
Den Gyldene Freden
Step back in time at Den Gyldene Freden, one of the world's oldest restaurants, serving traditional Swedish gourmet in an 18th-century setting.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Den Gyldene Freden

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step back in time at Den Gyldene Freden, one of the world's oldest restaurants, serving traditional Swedish gourmet in an 18th-century setting.
Book Dinner in Advance
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, as the restaurant is very popular.
Explore Set Menus
Consider the set menus for a curated dining experience, offering a taste of their best dishes.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Traditional Swedish
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

300-Year Culinary Legacy
Experience traditional Swedish cuisine in a historic 18th-century setting, a culinary institution since 1722.

Signature Swedish Meatballs
Savor the classic Swedish meatballs, a dish praised for its authentic flavors and generous portions.

Historic Ambiance
Dine amidst antique furnishings and a warm, candle-lit atmosphere that transports you back to 18th-century Sweden.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Dinner in Advance
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, as the restaurant is very popular.
Explore Set Menus
Consider the set menus for a curated dining experience, offering a taste of their best dishes.
Enjoy Thursday Specials
On Thursdays, enjoy the traditional Swedish repast of pea soup and pancakes for good value.
Off-Peak Enjoyment
Visiting during off-peak hours can offer a more relaxed and intimate dining atmosphere.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Dinner in Advance
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, as the restaurant is very popular.
Explore Set Menus
Consider the set menus for a curated dining experience, offering a taste of their best dishes.
Enjoy Thursday Specials
On Thursdays, enjoy the traditional Swedish repast of pea soup and pancakes for good value.
Off-Peak Enjoyment
Visiting during off-peak hours can offer a more relaxed and intimate dining atmosphere.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Den Gyldene Freden is celebrated for its rich history and authentic Swedish cuisine, with many praising its classic dishes and historic ambiance. While the food and atmosphere are often lauded, some reviewers note that the quality doesn't always match the price point, and service can occasionally be inconsistent. Despite minor critiques, the unique dining experience and historical significance make it a must-visit for many.
"I’d rate 10 stars if I could. Both food and service are above and beyond!!! Staff provided excellent and attentive service. Herring and foie gras mousse are both satisfyingly savoury.
One of the very few meals that “wowed” us. Highly recommended."
SL
"Good Swedish food. Vegetarian options clearly marked on the menu. The 3-course menu was adjusted for gluten-free without a problem. The downstairs vaulted cellar was romantic and historic but the upstairs seemed to have a bit more character, so we finished the evening upstairs at the bar. The bartenders could tell us about the different akvavits and the flavor profiles. Great selection and variety of snaps. They have their own draft beer and an in-house akvavit too."
Muffin
"We came in for lunch, no reservation and were fortunate to get a table right away. The hostess did say it was better to have a reservation, the space is quite limited. The food was incredible, very fresh and flavorful. Great atmosphere. I would come here again. We had the toast skagen and meatballs and strawberry dessert, all delicious."
Christine Villarreal
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, vegetarian options are clearly marked on the menu, and the restaurant can adjust dishes for dietary needs.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, as walk-in tables are often unavailable.
The restaurant offers a cozy and historic atmosphere with antique furnishings and candle-lit dining rooms.
Yes, the restaurant can adjust the 3-course menu for gluten-free needs without issue.
Signature dishes include traditional Swedish meatballs and toast skagen.
Yes, there is a bar area, particularly downstairs in the vaulted cellar and upstairs, which offers a romantic and historic setting.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The Best Restaurants In Stockholm
Since 1722, Den Gyldene Freden’s chefs have been cooking traditional Swedish cuisine, including meatballs and herring. The restaurant has moved with the times, though, and today the menu also features plenty of tasty vegetarian options. The dining room, which seats 150, resembles an 18th-century Swedish tavern, and its high ceilings, long wooden tables, soft lighting and wooden floors allow guests to get a sense of the restaurant’s history.
How to eat for cheap in Stockholm, Sweden
One charmingly old-school option is Den Gyldene Freden, which on Thursdays offers the traditional Swedish Thursday repast of pea soup and pancakes. At about $16.50 per person, it’s not dirt cheap, but it is good value, with soup and freshly baked bread included.
Restaurant recommendation in Stockholm - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums
Den Glydene Freden - Gamla Stan, one of the oldest taverns - had amazing lamb w/ couscous and hazelnut foam among other things and incredible desserts
The best restaurants, cafés and activities for a date in Stockholm
It’s reported to be the second oldest restaurant in the world and one of Sweden’s most famous diners, Den Gyldene Freden has rooted itself deeply in Scandinavia. Located on a quaint, cobbled street in Gamla Stan, this historic restaurant, founded in 1722, is renowned for its nordic dishes and unique interior. Over the years, it has been used as a been a watering hole for Sweden’s great and good, including the country’s most celebrated writers, painters, songwriters and the Swedish Academy.
Tasty Restaurants To Get Your Grub On In Stockholm
One of the oldest restaurants in the world is also the most renowned in Sweden, Den Gyldene Fredon has been a favorite of writers, poets, and artists throughout the years. Freden, meaning “peace,” is located in the beloved old town Gamla Stan area of Stockholm. Every week, Every Thursday, the Academy – the organization which nominates the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature – still upholds the tradition of dining here.
The 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Stockholm, Sweden
Den Gyldene Freden is woven into the fabric of Stockholm’s Old Town, having served traditional Swedish cuisine since 1722. This historic establishment is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the world with an unchanged environment. The warm, candle-lit ambiance takes diners on a trip back in time, while the classic menu honors Sweden’s rich culinary heritage.
8 iconic restaurants in Stockholm
Den Gyldene Freden is one of the oldest restaurants in the world and has been at the same address since 1722. The restaurant attracted legendary Swedes right from the start – botanist Carl Linnaeus and musician Carl Michael Bellman were regulars during the 1700s. But at the beginning of the 1900s, Den Gyldene Freden lost its rights to serve liquor and was heading for bankruptcy.
Where to Eat in Stockholm: 14 Top Restaurants
On the other end of the spectrum is refined establishment Den Glydene Freden. In operation since 1722, this traditional Swedish restaurant in Stockholm is one of the oldest in the world, and you can definitely feel the weight of history while dining here. Den Glydene Freden serves a variety of classic Swedish dishes, and also offers tasting menus with drink pairings.
Stockholm’s 5 Best Spots for Swedish Meatballs
Den Gyldene Freden, in Stockholm’s Old Town, has been a cornerstone of Swedish dining since 1722, but is said to have housed wine taverns here since 1485. Its interiors remain largely unchanged, offering a glimpse into 18th-century tavern life. Over the centuries, it has been a favoured meeting place for notable figures such as Carl Michael Bellman and Evert Taube.
Stockholm Restaurant Guide- My Favorite Spots to Eat & Drink in My Favorite City!
Den Gyldene Freden, meaning “The Golden Peace”, has been in business continuously since 1722. One of Sweden’s most well known restaurants, it is the second oldest restaurant in the world to have the same surroundings, according to the Guinness World Records. Its surroundings and environment are more or less unchanged since the day the restaurant opened.
The Best Restaurants in Stockholm’s Old Town 2024
If you are looking for the most Old Town experience one can have in Stockholm, then Den Gyldene Freden is where you want to be. Around since 1722, this restaurant is the definition of historical and classic Sweden. The atmosphere reflects that of the Old Town as the environment is mostly the same that has surrounded the restaurant over the centuries.
Stockholm Nightlife • A Complete Guide [2025 July Update]
Stepping inside Den Gyldene Freden (meaning “The Golden Peace”) is like being transported to a forgotten era. Opened in 1722, this institution in Gamla Stan (Old Town) is one of the oldest restaurants in the world. The restaurant is now owned by the Swedish Academy, the organization that has been awarding the Nobel Prize in Literature since 1901.
top sights in stockholm
One of the best meals we had in Stockholm was at Den Glyden Freden (translation: The Golden Peace). They've served classic Swedish cuisine since 1722. Whether you're a well-known cultural figures, along-distance visitor or a local regular, chances are you're heading to Den Glyden Freden to enjoy the good food and the authentic atmosphere.
Visit Stockholm in 3 Days: Things To See & Do, Itinerary and Maps
If you are looking for Swedish traditional food, called husmanskost, check: (21) Den Gyldene Freden – which is said to be the world oldest restaurant dating from 1722 – or (22) Tradition. Both are amazing eateries. Those passionate for Vikings need have a look at (23) restaurant Aifur. Also interesting is (24) Fem Små Hus.
Gamla Stan - a guide to shopping and eating in Stockholm's beautiful old town.
Even Stockholm’s oldest and most famous restaurant, Den Gyldene Freden at Österlångattan 51, which dates from 1722, feels local and authentic when you stop by for a lunch of Swedish meatballs. No wonder – it’s the oldest restaurant in the world with an unaltered interior. It’s lit by candles, even in the daytime.
My favorite spots for Swedish-cuisine classics – Visit Stockholm
The textbook definition of "classic" is "very typical of its kind" and "judged over a time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind". Surely, Den Gyldene Freden in Gamla Stan (often just called "Freden"), ticks all the boxes. It also happens to be one of the oldest restaurants in the world!
Old Town Stockholm ➤ Top Gamla Stan's Highlights for Visitors
Savor authentic cuisine at Den Gyldene Freden, a historic restaurant dating back to 1722, where the walls whisper tales of past patrons like Nobel laureates and renowned artists. Indulge in traditional fika (coffee break) with sweet cinnamon buns at Operakällaren, a beloved institution since 1785.
Eat & Drink
If you have to go to one restaurant in the Old Town (Gamla Stan) serving Swedish classics, this is the one. Owned by the Swedish Academy, which selects the Nobel Prize for literature, their menu offers big names in classic Swedish cooking, nowadays with interesting contemporary touches.
Gastronomy and culinary specialities in Stockholm
Den Gyldene Freden is located in a basement of Gamla Stan, in an unusual and medieval setting, this classic restaurant belongs to the Swedish Academy which awards the Nobel Prize for Literature. The menu features big names in traditional Swedish cuisine with contemporary touches.
The Skandi Grand Coffee Tour: Inside Stockholm's best cafes and restaurants
It’s called Den Gyldene Freden and without a word of a lie as we left we both agreed it is the best restaurant we have had the good fortune to visit. The building, the food, staff, all faultless. Such a warm friendly atmosphere, within a building full of character and charm.
3 Days in Stockholm - The Ultimate Itinerary
On the south of Gamla Stan, you will find Den Gyldene Freden, the world’s oldest still-running restaurant with its original interior!. This tavern has been running since 1722 and is a very cosy place to visit if you want to experience the medieval side of Gamla Stan!
Stockholm For Culture Lovers - A Long Weekend Guide
Or there are loads of regular restaurant options in Gamla Stan (like Den Gyldene Freden). Outside of the old town you might like to try Ekstedt or Restaurang Prinsen. If you’re better organised than me, there are a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants to try to book.
The best lunch restaurants in the Old Town
The menu is primarily Swedish, but with influences from other parts of the world, just as France. Lunch is on the swankier side, with main courses such as classic meatballs, and fish, meat, and vegetarian dishes. Österlånggatan 51, Old Town
Restaurants, bars, pubs and cafés in Stockholm
One of Stockholm’s oldest restaurants, Den Gyldene Freden serves Swedish classics with a modern twist. With its historic charm and focus on high-quality ingredients, it’s a true gem for those seeking an authentic fine dining experience.
Where to eat in Stockholm 2021 : stockholm
Swedish/Nordic: Kvarnen, Tranan, Pelikan, Blå dörren, Tennstopet, Den Gyldene Freden, Meatballs, Wood, Sturehof, Eriks Basar, Tabberaset, Sillkaféet, Slingerbulten, Hantverket, Knut, Två små svin, Matrosen smørrebrød
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit