Savor Sweden at Waxin’s Restaurant & Bar

If your only point of reference for Swedish food is an Ikea meatball, then prepare to send your taste buds on a culinary journey, because Waxin’s Restaurant & Bar in Palm Beach Gardens is disarming that perception one beautifully plated dish at a time. “Sweden is without a doubt one of the top three culinary countries in the world,” says co-founder Patrik Waxin, who moved to Florida from Sweden nine years ago with his wife and fellow founder, Tessie, and their three children.

In addition to serving Swedish-inspired takes on American and global classics, Waxin’s aims to educate guests on the principles of Swedish cuisine. Menu highlights include Toast Skagen (hand-peeled ice ocean shrimp on buttered fried toast) and meatballs with the traditional fixings: demi cream sauce, pickled cucumber, lingonberries, and potato purée.

There’s also Wallenbergare, a double-ground veal steak that Patrik Waxin refers to as a “luxury meatball.” Desserts like the strawberry puff (similar to a pâte à choux or profiterole with strawberries and dill) provide a sweeter taste of Scandinavia.

Waxin’s offers numerous indoor eating areas across its 3,800-square-foot space, as well as a lush garden patio that is ideal for social distancing. As of press time, it is open for dinner six nights a week (excluding Monday), with plans to begin brunch and lunch service soon.