The best food in Sweden: official

For members of the European jetset on the look-out for gourmet delights across the continent, there is only one Bible: the venerated Michelin Guide.

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Restaurateurs around the world sweat, toil and lobby to get the merest mention in the big red book. On Tuesday, some of them were put out of their misery with the launch in Stockholm of Michelin's latest guide, Main Cities of Europe 2006. And if the guide is to be believed, Swedish nosh cuts the mustard.

A total of 50 Swedish restaurants were mentioned in the guide, compared to 41 in Denmark and only 97 in Germany, a country with ten times Sweden's population. France, naturally, had the largest number of restaurants listed (225), with the UK close behind on 221.

According to Michelin, the best place you can eat in Sweden's main cities is Edsbacka Krog, in the Stockholm suburb Sollentuna.

Edsbacka is the only restaurant in Sweden with two Michelin stars, a position that was confirmed by the new guide. Under chef Christer Lingström the restaurant, which has been a hostelry since 1626 when it was given a license by King Gustaf II Adolf, has become the undisputed best restaurant in Sweden.

As with most Michelin starred restaurants, Edsbacka's reputation is reflected in its price, with evening menus priced at around 1,000 kronor a head.

Eight restaurants in Sweden were awarded one star – four in Stockholm, four in Gothenburg. Whereas other Michelin guides review restaurants outside the main cities, the new book is focused on business travellers, and therefore concentrates on the main centres of population.

One Stockholm restaurant, Wedholms Fisk, lost its star. Another, Bon Lloc, was removed after it closed down.

In a separate section, the guide also includes mentions of what it calls 'moderately priced' restaurants. Among its recommendations were Tvåkanten in Gothenburg and Den Gyllende Freden in Stockholm's Gamla Stan.

The Local