Review: Flippin’ Burgers, Stockholm, Sweden

Think of Stockholm’s culinary scene, and good food and great restaurants will undoubtedly come to mind. But sometimes, luxury isn’t found in white tablecloths or elaborate tasting menus. A good example of this is Flippin’ Burgers, a joint in Stockholm’s upscale Norrmalm district.

And while this may not work in the usual luxury way, Flippin’ Burgers’ dedication to quality and simplicity has earned them a reputation as one of the city’s best burger experiences. We called for lunch shortly after arriving in town to see what all the fuss was about.

Food

The menu reads: “Our philosophy at Flippin’ is to keep it simple. A couple of burgers and shakes, fries on the side, lots of craft beers and natural wines”. But there is more to it than that. There is a commitment to quality ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. And while the menu may seem straightforward, a lot goes on behind the scenes to achieve the perfect patty.

My wife was delighted with her traditional burger, which she said was possibly the best burger she’s ever had. Cooked to perfection, the meat was juicy and tender, with a rich depth of flavor and subtle spices to let the natural flavor of the beef shine through.

The burgers are handmade, ground in-house with fresh dry-aged beef from three small Swedish suppliers, while one of the vegetables our youngest son had was a pea-based patty from Beyond Beef. Bread is baked fresh every day at Magnus Johanssons Bageri, just 10 minutes by car.

My other son and I opted to go a little ‘off piste’ with the cricket burger, described as a “Colorado classic. Cream cheese, chopped onion, pickled red onion and jalapeño”. For those unfamiliar, crickets are considered an environmentally friendly protein source, and this burger is made with a cricket-infused patty, giving it a twist that feels delicious and luxurious. And while it’s a nod to the growing trend of sustainable eating, I’ll admit that the driving force behind our choice was pure curiosity.

That said, we were not disappointed. It was very sweet and had a subtle world that made it seem unexpectedly indulgent. While eating cricket-based food may sound daring to some, it was executed so well that it didn’t feel out of place at all. I might also try some cricket-based treats, and the fact that it’s a sustainable, eco-friendly option comes as an added bonus.

On the side, we enjoyed two types of fries – traditional fries known as ‘Flippin’ factory fries’ – and ‘Swedish organic fries’ which are double-fried potatoes from the fertile soil of Skåne in southern Sweden.

Flippin’ Burgers also offers shakes, sodas, juices, craft beers, ciders and wine.

The cook

Former engineer Jon Widegren is the mastermind behind Flippin’ Burgers. He spent six weeks traveling around America, learning the art of the perfect burger, before launching a crowdfunding campaign to realize his vision: a burger restaurant that prioritizes sustainable, locally sourced ingredients to deliver a unique burger experience without any frills. He was traveling during our visit so unfortunately we didn’t get to meet him but his influence is everywhere in the restaurant, all the staff share his passion for the best burger experience.

The ambience

Inside, it’s a warm and inviting place – a retro homage to a classic American diner. The walls are decorated with a mix of US photos and memorabilia, while vinyl records offer glimpses of American music and pop culture. The seating is casual but stylish, with high-backed leather chairs on either side of glossy wooden tables.

A very informal vibe with industrial style lamps that cast soft light over the tables. We arrived early in the morning, just as they were opening, but this quiet space quickly turned into a bustling chatterbox, as the wait staff buzzed around with orders from the open kitchen.

Costs

Burgers vary in cost from 115 SEK for a standard, single hamburger to 165 SEK for a double BCJ burger (organic craft bacon, cheese and jalapeños). Considering the quality and innovation behind the menu, this is an amazing value and only comes to $10-$20, whatever you choose.

Final decision

In a city known for its high-end restaurants and fine dining, this is not “luxury” in the traditional sense, but it is a luxury burger joint. Combine this with a leisurely atmosphere and you have the perfect ingredients for guilt-free indulgence. Not only that, but there is a commitment to quality and sustainability, at a price point that is very accessible to frugal travelers.

Disclosure: Our tour is sponsored by Flippin’ Burgers and our tour is kindly supported by Visit Stockholm.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is the Editor of the Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He is the winner of the Innovation in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog was also voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best in luxury” by The Telegraph.