These are the 10 best dishes in Stockholm, according to Benjamin Ingrosso

When he's not performing on stage or hosting Swedish celebrities on his own variety show, Benjamin Ingrosso will most likely be found hopping between in his favourite dining haunts around Stockholm. As Ingrosso shared in our latest digital cover story, it was during the pandemic that he starting eating out in Stockholm "every day", revealing that he will often visit a series of restaurants throughout the city in one night.

Ingrosso's record? 20 restaurants in one night. To be more precise, 20 restaurants in 12 hours. "After the 11th one we started to get full, but we were also losing time… so we jumped on bikes to take us to the next place, then we ran to the other place," Ingrosso says. "Then we came right in time to the last restaurant just before the kitchen closed, and the clock just hit 12! And at the end of the night we asked ourselves... who are we competing against? I think we laughed for 20 minutes after that," he recalls.

Related: Digital Cover: Benjamin & Bianca Reborn

It's hardly surprising, given Ingrosso's Southern Italian roots and his family's well-know love of food. His father, Emilio, brother, Oliver, and cousin, Sebastian (of Swedish House Mafia fame) are all big names in the restaurant game. With Ingrosso's depth of knowledge of the culinary state of Stockholm, we had to ask for some pointers. But what really differentiates a good meal from an amazing one? "It's when your palette is pleased!" Ingrosso says. "When you don't need to add salt, nothing is missing."

Below, find Ingrosso's guide to the best 10 dishes on offer in the Swedish capital.

Ingrosso's older brother, Oliver, is the man behind Olli Ristorante which only swung open its doors in spring of this year. Positioned in a cosy, well-appointed nook of Jakobsbergsgatan, it's the spot that Ingrosso names as the spot he would take a first date to. Best on the Italian-inspired menu for Ingrosso? The mouth-watering schnitzel and perfectly al dente pasta.

The founder of Goma Gastro Pub, which borders on Stockholm's Humlegården, has roots in Asia, and more specifically, Japan. Fittingly, the menu boasts Japanese style sweet, salt, and acidic tastes. This dish, merging ice cream with chocolate and miso sauces, is a case in point and makes the cut of Ingrosso's top 10.

Forget your standard kebab. According to Ingrosso, it's all about the iskender – a Turkish dish that consists of sliced döner meat topped with sauces and butter. The particular iskender dish with Benjamin's seal of approval can be found at Çok, tucked away on Hornsbergs Strand, which offers up delicious veal accompanied by tomato sauce, browned butter, yoghurt and rice.

There's no shortage of buzzy restaurants in Stockholm's Södermalm, but Ingrosso is most likely to be found at A Bowl & Plates. His selection from the menu, a sweet waffle dish completed with apple and crumble textures, is signals Ingrosso's sweet tooth.

Throughout the week, Viet Kitchen is only open until the early evening, so it's best suited as a lunchtime destination. While the pho soup is always tempting, nothing can beat a coriander-crammed banh mi – and Viet Kitchen's has Ingrosso's stamp of approval.

The combination of sweet and salty flavours again appears in Ingrosso's top 10 dishes, with this dessert creation at Östermalm's family-established restaurant DoMa. The caramelised sponge cake is paired with miso ice cream for a truly unique flavour profile.

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As expected, traditional Italian fare features in Ingrosso's top pickings in Stockholm. A sought-out culinary institution in Vasastan, Restaurang Esperenza offers wines from its own vineyard in Tuscany, anda lso serves up 50 kinds of grappas. As Ingrosso attests, he perfect counter to the outstanding drinks list is its fresh and simple spaghetti, dotted with delicious clams.

The recently-opened Riche Fenix in Södermalm is the latest outpost of the iconic brasserie in Östermalm. While the venue itself holds a distinct reputation, the menu comes without pretence, offering simple and satisfying snacks like Ingrosso's favourite: the hotdog. Riche keeps it elevated with a gourmet mustard cream and sprinkling of roasted onions, though.

Making absolutely certain Ingrosso's sweet tooth, the bread pudding at Bistro Mirabelle is the fourth sweet dish to make Ingrosso's top 10 list. The cosy Vasastan restaurant serves it up with season flavourings like cinnamon, and its drenched in an indulgent caramel sauce.

Främmat is something of a hidden secret in Stockholm (until now, perhaps). The kind of place that you hear about through word-of-mouth from the most tasteful friends. Ingrosso is one of those discerning regular guests, and his favourite choice from the menu? It's as unexpected as most of Främmat's innovative menu items: a delicious stack of unexpected flavours, combining ceviche, chicken skin, moose and red lobster.