The Swedish meatball can be traced all the way back to King Charles XII’s return from Bender in 1715. It was refined by legendary restaurateur Tore Wretman in the twentieth century, and earned its place at the finest tables in 1919, when artist Anders Zorn saved Den Gyldene Freden and stipulated in his will that meatballs should remain on the menu forever.
To this day, Stockholm’s restaurateurs are judged by their own take on Swedish meatballs. Hand-rolled or not. Veal or pure beef mince. Mashed potatoes (never boiled) with plenty of butter. Pressgurka (pressed cucumber) and lightly sweetened lingonberries. And above all, a cream sauce with a properly rich brown base, seasoned with a confident hand.
From Östermalm and Djurgården to Gamla stan and Södermalm, here’s where to find Stockholm’s best Swedish meatballs!
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