Archive: Scrumptious Scandinavia
When you take your tongue out sightseeing in Scandinavia, what are its favorite taste treats? Or did it just get cold and want to go back in?
Scandinavian fare isn't the most spectacular in Europe, but I never went
without a good meal. Vegetarians will find a great selection of restaurants.
Vegata Verthus in Oslo is a dream come true, with a HUGE buffet of hot
and cold dishes with great prices (just between the main drag and the
Aker Brygge). In Copenhagen, the Riz-Raz is a local favorite for a FRESH
buffet of hot and cold favorites, or order from the menu. Good fish entrees
available. There's a great atmosphere inside and outside seating and helpful
staff. Eat early so you can avoid the crowd and get in on the just-prepared
specialties. I found several great cafes in Tallinn, Estonia on the Old
Town Square. All are reasonably priced, have a great variety of entrees,
salads and vegetables. I had the "snowcapped pork," a piece of pork smothered
with local cheese with potatoes. In Stockholm, there are many nice, small,
reasonably priced places in the Gamla Stan. They are usually in alleys
or downstairs from the main street. If you go in the summer be sure to
hit a market for fresh cherries, strawberries, tomatoes and other farm-fresh
goodies. Grab a few and head back to your hostel and cook with other travellers.
Since this region is much more expensive than other European neighborhoods
its a good alternative for budgeteers.
Conyers, GA USA 10/31/99
In Oslo on the waterfront is a resturant named Maud (for princess Maud).
We ate outdoors and had the cod, sharr and herring dinners. Potatoes were
served on the side. It wasn't cheap, but if you want to indulge, go for
it there! If you want cheap, at the harbor off a boat, buy cooked shrimp
and peel them yourself. They measure them in liter containers for 50KR.
You can also buy fresh cod and cook it yourself if you are at the hostel
or another place with a kitchen! Do eat the mustard herring that you get
with most breakfasts!
Suzanne Baldwin
Countryside, IL USA 09/24/99
I know this may sound funny but a must-have in stockholm is the pizza.
I lived in stockholm for 7 mo. with my native swede wife and now that
we are in the us we miss "swedish pizza." The easist place to have it
is in Kungshallen right by the big blue konsert hus and the Movietheater.
Jeremy Voytko
loveland, CO USA 09/09/99
In Stockholm, in the Gamla Stan, we stumbled upon Jerusalem Kabob and
Cafe on Gasgrand, a small alley entered through a low arch off Vasterlanggaten.
Had the "small" felafel for 20kr and my husband had the large kabob on
pita for 25kr. OK, so it's not Scandinavian, but it sure tasted good.
Lynne
Union, WA USA 08/09/99
I've been to Sweden many times, as my boyfriend lives there, and I lived
there for 3 months. The best food there comes from the natives - what
they cook in their homes. If you can get accommodations with a kitchen,
head out to a grocery store and try some of the wonderful dishes you can
whip up with the ingredients there! Beware, however, of brighter ground
meat in the cases..it's ground Moose! (I nearly bought it, but thankfully
my boyfriend was with me and laughed so hard I knew I picked up something
wrong!) My favorite Swedish food is their cheesecake (ostkaka) which is
*nothing* like American cheesecake.
Shelley
Cleveland, OH USA 08/08/99
If you've got some change to spare, try one of the Scandic Hotels. We
stayed in the one in Karlstad, Sweden. They cater to business people,
but in the summer they have good deals, especially for adults with children.
Breakfast was huge! They served meats, cheeses, cereal, fruit, bread,
even herring...6 kinds of each! It was great! We packed enough during
breakfast we didn't have to buy lunch. Simply wonderful.
Michael Lasher
Pendleton, OR USA 07/31/99
I just returned (reluctantly) from two weeks in Norway and Denmark. For
a simple meal in Copenhagen, there is nothing better than a bowl of mussels
and a cold Carlsberg at one of the cafes at Nyhavn--great food and great
people-watching. For a serious (read expensive) and unforget- able meal,
try St. Gertrude's Kloster. This restaurant dates back to 1307 (yes, 1307)
and consists of underground vaults lit only by 1,500 candles. Sell your
belongings if you must, but do not miss this spot! Dinner for two ran
about 1,000 DKK (about $140).
Will Marder
Stamford, CT USA 06/02/99
Helsinki, Finland isn't officially Scandinavia but if you ever visit,
try the Restaurant Merimaakasini (Finnish for mermaid) on the western
harbor. Try the reindeer steak. The view of the water is typically that
of the shipyard but pretty at sunset nonetheless. It's right next door
to the Russian Juliett Class Sub.
Pete Matonis
Idaho Falls, ID USA 03/07/99
Whether or not you are vegetarian, the Vegeta Vertshus in Oslo, recommended
in Rick's Scandinavia and Best of Europe books, is a super spot with an
enormous buffet. Carnivores will hardly notice they're not eating any
meat. Go for the 73 kroner small plate and pile on as much as you can.
The staff is used to frugal college students stacking one course on top
of the next to avoid paying for the larger plate. But go for small portions,
or by the time you get to the end of the buffet, you'll have way too much
food for one person to eat.
Dave Fox, ETBD
Seattle, WA USA 01/05/99
We found a great place to eat in Kristiansand, Norway. It is the hotel
directly across the street from the tourist information office. We had
an all-you-can-eat deal at a very reasonable price. At least reasonable
for Norway. They had a large variety of the best rolls I have ever had.
We almost filed up on the delicious rolls. Bill in Reading, PA
William S. Kaufmann
Reading, PA USA 11/04/98