Review: Flippin’ Burgers, Stockholm, Sweden

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”. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with crickets – it’s a beef patty named after the legendary burger place Cherry Cricket where there was a burger with cream cheese, At FLippin’, they have done their twist of it. 

On the side, we enjoyed the two types of fries – traditional fries known as ‘Flippin’ industry fries’ and ‘own creation that we call ‘fritatoes’, cut baked potatoes tossed in their own seasoning and then fried crispy.

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 sold the restaurant back in 2020 and no longer has a connection to it, but the current owners are continuing to operate the restaurant with his same vision.

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.

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.