EBG Rating: 9.6/10

Choice/Quality of Drinks:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Their speciality is Franconian beer including daily “Stichfass” pours where the barrel is tapped and poured from directly. The beer selection and standards are pointedly traditional and world class. Alongside the barrel tappings you have 8-10 Franconian beers from the likes of Spezial, Schlenkerla, Knoblach et al and some select Swedish brews trying to compete. A decent brandy selection and competent back bar.

Style/Décor:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
A 1910 building in Art Nouveau style, subject to a successful 21st century restoration to a gleaming splendour and style. Outfront a green and gold banner announces the name, strapped to a brick building with National Romanticism touches. Inside though, it’s Nouveau all the way with intricate lamp lighting, grand curves, high ceilings with curtains and warm colours. A main dining hall at the entrance leads to a raised bar area with small bench by the bar, stools and further high seating by the window. The bar has a broad arch with floral plaster patterns and inset lamps. On the rear wall an ornate wood carved cabinet containing mugs, in true German style, belonging to regulars. A corridor with kitchen access leads to a small seating area and access to their 2nd bar, Bakfickan. Note that if you choose the side entrance to Zum Franziskaner you will enter via Bakfickan.

Atmosphere/Character:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Truly the epitome of conviviality, comfort and ensconced contentment. The hubbub and murmuration in the central hall tells of a magical chemistry of beautiful décor, effective acoustics, good ventilation, comfortable furniture, complimentary lighting and superb beer. If you’re sat at the bar, the bartenders are willing to engage in conversation and every visit feels like a faintly indulgent ceremony, something special that can never be dulled.

Amenities/Events:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Food, snacks, barrel tapping ceremony, outdoor seating, second bar, occasional events

Value For Money:
❤️❤️❤️
No doubt not one of Stockholm’s cheapest venues but the main point here is that you can pay more – a lot more – for less around the city. Comparing the quality of beer to the price, and the daily lunch deals, a third star is just about earnt.

Description:
Zum Franziskaner in Stockholm is one of Europe’s most fabulous pubs. A 1910 building in Art Nouveau style hosting a German style Wirtshaus (pub-restaurant), one of few such venues remaining in Sweden. Rather than obsessively recreating some Bavarian beer hall, its bespoke design is in itself a work of art, a venue where if you acted in reverse and placed it in Germany, it would instantly fit in. Not just fit in, but shine.

Their speciality is Franconian beer including daily “Stichfass” pours where the barrel is tapped and poured from directly. The beer selection and standards are pointedly traditional and world class.

A central venue that has survived so long feels destined to become an institution, but in my opinion it is its democratic approach which ensures that. Other long-standing venues in Gamla Stan (old town Stockholm) have become fine-dining restaurants which will always filter out those who don’t have the budget. Here at “Zumen”, as regulars refer to it (the -en suffix acts as the definitive article in Sweden, so it’s like ‘The Zum’) there is no block-booking of tables which keeps a casual feel even in opulent surroundings. Everyone has been here, and most people return at some point during the year.

My word, the surroundings really are opulent. A 21st century restoration job has given Zumen a sparkle like a flawless diamond. Sat at the bar counter observing the rhythms of the back bar and the hall below, the venue is the very epitome of convivial, charming, and refined without being exclusive.

Success is not inevitable though, it requires people with the energy, knowledge and passion to work at it. Owner Sten Isaacson who moved from nearby pub restaurant Akkurat (also worth a try) understood the history and purpose of Zum Franziskaner meant that the choice of beer, while distinct for Stockholm, was of a complimentary nature to the venue. Today, it feels impossible to visit Gamla Stan without Zumen coming to mind.

This is before mentioning their adjoining pub, Bakfickan, part of the same building, which we will review separately.

(Added April 2026)