Swedish cuisine is rich in quality dishes, and you’ll enjoy visiting the various restaurants in the Kiruna region to discover the flavors of the north. But what are the best places to eat in and around Kiruna?
In northern Sweden, food is very important. It’s an effective way of fighting the cold. Despite its layout and size, Kiruna is home to a number of excellent restaurants where you can sample local specialities.
In this article, we present the addresses not to be missed.
Restaurants in and around Kiruna
Here’s a list of unmissable restaurants in and around Kiruna, especially if you want to discover the local gastronomy.
Stejk Street Food, for eating out in Kiruna on a budget
This is a must if you’re visiting Kiruna. Although the exterior may not look like much, you’d be surprised at the quality on offer!
This food truck offers top-quality reindeer and elk meat. You’ll enjoy this comforting meal in the intimacy and warmth of the huge traditional dining tent.
Camp Ripan Kitchen, for lunch
This restaurant is located in the hotel of the same name, Camp Ripan. The latter has the particularity of being very respectful of the environment.
As a result, a single dish is served for all customers, who choose a formula when ordering. The menu, made with local and seasonal ingredients, changes daily.
This significantly reduces waste, while offering gourmet dishes inspired by Swedish cuisine.
Other hotels also offer lunchtime buffets. This is also the case at the famous Scandic.
The Bishops Arms, a great place to eat in Kiruna
This is THE pub in Kiruna. Filled with locals, you’ll feel right at home in this typical, friendly restaurant, inspired by the legendary English pubs. Here, you’ll find a wide range of draught beers.
It’s also a great place to discover local specialties. Indeed, their cuisine is simple but utterly delicious. Enjoy salmon gravad lax, grilled meats or burgers.
Pub Eden, an alternative
Located in one of the wings of the Best Western Hotel, this intimate, warmly decorated restaurant offers a simple menu of burgers and pizzas with a Swedish twist.
For example, you can try a pizza with reindeer! Unlike other restaurants, the pub closes late. So you can have a few drinks and enjoy a pleasant evening, watching sports matches on the various screens.
Le Ice Hotel Restaurant
Located in Jukkasjärvi’ s famous Ice Hotel, this top-of-the-range restaurant is sure to please.
In its subdued atmosphere, you can discover typical Swedish dishes, revisited by top chefs from all over the world.
The experience is different every season, as only local produce is used. In winter, some dishes are even served on plates made of ice cream !
The Old Homestead, Jukkasjarvi
Located on the banks of the Thorne River in Jukkasjärvi, this traditional restaurant has it all.
In a centuries-old chalet, you can enjoy pizzas generously topped with ingredients from the Lapland region.
Reindeer, fish and vegetarian grills, everything is set up for you to enjoy in a warm atmosphere.
The Fjällköket brewery in Abisko
The only restaurant in Abisko, this upscale brasserie will win you over with its tranquil setting and refined cuisine.
There, you can sample a variety of dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Salmon, grilled meats, herring, reindeer, moose, … The balance of flavors and presentation of dishes is particularly fine and masterful.
Local specialities to eat in Kiruna
There are several local specialties that you’ll definitely want to try on your trip to Kiruna. Here are the main ones:
Desserts
Kanelbullar is a popular Swedish pastry, also known as cinnamon roll. It’s a cinnamon-rolled brioche in the shape of a spiral. They are often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea during fika breaks.
It’s probably the most famous pastry in the whole country! It even has its own national holiday on October 4.
Alternatively, you can try hallengrotta, a kind of small cookie filled with strawberry jam, or semla, a brioche filled with marzipan.
The knäckebröd
knäckebröd is a crusty Swedish flatbread. Its name literally means “bread that cracks”, in reference to its particular texture.
It is renowned for its long shelf life. It is often served with salmon, herring, cheese or jam.
It can be eaten as bread, or as crackers in soups. This bread is also served as a side dish in restaurants with salted butter.
The köttbullar
Köttbullar is an emblematic dish of Swedish cuisine. They are small, seasoned meatballs.
Köttbullar are traditionally seasoned with finely chopped onion, parsley, salt and pepper. They are often served with a cream sauce, called gräddsås, and side dishes such as mashed potatoes, vegetables and cranberry jam.
These dumplings are often associated with IKEA, which has made them popular the world over…
The fish
Salmon and herring occupy a central place in Swedish cuisine due to their abundance in the region’s waters. These fish are used in a variety of ways and form an integral part of many traditional Swedish dishes.
Salmon is very popular in Sweden, and one of the most emblematic preparations is gravad lax or marinated salmon. Smoked salmon is also very popular.
Herring is also widely used in Swedish cuisine. It is often prepared using the sill method, in which it is marinated in a sweet-and-sour sauce.
Hot dogs
Contrary to what you might think, the hot dog, known as korv, is a very popular dish in Sweden. It is prepared with a pork sausage and is often cut in half lengthwise before being grilled or fried.
The Swedish hot dog is topped with mustard, ketchup, relish, fried onions or red coleslaw. It’s served in a soft, slightly sweet bun.
Hot dog stands can be found on the streets of Sweden, as well as in restaurants and cafés throughout the country.
Lingonberry
The lingonberry is a very popular berry in Sweden. You’ll find it in many dishes, both sweet and savory. In sauces, as a side dish or garnish…
It’s sure to accompany your trip! Lingonjuice is a very popular drink over there, especially during the fika break. This cranberry juice, mainly served hot, is tasty and a great way to warm up in winter.
Cultural differences
The fika break
During your visits and expeditions, you will systematically have access to a coffee break, called the fika break.
Derived from the word kaffe (“coffee”), the fika break is a social coffee break, where Swedes gather around a hot drink and pastries to socialize on various occasions and at different times of the day.
It’s a widespread tradition in the country. You can often try it out on your outings in Kiruna.
Eating out in Kiruna
Swedes have a different rhythm when it comes to eating. They have breakfast fairly early in the morning, and eat little at lunchtime. On the other hand, evening meals are rather copious and are eaten particularly early compared to France.
So don’t be surprised if you’re offered dinner as early as 5pm! Restaurants close quite early, usually around 9pm.
Other information
The right of free access to nature, also known as Allemansrätten, allows anyone to explore or exploit Sweden’s natural resources. This unique law gives restaurateurs easy access to local produce. Many restaurants operate with menus that change with the seasons.
So you’ll be eating a lot of dishes with typical Swedish ingredients, such as berries, herring, salmon, game, bark, potatoes…
Meals are therefore quite simple, but the ingredients are of the highest quality and you’ll rarely be disappointed. This also helps explain the prices, which can sometimes be high compared to France.
Note also that vegetarian and vegan options are available in virtually every restaurant. So if you’re on a special diet, you’ll have no trouble eating out. Bear in mind, too, that with the ingredients used, dishes are often sweet and savory. It’s up to you to decide whether you like it or not.
You should now have some ideas of where to eat in and around Kiruna. But also what to eat!
Good addresses, traditional dishes and cultural differences, you’ll enjoy visiting the region’s various restaurants to sample local specialties while warming up in a warm, tranquil atmosphere.
