell and stepping inside to leaving by taxi—was amazing! Food isn't just food; it is, and should be, an experience. But I won’t say any more than that; I don’t want to spoil the element of surprise. If you want to know more, you’ll have to go there yourself. I will say this, though: I’d happily go back.
Animo is one of our favorite restaurants, and we always visit it when we’re in the "big city." What makes it so special? Delicious food with creative presentation, a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, and friendly staff! You couldn't ask for more.
Other restaurants we visited included Svartengrens, Berns Asiatiska, and Grand Soleil—each with its own theme and charm.
Svartengrens is a charming and welcoming restaurant where everything is about meat. The restaurant serves locally produced meat from small meat suppliers, most of them based in the Stockholm area. It has been recognized as one of Stockholm's best meat restaurants.
Berns Asiatiska. located in Berzelii Park, served an Asian-inspired cuisine in an incredibly grand setting, with magnificent crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The restaurant has been around since 1863, so a great deal of fascinating history has taken place within its walls I imagine. The spacious, open dining room had a lively market hall atmosphere and the service was great. Between courses, our server shared stories about the restaurant, giving us a mini history lesson that we truly appreciated. It made the experience even more memorable.
Grand Soleil is a restaurant with a glamorous touch and a distinct Riviera vibe. Its name means "Great Sun", and we felt that warm sun-soaked feeling as soon as we stepped inside. The menu was inspired by the Mediterranean cuisine, and of course we chose the fish!
As you can tell, it was a packed week, and packed with many lovely food experiences.