3 Restaurants With the Best Swedish Meatballs, According to Chefs
Swedish meatballs are a comforting staple known for their savory flavor and creamy accompaniment, but you don’t have to travel to Sweden to enjoy them. While it’s harder to find classic Swedish meatballs in the U.S., there are a few spots that deliver their own take on the dish. Eat This, Not That! asked Eva Filer, home chef, recipe developer, and food blogger at My Rad Kitchen, to name the restaurants she recommends, and here are the top three.
IKEA Restaurant
Shop for furniture while enjoying delicious meatballs? Yes, please. The world-famous store has a cafeteria-style restaurant where you can grab Swedish meatballs, and Filer highly recommends it. “IKEA’s Swedish Meatballs have become nearly as recognizable as the store itself, combining tender beef-and-pork meatballs with a rich cream sauce and the traditional sweet-tart contrast of lingonberries,” he says. “They’re simple, comforting, and affordable, making them an easy introduction to the classic Swedish dish.”
Waxin’s
According to the restaurant’s website, the Waxin family moved from Sweden to the U.S. a decade ago and started the fine-dining, Florida-based regional spot that has a few locations. Filer says it’s a must-try. “Waxin’s brings Swedish comfort food to the States, with Swedish meatballs featured prominently on its menu.” She explains, “The dish comes with traditional accompaniments that give diners a more complete taste of the Scandinavian classic.”
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant is a Door County destination that’s as much about the experience as the food. The Wisconsin restaurant has been serving Swedish-inspired fare for decades, offering diners a fun and distinctly Scandinavian experience that stands apart from a typical restaurant visit. “Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant brings a more traditional approach with homestyle Swedish meatballs served in a setting that celebrates the restaurant’s Scandinavian roots,” says Filer. “The rich, savory meatballs are classic comfort food, and the iconic Wisconsin restaurant, complete with goats grazing on its sod roof, makes the experience especially memorable.”