Every Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs) I Ate in Sweden

Swedish meatballs, known as Köttbullar in Swedish, are one of the most iconic foods of Sweden. So on my recent trip there, I made it my mission to try as many variations of the dish as I could.

There are four main components to a delicious plate of Kötbullar: the meatballs (which are usually made from ground pork and beef), mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumbers. Some restaurants have fresh, tart, popping lingonberries, while others are sweeter and more jammy. While these components stay the same, each location prepared them differently.

Restaurang Kungstorget

This Gothenburg restaurant had juicy, flavorful köttbullar, which were accompanied by smooth mashed potatoes and a flavorful sauce. The lingonberries were tart and provided a nice contrast to the heaviness of the meatballs.We sat outside in their patio area, which was very enjoyable.

Restaurangen Blå Porten

These köttbullar had a slightly gamey-flavor, but they were rich and meaty. Compared to some of the other meatballs they lacked the caramelization of a pan sear. The setting of Restaurangen Blå Porten is unbeatable—we ate in their garden courtyard, which is filled with plants and very relaxing to sit and enjoy. Although these were not my favorite, I would recommend going to Blå Porten for the atmosphere and their pastries.

Ulla Vinbladh

Ulla Vinbladh opened in the 1950s and is located on the island of Djurgården. These were a delicious, classic rendition of kötbullar. The meatballs were flavorful and juicy, the lingonberries were fresh and tart, and the mashed potatoes were the smoothest out of all the variations. Located in a classic Swedish cottage, dining at Ulla Vinbladh is delightful experience!

Grodan

Grodan, located in a beautiful shopping street in Östermalm, served a delicious, hearty köttbullar. The meatballs were beautifully cooked, and were accompanied by a smooth mashed potato. The interior of Grodan is beautiful and if you sit outside you can enjoy the bustle of Östermalm.

Restaurant Långa Raden

These were my favorite köttbullar! Located in the Hotel Skeppsholmen, we had a lovely meal sitting outside by the water. The lingonberries were especially notable here; they were so fresh and flavorful. The köttbullar were perfectly sized and had a rich, savory sauce. Restaurant Langa Raden has a beautiful outdoor dining space where you can look out and admire the sea.