Rosendals Trädgårdskafé

On Djurgården, one of the islands that make up the city of Stockholm, Sweden, is Rosendals Trädgårdskafé. This wonderful cafe is located within Rosendals Trädgård, a garden started by the Swedish Garden Association, and today is part of the Royal National City Park. Much of the produce sold in the cafe is grown at the garden, and I highly recommend walking around the grounds after your meal to see the beautiful roses!

Upon entry, you are greeted by a long table filled with dozens of varieties of cookies and cakes, which you select as you wait to order at the front counter.

Carrot Cake and Lemon Poppyseed Cake

The carrot cake was moist, sweetened by the carrots and the tangy frosting. The poppyseed cake was light and the crunchy poppyseeds were complemented by the fresh whipped cream on the side.

We ate a delicious, fresh, and healthy lunch while taking in the luscious, green beauty of the garden. To start, we had the Gazpacho, which was light and refreshing on a hot summer day. We then tried their yellow pea hummus, made with peas grown in Sweden, and garnished with picked carrots and cabbage, olives, parsley, and sesame seeds. The hummus was smooth and creamy, which was contrasted with the crunchy, sour pickles. Available to the side of the cafe were loaves of freshly baked bread, which we ate with the hummus.

We tried both of their salads, which were served with coral lentils, pickled onion, and a parmesan mayo vinaigrette. One was served with a roast chicken thigh, while the other was topped with fresh green asparagus. Each salad was very satisfying and the perfect accompaniment to the range of baked goods available. I often think about Rosendals Trädgårdskafé, because it encapsulates the quintessential summer dining experience: fresh, delicious food eaten outside in gorgeous weather. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough—if you are in Stockholm it is a must try!