Eat

Go Swedish
If you think that ‘Swedish food’ is meatballs (because it’s always on the menu at your local Ikea) or a smörgåsbord, then we think you’re in for a pleasant surprise when you visit Karlstad. 
Karlstad has some seventy restaurants offering all types of cuisine, dotted around the city centre and on Kungsgatan, the new marina area and on just about every other street. Summertime sees Karlstad’s restaurants, cafés and pubs go al fresco and there is a real buzz around town as the city’s eateries spill out on to the streets and squares. Fact is that Karlstad probably has more restaurants per capita than most other cities in Sweden.

So what should you look out for? Our tip is to go Swedish and try out local produce as interpreted by Karlstad’s best chefs, especially the fish, elk, reindeer and other wild game. You could try the fresh salmon from Lake Vänern served at Café August that sits on an inlet to the ‘Inre Hamn’ marina. The food is good, the atmosphere is great and the restaurant setting is eclectic, to say the least. Continuing the Swedish theme, pay a visit to Valfrids Krog and try out the elk, deer and prawn dishes. Interior isn’t bad either as it gives 20th century Swedish furniture design classics a nod. And to savour ‘löjromstoast’ a Swedish classic - which is bleak roe (fish eggs) with crème fraiche and red onions, on a slice of crisp, toasted bread - visit Restaurang Blå at Kungsgatan. And for some very tasty ‘gravad lax’ and other Lake Vänern caught fish dishes step into Tiffanys Restaurant at Västra Torggatan.

Otherwise, Karlstad has many high quality international cuisine such as pizzerias, Italian, Chinese, Japanese (sushi) as well as Thai and crossover Swedish/international cuisine. Of course the big international fast food outlets are here, but you should try the original fast food of Sweden, the ‘korvkiosk’ (sausage stand) and try a hot dog, or the legendary tunnbrödsrulle - mashed potato and salad with a relish of your choice, wrapped in thin, soft bread with a sausage in the middle – mmmm. Just for your information children are always welcome at eateries in Karlstad and they very often have a children’s menu and serve children’s portions.