Unusual dining experiences in Stockholm

Have you ever wondered whether things really were better in the olden days? Sjätte Tunnan in the Old Town takes you back to the Middle Ages, to the year 1435. Rustic homecooked food is served and washed down with lashings of mead. You can also book large banquettes à la "the Dark Ages", with entertainment in the form of fire-eaters, belly dancers and magicians.

Chef duo Jocke Almqvist and Katherine Bont create innovative dishes with an unexpected, decadent twist. They serve a luxurious menu consisting of “more dishes than you can keep count of”, which change regularly. You never know quite what to expect here, with smoke machines, half-naked waiting staff (and guests!) and lashings of vodka - or so we've heard…

Svartklubben is a dining experience in complete darkness. Eat and enjoy the entertainment provided by the singing, visually impaired waiting staff. How does food taste and how do you communicate without eye contact? Challenge your senses and discover new dimensions.

Take a pew right in the kitchen and watch the chefs in action. Eat a special set tasting menu including everything from classic favourites to innovative dishes such as a Flintstones-sized bone marrow with bleak roe. They only have one sitting per evening, for 4-8 people, and guests' own music and maybe even a little dancing is welcome. But watch out for the huge antler hanging over the table - "you break it, you buy it (12 000 SEK)", as they put it.

Enjoy an entertaining, unique show while you eat dinner at Wallmans. International live performances and lively music make this a really special dinner experience. Perfect for an evening out with colleagues or a group of friends.

At Woodstockholm, you can return time and time again and still have a different dining experience, as the menu is not only varied but completely changed at regular intervals – always with a brand new theme. The dishes are creative with unexpected flavour combinations that are paired with natural wines from small-scale producers. The menu is complemented by decor that aligns with the current theme. 

When was the last time you laughed so much that your stomach muscles ached? Norra Brunn promises an evening full of humour and laughter, accompanied by a à la carte or set menu. Some of Sweden's best stand-up comedians grace the stage and it's a great night out for groups of friends or work colleagues alike. (Nb acts generally perform in Swedish but they occasionally have English-speaking comedians - check with the club)

Do you long for ice and the Northern Lights? Well Icebar, within the Hotel C Stockholm, can at least provide the former. Naturally the interiors are completely made of ice - as are the drinking glasses. Bundle up in warm clothes and enjoy a cocktail à la the original Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. Book your visit in advance. Perfect for groups of friends or corporate events. You can also combine the experience with a dinner at Swede Hollow.

Boulebar provides an atmospheric French experience, complete with authentic food and boules. Their restaurants feel like indoor parks in southern France, allowing you to transport yourself to the continent all year round. If you want to improve your boules game, you can employ the assistance of a boules-geek instructor.

At Pom Friterie, French fries have been given a serious glow-up. After several years of experimenting to find the perfect recipe, the team set up this stylish restaurant on Lästmakargatan, where they deep-fry organic, hand-cut potatoes topped with various accompaniments and sides. The concept comes from Dutch street food, and flavour inspiration comes from all corners of the world.

At intimate Nana Omakase you can enjoy a Nordic dining experience with Japanese influences. There's room for a handful of guests and the menu is a seven course tasting menu served at the chef's table. The food is seasonal and they use locally and own-grown produce wherever possible.

Coco & Carmen may be a bit quieter than her boisterous big sister Punk Royale, but still offers a dining experience you're unlikely to forget in a hurry. The concept is based on a tasting menu with equal parts decadence and finesse; think of it as giving your taste buds a surprise, served alongside selected drinks. If you're looking for a memorable lunch, you can come here during the day and experience a slightly shorter menu in the same style as the evening menu.

Chef Richard Söderberg has opened a food studio in a shed in his garden in Älvsjö. The restaurant, just 25 square metres, has space for eight diners at a time to experience an intimate dinner in homely (literally) surroundings.

Travel through time back to the middle ages and the age of Vikings at Aifur. The decor, live music and food are all Viking themed. Try a Viking-inspired dish washed down with a glass of mead in true Viking spirit.

This slightly tucked away speakeasy bar MELT takes you on a journey back to the glamorous 1920s, where gold mirrors, red velvet sofas, and grand lampshades create an enchanted world. Begin your evening with something to eat or drink on the street level, then take the stairs down and experience dazzling variety shows featuring burlesque performances, acrobatics, jugglers, and other entertainment akin to the Prohibition era in New York. Definitely a pub experience like no other.

Feel the Thai vibes at Koh Phangan as you eat in a tuk-tuk, listen to the sounds of tropical thunder and lightening surrounded by bamboo, palm trees and Buddha statues. The menu consists of classic Thai dishes cooked traditional style.

At Meatballs you can enjoy this iconic Swedish dish in a slightly different way. They serve meatballs in a number of variations, from vegetarian versions to wild boar, elk and bear meatballs. If you want to go all-in, order the Meatball Feast, where you can sample a selection of eight different kinds of meatballs.

Turn your meal into an activity and try something new. The concept at Ping Sakura is all about creating a sociable dining experience where you can choose to cook hot-pot at your table, Taiwanese-style. If you feel like hitting the high notes you can carry on the evening's activities by booking their karaoke room.

There are several companies in Stockholm that organise food tours. Join one of the tours and you'll spend a few hours visiting various different restaurants and/or food halls and tasting their food. You'll also get to hear stories about the menus and the history of the restaurant and the surrounding area.