Guide to wow-factor restaurants in Stockholm

This modern restaurant, in premises that used to be home to Le Nom, oozes Spanish and South American flavour influences. The kitchen serves up rustic grilled dishes and tapas, which you can pair with carefully-selected wines and enjoy surrounded by green tiles, warm wood tones and a muted colour palette. If you don't want to eat, just pull up a stool at the bar and enjoy a drink or two.

Named after the writer and culinary connoisseur Balzac, who is said once to have eaten 100 oysters for lunch, this restaurant is a big hitter. Influences from the large brasseries of Paris and New York make themselves felt, and you'll find everything from oysters and snacks to small dishes and main courses on the menu. See and be seen, have something to eat and have a drink at the long cocktail bar.

A popular restaurant close to Stureplan with innovative taste sensations both on the plate and in the glass. Not content with being a hip oasis with an intimate feel, Ling Long also serves an impressive vegan lunch menu - popular with vegans and carnivores alike. They share space with Story Hotel and there's a restaurant, separate bar and a charming hidden courtyard.

Don't miss Miss Voon on Stureplan if you're looking for an elegant and sociable experience with Asian elements. Miss Voon serves up luxurious fusion dishes in sharing sizes and fabulous cocktails in lively, Asian-inspired surroundings. 

As in-the-know foodies will be aware, star chef Björn Frantzén, who also runs Frantzén in Norrmalm, has opened up this restaurant in the former Astoria cinema on Nybrogatan. This neighbourhood restaurant may not have three Michelin stars like Frantzén, but the food is made with the same appreciation for class and quality, albeit in slightly more laid-back surroundings.

Going for a meal at Villa Källhagen, a short walk from Östermalm, feels like coming home. The restaurant is surrounded by nature with views over Djurgårdsbrunn canal. During the summer months you can enjoy their leafy garden and jetty and in the winter you can enjoy the views from inside and the open fire in the lobby bar. The menu includes both classic and modern dishes, from meat and fish to vegetarian options.

Get a taste of Asian cities such as Bangkok and Seoul at Weidao. Everything from sushi to bibimbap and wok is made in the open kitchen. Interiors are also Asian influenced, using elegant, natural materials.

Enjoy classic dishes in beautiful archipelago-inspired surroundings right alongside the entrance to Stockholm harbour. Take the boat from Nybroplan and get off right outside the entrance. During the summer months you can sit and eat al fresco on the jetty with full sun and views over the water.

This rooftop restaurant, the first restaurant in Södermalm from the Stureplan group of restaurants, is just a few steps from Slussen and run by chef Emma Shields. The restaurant was designed by Gert Wingårdhs architect firm and has panoramic views over Stockholm. There's also a roof terrace with space for 400 bar guests.  

Farang, housed in former industrial premises on Tulegatan, serves extraordinary modern tasting menus with Southeast Asian influences. Enjoy an acclaimed flavour journey against a backdrop of moody lighting, elegant decor and an open kitchen. Farang continues to be one of Stockholmers' top spots, whether you're sharing your table with colleagues or friends.

Its unbeatable location on Strandvägen draws businesspeople and groups of friends to the Hotel Diplomat and its Scandinavian brasserie. Enjoy the views over the waters of Nybroviken and take in the international atmosphere from morning until evening.

Part of the exclusive lifestyle hotel At Six on Brunkebergstorg, their Dining Room restaurant has sophisticated interiors, an open kitchen and a buzzy atmosphere. Modern art and design are framed by industrial-style architecture. The menu includes contemporary culinary influences and selected wines.

At La Boca Doce, in Fredsgatan 12's old premises, the idea is that tables should be filled with food and drink, and the restaurant with happy people. The team here want La Boca to be a place to gather for any occasion, whether it's with family, friends or colleagues, on a ordinary weekday or a special celebration. The menu is strongly influenced by South America and the Mediterranean countries, with an emphasis on meat, fish and shellfish.

When you step inside Capricci on Hornstulls strand you're met by leafy potplants hanging from the ceiling, black-and-white checked floors and large comfy seating groups perfect for cosy dinners. The restaurant serves authentic Italian flavours on large platters, ideal for sharing with the table, but you can also hop up by the bar and sip a cocktail. Don't miss the alfresco dining area on the waterfront when the weather allows.

Enter the enchanted world of L'Avventura and discover the cuisine and culture of Rome. This Italian restaurant with two bars is housed in what used to be the premises of the Metropol Palais on Sveavägen. The dining room is spectacular, with huge trees, murals on the walls and soft velvet banquettes. The menu will take you on a trip through Italian cuisine you won't forget in a hurry.

Mister French boasts magnificent views of Stockholm's harbour, in an setting that oozes Great Gatsby and Roaring Twenties vibes. Enjoy a cocktail or a full sharing dinner consisting of chargrilled meat, fresh seafood and creative fusion dishes in this Skeppsbron brasserie. From the dining room you can watch the chefs prepare the food in the open kitchen, and you can even participate in the cooking by grilling meat and fish on small grills and lava stones at the table.

Malmskillnadsgatan has become a real restaurant mecca since the pandemic. Twelve floors up, this much-hyped rooftop restaurant from the Stureplan group has fantastic views over the rooftops of Stockholm. Come by for popular Italian flavours and cocktails, and to admire the views. 

If you're going around dreaming of a trip to Japan, don't miss Sin Ramen. Enter a world that transports you straight to the streets of Tokyo. Enjoy ramen, sake and beer in a colourful environment with moody lighting and graffitied walls.

Florentine's cinematic interior with marble, plants and colourful details is a nod to the Italian 1970s, and the food is also authentic Italian. Antipasti, Neapolitan sourdough pizzas, and handmade fresh pasta are some of the items on the menu, and you can either order dishes for yourself or fill the table and share the food 'family style'.

DoMa serves up "at home" vibes and ambitious cooking at lunch and dinner. Enjoy seasonal European and Nordic flavours, often made from ingredients from the restaurant's own vegetable gardens, in a former printworks on Nybrogatan. The bar on the ground floor serves cocktails, small dishes and brunch in warm, welcoming surroundings.

Grodan's sister restaurant at the Royal Opera House is housed in historic rooms that played host to the city's bohemian circles at the end of the 19th century. The magnificent decor, with its gilded columns, stucco ceilings, high arches and red carpets, continues to impress. Grodan's classic dishes are served here, and you can take a pew at the bar for a cocktail.

Chez Jolie is run by Mikael Einarsson, who was previously the head chef at Brasserie Astoria. You can sample his own interpretation of exclusive French flavours with influences from both rustic homecooking and big city bistros. The decor also combines classic and modern elements. 

At The Social in the Clarion Hotel Sign a relaxed atmosphere meets flavours from different parts of the world. They've created a welcoming meeting place where the social aspect is a major part of the experience, and you can drop in at almost any time for breakfast, lunch, post-work drinks or dinner.

Fotografiska's restaurant has stunning views over the entrance to Stockholm harbour and Djurgården across the water. The five-course tasting menu here consists of green, locally-produced and organic dishes, carefully composed with pairing drinks. A complete experience. 

 

Stortorgskällaren is housed in a former furniture factory in the Old Town. Classic Swedish dishes with a modern twist are served in historic 18th century surroundings, and there's a well-stocked wine cellar that was already in use 500 years ago. Interiors inspiration also comes from days gone by. 

This award-winning cocktail bar is on the site of Sweden's first apothecary, which opened in the 1500s. They've capitalised on the history of the building and created a cosy, antique-style bar where ancient apothecary skills have provided inspiration for modern cocktails. It's a good idea to book a table.

A playful and prize-winning gourmet restaurant on Södermalm from the chef duo Jocke Almqvist and Kalle Nilsson. The tasting menu serves up numerous surprises - don't be surprised, for example, if someone stubs out their cigarette in your dish, or if you get spoon-fed lobster. Guaranteed to be a truly unique and out-of-the-ordinary dining experience.

If you're in the mood for beer and food, visit Hedda Spendrups brewery and restaurant in Östermalm. Eat dinner, grab a beer at the bar or hang out in the lounge. The menu consists of medium-sized dishes with exciting flavours that are perfect for pairing with a beer. From the dining room you can see into the brewery and watch the beer being brewed. 

AG is famous for excellent meat dishes, but also for their eye-catching industrial premises decorated by Jonas Bohlin. Stockholmers and other visitors have been coming here for years to eat, drink and hang out. Don't miss their sister restaurant Rolfs Kök in the city centre.

Chef Daniel Crespi's popular restaurant used to serve only meat but it's now equally appealing to vegetarians. The emphasis is on sustainable dining using the finest ingredients in season, and the restaurant also has one of the largest wine cellars in the country. Djuret's popular sister restaurants are right next door - La Ragazza, which serves up “sunny gastrofusion”, and Vingården, an outdoor grill in the inner courtyard. 

At Capital, both the view and the cocktails have a definite 'wow' factor, creating a Continental feeling on the eighth floor. Cocktails are something of a specialty here, with both signature drinks and well-known classics mixed at the bar for you to sip while relaxing on a comfy sofa. In the summertime, they open up their delightful terrace, where you can enjoy the views over the city, cocktails, company, and food, which consists of large and smaller international dishes.

The restaurant at Görvälns Slott serves carefully prepared dishes using ingredients from the surrounding Mälardalen area, according to a philosophy of good quality food that's both nutritious and delicious. The castle, whose history stretches back to the 17th century, is now a glamorous boutique hotel that attracts both restaurant visitors and overnight guests.

Step into ”the swinging 30s” with green minigolf courses, trendy nostalgic decor and black-and-white photographs from Manhattan, all inspired by the Prohibition Era and the early days of minigolf. Combine minigolf with creative and playful food and drink, which is also inspired by 1930s USA.

Exposed brick walls, tiled floors and green and pink interiors set the delightful tone at this city brasserie. Take an exciting taste journey to Brooklyn's international food cultures, particularly American, Italian and Jewish cuisines. Brunch, lunch, dinner or a cocktail at the bar – Jacqueline's is an experience for all occasions

Star chef Mathias Dahlgren's bistro in the Grand Hôtel serves world-class gastronomy at lunch and dinner. Dishes are made from natural ingredients in season and the menu changes daily. 

Berns Asiatiska, with its gilded mirrors and elegant chandeliers, is considered to be one of the best Asian fusion restaurants in the city. Berns has housed several restaurants and restaurateurs over the years and it's now the turn of the guys behind Calle P to take the reins. The menu includes Asian dishes with a contemporary feel and innovative flavour combinations. As the evening progresses the pulse and volume increases - perfect if you're in the mood for a fun night out with the gang.

There are branches of the exclusive members' club Soho House all around the world, including in a beautiful church in Östermalm. The historic building is full of Swedish art and design. As a member you can enjoy northern Italian fine dining in the Club Cecconi's restaurant, which was founded in Mayfair in London. 

If you really want to go all-in - and take the wow-factor to the next level - don't miss Stockholm's best fine-dining restaurants. In our guide to the city's luxury restaurants you'll find everything from classic fine dining to modern gastronomy and cooking over open fire. Most of the restaurants listed have at least one star in the Michelin Guide.