Kate L.
Yelp
IKEA calls it a restaurant, I would call it a cafeteria. You queue in line; grab a cafeteria tray; grab a dessert, salad, or other pre-portioned side dish in the refrigerated cases; make your way to the hot-dish area where you tell the foodservice worker which meal you want (meatballs, fish, mac-n-cheese, etc.); grab an empty beverage cup; pay; fetch your own drink, silverware, napkins; eat; bus your own table by taking plates and garbage to the Tray Return area.
If you are spending a lengthy amount of time at IKEA or have impatient kids, then the cafeteria is a decent place to take a break, rest, and eat. The cafeteria is on the second floor, and one wall has very large wall-to-wall windows that overlook the parking lot.
For me, the quality of the food seems to have declined. I remember years ago being really satisfied with the Swedish Meatball dinner, but now it just seems kind of Meh-Okay. Or maybe it's just that my own Swedish Meatball recipe is tastier. The Swedish Meatball dinner comes with 8 meatballs. I seem to recall in years past, that it came with 10 or 12 meatballs. It is a GOOD VALUE though... a very filling lunch of Swedish Meatballs, mashed potatoes, vegetable, and lingonberry sauce for $4.99 plus tax (sans drink).
As far as the meatballs, you have the choice of the standard pork-and-beef, chicken, or vegetarian. I sampled a vegetarian meatball and it was pretty good. They do offer other items but I couldn't tell you what they are--never checked them out, lol. After all, it is IKEA so it only seems fitting to have SWEDISH MEATBALLS !!
While the food is average (what you expect from a cafeteria), I must say the dessert was amazing, something you would find in mom-n-pop bakery. We had the Almond Cake with Chocolate. It was rich and delicious. If they sold it in the IKEA grocery store, I surely would have bought an entire cake just for my greedy self, lol.