The best lunch restaurants in Vasastan

This well-established restaurant in the middle of Odenplan is a long standing favourite where the classic Swedish homecooking is as famous as the red and white-checked tablecloths. Butter-fried herring, steak tartare, off-menu meatballs and other traditional dishes are the order of the day. Beyond the usual lunch budget but perfect for special occasions.

Take a taste trip to south Saigon in your lunch hour. This Vietnamese restaurant serves fast but well-made dishes such as spring rolls, noodle salads and noodle soups inspired by the owner's grandmother's recipes. The restaurant has stylish interiors, with exposed-brick walls and patterned tile floors, and you order your meal at the counter.

Fancy some fish? Lennart & Bror Fish can satisfy your cravings. In a sleek environment with white-tiled walls and fun maritime details, you can indulge in both bubbles and oysters, or enjoy street food featuring fish.

Cucina Povera can be found in a lively and simple setting on the hill up to Odenplan. Pop in for some pasta or a pizza for lunch; hearty food at reasonable prices is the name of the game here.

Sustainability is key at Delibaren, with dishes made from organic, honest ingredients, such as responsibly grown vegetables and ethically raised animals. The menu varies according to the season (and the chefs' mood), but often consists of warming soups, hearty grilled sandwiches, fresh salads and omelettes. If you and your colleagues would rather eat lunch in the office you can also pre-order your lunch at Delibaren. 

Villa Romana isn't afraid to combine Swedish and Italian flavours and, particularly at lunchtime, Italian dishes share space with traditional Swedish cuisine here. The lunch menu always features a selection of staple dishes, as well as a daily special that changes each day.

Take a quick trip to sunny Portugal - in your lunch hour. Acaza, just a short walk from Odenplan, serves authentic Portuguese cuisine. At lunchtime, the menu features a couple of staple dishes as well as three lunch specials with meat, fish, or vegetarian options that change on a weekly basis. 

This charming gastropub on Luntmakargatan is run by two dedicated owners. Tuck into delicious European dishes with strong influences from both England and Sweden. The lunch menu includes everything from ambitious British pub dishes to Swedish homecooking.

This Italian-influenced ice cream bar isn't just about gelato, they also serve focaccia and pasta made Italian-style with Italian ingredients. Owner Kenneth and his partner Cinzia ensure no one leaves here hungry. Round off your meal with a gelato or an espresso for an authentic Italian experience. 

In Vasa park in the heart of Vasastan, Lådan's summer restaurant, Parklådan, serves next-level burgers and hot dogs. Everything is cooked from scratch using quality ingredients, and the entire menu is available in vegetarian versions. Those who want to wash down their lunch with something a little more festive can choose from ten different types of craft beer on tap, a couple of natural wines and cocktails made from Swedish spirits.

Mowglis Kök just off Odenplan serves Bengali streetfood with a a modern twist. The lunch menu includes dishes such as chicken tikka masala and palak paneer with classic accompaniments. Lunch is reasonably priced and you can either eat in or take your food away.

Hawaii Poké was one of the first to join the trend of serving poké bowls and they now offer these generous dishes at several locations in Stockholm. The menu features various versions of poké bowls that can be customised with your choice of protein: salmon, chicken, tofu, tuna, shrimp, or a vegan 'tuna', topped with vegetables, fruits, and sauces to suit all tastes and dietary needs. All dishes are gluten-, dairy-, and nut-free.

Eat French bistro dishes at Bistro Guld in Vasa park, in the same eye-catching golden building as Sven-Harrys art museum. Enjoy a relaxing lunch break with views over the park and lunch specials that change weekly.

MGL Sushi has branches in several places around the city and is a slightly kitsch restaurant near Odenplan with plastic cherry trees and a large aquarium. Choose from traditional varieties and rolls of different kinds, or hot dishes such as bibimbap and dumplings.

If you're in the mood for a light Italian lunch, head to Caffè L'antico on the corner of Karlbergsvägen and Dalagatan. This coffee bar serves hot sandwiches, fresh pasta, salads and other tasty snacks. Naturally they also serve espresso and Italian cakes and pastries.

Hard Rock Cafe is perhaps best known for being a music-loving restaurant with its roots in the USA. And sure, you can feel those vibes at lunchtime, but in addition to their signature burgers and sandwiches they also serve Swedish homecooking and other dishes with flavours from all over the world. A salad buffet, bread and coffee are included with all lunch dishes. 

Tennstopet was founded back in 1867 and since then it's been a classic watering hole in Vasastan, despite changing both its address and name over the years. Classic Swedish food is the order of the day at both lunch and dinner, and a few years ago they expanded with an additional restaurant in the next-door premises, Tennstopet Grill. There, both European and international flavours make their way onto the menu.

The wilderness meets Vasastan at this Norrland-inspired restaurant. The menu includes Swedish classics that change every day, as well as obligatory northern Swedish elements such as flat bread with mountain-inspired fillings. Perfect for work lunches and other lunch dates.

This restaurant institution maintains its high standards. They serve classic, simple food with no unnecessary frills or flounces at both lunch and dinner. The lunch menu includes traditional Swedish homecooking dishes of the day. Good value, always busy and perfect for a lunch meeting.

A really good falafel is hard to beat. Ta'ameya has taken its name from falafel made from broad beans rather than chickpeas, as it's made in Cairo and Alexandria. Enjoy a relaxed lunch on site in their light, airy premises on Tegnérgatan, or grab your meal to go.

Hawaii Poké was among the first to jump on the trend of serving poké bowls, which they now do in several locations across the city, including Vasastan. The concept is simple: colourful, tasty bowls topped with protein, vegetables, fruit, and sauces to suit all tastes and dietary preferences.

Visit Wäng Izakaya on Sveavägen for an ambitious Asian lunch served in relaxed surroundings. Choose from popular dishes such as sushi, pad thai and curries.

A popular healthfood concept for sensitive stomachs - at Kale & Crave they serve IBS-friendly food with kale taking centre stage. Hot dishes and hearty salads are the order of the day, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Portal, which was named Business Restaurant of the Year in 2016, puts a major emphasis on lunch and makes food from the same ingredients as in the evening, to order. Some dishes from the evening menu are served. Perfect for a stylish, ambitious lunch on Sankt Eriksplan.

For a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine, get down to Take Ramen, where ramen, Japanese noodle soup, is the order of the day. The soup base is homemade umami-rich stock and the bowl is then filled with noodles, vegetables, eggs and protein such as chicken or pork.

Inspiration from the bustling streets of Bangladesh flows at Shanti Touch of Bengal. In fact, they were the first in Stockholm to serve Bengali comfort food, at both lunch and dinner. A shorter version of the dinner menu is served then, featuring both meat dishes, vegetarian options and fish dishes.

When you're in the mood for a really meaty lunch, Adams Smokehouse is the place to head. Smoked and slow-cooked beef and lamb take centre stage here, accompanied by side dishes such as French fries, Persian rice and various dips and sauces. In summer you can take a seat on the outdoor terrace and look out over the hustle and bustle of Vasastan, while in winter you can cosy up in the uniquely designed restaurant.

M.O.A.S opened to great fanfare in 2016 and they've been next-level kebabs in various forms ever since. Choose between lamb, chicken or falafel with various vegetables and sauces, all served in freshly-baked pita bread. Come early, it fills up quickly.

Restaurant Torsgatan in the Bonnierhuset building makes food from scratch using the best seasonal ingredients. In the bright, airy restaurant you can enjoy lunch with European flavours, both with and without meat or fish. If you're in the mood for street food instead, you can order via a screen and pick it up at the counter and the deli sells simpler snacks like smoothies and baked goods.

A legendary sausage kiosk that has been serving quality sausages since the 1980s. You'll find an impressive selection of sausages, from classic bratwursts to more unusual varieties, all grilled to perfection and served in crispy baguettes with traditional accompaniments like sauerkraut, ketchup, and mustard. The kiosk is small but popular, and there's often a long queue – but most people think it's worth it.

Traditional interiors combine with a modern feel at Systrarna Andersson. Order everything from omelettes to bowls from the à la carte menu or choose one of their daily lunch specials. Round off your meal with a sweet cake or pastry and a creamy coffee.

Holy Cow takes diners on a quick trip to the bustling backstreets of India, with authentic dishes and spicy flavours. Vegetarians will find plenty to choose from here, but meat lovers also have several options. Enjoy your lunch on-site at the cosy restaurant near Sankt Eriksplan, or pick up your food to go.

This neighbourhood restaurant in Birkastan serves substantial lunch dishes such as fried schnitzel, pea soup and fish stew at decent prices. The menu changes every day, but there are also regular dishes such as hamburgers and a daily vegetarian dish to choose from.

This vegan healthfood café on Odengatan is popular at lunchtime and you'll often find a queue for the counter. The menu is completely plant-based and includes substantial salads, veggie burgers and wraps. During the summer months you can eat outside.

This large Parisian-style brasserie serves a French plat du jour, as well as slightly smaller dishes (hors d'oeuvres) and other classic continental main courses. Perfect when you want to take a lunch break while taking in the international Paris-meets-New York vibes.

Fosch Artisan Pâtisserie serves simple lunch dishes in the form of rustic grilled sandwiches, hearty salads and a daily soup option. Dishes work well as takeaway if you're in a rush, otherwise take a seat in the cosy café and enjoy the fragrance of freshly-baked buns.

This light, airy restaurant just a stone's throw from Torsplan aims to serve Sweden's best tray lunch - without an actual tray. They serve a colourful lunch buffet with the emphasis on vegetables and your choice of protein, including fish, shellfish, meat, chicken or vegetarian alternatives.

Escape to Italy over lunch and enjoy something delicious at Panza, a vibrant restaurant in Vasastan. They serve seasonal dishes with both traditional Italian flavours and modern twists.

This modern Italian restaurant concept in Hagastaden serves a "lunch table", where you choose from a range of vegetable dishes and order a main vegetarian, fish or meat dish directly from the kitchen to go with your selection. You can also order from the à la carte menu. Eat in or order your food to take away.