Food Market at the NK Department Store

NK, lit up for the holidays.

I was out doing some Christmas shopping yesterday and took a break for lunch with a friend at the NK department store. NK, or Nordiska Kompaniet, is Stockholm's most famous department store, like Harrod's in London or KaDeWe in Berlin. It is well worth a visit, especially this time of year with the Christmas decorations and window displays. Within the department store, there are a variety of choices for dining... from cafés to bars to restaurants. But, I was interested in trying their relatively new food market (Saluhall).

Fish monger

"Saluhall" is the Swedish word for an indoor food market and we have several in Stockholm that are popular to visit, especially Östermalmshallen and Hötorgshallen. The one at NK is a great alternative. Comparing them, I would say that NK is smaller, though more high-end. The market is located in the basement level of the department store and opened up for business this past March. Before it was a food market, it was an upscale grocery store for many years.

Cheese shop

I like the change. Not only can you purchase your goods from a bakery, fish monger, cheese shop, butcher and confectionery... you also have the opportunity to dine there as well. You can sit at the counter at the butcher's or eat at the seafood restaurant Melanders Fisk, adjacent to the fish monger's. Otherwise, they also have ready-made lunches you can take with you home, to your hotel or have as a picnic on a summer day. For those of you who have been to Berlin, the set up reminds me of a smaller version of the food market at the aforementioned KaDeWe department store.

Butcher

NK is located in the downtown area. The easiest way to get there from Hotel Rival is by subway (3 stops to T-Centralen, exit to Sergels torg) or a 5-7 minute taxi ride. As I mentioned, this time of year is a great time to visit NK to enjoy their famous holiday decorations. You also have the official city Christmas light decorations in the neighborhood around the store to enjoy. Keep in mind that the food market keeps the same hours as the department store, so a late dinner really isn't an option.

Hanging Christmas tree at NK.