This was a great restaurant and first meal in Sweden. I was in Umeå for work and the vendor took my co-worker and I here for lunch. It's amazing how much quieter restaurants are outside the US. So easy to talk without having to raise my voice much. I don't eat seafood or fish at all and so walking in, I thought I was doomed as it smelled like that's all they were doing was frying fish. Thankfully, they had a meatball and pasta dish aside from the fish they were serving so I enthusiastically opted for that. I thought it was going to be the famous Swedish meatballs, but it actually came in a marinara sauce and it was divine. Flavor was just perfect, not over seasoned meatballs with extreme garlic marinara, but just the right balance of herbs that made for such a pleasant dining experience. I also tried the cheese bread as our hosts were really excited about it. Also good and apparently a staple for Köksbaren. The tone of the restaurant made me feel like I walked into a really big kitchen and sat down at Grandma's table for a meal. I liked it. Really cozy and inviting. In a great area of Umeå close to other restaurants and stores. I'm thinking this is the main area of the town which isn't all that large in population. I'd totally come to this restaurant again. read more

I was visiting my friend in Umeå and she took me here for lunch. I had the Swedish meatballs, which was served with mashed potatoes and pickled cucumbers. It was delicious! Their menu is updated every week, but I would recommend going here because their service is great and food is satisfying. read more

Köksbaren - Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and pickled cucumbers. [IG: @Tokig_Adventures] - Modern European Near Me - Umeå, AC

I'm from Umeå, and when having real good friends over, I choose Köksbaren - to treat them the best meat in Umeå, good service, and nice environment. The dryaged ribeye is excellent. Plus, good sortiment of good local beers read more

Inviting and pleasant atmosphere. Absolute top notch quality of food. We had the entrecote and it was perfect. Serving staff was nice and gave us the attention we needed. I would like to return to try out more of their dishes. read more

The same people that own and manage this restaurant also manage the restaurant Bistro Le Garage that I've given rave reviews to prior, but this place doesn't even hold a match to their outskirts-of-town bistro. Why? Well for a number of reasons. Sure, I shouldn't compare the two, I know that, but it's almost impossible not to as the two places are run by the same people but they are so distinctly diverse and different. Köksbaren (in English; The Kitchen Bar) sports an open kitchen in a quite scaled down/off white decoration mixed with wooden chairs (unfortunately fairly uncomfortable with no cushions), concrete floors and white tile decorations. In a way similar to restaurant AG in Stockholm, just not with the same style and flare. The bread served on a stick was nice, crispy outside and moist on the inside. I was here with a friend of mine and she also had her smallest child (baby, actually) with her in her carriage. This is a big plus, they made arrangements with the tables as well as without fuss in order to accommodate us more easily with the stroller and this is something I truly appreciate! For starters we had a mushroom soup and I had been looking forward to something rich, salty and steamy after a two and a half hours drive. Unfortunately it was neither of those things. It was bland, borderline on watery. A creamy soup was nowhere to be seen. Neither was it salty or steamy, more lukewarm and under-seasoned. This was unfortunate. For main I had a panco-crusted haddock with a verte sauce and lemon. I wasn't impressed. The crust was soggy and under-seasoned (again), nowhere near crisp enough to give enough contrast to the haddock which, unfortunately, was under-seasoned as well! The verte sauce was nice though, but no dish had any wow-factor and in general I was a bit underwhelmed. The place in itself is nice, it has a great location and a stylish decor. To me it has potential to be something great. Although, without amazing food to back it up, it will remain as something in the middle part of the local food and dining scene. And for me that is exactly where they are right now. Unfortunately, my impression is that they think they are more than that, and that creates a contrast between the customer and the staff that doesn't play exactly in tune with each other. It's a three star rating, but that third star is somewhat oblique. read more

I've had a few dinners at this place and been satisfied on every single occasion. Meat is tender and grilled to perfection.

Visited Köksbaren for lunch in april. Got a place in the bar and had a really good visit. The service was excellent, the place is hip and modern, it was a good atmosphere and the price for a lunch is really good! Had a pumpkin soup for a starter that was delicious. The main dish though did not blow my mind. It was way to cautious for my taste. Step up the game with the food and move outside the potato and meat dishes and this will be a hit. read more