Frantzén

We really enjoyed our royal experience at Frantzen last March! The venue was small and cosy, a little hidden gem in Gamla Stan offering welcome respite from the biting cold. We were seated at the counter which we always prefer, as it’s so much more interactive and fun.
It’s been a while since our meal, so I won’t talk details — but I can say that overall the food was very good and very good looking. Pretty mesmerizing in fact. I hardly ever take photos of food but was inspired to do so there. There were liquids, bubbles, colors, flowers, smoke, smells, textures. A lot of artistry and chemistry and mini masterpieces. Even the turquoise coffee cup appealed to all senses.
Two things to be aware of: plan your bathroom escapades well, there’s only one cubicle so you are constantly risking a queue (NB: I read they will be changing the restaurant’s venue so this comment may soon be obsolete). Also, know that the bill will be very high (mountain steep) — so if you choose to go to Frantzen don’t go with money concerns in mind, go there for pure enjoyment and forget about the rest (preferably forever!).
One final piece of advice: make sure you go there feeling ravenous! It’s a lot of food and wine so you will need the stomach space :)

What a fantastic experience! Well worth the money. I came to dine solo as I was on a whirlwind trip of Scandinavia. I made reservations at Frantzen weeks ahead of time and loved my experienced. I dined solo and sat at the bar where I could see all the action happening. Frantzen chefs are a great team working like a well-​oiled machine.
I like sitting at the bar because you get to meeting lots of new people. I had a family from San Jose visiting who sat next to me, a mom and her 2 daughters. Franzten diners are pretty global.
I left full but more importantly I left with a great experience. Even though in USD it was $ 300, I felt like it was a worth the money.

I made a dinner reservation back in January and dined at the end of May. The food is exceptional and the service is excellent. When you arrive, there is a elderly gentleman waiting at the door, greeting you (he knows your name if you have made an reservation ahead of time). During winter, spring, and coat weather in general, the waiter takes your coat after you enter then sit you. Recommend the kitchen counter, so you can engage tk with the chefs during the dining experience. There are 14 courses, and each gust starts with a small pastry. In May, we had a small macaron with fig (I may be wrong) and corn purée. Personal fav courses are the lightly fried lobster (forgot the name of it — small sized lobster tail), the mix salad with 54 ingredients, the duck, and the lamb (sorry I forgot all the professional names). The dessert has three different parts, and I personally like the Swedish fika box with many choices! The whole dining experience lasts a little longer than three hours, depending on your interaction with the stuff. My husband and I talked to master chef Marcus and sous chef Charlie throughout, so our meal lasted longer, and we learned much about their cooking philosophy and arts. We also look forward to the new location they will be moving too, and excited to know the plans for it!

Worth going? Absolutely, it was a night with some brilliant bites, the most notable being those where the chef really let the sublime ingredients sing.
The first thing of note is the footman, who recognizes you by name as you arrive at the door. You enter a small, cozy restaurant that is warm and intimate. We were lucky enough to be seated at the counter overlooking the prep kitchen. As a result we got to speak with several of the chefs and servers at length, all of whom were very friendly and obliging.
First, on alcohol, we went for the wine pairing, which went well with the dishes, though I was not over the moon about any of the wines on their own. At Frantzen they give one wine to last several courses, and replenish your glass often– which I found nice.
I won’t go through every course, but will just mention the highlights:
As a first bite, we were given a corn macaron filled with foie gras that was stunning
A few dishes later came a chawanmushi with truffle, which was the best chawanmushi I have had in my life.
Later came a plump langoustine tail with crispy rice on the bottom, cooked so perfectly that the heavens opened when I bit into it.
The best dish of the night was a bowl with 52 different vegetables, each prepared separately and then assembled together into a divine bowl.
Of the two meat courses, one was stunning– guinea fowl with shaved walnuts. The dish was so perfectly umami and savory.
At the very end of the dinner came a small dish of fresh backed cardamom buns that were the highlight amount the desserts.

One of those rare top restaurants where you come away appreciating that the food was worth every penny, not only style-​wise (as many top restaurants over-​emphasize) but flavor-​wise as well. Very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere as well with a great energy about the place given the small dining room and the open kitchen.

There are few times in life when you enjoy a meal where every bite is an unexpectedly delicious flavor you didn’t know was possible. Thank you.

As a fan of Aquavit in New York, USA i had high expectations of Frantzen. I must say from the warm greeting outside to each and every detail of each course this was absolute perfection. Each course was intricately planned and executed to perfection, the service was beyond stellar and the staff was not only gracious but made us feel at home in a foreign land. My wife and I expect to visit again soon and look forward to visiting this Gem of a restaurant soon.

An extraordinary evening Frantzen makes! Tasting of clean, fresh, complex, and intricate ingredients all blended together beautifully in each bite! Loved every one of the twelve+ courses! Each having its own character: including, «Two bites, with a smile» was the perfect advice given with the French toast with truffles; and having chopsticks to really linger in delight of the textures and tastes of having 39 vegetables cooked 39 different ways for their signature dish! Am looking forward to many more visits to this incredible restaurant! Skal!

Simply an amazing experience. When thinking back on our meal at Frantzen, I could not think of anything that needed improvement. The food was mind blowing (especially their salad with over 40 ingredients), service was impeccable– you are in for an adventure! If you are ever in Stockholm, make a reservation asap!

Frantzen has been listed one of the top 25 restaurants in the world. After dining there, I can see why. Frankly, I find the Michelin star system to be somewhat inconsistent. While a restaurant with a star is definitely worth a visit, the difference between a two and a three star restaurant may be somewhat unclear. Frantzen is as good as it gets in terms of a constantly changing and innovative menu. For example, the night I was there the menu include everything from horse sushi, Swedish scallops, and micro vegetables also from Sweden. These ingredients were unusual to say the least but they were also integrated into the dishes in a way that complimented each flavor.
To put it mildly, this is one of the best meals I have ever had in my life. Each course was an adventure. Some of the ingredients seemed to be counter intuitive but when presented, each dish took you on a flavorful adventure.
We sat at the counter and had a running conversation with the chef. This is the best way to experience this restaurant because of the insights you receive with respect to the ingredients, preparation, and presentation of each dish. Unique does not do justice to your experience at Frantzen. Sublime is a better description. Nothing is left to happenstance at Franzen. As Katie B stated, when you arrive, «the gentleman on the door knows your name.» I felt as if was alone and my meal was being presented, personally, by my private chef. This is an extraordinary restaurant that deserves its world class ranting. Probably, one of the best meals I will ever have in my entire life!

2 Michelin stars and the full experience!
From the moment you arrive and the gentleman on the door knows your name and is awaiting your arrival to the incredibly attentive staff and the simple but high quality furnishings, this place is special and you know it as soon as you arrive. Even the small things like the cutlery and plates are impressive.
The chefs come and tell you all about each course. The waitress tells you all about the origin and tastes of the wine
Expect to pay a lot though (£220 for meal, £130 wine flight £50 non alc). But worth it!!!

Beautiful meal and attentive service. Well deserving of its 2 Michelin stars.
Tips: Try to be seated at the counter. It’s like a dinner and a show, being able to see you food expertly prepared in front of your eyes. The chefs explained the ingredients and where it came from (e.g. The scallops they used in one of the dishes were native to Sweden and flown in the night before) as well as the dishes themselves. Getting that perspective made the meal all the more enjoyable.
The restaurant has an early seating on Saturdays at around 3 or 4pm. We were lucky enough to snatch up a reservation at 4pm when we made the reservation a month in advance.
When we arrived at the front door, an elderly gentleman wearing a suit and top hat greeted me by my name. What a surprise! When we entered the restaurant (small with only 20 seats at most), we were greeted again by two wait staff asking if we wanted our jackets checked.
On to the meal itself… every course of our set menu was better than the previous one. It started off pretty amazing with a tomato tea. Sounds odd but the savory tea was very good!
The best courses were the guinea fowl and the duo of beef. The bird was cooked perfectly and the crispy skin provided great texture. The Japanese vs Swedish beef course was excellent because the Japanese beef was fatty and melt in your mouth good while the Swedish beef provided more flavor.
Another interesting dish was the grilled bread. Loved the char on the outside from the Japanese wood grill. It comes with hand churned butter — two flavors! Who knew you could grill bread?!
Other notable dishes were the langoustine and the creamed potato with caviar.
I highly recommend a visit to Frantzen if you are traveling in Stockholm. What a great way to start our Scandinavian trip!

An amazing meal at their kitchen table with wine pairing. Every course perfect. Favorites were scallop from Norway, langoustines, and a beef duel between wagyu and Swedish aged grass fed beef! Small place with a charming greeter outside. If you are a foodie kitchen table spit a must! This was most memorable meal on a foodie tour– we had great food at Mathias dahlgren, gastrologik, geranium, relae etc/​this was my favorite! They deserve a 3^rd star and we can all dream our businesses ran with this level of employee commitment and dedication

What a special opportunity to be able to dine at Frantzén. My boyfriend and I had been planning a trip to Scandinavia for months, and once I saw it included on the Top 50 Restaurants in the World list, and knew that I had to try to find a reservation. Imagine my surprise when I was able to find two spots at the kitchen counter on their last evening before summer break!
The restaurant is so cozy and quaint, nestled into a little corner in the iconic Gamla Stan — you probably wouldn’t even notice it if you weren’t looking for it! The space itself barely fits thirty people, yet was never loud or felt crowded. Even in such a small space, the dining experience felt very intimate.
*Everything* was incredible at Frantzén — the service, impeccable; the wine, exquisite; and most importantly, the food, beyond compare. They even took my boyfriend’s peanut allergy into consideration when preparing dishes for him without hesitation. We were greeted by name at the door and escorted right away to our seats, where we were introduced to the chefs behind the counter. It was especially brilliant to be able to watch the chefs in action and ask questions about the courses they were (meticulously!) plating and the significance of the ingredients. All of the chefs were incredibly friendly and attentive, and at the end of our meal, even let us come around the counter for a picture!
Since it was such a special occasion (you don’t dine at 2 Michelin star restaurants every night ;)), we opted for the wine pairing along with the prix fixe menu. I was honestly very surprised at how much the wine was flowing during our meal! Across ~15 courses, our host never let us sit with an empty glass for long. Each course was thoughtful and innovative, not to mention visually impressive. Among our favorites was the flash fried langoustine, guinea fowl, and foie gras macaron. The one word that comes to mind when reflecting on each course? Indulgent. At the end of the meal, my boyfriend and I were STUFFED — an unexpected feeling when thinking about many high-​end restaurant experiences.
Overall, a once-​in-​a-​lifetime experience — a must try for any foodie visiting Stockholm. Check for reservations as early as you can in advance, and for a more social experience, sit at the kitchen counter! While we certainly enjoyed the wine pairing, I don’t think it was a necessary component of the meal. A glass or two of wine would have been just as enjoyable.
As if the evening couldn’t get any better, my boyfriend proposed to me outside of the restaurant after asking the doorman to take a picture of us with the sign. We’ll never forget our meal at Frantzén, and hope to visit again in the future!

Frantzén is an unique lifetime experience and a must in anyone’s bucket list.
The waiting list can go from some weeks to 2 months. The menu is fixed, seasonal and in constant development. When you come in, the staff and ambience swallow you in this intimate space where time ceases to exist. The amount of chefs and staff is significantly bigger than the guests and the service is most personal and polite.
I sat in front of the kitchen and I warmly recommend that you do too. Seeing how a two michelin star kitchen works is, for me, a privilege. All that happens after is an unique visual and palate experience. Every dish is a celebration of the human senses. The flavors and textures are complex and in perfect harmony, and the plating is a work of art.
When you leave the restaurant, the fine breeze in gamla stan brings you back to reality. Even though you aren’t richer, your life is definitely enriched.
Worth it!

This was a great experience. Being a 2 star Michelin restaurant, I expected a lot. They definitely delivered. The food was innovative and delicious! The wine pairings were also innovative. I would not have thought to pair the wines thy chose with the food, but it was delicious.
First I was greeted by someone who knew me by name — definitely a nice touch. Upon entering the restaurant I was greeted by what seemed to be the entire staff (you see directly into the kitchen).
The food itself is just too much to describe here. The tasting menu of 12 courses with 5 wine pairings. Service was personable and impeccable throughout. What I also found impressive was that the kitchen staff had worked in other high end restaurants before. It seems that they have taken the best of their experience and put it into their food here.
The service was as you would expect in a fine dining restaurant. It was attentive without being overly stiff and formal. The servers explained the dishes well and answered any questions we had about the food.
Frantzén is definitely an experience for a very special occasion.

Chef Frantzen is incredible! My boyfriend and I took a weekend trip to Stockholm and I knew I wanted to eat here. We booked the trip a week in advance, so of course the seats were all filled. I put my name on the wait list and 3 days before we flew out, I got an email saying a spot opened up! Miraculous!
We arrived a few minutes tardy and were greeted by a jolly older man standing outside the restaurant with a top hat on. He greeted us by name and invited us into the restaurant. The restaurant is very small, with about 5 tables and a couple of seats at the bar. It makes for a very intimate dining experience. Our waitress was so charming! She joked with us and was very attentive.
I won’t go into the details of every course, but be prepared to be amazed visually and physically! Each course is so beautifully presented, like a work of art. It was hard to disrupt the masterpieces presented to us, until it landed in my mouth.
I think one of the things I appreciated the most was the care and attention given to my unwillingness to eat mushrooms (truffles are okay though… and they LOADED the truffles on… yum!). Each dish that had mushroom components in it were adjusted so I could still get the same experience. For example, one of the courses had a mushroom broth. Instead of just not giving me the broth, they made a onion broth for me. I mean… that is some real dedication the my dining experience. Also upon hearing we were from New York (Chef Frantzen worked at Aquavit and Per Se before moving back to Stockholm), he came by multiple times to our table to chat and ask us about our experience. What an amazing guy!
If you’re in Stockholm, you absolutely MUST try to get a reservation here!

Stunning food in a wonderfully intimate environment. 29 seats in the restaurant, with brilliant staff members, entails quality, personable service. Sit at the bar to have the kitchen within arm’s reach and ask any question about cooking or restauranteurship you wish.
Best dinner I’ve had in my life, my favourite out of the three or four restaurants out of the world’s top 50 I’ve been to. Inspiring perfectionism. The photos and website’s menu can speak for the details but some notables: butter churned in front of you, bread soup, lichen onion sushi, mindblowingly great onions five different ways, a scallop served in its own shell (perfectly cooked, and then replaced with broth in the same shell once you finish the meat), 50 different vegetables and herbs in the garden walk course, flowers and beets and blood and cream added up to the best dessert of my life.

I had a great gastronomic meal here, and I let the sommelier choose my wines for me so it made it a lot easier on me. The restaurant is a little hard to find, but when you do, a sweet man at the front greets you by name and walks you into the small restaurant. I did the tasting menu, which had brilliant dishes; one including caviar and bone marrow, and scallops with dashi. So good! There was a story behind most of the dishes and I thought that it made the dining experience more interesting. I love to hear the significance of my food and where it came from. I was lucky enough to meet chef Frantzen at the end of my meal, and he was so humble and sweet. I definitely understand why this restaurant made the top 100 list.

Oh the perfection. This is by far the best restaurant I have ever been to in my life, and it was definitely worth the price of 2100SEK per person. The quality of the food was exquisite and most are local produced.
The guest do not choose what to eat here, at Frantzén it is the chefs that choose all the dishes on the tasting menu for you, and for each and every dish they serve, the waiter will describe what it is.
They use so many different ingredients for the dishes that it can be pretty difficult to remember every single one of them. But they were all wonderful and very creative and surely something you will have to experience for yourself. Talking about ingredients, you should absolutely tell them in time if you have any allergies/​intolerances. I did, and got dishes especially made for me which was a nice touch to the perfect evening.
17 dishes was a perfect calculation. When we received our last dish I felt pleasantly full, and because we could not finish our macaroons they places them in a beautiful little box for us to bring home. Me and my family had a wonderful experience here which will be hard to forget. A perfect way to celebrate something special!