What actually happens when you sit down to dinner in a Swedish home? The short answer: good food, honest conversation, and the kind of connection that lingers long after the last cup of coffee. Here are a few real snapshots from our hosts and guests—each one different, all of them heartfelt.
Fika with Marco: a monk, a social worker, a big conversation (Höllviken)
One afternoon, Mia welcomed Marco from Germany for fika. He’d studied religion, spent six years as a monk before the pandemic, and now works as a social worker in Cologne. Over cinnamon buns and coffee, the talk went deep—society, world economics, faith—the kind of conversation that reminds you how much we all carry, and how warm a kitchen can feel when stories meet across borders. He’d been exploring Lund, Malmö and Höllviken; Sweden had long been on his list, and fika turned out to be the perfect doorway.
A Florida gift and a Malmö city tour (Kristina & Björn)
“Some visits become something a little extra,” wrote hosts Kristina and Björn after an evening with Danielle and Glenn. They started with a mini guided tour of Malmö, then shared a long dinner filled with talk and laughter. Their guests had been traveling for a while and brought a gift all the way from Florida—the sort of thoughtful surprise that seems to travel farther than luggage and end up right where it belongs: in new friends’ hands, with a promise to toast each other again.
New Year’s dinner: Germany, Mexico, and a very happy dog (Lotta)
At Lotta’s place, Dominik and his mother (Germany) met Alejandra (Mexico) for a New Year’s Eve feast:
- Chanterelle toast with Prästost crisps
- Moster Britta’s herring pâté
- Venison patties with root-veg purée
- Meringue & ice cream with cloudberry compote
Between courses, there were walks, stories, and—most importantly—dog playtime. “She forgot to be afraid of fireworks,” Lotta wrote. We call that excellent socialization… and excellent hosting.
Honeymoon lunch in Ystad: smörgåstårta & film stops (Susanne & Gustav)
In Ystad, Susanne and Gustav hosted Charlotte & Tyler from Hong Kong on their honeymoon. Charlotte studies Swedish and wanted to practice; both love Swedish culture and film, so after a lunch of salmon & shrimp smörgåstårtawith drinks from Kiviks Musteri, the couple set off to explore Wallander and The Bridge filming spots. A warm lunch, a city walk, and a shared love of stories—on the plate and on the screen.
A London table meets a Swedish one (Julia)
Charlotte & Phil from London came to Julia for a conversation that zig-zagged from UK & Swedish politics to cats—with plenty of laughter in between. Dinner was a three-act play:
- Jerusalem artichoke soup with funnel chanterelles, apple & pecans
- Slow-roasted pork shoulder (local farm), rosemary & garlic, syrup-roasted white cabbage, almond-potato purée, parsley-root crisps
- Pear & chocolate cake with ginger and caramel mousse
They left full and glowing—and with an open invitation to visit London.
From our guests
“Awesome experience… a guided tour, a wonderful dinner, and a birthday song in Swedish! Their generosity—helping track a stolen phone and getting us to the right train—made it the highlight of our trip to Denmark/Sweden.” — Matt
“The food, company, and laughter were unforgettable… moose stew is a new favorite! Thank you for welcoming us so warmly and sharing your culture.” — Amber & family, Amsterdam
“Magical… one of my most memorable conference evenings. We discovered we had so much in common that I’m sure we’ll collaborate in the future.” — Margaret H. Greenberg, PCC, executive coach & co-author of Profit from the Positive
What these evenings have in common
No staging. No scripts. Just real Swedish homes, seasonal food, and curious people. We take shoes off in the hallway (it’s Sweden!), set the table, and let the evening unfold. Some nights are quiet and reflective; others are filled with jokes and second helpings. Kids are welcome. Questions are welcome. You are welcome.
Our values and hosting guidelines live on the About page—how we cook, how we match guests with hosts, and how we make space for dietary needs. But you’ll feel the essentials the moment you step inside: warmth, simplicity, and the belief that a shared meal turns strangers into neighbors.
Ready to pull up a chair?
Tell us your preferences when you book—we’ll match you with a host, a town, and a menu that fit your time and tastes.