I didn’t want much, but I was having a difficult time.

Sure it may have been a different day, but it was the same narrative as I’ve experienced while in Stockholm. I had been walking around letting my adventure have its way with me and at this point, I was beyond tired. As my legs began to tremble and my ankles started to scream, I didn’t want much but to sit down with a plate of something delicious in front of me. I put all the exploring on pause and went back to my list of restaurants to visit while in the city. In a matter of moments, it felt as if the skies opened and God whispered in my ear that Oljebaren, was just around the corner.

“Than you, Jesus!” I shouted as I made my way around the corner.

Stumbling into the restaurant, I was greeted by the sweet waitress who wasn’t bothered by my heavy breathing and excess sweating. “It’s been a long day.” I said as I pulled out the chair and sat down. With a smile that seemed as if she was unaware of my appearance (or just used to people like me) she handed me a menu, bread, and filled my glass with ice cold water. It felt good to sit down and the dim lighting helped me relax from the day of exploring that I got lost in.

Tearing the soft and gently salted bread apart, I threw pieces in my mouth to help fill my empty stomach. Bite after bite I couldn’t help but fall in love with the cloud-like texture of the simple bread. Light and airy I tore it apart in an almost ravenous fashion like a feral animal. I clearly didn’t care how I looked. By the time the bread was gone, I placed my order and patiently waited.

In the amount of time it took for me to take photos of the interior and quietly people watch, my food arrived. A Hamburger with Fries (195 SEK, $22) may make you think I am basic, but considering how exhausted I was I will agree with you: I was basic for sure. However, the burger and fries were anything but that. The burger description was just like any other you’ve had: a beef patty topped with bacon, tomatoes, gruyere, and their special burger dressing. The fries that came alongside with it were similar to those you may have had as they were triple-fried and served with an aioli sauce on the side.

While the two items didn’t read as anything special they tasted delicious enough that they stood out on their own right. Thanks to the fluffy homemade burger bun, the juicy beef patty, and the dressing that tasted the way 1000 Islands aspires to be the burger was remarkable! Each taste and each bite had me wanting more until I found myself without a burger in hand. To make up for the disappearance were the fries. Incredibly crispy on the outside with just enough softness within was exactly how I wanted them to be. In fact, they were so well made that the accompanying sauce wasn’t even necessary.

As much as the burger and the fries filled me, I couldn’t resist ordering dessert. The Gruyereost Vieux Chaudron (75 SEK, $8.50) was a simple dish: a trio of sliced gruyere with tomato marmalade was a way to end the night on a slow and calming note. Smearing the light and somewhat citrus marmalade across the dense and hard cheese was a pleasant pairing of opposite tastes and flavors. The sharp cheese against the sweet marmalade had to be eaten with time to best enjoy the flavor of it all. I was happy with it from start to finish and appreciated the way it quietly closed the dinner.

Walking out of Oljebaren, I was so glad to have put my Stockholm adventure on pause just to have dinner at the restaurant. While the food could be found at any restaurant back home, I loved how Oljebaren made a few small adjustments to make their food their own and to allow it to stand out. Having such a nice take on everyday food helped to make the visit memorable and one I would suggest to anyone visiting the area eager to stop and enjoy something delicious.

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Address: Torsgatan 48B, 113 37 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46 8 31 51 50
Hours: Tuesday – 5:00pm to 10:00pm, Wednesday & Thursday – 5:00pm to 11:00pm, Friday – 11:30am to 12:00am, Saturday – 5:00pm to 12:00am, and Closed on Sunday and Monday
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