Best lunch restaurants in the city centre

The wide-reaching horizons of Sweden's far north meet an urban Stockholm pulse at this restaurant just above Kungsgatan. Lunch includes Swedish flavours from both the forest and the sea, and you'll always find Knut's special Norrland speciality flatbread pizza on the menu.  

Inside the Nordic Light Hotel, Lykke & Löjromsbaren serves a daily lunch special with Nordic flavours, and there's always a vegetarian option. Like the food, the decor is modern Nordic. Perfect for when you're looking for somewhere central for lunch that's a little bit special.

Right next to Hötorget, you can pop in for lunch from the Bockholmengruppen group of restaurants. Brasserie Hötorget is open from morning to evening and serves a new lunch dish every day, as well as a weekly vegetarian dish and Swedish homecooking. There is also a generous à la carte menu with French influences to choose from, including both small and large plates, as well as starters and desserts. 

Enjoy your lunch hour with panoramic views over Sergels Torg at Teaterbaren inside Kulturhuset. Every day they serve three different daily lunch specials, which include a salad buffet and bread, with options for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike. With space for around 400 people, even larger groups will find a spot.

A complete meeting place in the heart of the city. The restaurant is friendly and modern and the menu has something for everyone; from international influences with plenty of vegetarian options to delicacies direct from their own food hall. If you feel like something quicker or more simple, you can just pop into the café or salad bar.   

Asian Post Office is possibly best known for their lively evenings and their Thai Basil cocktail which has been popping up all over Instagram over the past few years, but it's actually also a popular lunch spot. The menu is full of Asian flavours, in the form of a daily lunch special, salads and signature dishes. 

With a super central address on Malmskillnadsgatan, Ruben offers a relaxed oasis in the heart of the city. Enjoy lunch with creative flavour combinations from around the world, perhaps accompanied by a glass of selected wine. For lunch meetings and other private gatherings, you can book the restaurant's chambre séparée. 

Classic Indian dishes in a modern style are the order of the day at India's in the Elite Hotel Stockholm Plaza. The restaurant is run by restaurateur Jonas Svensson and at lunchtime you can enjoy slightly more luxurious lunch dishes with exciting flavours.

Teaterbrasseriet, which is part of the Scandic Grand Central hotel, boasts international urban vibes and a view of the bustling intersection of Kungsgatan/Vasagatan. Lunch is served here in the form of a buffet with two dishes of the day, one of which is vegetarian, alongside salad, soup, and dessert. The kitchen largely uses seasonal ingredients, and the inspiration comes from Swedish classics as well as more far-flung culinary cultures. 

The idea at this smokehouse restaurant is to pick and choose a little of everything to create your dream meal, depending on how hungry you are. Lunch is served Wednesdays-Fridays, and you can combine proteins such as pulled pork and bacon-wrapped chicken with sides such as coleslaw and mac'n'cheese.

The Clarion Hotel Sign's sociable restaurant on Norra Bantorget serves elegant home-style dishes at lunch, and there's always a vegetarian option. The unpretentious atmosphere and living-room feel in the heart of the city makes The Social Sign an ideal destination for business lunches and lunch with friends alike. 

Some hearty home-style food is rarely a bad choice, and if that's what you're craving for lunch, you should head to Pickwick, which is conveniently located right on the famous Drottninggatan. They serve a daily lunch special with meat and fish, a weekly vegetarian option, as well as a full à la carte menu that features both Swedish traditional dishes and European pub grub. The prices are more reasonable than many other city-centre spots, and lunch includes a salad buffet, drink, homemade bread, and coffee or tea.

This ambitious neighbourhood restaurant focuses on creating a dynamic European menu based around the very best ingredients in season. Flavours are international. The lunch menu is updated regularly and consists of several dishes to choose between. 

Chingu on Mäster Samuelsgatan serves Korean BBQ with fine ingredients. At lunchtime, a selection of Korean dishes featuring chicken, meat and vegan options is the order of the day, along with a BBQ lunch that includes a set menu for at least two people, perfect for a slightly more ambitious lunch in the city.

Inside the Royal Opera, you'll find a gilt-edged branch of Grodan branch at what might just be the most prestigious address in town. Grodan's classic lunch dishes are served here, such as fish stew, raggmunk potato pancakes, a business lunch, and a daily lunch special.

A unique oasis in the heart of the city for anyone who enjoys Italian food. Enjoy homemade pasta and Neapolitan pizzas at Basta right at the top of Åhléns department store. As a bonus, you can enjoy fantastic views over central Stockholm and escape the hustle and bustle down on the street for a while.

For a taste trip to Spain, head to La Esquina on Drottninggatan, just a stone's throw from Tegnérlunden. They serve Spanish flavours right in the city centre here.

There's a plethora of restaurants to choose from within the MOOD shopping galleria. Grab an avocado sandwich at Joe & The Juice, buy a bowl, ramen or roll at Din-Din Club or tuck into a tasty meze platter from Mezefabriken, to name just a few of the options.

Locally sourced and organic ingredients take centre stage at the ROT Butik & Kök in NK Saluhall. They're passionate about the origin and quality of food here. Sit down next to the groceries and enjoy a creative salad bar, or choose from the daily specials focusing on traditional Swedish home cooking made with the best seasonal ingredients. For those in a hurry, there's also the option to take away a ready-made lunch or dinner to heat up at work or at home. Lunch boxes can also be ordered for the entire office.

Boqueria makes a great meeting place at any time of day or night. At lunchtime it's all about rustic flavours in amongst the hustle and bustle of the Mood galleria shopping arcade. Get together over their daily lunch specal which consists of a substantial meal such as confit chicken or ham hock with beetroot and goat cheese.   

Slurp up ramen, Japanese noodle soup, at Tokyo-influenced Sin Ramen both day and night. At lunchtime they serve a plant-based ramen option. Everything is made fresh from scratch and ingredients are carefully selected. The founders are true noodle nerds who love Japan, which is apparant in both the food and the decor. Don't miss a go on the arcade game by the exit.

If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city without having to walk too far, head to Drottninghof, a short distance up Drottninggatan. They serve a daily lunch special in the form of classic Swedish home-cooked food with meat or fish, as well as a selection of staple dishes rooted in both Italy and the rest of Europe. 

At this modern restaurant right opposite the central railway station you can grab a quick lunch or enjoy a proper long lunch. Their aim is to serve the absolute best Asia has to offer; on their lunch menu you'll find sushi, stir fries, ramen and bibimbap.

Ölhyttan is a lunch restaurant serving up Swedish flavours during the day and a lively bar in the evening. At lunchtime, you can dive into dishes such as meatballs, raggmunk, and pytt i panna, as well as burgers and salads. If you enjoy the atmosphere, feel free to return for an after-work drink a few hours later.

Lots of city-centre Stockholmers have Tokyo Diner as their go-to spot for sushi and other Japanese dishes. Food is cooked in an open kitchen and standards are high, even during the busiest lunch hours. As well as their famous sushi and sashimi they also serve hot dishes. 

On the second floor of NK, Positano is a peaceful oasis in an otherwise bustling department store. The concept, as the name suggests, is Italian and includes simple dishes such as sandwiches, salads and pasta. Naturally, they also serve great coffee to round off your lunch.

The former PUB department store in the middle Hötorget is now home to the huge Haymarket by Scandic hotel, the ground floor of which draws in Stockholmers and international guests alike. You can tuck into a classic lunch buffet at the brasserie Paul's, eat a healthy café lunch at Gretas or grab something simple in the Americain cocktail bar. The whole building buzzes with activity and modern Twenties vibes, perfect for a lunch date or a quiet moment to yourself.

A great place to meet up, with a food hall feel and an emphasis on seasonal produce at great prices. You choose yourself what you want from the counter and add any accompaniments. If you don't want to compose your own meal you can choose from dishes such as moules frites, fish and seafood stew, or linguine. Also perfect for take away.

Pressklubbens sister restaurant is a popular spot, not least for their incredibly beautiful interiors, with dark blue-painted wood panels, brown leather chairs and brass details. Large and small parties alike come for their famous mussels and the excellent lunch menu based on classic Swedish cuisine. In the run up to Christmas you can treat yourself to a three course Christmas lunch including crisp duck breast, and you a little surprise is included in the price.

Wäng Izakaya on Sveavägen combines various different Asian cuisines, creating a menu with both tried-and-tested favourites and innovative flavours from countries including Thailand, Korea and Vietnam. At lunchtime they serve bowls, wok dishes and noodles. 

The Laughing Duck call themselves “the pub that never sleeps”, and that's very nearly true. Their opening hours are from lunch until 3am every day, 365 days a year. The menu consists of hearty, no-frills pub grub such as hamburgers, salads and fish & chips.

For lunch with an emphasis on meat, head down to The Meat next to Central Station. The rustic restaurant gets its inspiration from Latin America and serves lunch dishes such as hamburgers, ribs and quesadilla. 

K25 has gathered together some of the very best lunch restaurants under the same roof. You can order Southeast Asian curries from Jim Lim (a branch of Farang), sushi from Hattori Sushi Devil, fine fastfood from Lilla Vigårda or dumplings from Beijing8. You'll also find Panini, Lisapåväg (see Lisa Elmqvist) and Asian YOI on site, among others. Eat in the food court or take away.

Well-designed Pom Friterie took several years to refine their recipes, to create perfectly crispy, fresh, additive-free chips. They're then topped with sauces, accompaniments, and flavours from around the world and enjoyed in stylish surroundings on Lästmakargatan. At lunchtime, in addition to topped fries, they also serve a bunch of hearty street food dishes – of course, these are also served with fried potato sticks.

The lunch at Tres is not only served quickly, it also takes you on the fastest route from Stockholm to Mexico City – taste-wise, at least. Dig into a colourful bowl or tacos with your choice of protein, or perhaps a spicy nacho platter. If your stomach's growling more than usual, you can complement it with some sweet potato fries or guacamole.

On Hötorget, Prime Burgers & Smokehouse serves hearty burgers for both lunch and dinner. In authentic steakhouse surroundings, you can indulge in the burger of the month paired with fries and a drink. You're guaranteed to leave feeling satisfied.

At Indian Street Food they serve modern Indian food, inspired by the food served at stands on the streets of India. The little restaurant, which they call a city café, is a popular lunch spot with a menu that includes good value dishes such as curry bowls with rice, Indian tacos and samosas both with and without meat.  

The lively food hall at Kungsgatan 25, just a stone's throw from both Hötorget and Stureplan, houses a branch of the popular burger restaurant, Bun Meat Bun. Hamburgers are fried using the American "smash technique", and the resulting crisp burger surface brings burger aficionados flocking from all around town. The menu includes various burgers made from meat, tempeh or halloumi, fries and their homemade milkshakes.

If you're craving smash burgers and BBQ, have lunch at Boo Burgers & Barbecue right in the city centre. The restaurant offers lunch deals that include fries and a soft drink with the meal, perfect when you want a little more for lunch.

Hawaii Poké was among the first to serve poké bowls in Stockholm and today they can be found all around the city. You'll find bowls with various types of protein to choose from, offering something for everyone. As well as poké bowls, they also have smoothies and other fresh items on the menu.

This Mexican taquería is as simple as it is popular around lunchtime. Choose your own flavour combo of quesadillas, tacos and accompaniments at the counter and fetch your food when it's ready. If you can't decide, go for the lunch special which consists of two tacos grandes plus rice and a drink. Perfect for lunch with friends or a simple lunch break with your colleages.

The popular Scandwich sandwich concept took Stockholmers by storm when they opened up their restaurant in Midsommarkransen. But you no longer have to head out of the city centre to enjoy one of their gourmet sandwiches and some natural wine as Scandwich has now moved to Malmskillnadsgatan - ideal if you're looking for somewhere to enjoy a casual yet delicous lunch with colleagues or friends.

Order your food at Sushi Koyama and take your food upstairs to enjoy in classic sushi joint surroundings, or drop by and grab your food to go. Fresh ingredients, great service and a wide selection of sushi and their popular seared salmon. Koyama has a reputation for maintaining high standards despite their relatively low prices. 

BodyBuddy at Smålandstorget offers a healthy and nutritious lunch menu with vibrant salads, bowls and stews, all prepared with carefully selected ingredients that are kind to the body. There are options for various dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free food. For those who wish, there are also dishes with animal protein. All food is free from white sugar and is made on-site from scratch.

Fresh salads and bowls that make it easy to eat healthily and sustainably, without compromising on flavour, are the name of the game at Holy Greens. Food is always made from fresh ingredients, preferably Swedish-grown and seasonal. Choose from dozens of creative, colourful salads, eat in the simple restaurant or grab your food to go.  

If you're hankering after superhealthy LA life, head to Reload. Their food, which consists of salads and bowls, is packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and antioxidants to give the body energy to last all day.

Doktor Mat wants to show that healthy food doesn't have to be boring. Food is prepared here slowly and from scratch, and it's always free of gluten, lactose and refined sugar. Their own-fermented vegetables served alongside provide a flavour boost and lots of beneficial bacteria.

MR Cake isn't just a popular destination for the city's coffee enthusiasts, the café on Regeringsgatan is also a top spot for lunch. The menu features everything from fresh salads to hearty sandwiches and even pancakes with various toppings. If you have a sweet tooth, you can buy a bun, pastry, or something else tasty for your afternoon snack. The pastel pink decor adds to the café's charm.

The 1920s-inspired hotel café on Hötorget draws inspiration from Greta Garbo's era and serves lunch in an elegant setting with views over the square. The menu includes a daily lunch special, hearty sandwiches, and exquisite pastries from their own bakery. The café attracts locals, business travellers, and tourists.

Enjoy lunch in a pink fairytale dreamworld, surrounded by thousands of flowers and neon signs, at Dirty Coco. The menu consists of various healthy bowls and grilled sandwiches, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. They also boast a seriously decadent dessert menu including pancakes, waffles, crêpes and chocolate fondue.

Scarpetta, Emilio and Åsa Ingrosso's restaurant, serves classic dishes from Italy in glamorous surroundings. At lunchtime, pasta is a favourite served in many different varieties. Be sure to save some room for a slice of tiramisu or something else from the dessert menu.

Stadshuskällaren serves a lunch menu every weekday that consists of a daily lunch special along with an à la carte menu. Much of the restaurant's inspiration and ingredients come from the Swedish forests, with an emphasis on game and fish.

This dining room transports you to a bygone era when you could really take your time over lunch. The food is based on classic French cuisine, but Björn Frantzén, Johan von Euler and their team allow the flavours to interplay with Nordic ones. The elegant dining room, architect Ferdinand Boberg's last work, is listed.

When there's something special that needs to be celebrated, or if you just want to treat yourself to a luxurious lunch, Matbaren at the  Grand Hôtel Stockholm is a foolproof choice. Here, at star chef Mathias Dahlgren's fine dining restaurant, beautifully composed dishes are served that change regularly to follow the seasonal offerings. Choose the set menu if you want to really go all out. The timeless interior adds to the experience.

Rolfs kök serves a classic no-frills lunch, made with love and attention to detail. The emphasis is on rustic Scandinavian dishes with the odd international component. The restaurant's always packed with regulars so make sure you get here in plenty of time.

'Smak' is the Swedish word for flavour, so it's hardly surprising that big flavours are the order of the day here. Two lunch options - one with fish and one with meat - are served every day, in one of Stockholm's most beautiful dining rooms. Flavours come from all over the world. 

French-inspired Toujours serves a short and classic menu, perfect for a lunch with a touch of luxury. Choose from starters, main courses, desserts, and, for an extra indulgence, some caviar or vendace roe from the caviar bar. A glass of champagne to top it off, and the experience is complete.