4 Best Restaurants in Side Trips from Stockholm, Sweden

It may have one of the best locations in town—right in Stora Torget next to medieval ruins of St. Karin—but this restaurant is decorated in what could be called Fisherman's Shack Rustic, with wood benches, shellfish and seafood displays, details from fishing boats, small metal buckets resting on shelves, and menus scribbled on chalkboards. Expect a tight squeeze—there isn't much space to maneuver inside.

The idea for this old wooden harborside restaurant came from similar cafés in Brittany, France. Simple local dishes, mostly of fish, are served up in an informal wooden-table dining area. Originally just catering to local divers, Dykarbaren is now open to the general public. In the late evenings, the bustling bar is a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors.

A crackling fire on the hearth in the bar area welcomes the sailors who frequent this laid-back restaurant. In case you don't travel with your own sailboat, you can time your dinner to end before the last ferry returns to the mainland. The food here is self-consciously Swedish: fresh, light, and beautifully presented. The service is professional; it's a great choice for a special night out.

From the outside, this place couldn't be more Swedish, housed as it is in a beautiful, centuries-old house opposite Uppsala's grand university building. Inside, though, a little bit of Italy takes over, with scrubbed-wood furniture, red-check tablecloths, and exposed brick and whitewashed walls. The food wins no awards for surprises—it's mostly trusted Italian staples—but the service and the quality of what's on the plate are extremely good. There's no wine list; your knowledgeable waiter will talk you through the best options once you have ordered your food.