Sweden is a dream destination for food lovers – not just for the flavours, but for the quirky, charming traditions that come with them. From seasonal sweets to beloved baking rituals, your guests will find plenty to savour (and plenty to chat about over fika).
Semlor – the bun worth breaking the rules for
Traditionally eaten on Fat Tuesday (the day before Lent), semlor have a firm hold on the Swedish heart – and stomach. These cream-filled, cardamom-scented buns are so popular that what started as a one-day indulgence now stretches from Christmas to Easter.
If your guests are visiting in early spring, semlor are likely to become a daily ritual – and a highly photogenic one at that. Just balance it out with a few scenic hikes or bike rides and everyone wins.
Cinnamon Bun Day – 4 October
The kanelbulle (cinnamon bun) has been a fika staple since the 1920s. But in 1999, it got its very own day thanks to The Swedish Home Baking Council. Cinnamon Bun Day, celebrated each year on 4 October, has become a full-blown national event, with bakeries pulling out all the stops and Swedes embracing the celebration with sticky-fingered joy.
Whether it’s a semla in spring or a warm bun in autumn, there’s always something sweet on the Swedish calendar – and it’s all part of the culture.
More food traditions to add to the itinerary
Swedes love a reason to celebrate – especially when food is involved. From waffles and wild seafood to singing over schnapps, these edible traditions offer your guests a fun, flavourful way to experience Swedish culture.
Waffle Day – 25 March
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. On Waffle Day, Swedes happily indulge in crispy, golden waffles – often topped with jam and whipped cream. The tradition began with a bit of linguistic mix-up: the Christian holiday Vårfrudagen (Our Lady’s Day) sounded an awful lot like Våffeldagen in Swedish… and well, waffles won. No complaints here.
Fermented herring – a pungent classic
Surströmming (fermented Baltic herring) might not win any awards for fragrance, but it’s a deeply rooted culinary tradition in northern Sweden. The fish is typically eaten in late summer and even has its own Surströmming Festival in Alfta, held each August. It’s a must-mention for guests curious about truly local flavours.
Lobster season – West Coast delicacy
From 20 September, it’s all about lobster on Sweden’s west coast. Restaurants across the region mark the season with celebratory menus featuring freshly caught shellfish. For something extra special, guests can join a lobster safari around Marstrand Island – just be sure to book in advance.
St Martin’s Day – goose for dinner
On 10 November, the southern region of Skåne celebrates St Martin’s Day (Mårten Gås) with a traditional goose dinner. For an unforgettable meal, recommend Hotell Gässlingen or Skanörs Gästgifvaregård – both serve up beautifully prepared menus in a cosy, heritage setting.
Crayfish parties – a Swedish summer staple
Held in August, the kräftskiva (crayfish party) is one of Sweden’s most beloved food traditions. Think paper lanterns, silly hats, lots of crayfish and plenty of singing – specifically snapsvisor, or drinking songs.
Guests visiting during this season can enjoy crayfish menus at restaurants across the country. For a deep dive (and a few toasts), they can even practise their snaps singing and taste different aquavits at Stockholm’s Spritmuseum, on Djurgården Island.
Festive food and the joy of the julbord
If you think Sweden takes food seriously, wait until the festive season rolls around. As the snow starts to fall and the candles are lit, the country’s culinary culture kicks into high gear – and the julbord, or Christmas buffet, takes centre stage.
This is no quick bite. It's a leisurely, multi-course affair that begins with a warming glass of glögg (mulled wine) and a gingerbread biscuit or two. From there, guests can work their way through a parade of festive flavours – think pickled herring in mustard or dill, gravlax, smoked salmon, potatoes, ham, sausages, meatballs, short ribs, and more. Much more. And yes, there’s dessert too.
No Swedish celebration is complete without snaps, usually accompanied by song. For those skipping the alcohol, julmust – a sweet, spiced soft drink – offers a festive, fizzy alternative beloved by Swedes of all ages.
Where to enjoy a julbord
From elegant city hotels to quirky countryside inns, thousands of venues across Sweden serve julbord from mid-November through December. Here are a few delicious standouts to recommend to your clients:
- Stockholm
Book a traditional spread at the iconic Grand Hôtel, the historic Gamla Riksarkivet, or on Vaxholm’s Kastell in the heart of the Stockholm archipelago – a fairytale setting for festive feasting. - West Sweden
On the island of Orust, Lådfabriken (The Box Factory) offers a colourful, seafood-forward take on the julbord – all made with locally caught and farmed ingredients from Mollösund. Guests need to stay at least one night to join in – and they’ll be glad they did.
Further inland, at Hvita Hjorten (the White Deer) near Lidköping, guests can pair a locally sourced julbord at Victoriahuset Hotel & Naturum with a festive Lucia concert or a wreath-making workshop at nearby Läckö Castle, where the vegetables are grown. - Northern Sweden
In Piteå, Restaurant Tage atop Hotell Kust delivers a classic julbord in a sleek, design-led setting with stunning views over the city’s twinkling lights. Kust’s award-winning spa just downstairs is the perfect place to unwind – and a room at the hotel makes it all the more magical.
Our most edible traditions
‘Midsommar’ or Midsummer
For many Swedes, Midsummer (or ‘Midsommar’ in Swedish) is the most important celebration of the year – even bigger than Christmas. It’s a joyful, flower-crowned ode to nature, light and community, with deep roots and a long-standing place in the Swedish soul.
Holiday Season in Sweden
December is a magical time to experience Sweden, with festive lights twinkling across towns and cities, the scent of ginger and mulled wine in the air, and timeless traditions that bring people together.