Stockholm Food Stories: The back pockets of Stockholm cuisine

Stockholm’s food scene has changed. The classic and exalted fine dining concept – with luxurious tasting menus and starched white tablecloths – has been pushed aside in favor of a new approach. The latest trend is a wallet-friendly bill combined with high quality and an unpretentious atmosphere. Say goodbye to fine dining and hello to fun dining!

Back pockets of star restaurants

One sign of the rising trend is the number of bakfickor, or “back pockets”, that are popping up all over the city. Back pockets are characterized by a conversation-friendly, personal atmosphere with high-quality food at a reasonable price. Visiting the back pocket of one the city’s most buzzed-about restaurants is a relaxed, affordable way to enjoy food prepared by Stockholm’s absolute best chefs.

The much-acclaimed restaurant Gastrologik was awarded a Michelin star barely a year after opening, and major names like Bruce Springsteen and Hillary Clinton have dined here. A few months after Gastrologik opened, Speceriet opened its doors immediately next door. According to the owners Anton Bjuhr and Jacob Holmström, the idea was to offer a space for a spontaneous meal with no table reservations necessary.

The new neighborhood restaurant

Even fine restaurants in Stockholm have started serving everyday food. Some restaurateurs have relinquished their Michelin star to focus on this simple new style, and some want to be neighborhood restaurants. When the updated Michelin Guide was released, an impressive nine restaurants in Stockholm earned Bib Gourmand designations.

Lilla Ego is one of many restaurants that opened with the goal of being a neighborhood spot, where the love of food comes first. Tom Sjöstedt and Daniel Räms are behind the restaurant, both of whom have been named Chef of the Year. Lilla Ego is informal, and it is always possible to find dishes for less than SEK 200, which is spot on for the prevailing trend.

Last year, celebrity chef Henrik Norström changed the concept. The Michelin-starred restaurant Lux Stockholm became “Lux Dag för Dag”, an accessible, budget-friendly neighborhood restaurant. The restaurant also features takeout. One of the popular concepts is the “Friday bag”: a three-course dinner composed by Henrik that requires minimal preparation once home.

Tip box: Stockholm’s best restaurants for fun dining

In Stockholm, it’s easy to find a back pocket that perfectly suits your tastes, whether you prefer hip Södermalm, or the slightly more refined Östermalm. 

Back pockets

• Speceriet : Easily accessible and unpretentious back pocket to Gastrologik. Address: Artillerigatan 14, Östermalm. www.speceriet.se
• Pocket: Cooked simple but with top class ingredients. Address: Norrlandsgatan 31, Norrmalm http://pontusfrithiof.com/pontus/pocket/
• Djuret: Nose to Tail restaurant . The name the Djuret is swedish for animal. Address: Lilla Nygatan 5, Old Town. www.djuret.se
• Oaxen Slip: Back pocket to Oaxen Krog serves uncomplicated dishes. Address: Beckholmsvägen 26, Djurgården. http://oaxen.com/slip
• Råkultur: Asian baby sister to restaurant Esperanto. The food is usually served raw, sometimes fried or smoked but almost always cold . Address: Kungstensgatan 2, Östermalm. www.rakultur.se

Neighborhood restaurants

• Matbaren: Mathias Dahlgren's modern bistro located in the historic Grand Hôtel. Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8, Norrmalm. www.mathiasdahlgren.com
• Lilla Ego: Praised chefs offers great taste at reasonable price. Address: Västmannagatan 69, Vasastan. www.lillaego.com/
• Pubologi: A hybrid between the dining room, bar and traditional pub. Was rewarded in 2013 with a Bib Gourmand for the second year in a row. Address: Stora Nygatan 20, Gamla Stan. www.pubologi.se

From fine to fun

• Lux Dag för Dag: Swedish ingredients at its best. Address: Primusgatan 116, Lilla Essingen. www.luxdagfordag.se
• The Flying Elk: Star chef Björn Frantzén’s gastropub is inspired by both solid Swedish dishes and British pub culture. Address: Mälartorget, Gamla stan. www.theflyingelk.se  

For more information contact

Ann-Charlotte Jönsson, PR Manager, Stockholm Business Region, tel: +46(0)8-50828507, ann-charlotte.jonsson@stockholm.se

This article is based on an interview with Anton Bjuhr and Jacob Holmström, owners of acclaimed restaurant Gastrologik and the back pocket Speceriet.