Baltic Cruise

July 1st we are headed to Europe for a Baltic cruise. We will spend the first couple nights in Copenhagen, where the cruise begins. During the cruise we have 3 days in St. Petersburg where we were planning one dinner off the ship in the city. We end up in Stockholm where we will spend 3 nights and another 2 nights in Moscow.

I would greatly appreciate any dinner suggestions in all price ranges. The only restaurants I've had recommended to me so far are Mathias Dahlgren and Oaxen Krog, both in Stockholm with French Laundry + price tags. We may splurge for 1 dinner in that price range, but only if the LTH experts feel it's worth the cost.

Hello ReverendAndy!

Sounds like a great cruise. I thought I'd throw out a random thought or two and perhaps get back to this thread when I get a little more time and/or if you are interested.

You mention Oaxen and Mathias Dahlgren but if you're toying with blowing the bank (and are extremely lucky with reservations), you might not want to forget Noma in Copenhagen.

I can't vouch for the dollar/enjoyment ratio of either Oaxen or Mathias Dahlgren but both are supposed to be truly exceptional. Mathias Dahlgren actually has two restaurants at the Grand Hotel: Matsalen ("the dining room") and Matbaren ("the food bar"). Matsalen is 2 starred and I've seen nothing but outstanding reviews since they opened. There is no on-line menu as chef Dahlgren is meticulous about choosing market-fresh ingredients. Very Swedish, very hip, very expensive. Matbaren is slightly cheaper and a little more relaxed. I'm itching to try Matbaren for a long lunch one of these days and your inquiry may be enough to get me over there before the 1st of July. If I do get there, I'll let you know. All booking/contact info for Matsalen/Matbaren is online.

Oaxen is actually situated a good bit south of Stockholm so you'll need to add the cost of a pricey (100 dollar plus, one-way) taxi into the equation. They also offer lodging but I doubt you'd be intersted as you'll have your boat in the heart of Stockholm during this time. Despite the difficulty of reaching Oaxen, it is also supposed to be spectacular. Oaxen also has an excellent online site.

I've got a few other Stockholm posts on the board but I'll still recommend Operabaren and/or Bakfikan (both restaurants, along with a third - Operakällaren - are located in Stockholm's Opera. Much less expensive but still good Swedish food.

Is the boat by any chance stopping at Visby, Gotland on it's way east?

We have a day in Visby, a day in Tallinn, and another stop in Helsinki. I would eat lunch in any of those towns if you have suggestions. We are actually flying to Moscow after the cruise and then flying back to Stockholm where we have 3 nights. We will be in a hotel but I wouldn't make the trip to Oaxen. Thanks for that info. It sounds like lunch at Matsalen may be the way to go. I am interested in anything else you have to recommend. At current prices Noma is $163.00 fixed price for dinner. It has come down in price a bunch because of the strength of the dollar. It was over $200 when I first checked it out months ago. They are fully booked and not taking reservations.
Thanks much!

Re: Visby.

I'll likely be in Visby (or at least on Gotland) in July myself!

I'm seriously toying with recommending that you stop at the cheese shop in the middle of Visby's shopping street (Wisby Ost - Wallérs Plats 4) to pick up some stuff for a picnic. You'll find some excellent European cheeses there (I picked up a chunk of perfect Éspoisse last time I was there) but also a good selection of Gotlandish products. They had excellent local ham (and bacon) last time I was there and they may have a Gotlandish truffle or two. Keep heading towards the wall around Visby and go through it at the Eastern Port ("Österport"). Here you'll find a "Systembolaget" if you'd like to buy wine or beer with more than 3.5% alcohol (simply a visit to the Swedish state-run liquor stores is practically worth a visit). Keep your eyes open for some bread as you walk through town or pick up a loaf in one of the grocery stores near the liquor store. Now, head back towards the wall but take the path that follows the wall down towards the Baltic (towards the right when facing "Österport" from the liquor store) before you actually go through it again. Stop somewhere along the path where you get a good view of the sea, the wall and the buildings of Visby and have a picnic.

This is what you should see...

No restaurant in Visby can beat this lunch or dinner if the weather is good! Just watch out for the Bridgestone kids selling cookies and juice to tourists! They're prices are exorbitant...

The Botanical Garden in Visby is another nice place for a picnic but you don't get the view there that you do outside the wall and sitting in/on the edge of the old moat.

Otherwise in Visby - don't be afraid to ask the people working at a cafe or lunch restaurant if the goods have been baked on premises. Please don't settle for anything other than real, homebaked goods! The quality has been sliding the past few years and we only have ourselves to blame for this...

Bridgestone, the castle looks pretty cool. I like the idea of grazing on cheese, etc.

I'm not interested in cookies or juice but if there's lemonade I'm all over it!