By Alaric 
If you’re looking for an immersive dining experience in Stockholm look no further than Aifur Krog & Bar.
It’s a themed restaurant in Gamla Stan that will transport you back in time to the Viking Age from 700 – 1100 AD.
You’ll dine on long tables, feast on Scandinavian food and sip honey mead while listening to traditional music.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. This sounds like a tourist trap. But, I can assure you that Aifur is anything but.
It’s a great way to experience local traditions and be a part of history. It’s also a night of merrymaking you won’t forget in a hurry.
As a history lover and fan of the TV series Vikings, Vikings of Valhalla and The Last Kingdom I knew I had to go to Sweden’s only Viking Tavern.
Here is why you must visit Aifur Viking Restaurant in Stockholm.
Introducing Aifur Viking Restaurant in Stockholm
The name “Aifur” stems from a legendary Viking ship and means “The Ever Violent”.
It was named after the wild rapids in the Dnjepr river when Vikings voyaged east to the Black Sea.
The restaurant is owned by Martin Erikson better known as ‘E-Type’ who is a Swedish Eurodance musician and Viking aficionado.
His latest project is a Viking Tavern in Gamla Stan which has been specially designed to provide an authentic Scandinavian experience.
Erikson and his staff have used endless archaeological research from 700 – 1100 AD to create a celebration reminiscent of the era.
Visitors can dine in their decorated long hall, listen to traditional music, eat a hearty feast and sip on honey mead.
It’s a must-visit for those who love history or simply want a Viking experience in Stockholm.
Do you need to reserve a table at Aifur?
It’s highly recommended to reserve a table at Aifur Viking Restaurant as places are limited and it’s a very popular experience.
There’s room for over 150 people to dine in their long hall and all of the tables will be packed full of travellers!
It’s very easy to book a table via their website and I would do this a couple of days (or even a week) in advance to avoid disappointment.
It’s open from Monday to Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 1 am and closed on Sundays and most Public Holidays.
Be warned, if you do reserve a table you should prepare to be greeted into the great hall by their skald.
Being announced into the Great Hall
I have to admit that I did no research before visiting Aifur. I just love anything to do with Vikings and knew I wanted to go!
So, imagine my surprise when I got to the restaurant and the host asked where I was from.
I didn’t think anything of it at first and happily told them but then the skald blew a loud horn and announced to the entire hall I had arrived.
They told everyone about my great voyage from England! Of course, there was a little joke about the treasures the Vikings had stolen from our shores.
It was a little mortifying but I quickly laughed it off as everyone started cheering and slamming their fists on the tables so it felt like being welcomed into a true Viking feast.
I was also amazing to know where everyone was from around the world!
Sit at a long table
After you’re announced into the hall, you’ll then be shown to one of the long tables and take your seat.
It’s good to know you’ll be sitting with other travellers and people you don’t know. But, it’s a great chance to chat with other people and make new friends.
The seats are lined with furs and the hall has been decorated with authentic Viking paintings, shields, helmets, runes, barrels and boats.
All of these items have been replicated from graves and excavations around Europe.
It’s also quite dark and lit by hanging lanterns and candlelight which sets the mood.
Feast like a Viking
There aren’t many cookbooks that have been left behind with instructions about cooking traditional Viking fare as it was over a thousand years ago.
However, the Scandinavian menu at Aifur has used research from archaeology to create a menu fit for a Jarl!
It is primarily meat-focused and uses herbs and spices that Vikings would have plundered from distant lands.
You’ll find racks of lamb, fillets of goose and salmon, venison and chickens. These are all served with seasoned root vegetables and bulgar.
If you’re a vegetarian, don’t fret as there is also mushroom risotto that you can order with shallots, cheese and kale.
Your choice of fare will be taken from one of their friendly Viking Maidens and in the meantime you can snack on traditional bread and crackers.
Your meal will be served to you on rustic hand-forged dinnerware and cutlery.
The two-pronged fork took a little getting used to but I got there in the end!
I ordered ‘Varjagers’ fully roasted dwarf chicken’ which was honey grilled with carrots, bulgar and an Anglo-Saxon apple cider sauce.
It was a huge plate of food that was tasty and filling. I found the meals here really well done and value for money.
After you’ve finished you can also treat yourself to one of their tasty desserts including King Rollo’s parfait, Hyllemor’s sweet plate or mead truffles!
Enjoy a cup of traditional mead
To wash down your platter, you can order from their huge range of traditional meads on the menu.
Mead is an ancient alcoholic drink that is made by fermenting honey in water and was a popular drink among Vikings.
There are lots of variations here including honey mead, Linden honey mead, Black currant mead, apple honey mead and even chilli mead.
I tried so many types while I was here but my favourite was the ship’s classic mead which used honey from Germany.
In the Viking era, mead was traditionally supped from drinking horns which was a symbol of life and abundance but they don’t do that here.
At the restaurant, you’ll drink from a horned-shaped glass which rests on a winding stem. If you’re drinking at the bar you’ll be given an earthenware cup.
Of course, you don’t have to drink mead if you don’t want to.
They also have honey beers, wines, cider, champagne and soft drinks to order as well including a non-alcoholic mead!
Listen to live Viking music
The best part of visiting Aifur is getting to hear some traditional Viking music.
From 6.30 pm they have musicians who play live tunes to guests in the hall. Everyone claps along and it’s really fun.
They play a mix of medieval, Viking and Celtic music only using historical instruments that would have been used in centuries past.
On my visit, a bard played with a Hurdy-Gurdy and I was so excited as it’s one of my favourite instruments.
It’s something that is rarely used in music today and dates back to before the 9th century.
You hear it a lot in Bear McCreary’s music who is the composer of the soundtracks for Outlander and Black Sails. Also, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt game soundtrack uses it a lot.
The best way to describe it is a wheel fiddle with a winding crank that makes a very distinctive melodious sound!
Visit the Aifur Bar
If you haven’t been able to get a reservation at Aifur or you just don’t fancy sitting down for a meal, you could visit the Aifur Bar in the same building.
The bar requires no reservations and seating is on a first come first served basis.
You’ll be sitting amongst Viking shields and weapons and can still hear the traditional music and rowdiness of the restaurant.
I came back here a couple of times on my trip to stop in for a drink in the evenings in Gamla Stan.
I got to try lots of different meads this way, listen to music and chat with people.
One thing I will say is that their chilli mead is not for the faint of heart. It will blow your head off and make your nose run!
Is Aifur worth visiting?
I think it’s pretty obvious by now but yes, I think that Aifur is well worth visiting.
Themed dining experiences can be very touristy but this Viking Tavern is more than that and something you must try!
A lot of effort has been put into the decor, music and ambience to make it authentic and the food is extremely good quality and value for money.
Even if you just stopped by for a drink at their bar, you’d still have a great time!
It’s a must for any history lover or fan of Viking culture. Don’t skip this legendary experience in Stockholm!
How to get to Aifur in Stockholm
Aifur Krog & Bar can be found in the Old Town area of Stockholm in Gamla Stan on the popular thoroughfare of Västerlånggatan.
If you haven’t already booked to sit down for a meal, you’ll most likely pass by their intimidating welcome gate with Viking runes on the street!
You’ll then descend a large staircase and find the Viking restaurant at the bottom in a vaulted cellar.
Gamla Stan is mainly a pedestrianised area so it’s best to approach on foot.
The nearest Metro Station would be Gamla Stan or you can get the bus to Kornhamnstorg nearby (service 53).
Another way to get around the city is by using the wealth of public ferries. The nearest pier would be Slussen.
Why not visit the Viking Museum next?
If you love history and want to experience more Viking tourism in Stockholm there are plenty of places to do it.
One of the best attractions is the award-winning Viking Museum in Djurgårdsvägen.
It’s an interactive museum where you can learn more about the Viking Age.
I took a guided tour in English and it was really funny and informative. You can then explore at your leisure to see ancient weapons, play Viking games, enter huts and more.
At the very end, you can enjoy a ride called Ragnfrid’s Saga where you can take an adventurous journey through 10th-century Europe!
They also have an incredible Eld restaurant where you can enjoy a mead tasting or shop for Viking-inspired souvenirs in the gift shop.
Another place to learn about Vikings would be the Swedish History Museum and there are also free Viking walking tours in the city.
Why not take a day trip to visit a Viking settlement called Birka which is a UNESCO World Heritage site? It’s located in Björkö in Lake Mälaren.
It was Sweden’s ‘first city’ and an important trade hub in 900 AD. Today, it’s an archaeological site with a museum and visitor centre.
Read more of my Sweden travel guides
How to visit the Stockholm Public Library Rotunda
Viking-inspired travel articles
Visit the Kattegat Filming Location from Vikings in Ireland
Is Uhtred’s Bebbanburg Real? A Last Kingdom Fan’s Guide
Things to do on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
St Aiden’s Winery – Drink Lindisfarne Mead
Save the Aifur Viking Restaurant in Stockholm for later!
