Star chefs and celebrity sauce — your guide to culinary experiences in Jönköping

Jönköping's restaurant scene has developed rapidly in recent years, offering both advanced gastronomy and popular street food — which have become hot topics among food lovers.

It is in the eastern parts of the municipality that the local flavour, or "terroir" often talked about in food and drink contexts, is most evident. Here lies Äppledalen. On the sun-drenched slopes down towards lake Vättern, the apple harvest explodes into a colourful fruit firework in early autumn. At Rudenstams, juice, wine, cider, and even a calvados-like distillate aged in oak barrels are made.

There are a number of cafés and farm shops in the fertile landscape, and you can pick your own produce, such as corn. Be sure to visit Grafitgrå and enjoy their popular flatbreads or other treats.

The area between Huskvarna and Gränna is a great experience — not just for the taste buds!

Dining in Gränna — more than polkagrisar, discover Grenna Hotell

In Gränna, the striped tourist magnet polkagris has competition for attention as Grenna Hotell continually succeeds with its acclaimed cuisine. Restaurateur Martin Karlsson switched from his job as a drummer not too many years ago, and his joy of discovery among ingredients seems inexhaustible. Both in competitions and in the kitchen of the historic hotel just below the main street, where Greta Garbo is said to have stayed several times.

Be prepared for a local taste adventure on the plates, why not wrapped in the "Polka Package," which includes polkagris baking and a trip to Visingsö before the evening's dinner.

Restaurant experiences near lake Vättern and Jönköping

Between Gränna and central Jönköping, there are several restaurants worth a stop (and even a detour). Here are tips on some of the best dining stops along Lake Vättern.

Huskvarna Stadshotell — mysigt i den internationella fabriksstaden

The personal Huskvarna Stadshotell cooks from scratch in a kitchen that gladly chooses locally produced ingredients. It's convenient to turn off from the E4 or get off the bus right next to it, and for those who want to take a walk, it's just a few blocks to the historic factory area where Husqvarna (yes, with a q) has manufactured everything from iron stoves and rifles to motorcycles and sewing machines that have spread worldwide.

Slottsvillan — charming wine cosiness in a castle setting

The tower of Slottsvillan in Huskvarna discreetly peeks up at the foot of the mountain, but the environment is just as historic and glamorous as it sounds. This is evident on the restaurant's menus, with sparkling wine, cheese, and wine tastings in the almost unbelievable manager's lounges next to the waterfall and the old Husqvarna factory. Despite the grand environment and cultural history, the family-owned small hotel is both charming and cosy.

Central Jönköping — wide selection in the growing restaurant city

In central Jönköping, the restaurant selection is dense and broad — there is something for every taste, whether you prioritize gastronomy in a calmer environment or a good dinner in a lively restaurant setting.

Brasserie Park — reliable and popular

In the middle of town, just a few minutes from the train station, lies the reliable Brasserie Park. A large and elegant meeting place with an enclosed courtyard, a classic brasserie menu, and elements of Swedish home cooking among oysters and bubbles. "Brasset" is suitable all day, from bar to table and lounge chair — with or without a suitcase.

Appreciated Stuk with Benjamin Ingrosso's favourite buns

Bistro-café-bakery Stuk opens early and closes in the evening, so there should be a chance to grab a spot in the hustle and bustle next to the trays of freshly baked croissants. Among the staff, there are many with merits from restaurant and bakery contexts, and the level of pastries and food is high.

For example, one of the two young owners contributed to a Swedish silver in the chef's world championship, Bocuse d'Or. Cool and pleasant atmosphere, natural wines, and buns that artist Benjamin Ingrosso declared "the best he has ever eaten" from the folk park stage in Huskvarna!

Bada Bing — Hearty burgers with a local touch

There were, of course, hamburgers in Jönköping before, but among the new places serving ambitious "gastro-burgers" in a restaurant setting, the personal and rustic Bada Bing was among the first. Here you will find a casually stylish interior where you can, for example, order "The Smålänning" with fried onions from the extensive menu. This and other good burger joints can be found in several places in the Jönköping area.

Lollinonna = Crazy grandma with wine knowledge

The restaurateur behind the simple "hole in the wall" Lollinonna has been behind several appreciated restaurant ventures in Jönköping over the years after moving to Småland from Stockholm.

A few years ago, his team ran the acclaimed summer restaurant on Gotland's Furillen, and the ambitions remain high in the white-tiled bistro space. Above all, this applies to the wine selection, which surprises in the minimalist context where the menu is small and simple — but very tasty!

El Gordo — Spanish goals with the hockey team star

Jönköping's own ice hockey legend David Petrasek hung up his stick and put ice in the cocktail glasses when he started the Spanish-influenced El Gordo on the (almost Spanish) sunny "dock" along Munksjön.

In the stylish premises, bubbly cava and a variety of tapas are served "like in Barcelona," that is, in the order they are ready.

Ciro — Jönköping's hottest Italian?

A lightning-fast bake at 450 degrees Celsius — that's how the cold-fermented dough at Ciro becomes a ticket to "the closest you can get to Naples, in Jönköping." In addition to pizzas with San Marzano tomatoes, there is a wide Italian menu with pasta and aperitivo drinks.

Neapolitan pizza is also served at Hantverk1, located in Väster. A young place that focuses on beer at the bar and puts the chocolate cream Nutella on the pizza for dessert.

Nikki bar — stylish with a view

Stylish Nikki Bar has long opening hours and starts with breakfast behind the large glass sections that offer a wide-angle view of the street life in the central parts. Large outdoor seating near Bauers Brygga in the summer, a substantial wine list, and of course — glamorous cocktails.

Lyckta dörrar — for open minds

For the adventurous food lover, the restaurant Lyckta Dörrar is recommended, hidden in a historic manager's villa in the park behind the School of Health and close to Munksjön's old paper mill. Not only are the doors closed, but the entire menu is also secret in advance, and you simply have to trust that the kitchen in the historic environment delivers. And, you can!

Sweden's best kebab sauce!

It is hardly possible to describe a taste journey through Jönköping without mentioning the condiment that has become a national topic, especially on social media — the local kebab sauce! Sweden's very best according to many, and in its own way also "terroir" as part of the food culture.

You can find the kebab sauce almost everywhere, and many have their personal favourite. Ask a Jönköping resident where it is best, and — keep an eye on the restaurant offerings in Jönköping. New experiences are constantly being added.