Guide to cosy restaurants in Östermalm

Aubergine is a sure thing for anyone looking for a warm, unpretentious atmosphere and food well made from top notch Swedish ingredients. The restaurant is dark and intimate and lit by candlelight in the evenings, making it the perfect spot for a cosy dinner with friends, or a date with someone special.

This neighbourhood restaurant is on one of Östermalm's busiest streets, and it serves French homecooking-style cuisine served with a modern twist. It's often busy and bustling, but still cosy and welcoming, with a relaxed, elegant feel.

This classic restaurant has been serving French cuisine, traditional Swedish homecooking and excellent meat dishes for three decades. The restaurant decor, particularly the painted ceiling in the "church" section, makes for an intimate atmosphere ideal for a romantic date.

Hotel Kung Carl serves up charming vibes on Stureplan with influences from 19th century France. Eat delicious dishes, sip champagne or cocktails and listen to live jazz. Don't miss their tucked-away wine bar and colourful cocktail bar.

Thanks to the fact that Stockholm is built on water, it's not particularly hard to find cosy waterfront restaurants and bars with a nice view in summer - but in winter it's a bit trickier. Regardless of the season, Glashuset sits snugly next to the quayside on Strandvägen and offers lunch, dinner and drinks with a view. The menu consists of smaller and larger dishes made from locally grown and Swedish ingredients, with international and European flavours.

Atmosphere is extremely important at Rosa; they've created a place where you can laugh or cry at life, come in for a beer, or stay for a sit-down Nordic dinner with good friends. The basement restaurant on Brahegatan is a cosy, unusual little spot with exciting art and concert posters on the walls.

Cucolo is housed in the premises that used to be home to Östergök. The legacy of the famed bistro continues, albeit with a slightly more polished twist. The old decor has given way to retro lamps, leather sofas and round wooden tables where Italian flavours with a twist are served to both families and groups of friends.

Owner Joel has created a relaxed living room, with European flavours, well-selected ingredients and great wines. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the kitchen is ambitious and does everything to create a fantastic experience for its guests. There are around forty seats indoors, and an outdoor terrace that's open during the summer months.

Ciao Ciao Grande, which has been in Östermalm since 1995, is a classic Italian neighbourhood restaurant. Enjoy pizza and other Italian dishes in a cosy setting with red and white tablecloths, chandeliers, exposed brick walls, and black and white photographs.

Hankering after modern Asian food, made from the very best Nordic ingredients? Then Ling Long's the perfect spot for you. The restaurant menu is based on Asian-inspired medium sized dishes in creative flavour combinations, divided into the following categories "Cold and raw", "Grilled and crispy", "Steamed" and "Fried". The atmosphere is intimate and the cocktails are creative.

Zink is a welcoming neighbourhood restaurant serving its own interpretations of Italian classics. The menu consists of antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci and takes inspiration from all over Italy, such as the family trattorias of Rome, the food markets of Naples and sunny seaside towns along the Amalfi Coast. Even the decor reflects the boot-shaped country, with colourful artwork, wine bottles and glass jars of olives here and there.

Lisa Elmqvist's elegant dining room is tucked away at the far end of Östermalms Saluhall indoor food market. The interiors are as elegant as they are comfortable, with soft sofas, muted lighting and classic details. Pick and choose from dishes such as fish soup, seafood platters and shellfish risotto - all made from the very freshest ingredients the sea has to offer. 

Paraden, part of the ever-popular Bockholmengruppen stable of restaurants, is an unpretentious, relaxed neighbourhood restaurant that makes for a great value evening out. Eat on the stairs, in the bar or dining room. O why not climb up to the top floor and grab a pew on the balcony? The menu includes a selection of small dishes, inspired by Mediterannean cuisine.

Restaurang Oxenstiernan is housed in a beautifully preserved 18th century building in the heart of Östermalm. Its heritage is honoured with a focus on Swedish culinary craftsmanship, with vegetables taking centre stage, accompanied by meat from selected producers and drinks free from additives and pesticides. In its heyday, this property would have had vegetable gardens and livestock. There are no animals grazing here now, but the aim is the same - a tribute to farmers, small-scale producers and dairies. Menus are steered by the seasons and the restaurant's decor also reflects the earthy theme, with natural materials and colour palette. Oxenstiernan aims to be place to inspire all the senses, with art, design, craftsmanship and sustainable gastronomy all coming together under one roof.  

Enoteca Cucina Italiana in Sibirien serves Italian classics in similarly classic Italian surroundings, complete with red and white checked tablecloths, candles etc. Choose from pasta dishes, pizzas, fish and meat dishes and pair your food with an Aperol spritz, a glass of wine or an Italian craft beer. Come with family, friends or a date.

At DoMa they create dishes based on seasonal ingredients, some of which come from their own kitchen gardens. The restaurant functions as an extension of the owners' own living room, so the atmosphere is homely and welcoming, relaxed yet ambitious.

Not surprisingly, Spanish cuisine is the order of the day at Spanjorskan ("the Spanish lady"). The restaurant, part of the Bockholmen group, serves up ingredients from more southerly climes and you'll find plenty of tapas and other traditional dishes on the menu. The Spanish feel extends to the decor, with dramatic red walls and simple wooden tables.

The gang behind Kommendören and Vassa Eggen serve their favourite dishes here seven days a week. The menu focuses on flavours from the USA served in New York-inspired bistro surroundings. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the intimate cocktail bar with someone you like.