Laid-back luxe foodie experiences

Whether you're interested in design or not, let yourself be entranced by both the interiors and the food at this Östermalm restaurant. As the name suggests, craftsmanship is at the heart of the entire concept. Cocktails are also blended artisanally and perfectly complement the flavours of the food.

Uber-popular Little Ego is filled with flea market finds, handmade tables and an open kitchen, and table reservations take precedence over spontaneity – although you can always try to be first in line when they open. The menu features original versions of Swedish flavours, crafted by the two award-winning chefs Tom Sjöstedt and Daniel Räms (chef of the year 2013).

In Slakthusområdet, Solen ("the sun") shines – that is to say, the famous chef duo Adam and Albin's restaurant with a name that reminds one of warmer latitudes. So does the food, which consists of dishes and ingredients from regions including the Mediterranean, South America, and the Middle East, with charcoal-grilled and smoked dishes as recurring elements.

Nybrogatan 38 is one of few dedicated restaurants that stays open all day, every day of the week, from breakfast and lunch to after-work drinks and dinner – with brunch at the weekend. The location on Nybrogatan is convenient, the staff attentive and the atmosphere constantly wonderfully lively. In the summer, they open their outdoor seating, which looks almost like a little house, on the street outside.

Chef duo Daniel Haynes and Anders Karlsson, of the Swedish National Culinary Team, are the masterminds behind Animo. Their aim is to blur the boundaries between kitchen, bar and dining room and create an atmosphere in which everyone feels right at home. There's a focus on innovative cocktails that are just as ambitious as the cooking.

Misshumasshu is accessible from the historic Birger Jarl Passagen shopping arcade, where the restaurant has seating both outdoors in the passage and in its own premises. The concept is bistro, but not French; rather, culinary influences are Asian-American. Modern design elements meet classic ones decor-wise, and the menu is inspired by the vibrant brasseries of New York as well as Tokyo's izakayas, incorporating Asian spice blends and ingredients from South Korea and Thailand.

Prepare for a rather different sushi experience at Indio. The menu is largely made up of sushi, but not the Japanese kind, instead it's Peruvian! Japanese-Peruvian fusion is called nikkei and is heavily focused on fresh fish, lime, chilli, coriander, sweet potato, yuca and avocado. Don't miss the heavenly ceviche.

This stylish restaurant on Roslagsgatan oozes Spanish and South American influences. Tuck into tapas and grilled meat and fish dishes surrounded by dark green tiled walls, quirky paintings and muted tones. They've set their culinary standards high but the atmosphere is still delightfully laid back and the service tip-top.

In DoMas bistro, a few steps down from street level, you can enjoy a well-prepared dinner made with seasonal ingredients. In the Dining Room, which is on the ground floor, the ambition is raised a notch, with slightly more luxurious tasting menus. The restaurant is an extension of hosts Dorotea and Viktor's living room, where they serve up cosy yet ambitious dining.

Tegelbacken offers a vibrant overall experience with European flavours in a small plates format. Behind the restaurant is the renowned chef Markus Aujalay who, together with Erika Michael, focuses on unpretentious, flavourful, and freshly prepared food, to be enjoyed in a romantic setting with velvet furnishings in pink and red, floral wallpaper, and a view of Riksdagshuset. There's also a bar and lounge where you can enjoy a drink.

In this culinary corner of Östermalm, you'll find three restaurants run by the restaurateur duo Douglas Fagerman and Ruben Blomdahl, one of which is Aristo. They describe the restaurant as a modern neighbourhood eatery with a passion for jazz. The menu is both classic and innovative, with an emphasis on European flavours.

Sommelier duo Beatrice Becher and Jonas Sandberg run this neighbourhood bistro on Erstagatan, as well as the Folii wine bar right next door. Voisine focuses on authentic, well-cooked food with French and Swedish flavours. The menu is full of modern bistro dishes made from ingredients in season.

At Triton, they serve what they serve - all you have to do is tuck in and enjoy. The fixed three-course menu is based on what ingredients they get for the day and what they feel like cooking and it's not unusual for the menu to change from day to day. Drinks-wise, it's all about natural wines. 

On Åsögatan, in the cosy neighbourhoods around Vitabergsparken, lies Café Nizza. They serve their almost iconic fermented cacio e pepe, as well as other French-Italian dishes. The restaurant is traditionally decorated with a chequered tiled floor, wooden furniture, and wine bottles here and there, and during the warmer months of the year, locals flock to the al fresco dining area.

With one foot in classic French cuisine and another defying all the old rules, Främmat creates menus that are continuously being changed and updated. A great atmosphere is as important to the team here as top-notch food. 

Copine originally opened as a sister restaurant to Jim & Jacob, and despite the restaurant's French-sounding name, the influences in the kitchen come from across Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Elegant dishes are served in a refined environment in the heart of Östermalm, at both lunch and dinner.

If you look up “Italian restaurant” in a dictionary, you may well find Nostrano there. This classic, relaxed venue in Södermalm attracts couples, families, and friends who want to gather over Italian flavours in their glasses and on their plates, in surroundings that ooze Italian vibes.

This tucked-away hole-in-the-wall restaurant at the far end of Folkkungagatan serves flavours that'll get your tastebuds tingling. The menu is Thai, with well-priced medium plates ideal for sharing. The decor is simple with a welcoming atmosphere that welcomes small and large parties alike.

Gigis serves up a completely unique sushi experience. They serve “Stockholm sushi”, i.e. sushi inspired by the capital and its rich culinary diversity. The menu features maki, nigiri, and other small dishes with unexpected flavour combinations, often paired with wine, sake, or beer. While the food's ambitious, the atmosphere is relaxed, and as a guest, you can watch the chefs' work in the open kitchen.

At Bar Agrikultur next to Nytorget, small plates are served alongside good wines, gin, and beers – feel free to ask what pairs well for fabulous flavour combinations. This is where the Stockholm locals gather in the evenings.

Miss Voon, part of the F12 group of restaurants, combines Asian flavours with European ones to create an aromatic and modern mix. Dishes are served in half portions for sharing. Otherwise you can select your own sashimi platter in the sashimi bar and pay by weight. Round off your meal with an Asian-inspired dessert or cocktail.

Relaxed, good food and great service – that's what Flor Matbar is all about. The intimate restaurant on Surbrunnsgatan in Vasastan offers a balanced and creative menu with flavours from the Mediterranean and Sweden to share or enjoy on your own. The menu changes regularly, so there's often something new to discover.

Since day one, this popular fusion restaurant in Hornstull has been one of Stockholm's most beloved haunts. Their flavour-packed Japanese/Scandinavian medium-sized dishes are high on Stockholmers' lists of favourite restaurant dishes and the atmosphere is always fun and lively - not surprisingly when the place is packed with satisfied dinner guests.

In the mood for some primo sushi? Book a highly desirable spot at this celebrated sushi bar in Vasastan run by the former head chef of Råkultur and Imouto. There's only space for twelve diners and guests are served whatever the chef feels like cooking. The emphasis is on top-quality ingredients and the dining experience.

Are you in the mood to put aside the classic and explore something new and a little unexpected? If so, Amalia might be just what you're looking for. This relaxed bistro does away with the boundaries and rules in favour of something a little more playful, mixing flavour influences from around the world in a carefree manner. Dishes are small to medium in size, perfect for ordering several plates to share – preferably accompanied by a glass of wine or two.

Ponti is run by an experienced duo who are also behind Schmaltz Bar & Delicatessen, among other places. The focus is on well-prepared food with a modern touch, served in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The menu is inspired by the chefs' favourite restaurants in Florence and Los Angeles, and in the bar, they mix cocktails that celebrate vermouth, amaro, gin, and bitters. Just as delightful whether you're looking for a lavish weekend lunch or a lively dinner with friends.

Sin Ramen's two restaurants are major favourites when it comes to ramen in Stockholm. One restaurant is located in a cool basement venue in the city, the other in Slakthusområdet, the former meatpacking district; both have a focus on truly great ramen in a stylish setting, with subdued lighting, velvet furnishings, and large wall murals. The menu also includes small plates such as fried chicken.

Tripletta is run by Robert “Boban” Rudinski, who has also run successful restaurants such as Lo Scudetto and La Vecchia Signora. At Tripletta, he and the team create rustic Italian dining experiences where every part of your visit is taken care of, from the moment you step into the restaurant until you leave.

This incredibly popular spot on Mosebacke torg is well known for their exciting flavours and buzzy atmosphere. Their tasting menus are composed around different themes each season, with locally-produced, sustainable produce always at the forefront. Quality wines from small producers are among the drinks served with food.

Experience culinary craftsmanship and seasonal flavours at Vår Gård in Saltsjöbaden. They work consciously, using ingredients from local producers and their own kitchen garden. They bake their own bread fresh every morning in the bakery. 

Do you fancy a Spanish dining experience that doesn't include tapast? Then head down to Aleks y Filip, which offers traditional starters and main courses such as grilled octopus and Iberico pork. There's also a generous wine list and exciting cocktails.

At Köket vid bordet, wine leads the way. Guests choose what to drink, and the chef creates dishes that elevate the character of the wine with a delicate touch and seasonal ingredients. Behind the concept are a mother and son, who have created the restaurant they felt was missing from the Stockholm restaurant scene.

In the same neighbourhood in Hornstull, there are two Ho's restaurants, namely Ho's Tapas and Ho's Kina. At the former, Ho's Tapas, the focus is on small and medium-sized dishes with flavours from several Asian countries, while Ho's Kina focuses on Cantonese cuisine.

Prospero in Vasastan is a delightful gem with elegant and well-prepared food. The owners, who are also the chefs, want a visit here to feel like coming home to a good friend's dinner, only to find that the friend turns out to be a really skilled cook. The concept revolves around hand-picked seasonal ingredients paired with natural wines. The restaurant always offers vegetarian options.

Lykke Nytorget is about much more than just coffee. Their corner café on Nytorget serves excellent brunch, lunch and dinner dishes, cocktails, craft beers and great wines. The atmosphere is relaxed and the basement plays host to frequent live performances, parties and other happenings.