Thing to do
Gamla Stan
Stockholm's medieval old town on its own island, a tangle of narrow lanes around Stortorget with the Royal Palace, the cathedral and colourful merchant houses.
Östermalms Saluhall
Stockholm's grand food hall on Östermalmstorg, opened in 1888 and restored in 2020, with fishmongers, delis, bakeries and sit-down restaurants under one roof.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic food market hall
- Area
- Östermalm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Sunday)
- Official site
- ostermalmshallen.se
Good to know
- Restaurants and food counters
- Fish and seafood
- Cheese
- Bakery and café
- Take away
Why we recommend it
Östermalms Saluhall has been a meeting place for Stockholm's food lovers since 30 November 1888, when the hall was opened in the presence of King Oscar II. The red-brick building on Östermalmstorg was designed by the architects Isak Gustaf Clason and Kasper Salin, then at the start of their careers, and built in around six months. After a thorough renovation that began in 2016, during which traders worked from a temporary hall on the square for four years, it reopened in 2020 with its original design and period character restored.
Inside, the hall is a mix of market stalls, delis and small restaurants. The Elmqvist family's fish and seafood counter is the best-known name: Lisa Elmqvist moved into the hall in 1926 and the fourth generation now runs the business. You will also find butchers, cheesemongers, greengrocers, chocolate and confectionery shops, bakeries and cafés, along with restaurants such as the Lebanese Beirut and the Spanish Casa Maca. Many counters serve food to eat on the spot, so this is as much a place for lunch as for shopping.
For visitors, the hall is a good way to see what Swedes eat, from shellfish and smoked fish to cheeses and seasonal produce, and to pick up edible souvenirs. At lunchtime the restaurants fill with local office workers, so arrive before noon or after 13:30 if you want a seat without waiting. Prices reflect the upmarket neighbourhood, but you can still eat simply by choosing a sandwich or a single dish at the counter.
The market hall is open from 09:30 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 09:30 to 17:00 on Saturdays, and it is closed on Sundays. The restaurants stay open into the evening, and holiday hours differ, with the hall closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Allow an hour to browse, or longer for a sit-down meal.
To get there, take the red metro line to Östermalmstorg station, use the Nybrogatan exit and look left when you reach the street to see the red-brick building. The shops of Biblioteksgatan and Stureplan are a few minutes away, as are Strandvägen and the waterfront, so the hall fits naturally into a walk around Östermalm.
Östermalms Saluhall FAQs
When is Östermalms Saluhall open?
Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 19:00 and Saturday from 09:30 to 17:00; it is closed on Sundays, and restaurants stay open in the evening.
How old is the market hall?
It opened on 30 November 1888 and reopened in 2020 after a major renovation.
Can I eat inside the hall?
Yes. Several restaurants and food counters serve meals, including seafood, Lebanese and Spanish food.
Who are the best-known traders?
The Elmqvist family fish and seafood business, in the hall since Lisa Elmqvist moved in in 1926.
How do I get there?
Take the red metro line to Östermalmstorg and use the Nybrogatan exit.
Is it open on public holidays?
Holiday hours differ, and the hall is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
When is it least busy?
Mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays, avoiding the lunchtime rush.
Who designed the building?
The architects Isak Gustaf Clason and Kasper Salin.