Think of Stockholm’s culinary scene, and fine dining and elegant eateries will no doubt come to mind. But sometimes, luxury isn’t found in white tablecloths or elaborate tasting menus. A great example of this is Flippin’ Burgers, an understated spot in Stockholm’s upscale Norrmalm district.
And while this may not fit the mould of a typical luxury experience, Flippin’ Burgers’ dedication to quality and simplicity has earned them a reputation as one of the city’s finest burger experiences. We called in for lunch soon after arriving in the city to see what all the fuss is about.
The food
The menu reads: “Our philosophy at Flippin’ is to keep it simple. A handful of burgers and shakes, fries on the side, a bunch of craft beers and some natural wines”. But there’s more to it than that. There’s a commitment to quality ingredients and a meticulous attention to detail. And whilst the menu may appear straightforward, there’s a lot that has gone on behind the scenes to achieve the perfect patty.
My wife was delighted with her traditional cheeseburger, which she said was quite possibly the best burger she’d ever had. Cooked to perfection, the meat was juicy and tender, with a rich depth of flavour and subtle seasoning to allow the natural taste of the beef to shine.
The burgers are handmade, ground in-house with fresh dry aged beef from three small Swedish suppliers, whilst the vegetarian alternative that our younger son had is a pea-based patty from Beyond Beef. The bread is baked fresh every day at Magnus Johanssons Bageri, just a 10-minute drive away.
Myself and my other son chose to go a little more ‘off piste’ with the cricket burger, described as “A Colorado classic. Cream cheese, caramelised onions, pickled red onions and jalapeño”. For those unfamiliar, crickets are considered an eco-friendly source of protein, and this burger was made from a cricket-infused patty, offering a twist that felt both adventurous and luxurious. And whilst it’s a nod to the growing trend of sustainable eating, I’ll confess that the driving force for our choice was more out of sheer curiosity.
That said, we were certainly not disappointed. It was so succulent and with a very subtle earthiness that made it seem unexpectedly indulgent. While eating a cricket-based dish might sound daring to some, it was executed so well that it didn’t feel outlandish at all. I would certainly try other cricket-based delicacies again, and the fact that it’s a sustainable, eco-friendly option comes as an added bonus.
On the side, we enjoyed the two types of fries – traditional fries known as ‘Flippin’ industry fries’ – and ‘Swedish organic fries’ which are double fried single origin organic potatoes from the fertile soils of Skåne in southern Sweden.
Flippin’ Burgers also serve shakes, sodas, juices, craft beers, ciders and wine.
The chef
Former engineer Jon Widegren is the mastermind behind Flippin’ Burgers. He spent six weeks travelling around America, learning the art of the perfect burger, before launching a crowdsourcing campaign to fulfil his vision: a burger restaurant that prioritises sustainable, locally sourced ingredients to deliver an exceptional burger experience without any frills. He was travelling at the time of our visit so we unfortunately didn’t get to meet but his influence permeates every part of the restaurant, with all the staff sharing his enthusiasm for the perfect burger experience.
The ambience
Inside, it’s a warm and inviting space – a retro homage to a classic American diner. Walls are adorned with a mix of US imagery and memorabilia, whilst vinyl records provide a glimpse into American music and pop culture. Seating is casual yet stylish, with high-backed leather stools on either side of sleek wooden tables.
It’s a very informal vibe with industrial-style lamps casting a soft glow over the tables. We arrived quite early, just as they were opening, but this quiet space very quickly transformed into a bustling hub of conversation, as the waiting staff scurried back and forth with orders from the open-plan kitchen.
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The cost
Burgers vary in cost from 115 SEK for a standard, single hamburger to 165 SEK for a double BCJ burger (local organic craft bacon, cheese and jalapeños). Considering the quality and innovation behind the menu, this is incredible value and amounts to just $10-$20, whatever you choose.
The final verdict
In a city known for its high-end restaurants and fine dining, this isn’t “luxury” in the traditional sense, but it’s certainly a luxurious take on the burger. Combine this with a laid-back atmosphere and you have the perfect ingredients for guilt-free indulgence. Not only that, but there’s a commitment to quality and sustainability, at a price point that’s very much in reach of more frugal travellers.
Dislcosure: Our visit was sponsored by Flippin’ Burgers and our trip was kindly supported by Visit Stockholm.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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