15 IKEA Food Court Menu Items, Ranked Worst to Best

The food court might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about IKEA. If you’re planning a trip to the Swedish-founded retailer, chances are you’re more focused on a really cool (and affordable!) dining table than a really delicious meal. At the same time, seeking out savvy finds can work up an appetite — and a pit stop at the furniture giant’s restaurant is the best way to refuel.

We tried 15 IKEA food court menu items, including warm and cold dishes, sides, and desserts. After a hearty debate and some serious tallying, we ranked them from our least favorite to absolute “10/10.” Here are the results.

For under $3, we got a heaping plate of pasta covered in a slightly sweet tomato sauce that’s heavy on the oregano. (We’re not mad at that!) Unfortunately, the pasta was a bit too overcooked for our liking.

This cake had so much going on, but somehow lacked the sweet apple flavor we look for in a solid apple cake. The bottom layer tastes more like a store-bought pie crust that’s light on butter with a thick (and moist!) almond cake and a too-thin layer of apple filling spiced with cinnamon. We also wanted double the amount of crumble topping.

It’s hard to get past soft croutons. Even if the lettuce is fresh and crisp (which it was) and there’s plenty of cheese (ditto), it doesn’t quite matter. Even a bright, creamy, balanced dressing like Newman’s Own can’t save a salad once the croutons have lost their crunch. PSA: Make sure you ask for the Caesar dressing. We had to go back to get our packet of Newman’s Own Creamy Caesar.

Roughly the size of your average New York bagel, this bun didn’t skip on cinnamon either. The icing is Sweet (with a capital S), which helps balance the bready texture. If this bun was softer and more moist, it would have jumped several spots up on this list.

We had mixed feelings about this one. The falafel (new as of 2025!) was a hit — herby, fresh, and even better with a squeeze of lemon and that creamy garlic aioli. The couscous, though? It lacked any seasoning, and the texture was too mushy.

We grabbed a center square from the golden-brown sheet of tender cornbread. It was light, moist, and sweet enough to veer into cake territory. But, hey, after seven plates of meat and fish, that was just fine with us. 

Huge round of applause for these veggie medallions. We liked the cheesy potato-based pucks so much, we even ordered a side plate. Fun fact: You can pick up a bag of them in IKEA’s freezer section. Unfortunately, the salmon was a bit overdone — even that bright, lemony dill sauce couldn’t quite save it from being dry.

This reminded us of Texas toast. The thick-sliced bread has plenty of garlic flavor, though it could use a pat (or two) more butter. It’s nicely toasted on top, but the bottom half veered a little too close to soggy, probably from an extended stay in its metal warming tray. 

We’ve been fans of these plant balls since their 2021 debut. Crispy on the outside, with a tender middle, and surprisingly meaty flavor, these are a solid alternative to the classic Swedish meatballs (more on those below). The pool of savory gravy couldn’t save the bland mashed potatoes or soggy beans — they really needed a few shakes of salt. 

A new addition as of April, these fish balls reminded us of classic fish sticks, just in ball form. The haddock inside was flaky, and the breading was lightly seasoned, but it lacked a bit of crunch, which might be our fault for letting them sit for 10 minutes. Definitely ask for extra dill sauce on the side; it’s the same bright sauce you get with the salmon, and it’s a must-have. Like the plant balls, it’s served with underseasoned mashed potatoes and beans.

This cod was a total sleeper hit. It’s perfectly cooked — super fresh and flaky — but the real star was that potato, chive, and cheddar crust. It’s savory and herby, and has a nice brightness to it (pretty sure that’s a hint of lemon). Honestly, if we were served this at a fancy sit-down restaurant, we’d be thrilled. We’d just probably ask for some different sides.

This salad is filling, but there’s way more to love than just the portion size. The smoked salmon is buttery and smoky, with a great herby hit from the dill-coated edges. Plus, that potato salad. After several bites of the mashed stuff, this well-seasoned, mayo-dressed scoop was a total revelation (seriously, swap it in if you can!). The mixed greens were a bit uninspiring, but they worked well enough with the vibrant honey mustard — even if the dressing is a little heavy on the honey.

Arguably the most legendary dish at IKEA (and maybe all of Sweden?!), these meaty balls lived up to the hype. Roughly the size of medium-size gumballs, they’re more tender, with an almost bouncy texture, savory, and juicier than the others on the menu. Plus, the gravy was damn near drinkable — it’s that good. Like the other dishes, the mashed potatoes and beans were pretty uninspiring, but that scoop of sweet-yet-tart lingonberry jam definitely helps balance things out.

One bite of this cake had us empathizing with Bruce in Matilda. It was decadent and dense. The top layer tasted like a thick homemade hot fudge. If there was a little more of that airy mousse in the middle, it would have been damn near perfect. Plan on a long nap afterwards — maybe on one of those plush sofas in the showroom.

Turns out, it’s hard to compete with a good chicken tender. While the meat could have been ever-so-slightly juicier, the golden coating was well-seasoned and stayed crispy even after sitting on the table for at least 10 minutes. Plus, the rustic-looking fries were crispy and evenly salted. The combo was given a solid “10/10.”

What’s your favorite thing to order at IKEA’s food court? Tell us about it in the comments below.