There are some places that just give you a strong sensation of the tides of history, and the restaurant Pelikan is certainly one of them. Pelikan first was established in 1733 and has moved around Södermalm since its inception. Through its name, Pelikan has upheld a 400 year old restaurant tradition, focusing on traditional Swedish cuisine (husmanskost) as well as being the workers’ and sailors’ go-to beer hall. Since 1931, Pelikan resides at Blekingegatan 40 and even though modern times are here, you really feel like you step back in time when you enter the Jugend-styled dining hall. Just the fact that the restaurant got its first female restroom in 1984 (when two women bought the establishment), kind of enhances the feeling of “time standing still”.
At Pelikan they serve great and plentiful Swedish husman; cabbage pudding, fried and salted herring and pickled vegetables. Meatballs with mash or boiled knuckle of pork with mashed turnips. If you want to dive in deep, why not try “the grosshandlar dinner” (the wholesale dealer’s dinner) – a 3 course set menu of husman-classics, accompanied with snaps and beer? For me, I always go for the grated potato pancake, served with Kalix bleak roe, red onions and crème fraîche. It is heaven on a plate!
Pelikan is one of my favorite spots to bring friends, whether they’re non-Stockholmers or visiting from abroad, and so far no one has been disappointed. Pelikan is quite an experience, both for eyes and tastebuds.
