The best lunch restaurants in Stockholm

This welcoming neighbourhood pub takes its name from the cinema that opened here in 1932, but these days they've swapped films for food. It's still a sociable meeting place, where you can peek into the open kitchen, go up to the second floor, have a drink at the bar or sit down and eat well. The menu consists of southern European dishes, both à la carte options and daily lunch specials.

Urban Deli, with its restaurant, bar and food hall all under the same roof, has been a popular meeting place for some time. If you come here to eat lunch you'll find dishes with international influences on the menu. You can also order seafood and other delicacies from the food hall.

Meatballs or steak tartare, plat du jour or small dishes - no matter what you fancy, Hornsgatan's bound to have it. If it's vaguely European/Swedish, that is. You'll find the restaurant in Zinkensdamm, on the corner of Ringvägen/Hornsgatan, where they've created a restaurant with modern home cooking and a relaxed way of socialising.

After three years of experimentation, the team at Pom Friterie finally mastered the perfect french fry. The well-designed restaurant on Lästmakargatan serves fresh, organic, hand-cut French fries with various internationally-influenced sauces, toppings and sides. At lunchtime, you can combine the fried potatoes with your choice of "bites" and a drink.

In the middle of Skeppsbron, Mister French serves lunch with a view of Stockholm harbour. The menu includes a daily lunch special and seasonal à la carte dishes with vegetarian and vegan options. Indulge yourself with starters, seafood, desserts and French classics

Kantin av Kalf & Hansen cares about using organic, locally produced food, without skimping on taste. Enjoy a nutritious lunch in the form of a salad, soup or main course with your choice of meatballs, either on site or as take away, served - naturally - in a recyclable lunch box.

How about a Porchetta sandwich made with pork belly, panzanella salad and Pecorino? Or perhaps a classic Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut and Gruyère? At Erth in Hötorgshallen indoor food market they serve tender, high-quality meat cooked in their own rotisserie. Eat in or grab something to take home with you.

Omni picks and chooses the very best of Sweden and Italy and transforms it into a menu filled with classic homecooking dishes. They aim to offer something for everyone - a no-frills experience with the very best ingredients, well-cooked food and quick service. Every weekday they serve lunch in the form of pasta, pizza and salads. The price includes a fresh salad buffet, freshly-baked bread, drink and coffee. 

The Bockholmen restaurant group's delightful establishment on Hötorget serves lunch with European flavours every day. Choose between the daily lunch special, a weekly classic Swedish dish and the extensive à la carte menu. If you're in the mood for a blowout lunch, you can create your own three-course meal, which can be paired with suitable drinks.  

A Bowl & Plates, which is tucked away by Mariatorget, is a little hidden Södermalm gem that serves lunch with Mediterranean influences. In the evenings they change to a dinner menu and serve natural wines from small producers.

Pasta is the order of the day at Carls Deli in Hötorgshallen indoor food market. Every day they serve a couple of different kinds made from the very best Italian ingredients sourced by the owner, Carl. While you're there, buy some goodies in the deli to take home with you and try to recreate the pasta at home.   

At Knut in Vasastan and in the city centre, the northern Swedish influences are apparent in both the decor and cuisine. The lunch menu includes rustic dishes with both Swedish and international flavours. 

This Continental neighbourhood restaurant in Kungsholmen serves Swedish homecooking at lunchtime. The menu also includes perennial favourites with French influences. There's always a vegetarian alternative. 

This popular little ramen bar a stone's throw from Sankt Eriksbron serves handmade noodles made with selected ingredients. Totemo Ramen is only open at lunchtime, so you get here in good time if you want to bag one of the coveted bar stools and try out something from the menu.

Nybrogatan 38 is a real Stockholm favourite and they're open from breakfast until late evening. Perfect for a lively long lunch with friends or colleagues. The menu has European influences - with an emphasis on classic meat and fish dishes, as well as vegetarian options.

Regulars have been pouring into this modern classic since the late 80s. The open kitchen serves traditional, robust fare with European influences in a sophisticated setting. Lunch is a particularly popular alternative - perfect for lunch meetings.

Every day Teaterbaren serves three different daily lunch specials, including vegetarian options, a meat dish and a soup. They work closely with a specific farm to provide a fork-to-table experience. Sit in the spacious dining room and enjoy the panoramic views over lively Sergels Torg.

Hernö Gin Bar is probably best known for its Swedish gin, but you can eat as well as drink here. They serve a lunch menu with salads and other dishes in their dining room just a stone's throw from Slussen. Naturally there's also a cocktail menu if you fancy a tipple.

Close to Stockholm Central railway station and Åhléns City department store, you'll find this Asian restaurant. Ideal for either lunch on the go or a long, lazy sit-down, you can choose to sit in the light area at the front of the restaurant with views over the street, or take a pew close to the kitchen for a cosy, tucked-away atmosphere. The menu includes everything from sushi to wok and ramen.

Tranan is one of Stockholm's most historic restaurants and a lunch visit is pretty much a must if you find yourself around Odenplan. Book in for a business lunch or just pop by for a spontaneous lunch of the slightly smarter variety. Classic Swedish homecooking is the order of the day here.


 

Whether you happen to be passing through Enskede or just want a really good lunch, Gamla Enskede Matbod is always a good idea. Swedish influences combine with French cooking techniques at both lunch and dinner. Choose between the à la carte menu and a weekly meat, fish or veggie dish; regardless, freshly-baked bread, soup, coffee and sweet treats are always included.

Riche is packed with loyal regulars every lunchtime. The kitchen combines French brasserie dishes with Swedish homecooking and the menu always includes classic favourites such as Toast Skagen and beef Rydberg. They have a daily lunch special every weekday.

Brasserie Balzac in Vasastan is open for lunch every weekday. The menu is filled with French favourites. They serve everything from omelettes to moules frites, meat dishes, salads and a special business lunch menu.

Just a short walk from Stureplan and Nybroviken, you'll find Artilleriet. Come by for a relaxed lunch among the stone vaults of the Army Museum. They serve lunch dishes with Swedish and southern European flavours in airy, spacious surroundings. Dogs are welcome at Artilleriet.

Italian flavours are the order of the day at Primo Ciao Ciao. They're best known for their popular pizzas, but there are also pasta dishes and other Italian favourites to choose from on the menu.  

Swedish and French influences abound at Le Bistro in the Västermalmsgallerian shopping centre. Lunch consists of Swedish homecooking and other lunch dishes with slightly more international flavours. An easy accessible lunch option when you're out shopping. 

Popular sushi and Asian-influenced main courses are among the dishes served at this busy lunch bar in Hötorgshallen indoor food hall. Ambitions are a notch higher than the average fast food joint and it's worth coming early (or late) to miss the worst of the lunchtime rush.

 

Whoever said a sandwich doesn't count as lunch hasn't been to Bar Schiacciate. Hearty sandwiches with inspiration from Italy's food culture are the order of the day here. The sandwiches are prepared to order, and filled with everything from charcuterie and cheese to various spreads and vegetables. Combine with a cup of freshly brewed espresso for the finishing touch.

In the mood for a kebab with fresh ingredients and plenty of vegetables? As well as kebab, Le Kebab also serves falafel and other options for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegan. Choose, for example, pita and wraps with fresh bread and sauces made from scratch.

If you find yourself in the Westfield Mall of Scandinavia hungry for lunch, head to the S2 food court. With 14 restaurants to choose from there are plenty of options to suit all tastes. 

For a quick lunch on the go head to Nybroe Smørrebrød in Östermalmshallen food hall which, just as the name suggests, serves smörrebröd - authentic Danish open sandwiches. Choose a classic sandwich with typical Danish flavours, or go for a more modern, creative topping.

The city's best food court is in the middle of Kungsgatan and masses of lunch restaurants are gathered under the same roof. You'll find street food from all over the world here. Just pick your favourite spot and take a seat in the dining area, or grab a takeaway.

Popular Falloumi, which is run by actor Mahmut Suvakci, serves freshly-fried falafel and halloumi in pita, wraps and bowls. Eat in or take away. 

The mega ambitious "food stage" in Ringen shopping centre gathers some of the best chefs in Sweden under the same roof, serving fast food at reasonable prices. Choose from various different food joints with lunch dishes from all four corners of the world.

Delibaren goes by season and feeling, so their lunchtime offering is constantly changing, but expect warming soups, hearty grilled sandwiches, fresh salads and omelettes on the menu. The bright, stylish surroundings make for a relaxed place to enjoy your lunch break, but if you and your colleagues would rather eat in the office you can also pre-order your food. 

This vegan healthfood café is a popular lunch spot that tends to be full of people in the middle of the day. Fill your belly with everything from smoothies to hearty lunch dishes with exciting flavours. Everything is made with the greatest respect for animals and nature.

Enjoy unbeatable views over the city as you enjoy lunch. Restaurang Tak is on the fourteenth floor above Brunkebergstorg and serves luxurious Nordic/Japanese fusion lunch dishes, desserts and drinks such as wine and sake. Perfect for when you want to treat yourself.

Astoria serves a daily lunch special every Monday to Friday, but you can also choose from their entire à la carte menu - ideal for business lunches and when you want to treat yourself. Enjoy delicious dishes in surroundings that ooze international decadence.

Enjoy lunch in a elegant surroundings, with views over the waters of Stockholm, the Old Town and the City Hall. The menu is based around seasonal vegetables which, combined with the chef's creativity, are transformed into modern versions of Scandinavian dishes, served with meat, fish or chicken, or completely vegetarian. Guests come here for a luxurious business lunch, a date with friends or just a break from the city stress.

Spesso is in the middle of town on Malmskillnadsgatan. Enjoy Italian flavours along with panoramic views over the rooftops from the 18th floor. They serve a daily lunch special every weekday and you can always choose from their à la carte menu. Choose between exclusive lunch dishes and Spesso's set business lunch.  

When you eat lunch at Verandan you're ensured a delicious meal and a view to remember. Classic Swedish dishes such as Wallenbergare veal patties, cured salmon and, naturally, their own meatballs, are the order of the day, with international elements apparent here and there.

This cosy hole-in-the-wall restaurant is on the corner of Norrbackagatan and Karlbergsvägen, close to Sankt Eriksplan. Come by for lunch with dishes such as grilled sandwiches, bowls, pizza and salads. Round off your meal with coffee and a pastry. When the evening approaches, Norrbacka turns into a great place for a post-work drink, in particular wine, but also champagne, cava, beer and non-alcoholic options.