Food ~$5 for 2 of the $1 breakfast combos (eggs, sausage, potatoes), $1 biscuits and gravy, and $2 two fried chicken breasts. It was a lot of food. The breakfast combo is worth the price even though it wasn't that tasty. The biscuit and gravy is delicious and definitely worth the $1. That's because the gravy is made with fat and meat bits. I'd argue that is better than the $1 breakfast combo. The two fried chicken breasts were kind of dry and small; not really worth it. Decor It's like a slightly more colorful high school cafeteria. There is a small kids area with a TV so you can dump your kids there while you go feast. Service The "lunch lady" seemed confused I had a Ikea Family card (that gets you free coffee) with a Dunkin Donuts coffee in my hand. Would I come here again? Sure. For ~$5 the value is too good for me to ignore. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here though. read more

I love this place. Food is great at a great deal. It's god food for the price. I eat here every time I'm in the area. The decor is nice and casual with a twist. You know how IKEA is and what they are all about. I like that they have a microwave next to the condiments/drink area. They also have bibs with the Ikea logo with a family image on it. They provide to go boxes there which is convenient. I love their meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy. I'm not a fan of the lingonberries, however, my boyfriend likes it. For about $5, you get the meatballs, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, lingonberries, salad, and a drink. For an additional $0.99, you get 15 more meatballs. I've also tried their curry chicken with white rice which was delicious. I've tried their ribs which was very saucy - the kind of ribs that every guy likes. Their salmon is pretty good. I haven't tried their desserts; however, I'm already set on their yogurt that you can get downstairs for $1 (for $0.50 more, you can get it on a waffle cone instead of the typical ice cream cone). The yogurt tastes more like ice cream, which I LOVE! I get this all the time that I am there. I've gotten my friends to become fans of the yogurt also. I've tried the hot dogs here also which are average. It's a good deal. I think it's 2 hotdogs, chips, and drink for $2. I am a FAN! read more

IKEA Restaurant - Yogurt that taste just like ice cream! - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

See all

IKEA is the land of impressive frugality. I'd only been shopping for furniture here except for the occasional $.50 hotdog but my girlfriend and I decided to catch breakfast here. We ordered several tasty bites. Namely potatoes and eggs, some kind of Scandanavian punch and an order of dill smoked salmon. Needless to say, the check was minimal and the food was edible. It's certainly get what you pay for but not in the disparaging sense. More like, decent food better than decent prices. I would feel comfortable eating here if I happened to be in the store, I was hungry, pinched for time and coins. I'm confident the cafeteria can leave you satisfied. read more

IKEA Restaurant - The dill salmon dish from IKEA. - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Imagine really solid cafeteria/hospital food! Essentially that's what the food is, but not in a negative way. Service is efficient and more wam bam Thank you m'am/sir so not meant to butter you up, but just to get things done. I got the meatballs with mashed potatoes, lingon berries, & extra side of Texas toast. They offer extra meatballs for a dollar, but honestly i personally get super stuffed from the regular portion. The only reason i wouldn't give it a 5 is because the food is not wowzers. I would go here again if I'm hungry while shopping, but not just for the food! read more

IKEA Restaurant - Swedish meatball meal with extra toast! - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

See all

Every time i visit ikea i don't forget to eat in their restaurant. Love their coffee and meat balls. Also $1 cone ice cream is my favorite. Good Ambience and small variety of food. read more

IKEA Restaurant - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Swedish meatballs. Get them here. Maybe some of the other stuff is OK, I don't know. Nordic sparkling water is good, too. And the green beans. And mashed potatoes. read more

This was my first time ever eating at IKEA. We heard a lot about their meatballs so we thought we'd give it a try. The verdict: it was alright. The service was cafeteria style with the food distributed and served on trays. The best thing about the dish honestly was the lingonberry sauce. The vegetables tasted like the frozen veggies you can find at your local grocery store. If you're looking for a quick, convenient fix to your hunger than this would be a good place to snack, but I you can most definitely a better place to eat in Atlanta. read more

IKEA Restaurant - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I got the pork shank today. Have not written any reviews for a long time since I don't go out as much as before. use your IKEA card for a free coffee. Nothing special:( read more

Nice to have a place to eat during COVID. Rating is for quality of food. Dry salmon (yes, buffet style but hoped for something better), cold undercooked broccoli, at least the cheesecake was nice. Staff was very polite. Just hoping for better food based on other reviews and word of mouth advertising. read more

Poor selection. Vegetables not available as listed on menu. Server stated he had not seen broccoli in the 7 months that he worked here, even though it's still a listed option. Salad was limp and wilted. Fountain drinks only cola and raspberry, all other flavors listed as out. High point - the meatballs still tasted great. read more

IKEA knows what it's people want...food, and good food! Swedish meatballs are a must! $5.99 for an adults plate and $2.49 for a kids plate. The meatballs come with mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed veggies, and lingonberry sauce with whole berries. The veggies are a little lacking but everything else is delicious. My boyfriend tried the veggie meatballs and he said they were a little too grainy. Fountain drinks are $1 with free refills, water is free but it is carbonated. They have a couple other dishes like salmon, soup, and salad. Plenty of seating, and everything flows nicely. It's nice to grab a quick bite. You won't see the infamous cinnamon rolls here, you'll have to grab that downstairs at the snack bar on your way out. read more

See all

First time in the restaurant. Just stopped by on a whim and it was actually really good. Prices were A1 too read more

IKEA Restaurant - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

We had a great experience here! We both ordered the meatballs after hearing about them. We ordered the meal. The veggies were amazing & perfectly cooked. We also really liked their drink options. We had two meals along with drinks for sixteen dollars with tax. Great food and great value. read more

Good size, portion and not a lot of calories if your prepping your summer body ! I was nice and full but not to where I couldn't do any shopping ! I had chicken stuffed with spinach and cheese served with green beans and mash potatoes for drink I had coffee . I went during a not very busy time and sat by the window . They have selections and seating for children. When your done there's a designated area for your tray . read more

IKEA Restaurant - Stuffed chicken - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I use to live in Tacoma, WA and that was the 1st time I ever went to Ikea. Back then they didn't have a restaurant. I furnished my place with stuff from Ikea. Fast forward to now. Good lawd, I'm hooked on their Swedish meatballs. We make an excuse just to go down there, claiming that we need something our of the Ikea store. We may make a purchase, but for the most part, we're there for the meatballs. After that we take a lap around the store and pick up a thing or two. read more

When your hungry in a pinch this is super cheap and hits the spot! 2 hotdogs, a piece of pizza, chips, drink, a cinnamon roll and frozen yogurt all for $5. Not bad to feed two hungry peeps. read more

IKEA Restaurant - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

They're not the most delicious meatballs I've ever had. You can't beat the price, though. $3.99 for a plate full of them plus mashed potatoes and lots of gravy?! Sign me up! It's kind of funny to see the people who apparently come here just to eat. I'd assume that most of the diners were also IKEA customers, but if you come here around lunchtime during the week it's obvious that's not the case. I was actually one of those non-customers. Kirsten G. works nearby and we were going to have lunch at the food trucks on Friday at Atlantic Station. It was raining, so she suggested we come here. I hadn't been since the store opened, so it was like a brand new experience. The line was long and it went pretty quickly. Arguably, faster (and better) than Piccadilly. I use the comparison because it's set-up cafeteria style where you take a try and walk down the line. There's a small salad bar available, but it's pretty much just stuff for a garden salad with dressing the pumps out of ketchup dispenser. read more

The food is good, not amazing but good and they have great prices. It is a cafeteria style eater so if you do not like that style this would not be a good place for you. They have specials on Tuesday(1adult meal purchase and two free kids meals). This restaurant is located inside the store. Most of the food can also be purchased downstairs if you wanted to bring home the food and make it for a quick dinner. read more

See all

Oh my goodness. It doesn't take much to get me excited. Seriously. I had an appointment this morning, and when it finished, I decided to be responsible for a change, and instead of rushing back home to get back into bed to enjoy the rain, I figured I might as well run some errands. For some reason, running errands always involves a trip to Target, IKEA or the farmers market. Go figure. Anywho, I get to IKEA at 0935, and realize they don't open till 1000. Boo. Hiss. I noticed people were going inside (the "bistro" opens before the store), so I just followed them in. On my way up I saw signs for some cheap $0.99 breakfast special, but figured I'd just get a cup of coffee and wait it out. SURPRISE!!! The small breakfast is FREE on Mondays baby!! Whoot whoot! FREE is TOTALLY my favorite word. Of course, I instantly abandoned my coffee-for-breakfast idea and jumped my fat self right in line for a scoop of eggs, potatoes and bacon. Got up to the register prepared to just pay for my coffee, and SURPRISE #2....coffee is free before the store opens. YAAAAAY!! What a way to start my week. Like I said, it doesn't take much. I won't mention how nice it was to do my shopping in an empty store and on a complimentary full stomach. Oh and ps...the breakfast is no highland bakery for sure, but it's better than what I normally pay for in our hospital cafeteria. I heart IKEA. It's official. read more

I'm adding the fourth star because they've swapped out the previously mealy red potatoes for a deliciously addictive mashed version, and they've dropped the price for the whole plate to $3.99. Plus, where else in Atlanta can you find Ligonberry Juice on a drink fountain? It's safe to say I am indeed a fan. read more

No body in the store EVER told me to sign up for ikea family card to get free coffee or tea.. so I been spending money for it when I can get it for.. free? -1star So it's free to sign up for their ikea family card. BETTER GET ONE. Your so lucky that I told you about it, therefore you'll get free coffee or tea anytime during the whole day from now on! Those are self sign up machines.. theres one near the kids area and one where you come in the entrance. Their coffee are comparable to starbucks. at least it doesn't taste VERY BAD and bland. So once you signed up, you'll get the CARD!! also the receipt and I believe you get free ice cream on the same day. Or if not.. its just A DOLLAR. :) read more

Line was ridiculous so I did not get to sample the Scandinavian delights. Next time.....

I have been to countless IKEA's in my day but I've always been apprehensive when it came to the restaurant. Any full meal that you can get for $1.99 just CAN'T be trusted. WELL to my surprise, my most recent time visiting the new IKEA in Atlantic Station I decided to take the plunge. Mainly, because the restaurant looked a little more upscale then the ones I've seen in the past. I got the chicken fingers, texas toast and french fries. And let me say... MMMMMMMMM! The chicken fingers were SOOOO GOOD! Hot, crunchy and actual chicken! Not to mention, their were a variety of food options available. Not like "The Special of the Day". Theirs a full buffet of options to choose from. By the time I left, I forgot all about the furniture I came to purchase. I was satisfied with my meal. read more

I cant figure out if I love/hate Ikea. I was exposed to Ikea about 3 years ago when I first moved to Atlanta. I loved the prices, but I hated how I could never find any damn body to help me out. Trust, they arent lying when they say those low prices come from not being staff intensive. The majority of the stuff that I have gotten from here is pretty shitty to be honest. But if you are looking for a quick piece for the crib...this place works. The other part is I am not handy at all. So i know i put together most of this crap wrong. Oh well. It works for right now, but I am definitely in need of some better stuff. The cheap food is always a plus, but dont think that its going to taste like more than you paid for it. read more

No taste. No taste. No taste. The salt needed salt. Thought we'd try it and see what the hype was about. No forks, no glasses, lame drink flavors, just plain nasty ass plastic food like their products. 2 stars because the have a microwave !! There's a hint right there. Maybe the microwave can inject some flavor into the cold plastic food. read more

One of the best parts of moving to my new apartment complex is its proximity to ikea. I remember as a little kid riding up the elevator salivating at the signs of meatballs and potatoes and various chocolate desserts. Sadly, my mother was super asian and always made us eat a full meal before our big trip to the goliath that is ikea, so I never got to try anything. You can imagine what it was like for me to first walk into the ikea cafeteria, I was like a kid in a candy store. The atmosphere is very white, bright, and clean feeling like the store itself. 15 meatballs AND mashed potatoes for 4.99?! A huge piece of delicious chocolate mousse cake for 3 bucks?! A breakfast platter for 99cents?! What have I been missing out on?! My recent obsession has been there breakfast. I admit, this morning I was waiting outside their P1 door at 9:29 for them to open. And I wasn't the only one, everyone loves ikea breakfast! A breakfast platter with eggs, your choice of turkey sausage, pork sausage, or bacon, and your choice of potatoes or grits is 99 cents! add three french toast sticks or a cinnamon roll for an additional dollar, and these french toast sticks aren't the soggy kind, they're deep fried crunchy goodness. Given, you can tell the eggs aren't the real kind just by the texture, but I'm a child of processed foods so I'm lovin it. If there's eggs, I need hot sauce, and Ikea knows, they provide it in the form of cholula on every table. The potatoes are crunchy deep fried little home fries and were fresh and fantastic. The pork sausage is delicious, much better than the kind I got at ria's bluebird for $3 last week. With the price of that sausage I could get 3 breakfast platters! I was also eyeing their biscuits and gravy on the hot bar, but decided to be healthy today. Gotta try them next time. Also, if you come in before 10am they give you free coffee or tea! How much better can it get? Lunch is also delicious, I love their meatballs and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes actually taste like they are made from real potatoes not just the powder. Their meatballs are nothing super gourmet but somehow eating them in the nice clean ikea cafeteria with exotic lingonberry sauce (tastes like cranberry), knowing I got a steal of a deal makes them taste delicious. I normally get two kids meals, one with 5 meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry sauce, and one with mac and cheese and veggies. This gives me a nice filling sampler for four bucks. If you've ever had stouffer's mac and cheese, this is exactly what ikea's is. They also have a saithe plate for $5 that includes the fish and two sides. My bf has gotten this a few times and the fish is really fishy, mediocre, and heavy on the dill. I've also had the chicken tenders and fries, if its a fresh batch its delicious but if not, it can be hit or miss. The fries are battered tho and I'm a sucker for battered fries. The desserts I've tried have all been good, I've had the chocolate overload cake and the chocolate hazelnut torte. Best part? After gorging yourself on deliciously processed cheap food, you can go to the showroom and veg out on the couches and beds. read more

IKEA Restaurant - Meatball kids meal and mac and cheese kids meal! My fave comfort food combo for 4 bucks - Scandinavian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Love the Ikea restaurant! I highly suggest their breakfast. The biscuits are very tasty and the bacon isn't overly soggy. Of course their coffee is very good- not weak but it it's my so strong that is leaves a bitter taste. I love the daily deals. My favorite is the Friday fish and chips for $1.99. The serving size is a little small, but you can't complain for under $2! If you're hungry I would suggest buying 2! read more

I'm kind of afraid of this place. A cafeteria in the middle of a discount furniture store? Do they sense the Apocalypse? Do they fear they'll need to feed the half billion people in here at any given hour? There's a kind of stench that comes off this little "restaurant". I can't quite place what it is. I'd imagine it's the little meatballs they serve by the hundred, but it doesn't smell like meat to me. I do kind of like the way those things taste though. I could eat a couple. They don't really have a ton of options here. The real treasure for eating at IKEA, I think, is downstairs where they serve the snacks. For one dollar you can get an ice cream cone or a cinnamon bun, both of which are quite delicious. It makes the headache of wandering through this sinister warehouse wonderland a little easier to stomach, I guess. read more

My ultra-sweet wife laid her charms on me after doing coffee at Octane and convinced me to take the walk of death through Ikea with only my caffeine breakfast on my stomach. After getting inside, I smiled so hard when I saw the 99 cents breakfast special that I almost sprained the muscles in my cheeks. We didn't fully partake of the special because it turns out additional side items ran the price up a tad but it was still so cheap it made my morning. (The young ladies serving the food should have helped us optimize our cost knowing that it was our first time at the cafeteria but the cashier was nice enough to explain it to us.) We really got a good laugh when we placed our trays on the racks - it was just like elementary school way back in the 70's. I don't frequent the area often but when I am there, Ikea WILL be my breakfast spot. read more

You can get the basic breakfast plate for 99c! Where else can you get that! Choice of sausage or bacon, scrambled eggs, and potatoes for 99c. Potatoes are the best of the three. Will post a pic of the 99c breakfast, and others. The bacon is super thin, eggs so so, but at 99c I'm not complaining! Some hints for breakfast: GO EARLY. The store officially opens at 10am, and they stop serving breakfast at 11am. Thats just an hour. The eggs come in a big bin and I watched the portions get smaller and smaller as the lady was trying not to run out at 10:45 and she was watching the size of her line. They do run out at times. If you can go midweek thats great! Plenty of space and peace and quiet for the most part. Better yet you can park often find a parking space on the south side limited uncovered parking area where its faster in and faster out. If you park in the covered massive parking, which on weekends you probably will have to, the slowest elevator in the world is generally your exit route. Then back to the other side and into the big garage. Not so convenient. If you can go midweek do it! Midweek you can often get a window seat too! Weekends you take what you can get. DONT go for the free breakfast. Sounds tempting I know but DONT. It brings out quite a crowd and its not worth the line, and full tables, and how can I say this without getting in trouble...let's just say the crowd is less upscale than those that go on 99c days! Free brings em out! If you have the free IKEA family card you can get a free coffee, normally 75c, with any meal. So get one! To get one the same kiosk will get you one too. If you find you dont have yours with you, as you enter the store stop at a kiosk by base of the up escalator, and if you can remember your email you used and your password just click print temporary card and you got one! Remember to sine out of the kiosk, it takes at least two taps to get out, otherwise it leaves you logged on. You can go get free refills on cofffee, help yourself style. They also have real half and half! You also can get the same cinnamon rolls as the exit bistro for the same $1 price. Probably a better eating area to enjoy them. You can also opt for Swedish Pancakes with lingonberry jam $1.99, kids french toast sticks 99c, or the big breakfast which is the 99c one with added French toast sticks. If your lucky enough to go midweek and park on the uncovered south side, then to exit walk down the steps one floor, walk PAST that monster slow elevator. Look for the right for an exit sign, walk through a single turnstyle and push open a door. You will find youself behind the up escalator you entered for an easy exit and quick route to your car. Took a while to learn this as exiting Ikea is always one of the worlds largest puzzles! Now I can do it fast! Overall this is prob 3 star food but added a star for good value. Where you can get a breakfast, although small, and free coffee with the free family card with unlimited refills for $1.07 incl tax....no tipping....you cant beat that ANYWHERE. THANK YOU IKEA read more

Ok so I went into Ikea last night to look for some office furniture and to my surprise that isn't what I left the building with...... I was waiting in the check out line.... I when I saw in a distance that they have hot dogs for 50 cents.....omg really.... 50 cents....I couldn't believe it .... now I was a lil taking off by eating anything from ikea but I have to say it was a great investment for a buck I received two delicious hot soft bun hot dogs they will be seeing my face again. :) read more

My first time in Ikea and eating Swedish meatballs was actually in Sweden. They had gravlax (smoked salmon) and chocolate mousse too! I get to order in Swedish and my cousins poke fun at my horrible accent. So sometimes when I miss Sweden all over I am content with coming here and browsing the maze-like endless shelves of useful junk. Some of the food is different, like veggie crepes and the sides are different too, but the meatballs are the same- with brown sauce and lingonberry jam. One of my favorite jiuces is lingonberry and the other is a mulled wine called glögg (Ikea doesn't offer this..but if you find it in the A hit me up). The food here is cheap and I eat here only because there are no other Swedish eateries in town. I really love Ikea's minimalistic approach in style and budget friendly prices (though quality may or may not be compromised). I'm probably biased because I love the quaint charm of Sweden and it may or may not have bolstered my love for IKEA (an essential part of Swedish culture, as pretty much everyone in Sweden has furniture from here). Jag älskar Sverige!!! read more

YES, welcome to the land of $4 for a 6-pack of cinnabon rolls, $1 for a cone of vanilla soft serve (and only vanilla, they don't do chocolate, and they most certainly don't do the swirl thing either), 79 cents for 2 pieces of cornbread, $1.99 for a side of mac and cheese, and something like $2.49 for veggie crepes! Phew, that was a mouthful. Did IKEA manage to keep yours truly's mouth full (ha) in a very satisfying way? The breakdown: 1) cinnabon rolls = awesome, you can't turn these down. They never seem to give you enough icing, however, and if you buy the 6 pack, you can get extra icing for a dollar extra. 2) vanilla soft serve = creamy! I mean, come on, it's ice cream on a cone. There's nothing else that can make you feel like a little kid, except for 3) mac and cheese - this is offered as part of a kid's meal, but as an adult you can get it as a side. For 1 largish scoop, $1.99 is a little expensive, but the cheese is creamy enough, and I can get my cravings sufficiently satisfied. 4) cornbread (or you can get texas garlic bread instead) - for 79 cents for 2, or 50 cents for 1, its cheap, which also means that it well, it tastes exactly what 79 cent cornbread ought to taste like. 5) veggie crepes - now these were the most disappointing item. As a vegetarian, I can't exactly enjoy the Swedish meatballs, so I tried these spinach and cheese crepes. Well, they kind of coldish, and the interior was a little bland. Thank god for the salt and pepper dispensers on my table. Conclusion? Well, duh, if you're a foodie, there's no way on earth IKEA warrants 4 stars... but for the price, IKEA cannot be beat. read more

Bleh. Okay, so I admit, I visited only an hour before closing and that may have contributed to my experience tonight. But still, this was not a pleasant dining experience. First of all, my food (a plate of pasta and a salad) was $5.50 - comparable to what I'd have spent elsewhere, and I think I'd have enjoyed the food elsewhere more. My pasta was chewy and not very good (although thank goodness I got a "fresh batch", as I shudder to think what the OLD batches tasted like), the sauce was okay but very very bland with a strange tinny aftertaste. The meatballs were good, but then again, this IS Ikea and if they can do ANYTHING right, it's meatballs. My salad was reasonably delicious and much fresher than expected, but that's really the only thing I enjoyed. My biggest complaint was the service, though. I expected apathy, so no surprises there. But when I came back to the serving line to let them know the salad bar was out of lettuce, I was told, fairly rudely, that I should "just get soup". Um, no. My pasta comes with salad, and I'd like salad. But before I could open my mouth to ask if I could please just have some lettuce, the woman had already turned around and started serving other customers. Fortunately, another worker was nice enough to bring out some lettuce for me. But I dunno, something about the woman's attitude sort of rubbed me the wrong way. Like she fully expected me to go, "Oh, okay! Soup is awesome!", even though I clearly wanted salad (hence me taking the trouble to ask for lettuce). Thank goodness I got the pasta, though - everything else being offered looked like it was just asking for food poisoning. Yuck. read more

This place gives me the nourishment I need for when my wife wants to check out IKEA. I love the meatballs (kttbullar!) with mac and cheese, and they serve mountain dew. I haven't tried their desserts but they look good. On the lower level by the store entrance is another eatery, this one being fast food with ridiculously low prices. You can get 2 hotdogs, a bag of GOOD chips and a soft drink for $2.50! And they have cinnamon rolls.... mmmm cinnamon rolls. The store smells like cinnamon rolls when you walk in. Get one. :) read more

For some reason, there is just something about meatballs on a plain white plate. Except that the meatballs are to die for! Cheap food, easy to get and great tasting. Also, the chocolate almond dessert pie is de-lish. Only bad side, there isn't one in Louisiana. read more

Wanna eat cheap? This is for you. Want heavy battered chicken fingers. This is for you. Get the meatballs.

IKEA Restaurant is cheap. It's a great place to get some good, cheap meals. Okay, maybe it's not THAT good. It's okay. I think you get what you pay for. I feel it is similar to Costco food court. IKEA Restaurant has a decent-sized menu. They have wraps, sandwiches, soups, and of course their famous, Swedish Meatballs. Since I heard so much about them, I decided to try those. The Swedish meatballs came with the lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes with gravy. You can't help but feel the lunch-room cafeteria vibe. But hey, for about $5, you're not getting that Michelin star quality food and vibe here. The meatballs were okay. They mashed potatoes were adequate. It wasn't that creamy. It was lumpy, but tasty. The gravy helped. Overall, it's an average dish--nothing notable. Once you're done, make sure to take your tray to the tray station. You stack them in little slots. That reminded me of my old Georgia Tech meal plan days. Like I said, this place is okay. It's not a place I would seek out to go to, unlike Costco. But if I'm shopping in Ikea and become hungry, I wouldn't mind eating here. read more

Last weekend, I drove by Ikea and my girlfriend had a sudden craving for Swedish meatballs. Reluctantly, I agreed to a meal in the Ikea restaurant. If you haven't been to Ikea before, the whole idea that there is a restaurant inside may seem strange. However, all Ikeas have a built-in restaurant where they serve a variety of foods with a focus on Sweden's famous meatball dish. There are two separate serving areas in this Ikea. On the ground floor is a small snack stand that serves coffee, drinks, hot dogs, pizza, frozen yogurt, and cinnamon rolls. There are tables off the side where you can eat, but this is intended as a quick stop either on the way into or out of the store. I've had the pizza slices, and they are okay. The cinnamon rolls draw rave reviews, but I don't care for them. The soft-serve frozen yogurt is outstanding - I make sure to get a cone or sundae whenever I visit. Overall, this small area is fine, with cheap prices that are about what you would expect given the quality of food on offer. It's perfectly acceptable for a snack. The upstairs is where the real restaurant area sits. Food is served cafeteria style, with a pretty large variety to choose from. You enter one of two lines, and the first thing you encounter is a dessert section alongside a series of pre-prepared wraps and sandwiches. Next, you move to a hot food station, where employees will serve the iconic meatballs along with chicken tenders, vegetables, mac and cheese and other items. Finally, there is a salad bar before you pay, with good cornbread. The food is about what you would expect for the price. It's okay, and people seem to love the meatballs. I had the chicken fingers the last time I visited and they were decent. The chocolate cake and other desserts are delicious, but they are super high in calories (as you would expect) so I don't get them often. There is even some higher-end stuff like salmon, but I've stuck to the basics. The seating area is where Ikea has some issues. There isn't enough staff to keep things clean on the weekends. There were tons of dirty tables, because people bus their own trays but workers sanitize the seating area. This leads to gaps when people leave but before the workers wipe things down. The lines are also long, because there aren't enough people working the registers. There are soda fountains, but the specialty Swedish drink has been out of order the last three times I went, so I haven't been able to try it. Overall, I'm not sure why people love this place so much. The food is just okay for the price, and the dining area is far from scenic. i get it if you are going to Ikea, but I don't know why you would fight the crowds just to eat here. To each their own, I guess. I won't be back anytime soon, but don't be afraid if you are already shopping and need some food. read more

Going to the restaurant at Ikea is hard to resist while you are there. I mean, it is soooo cheap. But, you definitely get what you pay for. (You could use those rolls by the soup and salad bar as doorstops.) So, don't expect fine dining. But, I will say that if you have kids in your group, it is definitely a cool place to go. They have standard kid fare (mac 'n cheese, chicken fingers 'n fries) so you probably won't hear any complaints there. And they have a nice place for the kids to play while the rest of the group talks or finishes eating. read more