For those of you who've read Rick Steve's Scandinavia guide, what do you think of his restaurant recommendations? I'm looking to experience "authentic" local cuisine while in Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen.
I know he tends to look for establishments that won't break the bank, but are they good quality with local cuisine?
I'm interested to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
Brian
When I go to a restaurant, it's a place that caters to locals and is recommended to me by a local.
I don't go to restaurants that are listed in a guidebook. Even if they were good when the recommendation was first printed, the listing changes the place. They get a new tourist customer base then change their menu, and service, to suit the new customers (who want to know why they don't serve hamburgers, put more ice in the soda, serve Budweiser, have catsup for the fries, bring the tab after delivering the food, etc.).
In Scandinavia, my destination this year, I plan to eat sausages from street vendors and picnic from grocery stores. I'll probably have smorabrod sandwiches from a corner shop too, but it will be one that has a line of locals rather than tourists.
You have to read Rick's recommendations carefully. They vary in type of restaurant from local menu to local patronized. Locals may eat at a place that serves Italian. You want places that serve local food even if it caters to tourists (there is nothing inherently wrong with this BTW).
Stockholm has a great market hall that gets you great, fresh local food eaten by locals. Great for lunch. Otherwise many restaurants in the Gamla Stan and along the harbor serve great local food.
In Copenhagen you must try the pastries. Rick recommends a great place in Christianshaven that serves locals but has heavenly pastries. The street hot dog stands are also really good.
Thanks everyone for the responses so far!
On a side note, would you say reservations are essential for most of these places?
