Mathias Dahlgren Matbaren

A fairly easy-going atmosphere (neither good nor bad, it just is), great service, and excellent herring. The location is very convenient, and the food is good. I tried the seared reindeer heart simply to say that I had, but it wasn't really for me.

Amazing!

My friend and I spent 10 days in Denmark and Sweden and this was our favorite meal by a long shot.

But before you make a reservation some warnings:
1. Don't go if you're not a foodie. There's plenty of great food in Stockholm. Mathias Dahlgren is a special foodie treat.

2. Don't go if you are worried about how much you are spending. It is very expensive, especially if you order wine or drinks.

The location is the Grand Hotel in a beautiful front room facing the harbor. I called and a made a reservation for the same night -- at 8:00 pm. (20:00 to the Swedes.)

We chose to sit at the bar so we could talk to the bartender and watch the servers complete the final preparation. I can't remember our waiter's name. I wish I could; she was terrific.

We started with an Old Fashioned and a Negroni. Excellent.

Among the extraordinary dishes we had were
- peas and cauliflower
- a fabulous salad of greens, shoots and beets
- potatoes and truffles. Extraordinary!
- crayfish Bam!

We also had wine for my friend and a beer for me.

All in all this was a glorious meal on a glorious evening that was the highlight of a glorious visit to Stockholm.

Matbaren is a great space that feels hip yet cozy and relaxed. Favorites of the night were the steamed pork bun, seared tenderloin, and the passion fruit dessert. The pork bun was a nice surprise as usually most places that do this style have more Asian flavors but the cumin/jalapeno was a nice touch. The seared tenderloin, oh my gosh! I do not think I have had meat this tender and delicious before. Must try!

Steamed pork bun, jalapenos, cumin, coriander
Charcoal grilled pig from Onsberg, truffle, cabbage, hazelnut
Seared tenderloin from Svartadalen
White asparagus & artichokes, macadamia nuts, lemon, browned butter
Variation of passion fruit & cape gooseberry, mint, coriander, lime
Peach & raspberries, pistachios, vanilla

Located inside Stockholm's Grand Hôtel and the perennial recipient of One Michelin Star it was for lunch that two guests sat down at Matbaren, one of three eateries owned and operated by Chef Mathias Dahlgren whose Rutabaga stands directly across the way.

Still one of Sweden's top Toques, a Bocuse d'Or win in 1997 and several Cookbooks making Dahlgren a household name while at the same time remaining a popular recommendation amongst gourmet travelers, it was after navigating the extravagant Hotel's corridors that two guests were seated at a hightop along the far wall, various styles of tables and chairs giving the room character while the Staff is pleasant and accommodating.

Finding wooden boxes containing menus, bags, silverware and glasses at each seat, a unique arrangement that at times makes one feel as though they are eating off a "lunch tray," it was in the brown paper that Crisps of Flax and Rye were found, these as well as warm Spelt Sourdough each good on their own but even more delicious when slathered with salted Butter reportedly churned less than thirty minutes away.

Unpretentious despite its accolades, the fact that Matbaren was apparently at one time a more casual way to experience Mathias Dahlgren's cuisine than an eponymous Michelin 2-stared spot in the same Hôtel likely part of that reason, it was after lengthy deliberation that the decision was made to order one 495 SEK Lunch Prix Fixe plus four additional items a la carte, a trio of Appetizers arriving after perhaps fifteen minutes all simple and delicious with the fresh Herring amidst two types of Eggs a pleasant surprise to someone who typically considers it "too fishy."

Happily finding the Croquettes stuffed with Rillettes rather than filleted Fish, the smokiness balanced by tangy Tartar Sauce, it was with the Lamb Sausage gone in one bite each that second courses were fired, the lightly seared local Pork supple and rich compared to American where most kitchens overcook the Meat while a dish of Swedish Morels and tender Asparagus dressed in umami and acid suggested Dahlgren's recently-opened Vegetable-centric Restaurant likely warrants attention.

In need of an afternoon pick-me-up, several miles and meals already logged plus more to follow, it was alongside a Double Espresso and Ice that two Desserts were presented, the Prix Fixe's Rhubarb & Strawberry Crumble beautifully composed with sweet, sour, crunchy, creamy, hot and cold all accounted for while Matbaren's famous Baked Wild Chocolate from Bolivia charted a similar course by way of not-quite-molten Cake playing off Sour Cream, Toffee and candied Nuts.

Rounding out a very pleasant Meal with Mignardises, both the dainty Orange Caramel and Madeline-like Almond Cookies again speaking well of Matbaren's Bread and Pastry Team, it was with a fairly modest bill paid that another look at the hotel was taken, a sign welcoming guests for some sort of White Guide Conference explaining why both of Dahlgren's Restaurants were fully booked for the evening and perhaps portending good news for the Chef in next year's edition of Scandinavia's premier dining publication.

This is an excellent restaurant! One of my top 3 choices in Stockholm! Service: 5, ambience: 5, food: 4 value: 5

For a Michelin star restaurant, my three course lunch (including free bread, coffee and petit fours - which were all excellent despite being free) costs around $50USD. If you are used to NYC prices, it is a steal!!

Since menu changes all the time, doesn't make sense to comment on each dish I had. But I'll tell you this: each dish was executed perfectly. Even the free bread, coffee, and petit fours were top notch! The only thing I think they could improve is bringing more innovation to the food - to create new taste profiles people have never experienced - which I think Lilia Ego and the like are currently better at.

We had booked Matbaren in advance before coming to Stockholm and had been looking forward to it given the positive reviews it gets - and it did not disappoint. The restaurant itself is laid back and has an excellent atmosphere - not stuffy/pretentious at all which is too common in Michelin starred restaurants. The service isn't perhaps as top notch as you'd get at some other fine dining establishments - for example, we didn't have waiting staff topping up our water continually etc.

The amount of food we ordered was on recommendation of our server, who suggested we order 1 dish per person, then continue to order 1 more after each until we were satisfied. We had a cheese starter then, 1 ox sausage in bun, 2 steamed pork buns, 1 potatoes & truffle, 1 gyoza with mushrooms and 1 baked wild chocolate for dessert. All of the dishes were excellent but the ox sausage, steamed pork buns and chocolate dessert were our favourites. Overall, we didn't find it as expensive as others suggested and felt it was decent value for money for a Michelin starred meal in an expensive city. We would definitely eat here again - expect creative, flavoursome dishes with a laidback atmosphere and service!

We purposely planned a long layover in Stockholm for this treat. It lived up to its reputation and so much more! To start, our server was one of the most personable and attentive I've ever experienced. We didn't make reservations since it's relatively easy to get a spot at the bar - and this turned out to be the best way to experience Matbaren. Loved watching the (sous) chefs work.

We ordered:

* tartar of topside
* gyoza with mushrooms
* steamed bun "pork adobo"
* seared Swedish squid
* butter fried turbot toast
* baked wild chocolate from Bolivia

Of course, the menu changes, but all that to say the menu is eclectic and creative! Each plate was a playful presentation with delightful flavors. I can't stop thinking about that gyoza and mushrooms. 100% would return at the next opportunity!

Two stereotypes about Scandinavia - one smashed and one reconfirmed on my first day dinner in Stockholm. This restaurant confirms that Scandinavian food is not boring. Great mix of traditional Skandinavian and international flavors. Visually a treat as well. But yes it is expensive. Take what you think you'd pay in the US and double it. So, yes you can get food of similar quality for a lot less but not with the Swedish blend. The seared
Skrei was cooked perfectly (though a bit strong with the mayo).and the adobo chicken bun scrumptious.

My husband and I were so lucky to have gotten a reservation here last minute. Make sure you book a table as early as you know you will be in Stockholm. Or, plan a trip to Stockholm just for this restaurant.

The ambiance is very modern and relaxed. The kitchen is open. Tables are very close to one another so you could have conversations with tables nearby. And when everyone is so happy to be eating, this sort of happens naturally. So, for all of the introverts of the world, rest up and be prepared to converse with neighbors over your collective joy and delicious food.

The menu is made up of small dishes which you are to order one at a time, a la carte. The pace of the meals is as fast as you can gobble up one at a time.

You can't go wrong with any dish on there. I tried things I don't usually eat by the recommendation of the diners next to us, and was just delighted. I did not expect to be blown away by an Asian-style taco in Stockholm, or a roasted barbecue pork sandwich (being from Texas).

Just come to the restaurant with a big appetite and leave happy. If you're not in the mood for alcohol (I wasn't), try the Fentiman's for a lightly sweetened bubbly beverage.

Whenever I go to a nice restaurant I take pictures of all of the food, but I was so enmeshed in the deliciousness that I didn't capture the dessert. The dessert was divine as well.

I would come back to Stockholm just for this restaurant. Oh, and a perfect date night is preceding this restaurant with a date at the Spa in the Grand Hotel. I felt like it was my honeymoon all over again.

5 course selection was excellent. Hamachi and reindeer sashimi was very fresh and flavorful. Lamb with grilled mayo (yes the mayo was grilled) and chimichurri was rich without being too much. White asparagus was cooked perfectly, and the cod was sous vided to perfection. We substituted the chocolate desert, and it was excellent as well.