Since it opened in 2007, Mathias Dahlgren’s restaurant in the Grand Hotel has been collecting rave reviews. One Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet, gave it 6 out of 6 points. Another, Dagens Industri, awarded it 24 points out of a possible 25, the highest rating in the whole country, and Michelin awarded it one star . We see no reason to disagree. It is simply outstanding.

There are two rooms with two distinct personalities. The Matbaren (Food Bar) is more casual, with wooden chairs and tables, a tiled floor, and stainless steel bar. It’s also more affordable than the Matsalen, which is classically elegant. Unlike his last restaurant, Bon Lloc, which had a Catalan name and a Latin-influenced menu, this new venture is totally Scandinavian.

Reservations are taken up to a month in advance. If it’s fully booked, you can sometimes find space to sit at the Matbaren’s bar. In the Matsalen, request the table for two in the window overlooking the Royal Palace.