The best French restaurants in Stockholm

Brasserie Balzac - named after the French writer and food connoisseur of the same name - takes its influences from Paris and New York. Hors d'oeuvres, classic brasserie dishes and cocktails are served among red leather sofas and stunning stucco work.

As soon as it opened, Mikael Einarsson's Chez Jolie became a popular addition to Stockholm's restaurant scene, in particular French restaurants. They combine the best rustic French food with luxurious big city bistro dishes.  

A truly intimate little bistro right in the heart of the Old Town. Enjoy a classic, seasonally inspired brasserie menu featuring oysters and soups, as well as a traditional crème brûlée. Don't miss the wine bar and their sister restaurant Petit Pastis.

In a former fire station on Krukmakargatan in Södermalm, Hommage is a French venue in two parts: bar and bistro. The bar section serves French wines, cocktails, Pastis and fortified wines, and in the restaurant there's an à la carte menu with typical dishes that vary according to season and whichever ingredients are best right now. Slip into the bar and enjoy a cocktail in a dimly-lit, cosy setting with a starry ceiling, or book a table and spend an evening among white tablecloths and lit candles in the restaurant with a Parisian feeling. Hommage is popular with a grown-up crowd, often dating couples and friends who want to spend quality time together in atmospheric surroundings.

Transport yourself to France without leaving the city. At Brasserie Bobonne in Östermalm, French home cooking is the order of the day, prepared in an open kitchen by skilled chefs. The atmosphere exudes authentic French brasserie vibes with white linen tablecloths and an intimate dining room.

French neighbourhood pub near Stureplan serving innovative French homecooking dishes for lunch and dinner, including a lot of fish and other favourites. The restaurant opened in 2012 and is a popular meeting place with a great location and a large selection of wines

Danyel Couet is at at the helm of Bar Allegrine on Kammakargatan. Inspired by his French heritage (the restaurant is named after Couet's French grandmother), the menu consists of playful sharing dishes with a modern twist - served in elegant surroundings with a muted palette.

Just a stone's throw from Mariatorget, this cosy neighbourhood bistro takes a deep dive into all things French. Smaller plates with French flavours are served that are meant to be shared around the table, from tarte flambée to crème brûlée. Choose from the dishes on the menu or keep it simple and go for a full example menu. The restaurant also has a great fondness for French wines and is happy to recommend a pairing wine package.

Kasten is a bistro from well-known restaurant duo Jim&Jacob, located just next to Oscarskyrkan in Östermalm. There's a strong focus on wine here, so you're just as welcome to drop by for a glass and a small bite to eat as you are to enjoy a long dinner with loved ones. The menu features dishes that are as elegant as they are rustic, with familiar flavours from both Sweden and France.

This French neighbourhood bistro serves high quality food at reasonable prices. The menu inclludes classic dishes such as moules frites, bouillabaisse, snails and steak frites. The drinks list has champagne in all price ranges, wine and non-alcoholic alternatives. The atmosphere is warm and intimate.

This small but delightful French eatery on Tulegatan serves super-French dishes to its guests. Rustic and simple are the guiding words, and the evening's dishes are chalked up on the blackboard. The knowledgeable staff are happy to guide you through the French terms and the wine list.

Hotel Kung Carl's northern French bistro on Stureplan takes its influences from 19th century France. They serve a menu which takes the best of northern and southern Europe, topped off with influences from all over the world. Don't miss their weekend brunch or regular jazz evenings.

This sophisticated French brasserie fuses modern sensibilities with a classic French ambiance. The chic interior is punctuated by leather detailing. Well-prepared food, knowledgeable sommeliers and extensive wine menu enhance the experience.

Make your way to Artillerigatan and step into this French oasis, where the atmosphere is both cosy and relaxed. At Bisous le Bistro, the entire à la carte menu is based on authentic French cuisine with plenty of classic dishes to choose from, such as snails in garlic butter, moules, and steak au poivre. Pair your meal with a selection of wines handpicked from France's most prestigious regions. On Fridays, they also serve lunch, and on Saturdays, the day kicks off with brunch. If you'd rather sit more privately, you can book the restaurant's chambre séparée.

Bistro Zissou is a family-run restaurant with Kalle Lindborg and Emma Skerfe at the helm. They serve an à la carte menu that varies according to their mood and the availability of ingredients, with distinctly French influences.

As the name suggests, Glenn Miller Café is a jazz club, named after the legendary jazz musician Glenn Miller, who was hugely popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Guests can enjoy classic French dishes such as confit de canard and moules frites in an intimate atmosphere accompanied by live jazz. White tablecloths and candlelight create a romantic ambiance that is enhanced by the live music.

At Bistro Tartine, the French vibes are unmistakable – the menu and the decor both evoke the feel of a classic bistro somewhere in Paris. Surrounded by burgundy furnishings, you can enjoy classic dishes such as moules, salad niçoise and steak frites, or indeed just a few oysters paired with champagne or another French wine.

If anyone's nailed the art of living, it's the French, and if there's anyone who knows how to create a French atmosphere in Stockholm it's Bistro Arsenalen. This lively Mediterranean bistro serves lunch and dinner and welcomes post-work bon viveurs in the champagne and cocktail bar. The menu includes starters, main courses and desserts with meat, fish and vegetarian options, including elements such as fine cuts of meat, charcuterie and oysters. 

With rustic dishes, traditional French cuisine and a wide selection of French wine, Bambi call themselves "a timeless French restaurant". The menu is based on pure ingredients and the classic  starter-main course-dessert format. DJs spin tunes in the restaurant's cellar.

Le Passepartout, in cosy premises on Kungsholmen, is a French restaurant run by a father and son team. With a Frenchman in the kitchen who knows exactly how he wants things, you're pretty much guaranteed a delightful evening – if you can manage to snag a table; this place only operates on a first-come, first-served basis and the restaurant is small.

Just like in Nice, Café Nizza combines French and Italian flavours. They're famous for their pasta dishes, particularly their cacio e pepe. Dishes are served medium-sized so you can enjoy both a smaller pasta dish and a meat, fish or vegetarian main course.

Inside Östermalms Saluhall food market is Bistrot du Passage, a lively French restaurant that welcomes guests for lunch, coffee breaks, after-work drinks and dinner. This is a relaxed spot that works for most occasions, with its classic French bistro setting with white tablecloths, patterned mosaic flooring, and bentwood chairs.

This is The Sparrow Hotel's in-house wine bar and bistro, created by renowned chefs Mathias Dahlgren and Staffan Naess. Their vision is to create an authentic French bistro where ingredients always take centre stage, through unpretentious and authentically French cuisine. In the summer months, the outdoor seating area opens up, stretching along Birger Jarlsgatan. 

Central bistro gem housed in a 19th-century building. French-inspired home cooking is served in delightful surroundings. Their renowned mussels are available in various styles, and many regard them as among the best in town.

This red-painted bistro on Österlånggatan has been drawing flaneurs to the Old Town since the joyful 80s. The atmosphere is calm and the dishes are classically influenced by French cuisine, with Swedish and American elements. At Bistro Ruby, oysters and moules frites are accompanied by dishes such as beef Rydberg and many other favourites.