This Week in Scandinavia · 15 July 2026
This Week in Scandinavia — High Summer, Open Flames & the Season's Best Tables
Midsummer has settled into something slower and richer — the frantic energy of the solstice has given way to long, amber evenings, salt air, and the quiet confidence of a region that knows exactly how good it has it. I've been watching the new season's openings closely, and this week brings a collection of truly exceptional arrivals.
Stockholm & Sweden
Stockholm | Culinary
Adam/Albin's New Flagship
Freshly crowned with the Michelin Guide's "Opening of the Year" award, the new flagship from culinary duo Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman is more than a restaurant — it is a landmark. Located in a grand space that feels both intimate and monumental, the chefs have finally created the stage for the hyper-refined, soul-stirring Nordic cooking I have loved for years.
Stockholm | Art
Ylva Snöfrid at Liljevalchs
Described as a "living total work of art," Ylva Snöfrid's Musernas hus spans 13 halls of the iconic Liljevalchs gallery. It's an immersive, ritualistic journey that blends painting and theater — deeply personal and universally resonant.
Gotland | Heritage
Medieval Week in Visby
From August 2nd, the UNESCO-listed city of Visby transforms for its annual Medieval Week. This year's theme of "Love" feels particularly poignant — an atmospheric, island-wide immersion where the history of the Hanseatic League meets artisan markets and jousting tournaments in the shadow of the old city wall.
Lapland | Design
Arctic Bath's Summer Glow
While often associated with winter, the floating Arctic Bath in Harads is a revelation under the midnight sun. The architectural "log jam" design takes on a different kind of beauty when mirrored in the calm Lule River — a serene, design-forward base for exploring the wild luxury of Sweden's northern reaches.
Copenhagen & Denmark
Copenhagen | Gastronomy
The Return of Noma
The global culinary icon reopens its doors in Christianshavn this August with a renewed leadership team and a fascinating "twelve seasons" concept. By shifting the menu more frequently, René Redzepi and his team are pushing their commitment to seasonality even further.
Copenhagen | Pop-up
CODA at Tivoli Gardens
Berlin's two-Michelin-star dessert restaurant CODA has arrived at the Japanese Pagoda in Tivoli for a limited summer residency. A 10-course masterclass in culinary innovation that eliminates refined sugar entirely — I wouldn't miss it.
Copenhagen | Design
Jeppe Hein's Interactive Fountain
In the new Postbyen district, artist Jeppe Hein has unveiled a public sculpture that invites you to walk through walls of water. A playful, artful way to stay cool while navigating the city's world-class architecture.
Skåne & Malmö
Malmö | Dining
Como & Margaux at Malmö Börshus
Located within the historic Malmö Exchange building, these dual concepts by Michelin-starred chef Niclas Jönsson are the talk of the city. Grand 19th-century architecture meets contemporary flair — masterful.
Skåne | Culture
Wanås Restaurant Hotel
Set on a historic estate featuring an organic farm and a world-class contemporary sculpture park, Wanås is Skåne at its most sophisticated. Wandering through the beech forest to find site-specific art before retreating to the design-forward hotel for a locally sourced dinner — a sequence I never tire of.
Skåne | Wine
Hällåkra Vingård
Sweden's wine scene is no longer a curiosity — it's a reality. At Hällåkra, you can dine among the vines on the rolling Scanian hills, enjoying a menu that perfectly complements the estate's own organic wines.
Göteborg
Göteborg | Views
Karlatornet Observation Deck
The Nordic region's tallest building has officially opened its "Gothenburg View" deck. Rising 220 meters above the Lindholmen district, the panoramic sweep takes in the archipelago and the city's evolving skyline.
Göteborg | Michelin
The Reopening of Bhoga
After a year-long hiatus and extensive renovations, the one-Michelin-star Bhoga has returned to Norra Hamngatan. Seasonal Nordic tasting menus that are technically flawless but comfortably unpretentious — exactly what Gothenburg does better than anywhere else.
Experience Spotlight
Imagine a private afternoon in the Stockholm archipelago, where a wooden motorboat whisks you away to a hidden island cove. Here, a private chef has prepared a three-course lunch over open fire, featuring wild salmon and early summer berries. This is the kind of experience I help arrange — exclusive access, absolute tranquility, and an authentic connection to the Scandinavian landscape.
Until next week,
Gabrielle
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