What is Dagenslunch?

Dagenslunch in English simply means "Daily lunch". In Sweden, specifically in Gothenburg and Stockholm, this lunch is available only on weekdays. 

On weekends, they switch to something they call a 'Shopping lunch' which is a bit more expensive than a Daily lunch and has fewer options or just "a la carte" dishes.

The traditional Dagenslunch comes with a serve yourself salad bar, coffee/tea and sometimes a cookie or something sweet for dessert. 

Eatery Lunch offers "Something Sweet" on Tuesdays like apple crumble and vanilla sauce.

For the main meal, there are usually three meal options: Meat (Kött), Fish (Fisk) or Vegetarian (Vegetarisk). Drinks are often included and can be low alcohol beer, soda, or still or sparkling water. Not all restaurants offer drinks, however, sometimes it's just water.

Delicious steak lunch is an option at Le Pain Francais! 

I remember when I first moved to Sweden and started working, whenever we went for lunch, I would go for a place that offered a Dagenslunch. At the beginning, I used to take one plate of salad and then if I wanted more, I went back. Later, I realized that NOONE else did this. They would just take one plate of salad and that's it! So it's not really an All-U-Can-Eat salad, just a serve yourself once kind of salad.

Roast beef at Villa Belparc restaurant in Slottsskogen park, Gothenburg

The traditional self-serve salad is not offered at many restaurants since the Pandemic and has been replaced with a small plate of salad instead that has been prepared and put onto plates already.

During the last few months (while working from home) we have started to enjoy Dagenslunch outdoors on a patio, as Corona-friendly as possible.

There is usually Hand sanitizer by the salad or coffee and cookies area and at the entrance of the restaurants. I've seen that many people are good about using that before they handle the serving tongs.

Räkmacka or shrimp sandwich!

Not all restaurants in the city offer a Dagenslunch, however, some just offer a regular menu. So if you are interested in a particular restaurant, make sure to check their website before heading over. If they do offer a Dagenslunch the menu will say  "Lunch Week 35" (for example) and it will list the available options on that lunch page.
Pro-tip: Depending on the restaurant, it may get busy, so making a table reservation is a good idea and saves you from getting disappointed due to no tables available.

Note: Sweden uses week numbers to refer to specific weeks!

What are some things you can eat at a Dagenslunch?

Why, traditional Swedish dishes of course!

The fish option came with shrimp salad or "Skagenröra" and of course potatoes :)

I've had breaded fish and mashed potatoes, meatballs and mash, a plate of bacon and mash, and of course the Pea soup and pancakes that they offer when the weather starts cooling off (in the Fall). 

Fiskgryta or fish stew (with shrimp, fish and potatoes) lunch at Fanny Udde.

Dagenslunch is a great opportunity to sample some traditional Swedish dishes or Husmanskost ("homecooking"). Lunch prices are really reasonable especially compared to the price of dinner. Dagenslunch prices can vary from 99kr to 130kr. Remember this already includes tax, and there is usually no tipping required at lunch. 

Delicious fish with mash potatoes

If you're in Sweden or plan to visit, try to enjoy a Dagenslunch on a weekday for a great lunch deal!

Don't forget your snacks!