Restaurant Operakällaren sits inside Stockholm’s Royal Swedish Opera at Karl XII:s torg 3. Its main dining room pairs gilded oak panels, wall paintings and chandeliers with a contemporary fine-dining menu. Choose the Grand Menu or order à la carte; dishes have included scallops with shaved truffle, smoked deer and foie gras with flambéed pineapple, with a bean-based alternative available for the foie gras. The wine selection is extensive, and alcohol-free cocktails are also on offer. This is a high-end choice for a special dinner, with reservations recommended.
A restaurant inside the Royal Opera
Operakällaren has served food and drink in the Royal Swedish Opera building since 1787. Its name reflects an earlier chapter: the restaurant began as a cellar tavern beneath King Gustaf III’s opera house. The venue has changed over the centuries, but its setting remains closely tied to the opera building and its history.
The restaurant’s past is also connected to major occasions at the opera. The building was the site of the 1792 masquerade ball at which King Gustaf III was shot. About a century later, the old opera house had deteriorated and was demolished. Operakällaren’s long history is therefore set within a changing building, rather than an untouched room preserved across every era.
The main dining room
The room is a central part of the experience. Gilded oak panels line the walls beneath a suspended, geometrically panelled ceiling, while wall paintings and chandeliers draw the eye upward. Large mirrors, furniture and fixtures add to the room’s more recent appearance. The result brings historic detailing together with a modern restaurant setting.
The setting is formal and polished, but the atmosphere has also been described as relaxed. Service is attentive and warm. Allow the meal to unfold at an unhurried pace, particularly if you choose the tasting menu, which can take longer than a quick dinner elsewhere.
Choosing from the menu
The restaurant serves haute cuisine with Nordic ingredients and a French influence. The menu changes with the season, and diners can choose between a multi-course Grand Menu and à la carte dishes. Past examples include butter-baked cod with fennel, brandade, oyster beurre blanc and chive oil, as well as venison with roasted cabbage, pumpkin, seasonal mushrooms and blackcurrant sauce.
Other dishes that have appeared include foie gras with flambéed pineapple, scallop with shaved truffle and smoked deer. A bean-based foie gras alternative has been served to a diner who did not eat birds. If you have a dietary preference, ask whether a substitution is possible when arranging your meal.
The drinks list includes a wide selection of wines, and alcohol-free cocktails are available. Make a reservation before visiting, and check the restaurant’s current menu when planning what to order, since the dishes described here are examples rather than a fixed menu.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Restaurant Operakällaren?
It is at Karl XII:s torg 3, inside Stockholm’s Royal Swedish Opera.
Can you order à la carte at Operakällaren?
Yes. Diners can choose à la carte or opt for the multi-course Grand Menu.
Are substitutions available for dietary preferences?
Substitutions have been made for diners with dietary preferences, including a bean-based alternative to foie gras. Ask the restaurant about your needs when booking.
Do you need a reservation?
Reservations are recommended, and booking well in advance is advised.
