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Where to celebrate Thanksgiving in Sweden

American Thanksgiving is just around the corner..but where to find the turkey if you live in Sweden? The Local offers up a buffet of options for celebrating Thanksgiving in Sweden.

Where to celebrate Thanksgiving in Sweden
Most often, Thanksgiving is all about the Turkey. File photo: Matthew Mead/TT

This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 28th, the fourth Thursday of the month, the day designating for celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.

While some Americans living in Sweden may have the option of heading back the the US for Thanksgiving, there are options abound for those who will find themselves in Sweden at the end of November.

Not only do a number of restaurants and organizations put on some form of Thanksgiving spread, it's not impossible to find many of the key ingredients to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal at grocery stores in Sweden's larger cities.

For turkey, Ingelsta Kalkon is the where it's at. With outlets in Stockholm, Malmö, Gothenburg, Lund, Helsingborg, and at their farm in Österlen in southern Sweden, Ingelsta is the place to turn for Thanksgiving turkey. If you can't make it to one of their outlets, check with your local grocer – if they carry turkey, it's likely from Ingelsta.

For other Thanksgiving staples, there's also the English Shop, which has outlets in Sweden's three largest cities, and carries a wide-range of non-perishable foodstuffs with a British and American twist.

But for those out there who don't have the time or the energy to prepare their own turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, or are simply looking to connect with other Americans on what many consider the most American of holidays, The Local has put together a list of options in Stockholm, Malmö, Gothenburg — and Småland.

Stockholm

Hard Rock Cafe 

On November 28th, Hard Rock Cafe offers a decently-priced three-course dinner for 395 kronor ($60), starting off with a Caesar salad and moving on to herb grilled turkey with mashed potatoes and candied cranberries. And of it's not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. Make your reservations by calling 08-545 494 00. 

Saints Food & Drinks

This is a pricier option for Turkey Day, but you get what you pay for. For 545 kronor you get a full Thanksgiving buffet, complete with squash, ham, turkey, green beans, macaroni and cheese, brussel sprouts, pie, and more. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance by calling 08-314473. 

The American Table

If you can't celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, dinner a la Marcus Samuelsson style may be the thing for you. The dinner will be served November 25th through November 30th, and consists of warm punch, squash soup, waldorf salad, turkey, and pecan pie. The price is 595 kronor per person and reservations can be made online here, or by calling 08-6769850.

English Speaking Community Club

Home-Style Thanksgiving with the English Speaking Community Club takes place Friday, November 22nd, 5pm at Stockholm's Borgargrille. Turkey will be provided and guests are asked to bring side dishes potluck-style. Dinner costs 300 kronor.

American Club and Stockholm Stadsmissionen

Give someone else something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day. Each year the American Club of Sweden volunteers with Stockholms Stadsmission to give Thanksgiving dinner to the poor. The event is a collaborative with the Hilton Hotel and Ingelsta Kalkon.

Gåshaga Sealodge

The Friday after Thanksgiving Day, a four-course Thanksgiving menu will be presented at Gåshaga Sealodge on Lidingö just outside Stockholm city. Pumpkin soup, roasted turkey, creamed corn, stuffing, pie and biscuits are all on the menu for 595 kronor. RSVP no later than November 26th by calling 08-6013400.
 

Gothenburg

Norda Bar and Grill

Interested in a Marcus Samuelsson style dinner, but located on the west coast? No worries, Marcus Samuelsson and Red Rooster Harlem have their own Thanksgiving dinner the last weekend in November. Call 031-61 90 60 to reserve, or book here.

Hard Rock Cafe 

Hard Rock Cafe in Gothenburg has the same 395 kronor feast as Stockholm, starting off with a Caesar salad and moving on to herb grilled turkey with mashed potatoes and candied cranberries. And of it's not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. Make your reservations by calling 031 10 23 30.

American Women's Club, Gothenburg

This evens it not open to the general public, but if you are female and have any interest in American culture, why not join the American Women's Club for their annual potluck Thanksgiving dinner? Contact the club here for more info. 
 

Malmö

Lund Meetup Social Dinner

Turkey dinner is hard to come by in Malmö, but if you'd still like to meet and eat, the Lund social group on Meetup.com will be gathering at an Italian Restaurant on Friday, November 29th. Perhaps chicken parmigiana doesn't shout Thanksgiving, but it's the thought that counts.

American Women's Club, Malmö

Once again, events with the American Women's Club are only open to members and members' guests – but why not try it out? They have an annual potluck dinnner in Malmö as well. Contact the club here for more info. 
 

Småland

American Thanksgiving in Småland

If you're in Kalmar, Öland, Nybro, or Växjö, you're in luck. Americans across Småland will gather on Sunday, November 24th for a cozy and affordable Thanksgiving dinner, just 100 kronor per adult. But there's only room for 75 people so RSVP quickly.

Did we miss any? Feel free to add them in the comment section below. 

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FOOD AND DRINK

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

For Eurovision visitors, students or anyone else looking to have a good evening without breaking the bank, Malmö has plenty of pubs – which is good news for beer drinkers, as alcohol is famously expensive in Sweden.

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

Most of these are around the Möllan neighbourhood, which is more or less the centre of the city’s nightlife.

A general tip if you’re buying a beer anywhere in Sweden and aren’t too bothered about the exact one you get is to order a stor stark, literally a “big strong one”. These are usually half a litre of beer at around 5.5 percent ABV, so bear that in mind if that’s more than what you’re used to.

Nobes

Technically known as Gamle Nobes Bodega, everyone in Malmö calls it Nobes. Originally opened in 1937, Nobes is the closest you’re going to get to a British-style pub or German Bierhalle, with its tiled floor and rustic dark wooden décor.

As far as food is concerned, Nobes has some of the best traditional Swedish food in Malmö, with its kålpudding cabbage casserole, served with gravy, potatoes, pickled cucumber and lingonberry jam a must (it’s better than it sounds, we promise).

They have a dart board and sometimes have live music, and you can choose from a range of draft or bottled beers, ciders and wines.

Expect to pay a minimum of 60 kronor for a beer and around 160 kronor for food.

Address: Kristianstadsgatan 36

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2pm-midnight, Fri 2pm-1am, Sat noon-1am and Sun noon-midnight

Ölkaféet

This is one of the most popular pubs in the Möllan neighbourhood, and that’s not just because it’s the unofficial supporters bar of the local football team, Malmö FF.

They’re cheap and cheerful, with reasonably priced pub grub, a heated outdoor seating area with views over the Möllan square and football matches on the TV, if that’s your kind of thing.

They even have a small library, a gallery wall with works by local artists, and board games like backgammon, checkers and chess, which you can borrow.

If there are no seats (it can get busy on the weekend), Vegan Bar next door is a good alternative, even for non-vegans.

A standard 50cl beer (veckans öl or “beer of the week”, despite the fact it hasn’t changed in years) costs around 65 kronor, with a burger costing around 140 kronor.

Address: Södra Skolgatan 43 – or just walk to the Möllevångstorget square and look for the bright blue awnings.

Opening hours: All days 10am-1am

Rex Pizzeria

Rex, on Nobelvägen, is probably the best example of a classic Swedish pizzeria that you can find in Malmö.

A warning: leave any expectation of Italian-style pizzas at the door, as Rex is firmly in the Swedish-style fulpizza category.

Their pizzas, such as the Tropicana, with cheese, tomato, ham, banana and curry powder, almost make a Hawaiian pizza look tame – although you can get more normal pizza toppings too if banana and curry is a bit too wild for you. They also have vegetarian and vegan options, for groups with allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Pizzas aside, Rex is also a popular pub with cheap drinks, shuffleboard and pool tables, and a nice outdoor serving area in summer. They often host quizzes, standup or other entertainment in their event room in the basement.

Beers cost around 60 kronor and pizzas range from 70 to 140 kronor.

Address: Nobelvägen 107

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 11am-1am, Sun-Mon 11am-11pm

Azalee

If you’re looking for a cheap bar which also provides the evening’s entertainment, Azalee’s your best bet.

This bar is a bizarre mix of casino, karaoke bar and pub, and an evening of karaoke here is equally as entertaining whether you’re getting up on stage yourself or just listening to the other guests get progressively worse at singing as the night goes on.

They offer classic pub fare at around 150-200 kronor and reasonably priced drinks.

Address: Claesgatan 8

Opening hours: Weds-Tors 4pm-1am, Fre-Sat 4pm-3am

Karaoke: Weds and Thurs, 8pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 8pm-3am

Blackjack Weds-Sat 6pm-close

Entry fee: 50kr after 11pm on weekends

Lion Bar

The picturesque Lilla Torg area of Malmö is not known for being cheap, but Lion Bar (a national chain) is an exception, offering a 40cl beer for under 40kr.

Food wise, they offer standard pub grub – nachos, buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, burgers and so on – with deals on some food items.

Unsurprisingly, the prices rise if you stray from the special offers, particularly if ordering cocktails or wine.

Address: Landbygatan 4

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 3pm-1am

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