Växjö Restaurants

PM & Friends as the name would be in English, has been at the top of Växjö's dining establishments for around ten years now. They are mostly known for having one of the best wine lists in Sweden and work for it being worth going to smaller towns in Sweden to eat well rather than just in the big cities. Despite this, it's not going to ruin you eating here, even if it is not the cheapest in town by any means. The picture here is from mid winter but you can see the space where people can sit chatting and eating in summer. The veggie meal on offer is a pasta, nothing exciting but they still welcome us...

Palladium used to be one of Växjö's main cinemas. It then closed but was rescued since a film society took it over - my cousin for instance sponsors one of the seats. Here they show more "narrow" film which rarely make it to the main cinemas. There is now also a cafe and bar ,in association with PM & Vänner, where you can watch people go past you in Storgatan and enjoy a caffe latte or a drink. Popular with the many intellectual students but anyone would feel welcome. If you feel hungry, they serve a range of well known Italian fare.

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As already mentioned in my accommodation tip, Bergdala’s Wärdshus has a restaurant as well and it is the place to have breakfast when you stay with them. They also serve dinner and snacks. Monica Nystrand and her daughter Annette Hallberg are divine cooks. They write in their brochure that they only use ecological or organic ingredients which makes it a real pleasure to eat here. Breakfast was always delicious and the same was dinner. I had chicken with potatos which tasted good. But the best was their smörgås (main photo). It was always fresh with either shrimps (räk) or herring (sill) on dark bread and salad. I couldn’t get enough of these and had 1-2 per day, mostly in the evening when I came home from my “glass hunts”.
Smörgås was 40 SEK, my dinner with salad and half a litre of milk came to 150 SEK. Oh yes, I should mention that they also serve milk, but then this is Sweden where milk on the menu is normal.
When it is sunny, you can sit outside, surrounded by flowers in countless pots, which adds to the fun of being here.

Directions:
Drive east from Växjö, road 32. After the village of Hovmantorp, look for the brown sign that says “Bergdala Glasbruk” and turn north (left). Follow the road for approx. 5 km and then turn left (west) at the next sign. It is directly on the right side of the road then. Reception for the wärdshus is in the restaurant building.

Location of Bergdala Restaurant on Google Maps

Favorite Dish: Currency converter

Do nice pizzas especially at lunchtime. Its actually the cafe/restuarant of a small cinema club. However any film is likely to be in Swedish so unless you are a dab hand at IKEA instruction leaflets I'd stick to the food.

Addendum....As has been pointed out to me a lot of the films are actually in English or with subtitles, however I thought I'd keep the punchline in.

Favorite Dish: pizza, also look to do nice brekkies.

This place rakes it in summertime, simply because of its pretty setting just by the bridge to Kronoberg Castle in the lake. It is sometimes a victim of its own success service-wise and, as I said, a bit overpriced, but it never harmed anyone to indulge in gorgeous rhubarb pie or the light lunch meals like pies and baguettes they have here along with coffee or perhaps a cool cider. All can be enjoyed inside the historic building with its thatched roof if the weather turns nasty. Otherwise, sit outside and enjoy the pleasure boats and castle in the lush setting. Now and again, you might find that the staff are busy preparing for a wedding party in the castle :)

Favorite Dish: Fruit pies.

When you're tired of typical European food and feel in need of spices and exotic things, try this one. Originally a Japanese restaurant, it has now restyled itself and serves just about all of the main Asian cuisines and it does it decently. Thai is the focus, with a buffet to pick from and let chef cook it for you, as well as a la carte. There is also sushi, tempura, satay things, Chinese dishes and much else in a nice atmosphere and with a good location for both travelling, emigrant museum and shopping.

Favorite Dish: Prawn satay, although I no longer eat giant prawns for environmental reasons.

For those of you who enjoy local patisseries and cafes, Askelyckan is perfect as it has a good selection of typical Swedish delicacies, including seasonal things like semla in February and saffron buns around Christmas. The cheerful wooden house is quite dark inside, but summertime you can enjoy a coffee in the garden you see beyond, whilst doing a bit of people-spotting in this strategic place.

Favorite Dish: Princes gateau :)))