Gulddraken Awards for Best Restaurants in Stockholm 2015

(Nominee) Mathias Dahlgren Matbaren.
Photo by: Tuukka Ervasti/imagebank.sweden.se

It is that time of the year when several prestigious restaurant guides/awards are announced... like the White Guide, Michelin Guide and Top 50 Restaurants. First up, however, is Gulddraken (the Golden Dragon) which is an annual prize awarded by the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter. The awards are split up into different categories, like luxury, middle, budget. I do love the idea that these awards aren't only for the high-end gourmet restaurants. The winners this year, in each category, are:

• Luxury- Oaxen Krog. This Michelin star restaurant nabbed the award for the second year in a row. Congratulations! The other well deserving nominees were Gastrologik, Ekstedt, Esperanto and Mathias Dahlgren Matbaren. 
• Mid-Price- Fotografiska. This new restaurant, located within the photography museum, has been garnering lots of attention, including this award. Ironically enough, I happened to be eating at the restaurant when the winners were announced (more on that in a coming article). The other nominees were Café Facille, Lilla Ego, Nook and Oaxen Slip.
• Budget- Katarina Ölkafé. It's great that restaurants that don't empty your wallet are given some recognition! The other nominees were Forno Auto, Kalf & Hansen, Phil's Burger and Snack Bar.
• Bar- Pharmarium. A personal favorite in the constellation of Stockholm watering holes. Though it was tough competition with the other nominees... Shibumi, Erlands, Tweed and Metropol Palais. 

Congratulations to all of the winners as well as all of the nominees! Several of the above linked websites are only in Swedish... especially for the budget and bar categories as they cater mainly to Stockholmers. If you are staying at the Rival Hotel, stop by and talk to me and I can help you with translating and directions. Click here for past winners of the Gulddraken as well as other guides/awards.