The irreverent idea of Punk Royale in Stockholm: not allowing customers with phones to eat there. The policy does not apply to other branches located in different cities, but characterizes the unique offering of the “parent company.”
The format
Passion, madness, and provocation: three words that perfectly describe the spirit of Punk Royale, the most irreverent restaurant in Northern Europe. Since 2012, this format has shaken up the gastronomic scene, first in Stockholm, then in Copenhagen and Oslo, and, since September, also in London. Born from a meeting between entrepreneur Erik Gustafsson and two young chefs—including Joakim Almquist, who is still at the helm of the kitchen today—Punk Royale has changed the way we experience restaurants: here, you don't just come to eat, but to let yourself be swept away, have fun, and enjoy an evening that will stay with you forever.
Today, Almquist and Gustafsson are still at the helm of this oasis of unabashed conviviality and authentic flavors. The website reads: “Punk Royale is pure energy in its most concentrated form.” And that's no exaggeration: the atmosphere is smoky, fast-paced, intense, boundless, and at the same time intimate, a stage where every dinner becomes a small show. The lighting is soft, the music is pulsating, and the international staff jokes, teases, and engages with the diners. For this reason, smartphones are banned in the Punk Royale dining room. Not for secrecy, but to avoid even the slightest distraction. The official website states: "Only in our restaurants in Copenhagen and Oslo is the use of phones allowed. In Stockholm, they are ‘confiscated’ and remain inaccessible during dinner to allow you to fully enjoy the experience. There are few exceptions to the rule. If you have an urgent reason to keep your phone handy, please let us know in advance. Phones may only be used in case of emergency." The goal is for every guest to remain fully immersed in the moment, free to savor every course and every sip without the anxiety of taking a photo.
And what an experience: a menu of around twenty courses prepared with the highest quality ingredients, served in ways that defy convention—caviar placed directly on the back of the hand, shots of vodka passed from table to table, surprise tastings that arrive without warning—for a ritual that blends haute cuisine and rock spirit. Every detail is designed to break down the barriers between chef and guest, transforming dinner into a sensory game. At the heart of this concept is the journey of Joakim Almquist, who started out at a very young age – at 13, as a dishwasher – and then honed his talent in numerous restaurants and alongside masters of the caliber of Mathias Dahlgren. “You have to cook what you love and give guests the evening of their lives” is the mantra that has never left Almquist and which now, with the new Punk Royale in London, is also conquering the British capital.
