The Atlas · Nº 26 ·Sweden

Most Popular Swedish Food

Swedish food revolves around fika and the table: a tray of cinnamon and cardamom buns with afternoon coffee, meatballs in cream gravy with lingonberry, a smörgåsbord laid out in careful order. It is cold-country cooking, big on rye, herring, and baking, sweetest and richest down in Skåne.

95 dishes ranked·4 in the global top 1,000 ·2,109 diner ratings·Best rank Nº 301

Plate I — The Origins

Fig. 1 Where 95 ranked swedish dishes were born. Dish origin

Drag to pan · Double-click or +/− to zoom · Select a marker for its entry

The Signature Dishes

The twelve highest-ranked Swedish dishes, by global position.

Kanelbulle, sweet pastry from Sweden
Plate IISweet Pastry · Sweden

1 Nº 301 worldwide

Kanelbulle

Sweet Pastry · Swedish Cinnamon Bun · Swedish Cinnamon Roll · Cinnamon Roll

The Swedish cinnamon bun, a coil of soft cardamom-scented dough filled with cinnamon and butter, baked and topped with pearl sugar. It is the heart of fika, the daily coffee break, and popular enough to have its own national day each October.

★ 4.3|85% positive |211 ratings

Kladdkaka, chocolate cake from Sweden
Plate IIIChocolate Cake · Sweden

2 Nº 503 worldwide

Kladdkaka

Chocolate Cake · Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake

A dense, gooey chocolate cake baked deliberately underdone so the center stays fudgy and molten. Quick to throw together from pantry staples, it is the cake Swedes make when guests turn up, served with lightly whipped cream or a few berries.

★ 4.2|83% positive |90 ratings

Köttbullar, meatballs from Sweden

3KöttbullarNº 887

Meatballs · Also Swedish Meatballs

Sweden's famous meatballs, small and tender, browned then served in a creamy gravy with lingonberry jam and, often, mashed potato. Homely and comforting, they are Sunday dinner, holiday food, and, thanks to a certain furniture store, the country's edible ambassador.

★ 4.0|235 ratings

Kardemommeboller, sweet bread from Sweden

4KardemommebollerNº 903

Sweet Bread · Also Kardemummabullar

Cardamom buns, the aromatic sibling of the cinnamon roll, made from the same buttery dough but knotted and scented heavily with freshly crushed cardamom. A fika staple, they fill Swedish bakeries with their warm, citrusy spice.

★ 4.0|50 ratings

Smörgåsbord, assorted small dishes or ritual from Sweden

5SmörgåsbordNº 1,005

Assorted Small Dishes or Ritual · Also Smorgasbord

The great Swedish spread, a buffet whose name puts together smörgås, meaning open sandwich, and bord, the table it covers. Laid out in a set order, it runs from pickled herring and cured salmon through cold cuts, cheeses, and hot dishes, and the Christmas julbord is the grandest of all.

★ 4.0|51 ratings

Svamptoast, sandwich from Sweden

6SvamptoastNº 1,892

Sandwich

An open sandwich of wild mushrooms, chanterelles for choice, cooked down with butter, onion, and cream and piled onto fried bread. An autumn dish for foraging season, rich and earthy, served warm as a starter or a light supper.

★ 3.9|5 ratings

Mjukkaka, flatbread from Sweden

7MjukkakaNº 2,277

Flatbread

A round, soft flatbread the size of a dinner plate, baked in a brick oven from a lightly sweetened, anise-scented dough. A northern staple, it is folded around butter and cheese or cured meats, the everyday bread of Norrland.

★ 3.8|4 ratings

Västerbotten Cheese Pie (Västerbottenostpaj), savory pie from Sweden

8Västerbotten Cheese Pie (Västerbottenostpaj)Nº 2,384

Savory Pie

A savory cheese pie built on Västerbotten, Sweden's sharp, crumbly hard cheese, baked into a rich egg custard in a shortcrust shell. It is the classic partner to the August crayfish party, served in slim wedges alongside the shellfish and schnapps.

★ 3.8|8 ratings

Kalops, stew from Sweden

9KalopsNº 2,907

Stew · Also Skånsk Kalops

A gentle Swedish beef stew, chunks of chuck simmered slow with onions, bay, and whole allspice and peppercorns until the sauce turns rich and rounded. Winter comfort food, it is served with boiled potatoes and, in the old way, a spoonful of pickled beetroot.

★ 3.8|19 ratings

Skånsk äppelkaka, dessert from Sweden

10Skånsk äppelkakaNº 2,967

Dessert

Skåne's apple cake, apples layered with buttery, cinnamon-spiced breadcrumbs or crumbled rye and baked until set, a thrifty way with stale bread and windfall fruit. Served warm with vanilla sauce or cold custard, it is southern-Swedish home baking at its plainest and best.

★ 3.8|6 ratings

Skomakarlåda, beef dish from Sweden

11SkomakarlådaNº 3,079

Beef Dish

The shoemaker's box, a homely plate of pan-fried beef served over mashed potato with a dark gravy and crisp fried onions on top. Old-fashioned Swedish husmanskost, everyday fare, the kind of dish a diner or a grandmother still turns out.

★ 3.8|2 ratings

Sillsalat, salad from Sweden

12SillsalatNº 3,297

Salad

A pink Christmas salad of pickled herring diced with beetroot, apple, and boiled potato, bound in a little cream or mayonnaise. A fixture of the julbord, the Swedish Christmas table, its rosy color coming from the beets it is folded through.

★ 3.8|2 ratings

The Departments

Every Swedish dish in our ranking, grouped the way you'd order them.

The Complete Ledger

All 95 Swedish dishes in the world ranking. Every entry, leaf by leaf.

95 entries
  1. 301 Kanelbulle Sweet Pastry Sweden ★ 4.3
  2. 503 Kladdkaka Chocolate Cake Sweden ★ 4.2
  3. 887 Köttbullar Meatballs Sweden ★ 4.0
  4. 903 Kardemommeboller Sweet Bread Sweden ★ 4.0
  5. 1,005 Smörgåsbord Assorted Small Dishes or Ritual Sweden ★ 4.0
  6. 1,892 Svamptoast Sandwich Sweden ★ 3.9
  7. 2,277 Mjukkaka Flatbread Sweden ★ 3.8
  8. 2,384 Västerbotten Cheese Pie (Västerbottenostpaj) Savory Pie Sweden ★ 3.8
  9. 2,907 Kalops Stew Sweden ★ 3.8
  10. 2,967 Skånsk äppelkaka Dessert Skåne County ★ 3.8
  11. 3,079 Skomakarlåda Beef Dish Sweden ★ 3.8
  12. 3,297 Sillsalat Salad Sweden ★ 3.8
  13. 3,325 Svartsoppa Offal Soup Skåne County ★ 3.8
  14. 3,479 Kåldolmar Meat Dish Sweden ★ 3.8
  15. 3,587 Toast Skagen Sandwich Sweden ★ 3.7
  16. 3,627 Färskpotatissallad Salad Sweden ★ 3.7
  17. 3,928 Klappgröt Porridge Sweden ★ 3.7
  18. 4,116 Äggakaka Egg Dish Skåne County ★ 3.7
  19. 4,135 Fläsklägg med rotmos Pork Dish Sweden ★ 3.7
  20. 4,155 Wallenbergare Veal Dish Sweden ★ 3.7
  21. 4,611 Kavring Rye Bread Skåne County ★ 3.7
  22. 4,970 Långkål Vegetable Dish Halland County ★ 3.7
  23. 4,974 Grisfötter Pork Dish Sweden ★ 3.7
  24. 5,272 Smulpaj Sweet Pie Sweden ★ 3.6
  25. 5,346 Våfflor Dessert Sweden ★ 3.6
  26. 5,429 Glasmästarsill Pickling Sweden ★ 3.6
  27. 5,544 Fatost Dessert Norrland ★ 3.6
  28. 5,557 Gáhkku Flatbread Norrbotten County ★ 3.6
  29. 5,694 Äggost Dessert Sweden ★ 3.6
  30. 5,810 Halv special Hot Dog Gothenburg ★ 3.6
  31. 5,972 Gubbröra Appetizer Sweden ★ 3.6
  32. 6,018 Bruna bönor och fläsk Pork Dish Sweden ★ 3.6
  33. 6,291 Pizza Vulkanen Pizza Piteå ★ 3.5
  34. 6,417 Götlandsk saffranspannkaka Pudding Gotland County ★ 3.5
  35. 6,436 Knäck Dessert Sweden ★ 3.5
  36. 6,444 Napoleonbakelse Sweet Pastry Sweden ★ 3.5
  37. 6,531 Hasselbackspotatis Potato Dish Stockholm ★ 3.5
  38. 6,639 Semla Sweet Pastry Sweden ★ 3.5
  39. 6,711 Lerpottasill Casserole Skåne County ★ 3.5
  40. 6,748 Biff à la Lindström Beef Dish Sweden ★ 3.5
  41. 6,855 Hönökaka Flatbread Hönö ★ 3.5
  42. 6,935 Gustaf Adolfsbakelse Sweet Pastry Gothenburg ★ 3.5
  43. 7,103 Cream and Strawberry Cake (Jordgubbstårta) Cake Sweden ★ 3.4
  44. 7,130 Hallongrotta Cookie Sweden ★ 3.4
  45. 7,165 Inkokt Lax Fish Dish Sweden ★ 3.4
  46. 7,303 Palt Dumplings Norrbotten County ★ 3.4
  47. 7,395 Julskinka Pork Dish Sweden ★ 3.4
  48. 7,425 Fläskkorv Sausage Sweden ★ 3.4
  49. 7,531 Kalvsylta Veal Dish Sweden ★ 3.4
  50. 7,682 Kroppkaka Dumplings Öland Island ★ 3.3
  51. 7,713 Klenät Sweet Pastry Sweden ★ 3.3
  52. 7,792 Pӧlsa Ground Meat Dish Sweden ★ 3.3
  53. 7,810 Isterband Sausage Sweden ★ 3.3
  54. 7,818 Stekt strӧmming Saltwater Fish Dish Sweden ★ 3.3
  55. 7,857 Janssons frestelse Casserole Sweden ★ 3.3
  56. 7,916 Korv Stroganoff Stew Sweden ★ 3.3
  57. 8,020 Skånsk spettkaka Cake Skåne County ★ 3.2
  58. 8,022 Flygande Jakob Casserole Sweden ★ 3.2
  59. 8,061 Brunkål Side Dish Skåne County ★ 3.2
  60. 8,064 Budapestbakelse Sweet Pastry Sweden ★ 3.2
  61. 8,150 Semmelwrap Sweet Pastry Stockholm ★ 3.2
  62. 8,167 Saffransbullar Sweet Bread Sweden ★ 3.2
  63. 8,203 Mandelkubb Sweet Pastry Sweden ★ 3.2
  64. 8,238 Inlagd Sill Saltwater Fish Dish Sweden ★ 3.1
  65. 8,276 Raggmunk Pancake Sweden ★ 3.1
  66. 8,343 Blåbärssoppa Sweet Soup Sweden ★ 3.1
  67. 8,344 Tunnbrödsrulle Hot Dog Sweden ★ 3.1
  68. 8,349 Blodplättar Pancake Sweden ★ 3.1
  69. 8,388 Fläskpannkaka Pancake Sweden ★ 3.0
  70. 8,405 Smörgåstårta Sandwich type Sweden ★ 3.0
  71. 8,409 Nyponsoppa Sweet Soup Sweden ★ 3.0
  72. 8,413 Calskrove Pizza Skellefteå ★ 3.0
  73. 8,442 Prinskorv Sausage Sweden ★ 3.0
  74. 8,481 Fruktsoppa Sweet Soup Sweden ★ 3.0
  75. 8,572 Bostongurka Relish Sweden ★ 2.9
  76. 8,595 Prinsesstårta Cake Sweden ★ 2.8
  77. 8,601 Kӧttsoppa Meat Soup Sweden ★ 2.8
  78. 8,608 Tunnbröd Flatbread Sweden ★ 2.8
  79. 8,610 Ostkaka Cheese Dessert Sweden ★ 2.8
  80. 8,629 Ärtsoppa Vegetable Soup Sweden ★ 2.8
  81. 8,644 Punschrulle Cookie Sweden ★ 2.8
  82. 8,671 Smörgåskaviar Spread Sweden ★ 2.7
  83. 8,773 Knäckebröd Flatbread Sweden ★ 2.4
  84. 8,795 Blodpudding Blood Sausage Sweden ★ 2.1
  85. 9,681 Kokt kalv i dillsås Veal Dish Sweden
  86. 10,033 Mandelmusslor Cookie Sweden
  87. 10,116 Äppelfläsk Pork Dish Sweden
  88. 10,121 S Swedish checkerboard cookies (Schackrutor) Cookie Sweden
  89. 10,123 B Brussels cookies (Brysselkex) Cookie Sweden
  90. 10,159 B Brännesnuda Stew Skåne County
  91. 10,230 Upplandskubb Rye Bread Uppsala County
  92. 10,328 B Bondkakor Cookie Sweden
  93. 10,520 D Drömmar Cookie Sweden
  94. 10,653 S Sju sorters kakor Cookie Sweden
  95. 10,792 P Paltbröd Flatbread Sweden
Leaf 1 of 3

Gazetteer

A Regional Tour of Swedish Food

Where Sweden's ranked dishes were born, and what to order there.

Questions, Answered

Swedish food, frequently asked. Answered from the data.

What is the most popular Swedish food?
It is a two-way race. Köttbullar, the famous Swedish meatballs in cream gravy with lingonberry, draws the most ratings, while the cardamom-and-cinnamon Kanelbulle is the best-ranked Swedish dish at #301 worldwide. Crisp Knäckebröd rye crispbread rounds out the top three. All 30 Swedish desserts & sweets →
What food is Sweden known for?
Meatballs, pastry, and the art of fika. Köttbullar are the savory icon, but Sweden's ranking leans hard on baking, from the Kanelbulle cinnamon bun to Kladdkaka, a gooey chocolate cake, and Kardemommeboller, knotted cardamom buns. The smörgåsbord buffet ties the savory side together.
What is Sweden's national dish?
Köttbullar med potatismos, meatballs with mashed potato, cream gravy, and lingonberry, is the dish most people would name, and it is Sweden's most-rated on our map. For a ritual rather than a single plate, there is the smörgåsbord, the abundant buffet eaten at Christmas as the julbord.
What is Swedish fika?
Fika is the Swedish coffee break raised to a ritual, a daily pause for coffee and something sweet. Its emblem is the Kanelbulle, the cardamom-scented cinnamon bun, joined by Kardemommeboller and, when a treat is called for, a slice of gooey Kladdkaka.
What should I eat in Skåne?
Sweden's southern larder is its richest food region on our map. Skåne bakes Skånsk äppelkaka, an apple cake layered with spiced breadcrumbs, and serves Äggakaka, a thick oven pancake with pork. Come autumn, it hosts Svartsoppa, a dark goose-blood soup eaten at Mårten Gås.