Kräftskiva: how to host a Swedish crayfish party
October 27, 2026 – Fiskskaldjur
The kräftskiva (crayfish party) is one of Sweden's best-loved late-summer traditions: long tables, paper lanterns, funny hats, songs and a mountain of crayfish eaten with your fingers.
What makes a kräftskiva
- Crayfish cooked in a dill-flavoured brine and served cold, in their shells.
- Bread and cheese: crusty bread, butter and a strong aged cheese. A Västerbotten cheese pie is the classic partner.
- Drinks: cold beer and, traditionally, snaps with a drinking song.
- Atmosphere: paper lanterns, bibs, paper hats and long tables, often outdoors.
How to eat crayfish
Twist off the tail, suck the juices from the shell if you like, then peel the tail and eat the meat. Have a bowl for shells and plenty of napkins within reach.
Planning your party
- Plan generously: crayfish are a social, slow meal, and guests keep going back for more.
- Serve the crayfish chilled and keep them cold until you eat.
- Complement with Swedish groceries, Skagenröra on bread, and fresh langoustines or shrimps.
Order from us
See our Kräftskiva collection with Swedish crayfish and shellfish. Orders placed by Monday 22:00 are delivered on Friday or can be picked up in Zollikon or at our Morges market. Read how ordering works.
