Indulging Your Culinary Senses: Sweden's Top 5 Destination Restaurants

With its diverse natural resources and a growing appreciation for the New Nordic culinary movement, Sweden boasts a handful of destination restaurants that promise a truly immersive culinary getaway. Here, we present the five best destination restaurants in Sweden, each offering a distinctive blend of creativity, locally sourced ingredients, and unparalleled experiences.

Restaurant Vyn: A Vision of Culinary Artistry

The highly anticipated opening of Restaurant Vyn in 2023 has taken Sweden by storm. Located in the southeast, this culinary masterpiece is the brainchild of head chef Daniel Berlin, the culinary genius behind the now-closed, two-Michelin-starred Daniel Berlin Krog. "Vyn" aptly translates to "view," and this restaurant lives up to its name, offering stunning vistas of rolling landscapes and the Baltic Sea. Situated within a stately former farm, Vyn exudes an air of elegance and intimacy.

With its open kitchen offering captivating views of the landscape, the main dining room accommodates 30 guests and boasts extra-large windows framing the ever-changing light over the sea and sky. Here, guests can savour Daniel's seasonal menu, showcasing local produce sourced with precision and creativity. Dishes like steamed flat oysters with smoked red deer heart and roasted barley, hot and cold scallops with aromatic apples and sugar kelp, and aged grey leg partridge poached in sour cream are a testament to Daniel's deep connection with every ingredient. From foraging to hunting, he crafts deeply personal dishes that reflect his profound understanding of the local larder.

Restaurant Äng: A Coastal Gem

Nestled along the picturesque Swedish west coast lies Restaurant Äng, an epitome of culinary excellence. Here, you can immerse yourself in a culinary journey, unwind at a luxurious spa hotel, and savour wines from the nearby Ästad vingård vineyard, known for cultivating Solaris grapes. The story of Äng began five years ago when the visionary chef-owner, Filip Gemzell, embarked on a mission to explore the culinary treasures of Halland. What started as a humble dining room in a spa hotel has now evolved into an exclusive establishment just a stone's throw away.

Guests at Restaurant Äng embark on a sensory adventure. They start in a glass greenhouse amid meadows, indulging in snacks and petit fours, then take an elevator ride down to the wine cellar and onward to the main dining room. Here, a meticulously curated 18-course menu showcases the finest locally sourced seafood, fish, and vegetables. Signature dishes like variations of blue mussels with sourdough crisps, caramelised onions, pickled red chilli and dill cream epitomise the rich textures and flavours found at Äng.

The restaurant holds a prestigious Michelin star and a green star, and its cellarmaster, Emma Ziemann, is a two-time Swedish Sommelier Champion, earning the Guide Michelin Nordic Sommelier Award in 2023. Restaurant Äng promises an unforgettable tasting menu crafted from the best of locally sourced ingredients.

Talldungen Gårdshotell: An Oasis of Culinary Delights

Talldungen Gårdshotell transports food and wine enthusiasts to a culinary oasis in the heart of southern Sweden. This charming boutique hotel exudes warmth, generosity, and hospitality, akin to a cheerful evening in Italy or southern France. In the summertime the patio comes alive with twinkling lights as guests savour charcuterie and wine. The interior of the restaurant, perched one floor above, is adorned with cosy, eclectic furniture, creating an immediate sense of comfort.

The tasting menu at Talldungen consists of four hearty dishes, with the option to add supplementary delights. The cuisine is rustic and flavoursome, influenced by the Mediterranean, and meticulously sourced from the surrounding area. Notable dishes include porchetta with lentils and salsa verde, as well as a delectable lamb dish with white beans and sheep's cheese. Owners David and Emma Höök hold sustainability as a core value, evident in both their culinary creations and their wine selection. For many years, Talldungen Gårdshotell has stood as one of the most cherished destination restaurants in Sweden, a place where guests return year after year.

PM & Vänner: A Gastronomic Haven in Småland

Nestled in the heart of Småland, PM & Vänner is a gastronomic paradise offering a diverse array of experiences. It encompasses a bistro, bakery, café, floral shop, and a fine dining restaurant, all accompanied by one of the most impressive wine cellars in Sweden, featuring 4,200 different labels. The restaurant proudly holds a Michelin star and a green star. The hotel sits in the Kingdom of Crystal, a region renowned for its glass production history.

The restaurant pioneers the use of local produce and even maintains a vegetable farm and greenhouse, sourcing greens and herbs directly from the property. PM & Vänner's philosophy revolves around the cornerstones of "Forest, Lake, and Meadow," with dishes that celebrate the natural surroundings. The menu evolves with the seasons, showcasing locally sourced ingredients like moose heart, Swedish caviar, and goat's milk cheese. After a sumptuous dinner, guests wake up to what is arguably the best hotel breakfast in Sweden.

Hotell Borgholm: A Culinary Legend on Öland

Hotell Borgholm, situated on the captivating island of Öland in the Baltic Sea, is a culinary legend in Sweden. This renowned restaurant is celebrated for crafting precise dishes from locally sourced ingredients, thanks to former chef-owner Karin Fransson's expertise in growing herbs and foraging in the rugged island landscape. Over the years, many of Sweden's top chefs have graced the kitchen at Hotell Borgholm.

Five years ago, chef Christofer Johansson took the reins, preserving the legacy of culinary excellence. His culinary journey includes stints at acclaimed restaurants such as The French Laundry and Noma. Today, he maintains the exquisite garden that Karin planted outside the kitchen. On the menu, guests can savour dishes like langoustines in fennel pollen and preserved quince, as well as hake with celeriac millefeuille. Hotell Borgholm's extensive wine cellar houses vintages from some of the world's most sought-after high-end wines. It's a culinary experience that captures the essence of Öland.

In Sweden, these destination restaurants offer more than just a meal; they deliver a memorable gastronomic adventure, celebrated for their connection to nature, local ingredients, and culinary expertise. Whether you seek a coastal retreat, a view of rolling landscapes, an oasis of Mediterranean flavours, or a fine dining haven, these restaurants have something to offer every discerning palate. Come and enjoy the best of Swedish cuisine in these culinary hotspots, where every dish tells a story and every meal is an experience worth cherishing.