The best restaurants in Södermalm

This Hornstull restaurant draws in locals and tourists - anyone who appreciates good food and drinks, in fact. Medium-sized French/Asian dishes are the order of the day and creative cocktails are shaken and stirred behind the long bar counter. Forma may have a lively atmosphere and generous opening hours but their heart is in the food, which means that the chefs create their seasonal menu with top quality ingredients from sustainable producers and a large dollop of ambition. 

Fantastic views, quality and relaxed elegance await at Liv by Mälarterrassen. The restaurant is Tommy Myllymäki's and Pi Le's first venture in Södermalm, where the standard of the food is high without straying into fine dining. The Slussen location offers views towards the Old Town that makes an evening here extra special, and when the sun shines, a table on the large outdoor terrace “Uteliv” is the place to be.

That same crew who run Främmat in Vasastan also run the neighbourhood restaurant Bacchanale on Ringvägen, where the south European flavours are in focus while the ingredients are often locally sourced. Most of the cooking takes place in the restaurant's large wood-fired oven. In addition to good food you can also expect stylish interiors in the form of a huge concrete bar, a wooden column made from Scots pine from Gotland and specially designed furnishings.

Voisine is in east Södermalm, right next door to its sister restaurant, the wine bar Folii. Sommelier duo Beatrice Becher and Jonas Sandberg have created a cosy neighbourhood bistro with an emphasis on authentic food, inspired by both France and Sweden. Combined, naturally, with selected wines.

This restaurant has become a firm favourite among Stockholmers in the know, if not for the relaxed European feel then for their famous Cacio e Pepe pasta and fantastic olives. There's an al fresco dining area on the pavement, a small bar and space for large and small groups who want to enjoy a delicious yet unpretentious meal.

A meeting place for everyone, whether you fancy a glass of wine, lunch or dinner. Pelikan is one of Sweden's oldest restaurants, famous for their traditional Swedish homecooking, classic menus and long history. Their historic premises on Blekingegatan have plenty of room for large and small groups - eat in the dining room or hang out in the lively bar filled with art and music.

Three names from prestigious restaurants such as Ekstedt, Ett Hem and Tyge & Sessil have joined forces and started their own establishment. Relinquish control and go with the flow at Triton; they serve a set three-course that can change as frequently as every day. 

Food critics and ordinary restaurant goers alike have heaped praise on this tiny restaurant ever since it opened its doors on Mosebacke torg. The menu is small but perfectly formed, with unexpected elements such as horse meat and pike, and drinks are selected with as much passion and care as the raw ingredients. Combine your meal with excellent natural wines or micro-brewed beer.

This restaurant institution holds court 33 metres above the sea and Slussen. Swedish food with French influences, such as entrecote, turbot and bleak roe, are served with stunning views as a backdrop. 

This popular restaurant right on Nytorget has just 24 highly-coveted covers, which you need to be prepared to queue for. You can only pre-book 14 of the seats, the others are reserved for drop-ins. But all good things come to those who wait and patient diners will be rewarded with a top-notch dining experience, with dishes made from seasonal Swedish ingredients. The bar specialises in gin.

Entering this old fire station on Krukmakargatan feels like stepping into a bistro in Paris. But French is just the starting point, with some influences from the rest of the Mediterranean. Among white tablecloths, patterned tiled floors and candles, it's the ideal spot for Francophiles who want to spend an evening on all the good things in life: wine, food and good company. The large arched doors, a memory of the time when it was a fire station, are the finishing touch. Right next to the restaurant there's a bar where the atmosphere is just as romantically French and where you can simply drop in. In summer the outdoor seating opens, drawing in plenty of Södermalm locals.

Nostrano may just be the cosiest Italian restaurant in Södermalm. With just a few tables, the atmosphere is warm and intimate, a feeling that's heightened by the Italian theme. The menu includes selected pasta dishes, fish, meat and vegetarian alternatives - and, naturally, antipasti and Italian desserts. 

Among the cluster of restaurants around Mälarterrassen in Slussen you'll find this Spanish gem, a large eatery designed to evoke rural villas in the Spanish countryside. Everything revolves around the warm sense of community Southern Europe offers, with dishes intended to be shared at the table, refreshing sangria, and plenty of room for groups of friends who want to spend long, merry evenings here. The view over Riddarfjärden from the terrace is not to be sniffed at, either — a tip to keep in mind for sunny summer days.

If you like restaurants that flirt with the French, then you should visit this cosy neighbourhood bistro by Mariatorget. Share small plates with French flavours around the table, and there's also a great passion for French wines that can be combined into a suitable wine package. Book in for dinner, drop in at the bar, or start the evening with something light before you head to a show nearby.

Don't be fooled by the name – Pet Sounds Bar is actually as much a restaurant as a bar, so you can come here for a full dinner or just a glass. Small and medium plates with flavours from Southern Europe form the majority of the menu, but a couple of larger dishes and desserts are also offered. Whether you fancy a sharing dinner or perhaps a classic three-course meal is entirely up to you. The atmosphere adds a great deal to the experience, particularly if you like music, as the owners' passion for music (literally) sets the tone in. 

This German bistro offers first-class German food such as schnitzel, sausages and strudel, served in an authentic way in pared-back surroundings. As you might expect from a German restaurant, there's a beer bar in the cellar where you can choose from an extensive selection of beers, as well as wine and cocktails. 

If you're a fan of restaurants such as Nybrogatan 38, Meatballs of the People and Österlånggatan 17, you'll love Hornsgatan Kvarterskrog. This restaurant is one of the Bockholmen restaurant group's many popular establishments and serves up classic, rustic food, with inspiration from the traditional rural cuisine of southern Europe and northern Sweden. 

It's not just the photographic exhibitions that draw visitors to the old customs building on Stadsgårdskajen. Fotografiska also boasts an award-winning restaurant. The emphasis is on seasonal and sustainable produce, and making the most of each ingredient, and views over the entrance to Stockholm harbour and Djurgården opposite are included.

You'll find Sweden's first nikkei restaurant, Indio Kitchen, on Kocksgatan. Japanese flavours combine with Peruvian ones in the form of exquisite sushi pieces and ceviche, and you will also find pisco drinks and chilled wine. An authentic flavour journey from Tokyo to Lima, framed by unpolished concrete and minimalist wooden furniture.

If you're craving Mexican street food and refreshing cocktails, then head to La Olita on Nytorget. Influences come from surf trips to Mexico. The menu includes, among other things, tacos, quesadillas and churros, which can be washed down with a frozen margarita or another Mexican drink. Take a seat surrounded by bunting and wall murals and soak up the festive atmosphere. There's also an enclosed outdoor seating area that's open year-round.

Barbro, hidden away under Liljeholmen's Bridge, is a small Tokyo-style restaurant serving modern and beautifully prepared Nordic/Japanese fusion food. Made for sharing, guests are invited to try multiple dishes. The restaurant also houses a boutique-style cinema and bar downstairs.

Michelin-starred Agrikultur closed its doors in 2022, but about three years later, the restaurant re-emerged in a bistro format, this time in Södermalm – specifically under Guldbron bridge in Slussen. The menu offers a well-balanced mix of creativity and ambition, served in a classic format with snacks, starters, main courses, and desserts. The view and the lively atmosphere contribute to the overall experience.

High up in a penthouse in the police building by Mariatorget, Jonas Lagerström from Etoile also runs this luxury-leaning restaurant with a Michelin star. He pushes the boundaries more than you might expect from a fine dining spot, with colourful dishes presented like works of art. The ingredients are most often sourced from the Nordic larder, while flavours and techniques are drawn from different parts of the world. If you want to go for a truly luxurious experience, we recommend the five- or eight-course tasting menu with a wine or cocktail pairing. For a slightly more relaxed experience, you can to come here for lunch, an à la carte dinner, or a drink with views over Södermalm's rooftops. Come here to enjoy world-class cookery and drinks and attentive service, without having to put on your smartest clothes.

In the heart of Tjärhovsplan, cosy Kanon serves grilled dishes with flavours from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and South America. You can also hang out at the bar and enjoy wine, cocktails, and fresh beer from Plzeň. Don't miss the outdoor seating on the square, which is open during the summer months.

After a controversial guest appearance at Kåken, this much-loved and talked-about luxury restaurant opened in Södermalm. The restaurant serves up a complete experience with a decadent tasting menu and edgy, unexpected presentations. 

Pat's Place on Folkungagatan serves a rather cooler version of Thai cuisine. Humorously-named Thai "tapas" are the order of the day and you won't find any waving cats in the window or over-full plates of Pad Thai at this restaurant.

High up in the air, the Svenska Brasserier restaurant group has created a restaurant with exciting art, colourful design choices and a simple, playful menu. They aim to create an appealing contrast between the expected and the unexpected: you'll probably recognise the flavours and names of the dishes, while the art, music and design have a little more edge.  After dinner the atmosphere often shifts to a lively bar scene. Come with friends to spend a full evening with dinner, drinks at the bar and perhaps a bit of dancing to the DJs and live bands. The name is an homage to the beer café that was located at Klotgränd 3 between 1877 and 1931, Café Klotet.

This hip all-in-one concept hosts a Mediterranean restaurant, an award-winning cocktail bar, wine bar and beer café all under the same roof. This popular hangout is open all week and packed with regulars and groups of friends eating and enjoying a drink or two at the bar.

Texas has taken over Södermalm, in the form of a rustic restaurant whose menu revolves around freshly smoked meat with American sides. At Brisket & Friends, you can indulge in a hearty meal for both lunch and dinner, and the concept revolves around ordering your choice of protein combined with sauces, coleslaw, creamed corn, and other accompaniments. The whole experience can be washed down with draft beer.

Urban Deli has long been a popular meeting place right next to Nytorget in SoFo, open all day. You'll find a restaurant, bar, and shop allunder one roof. Drop in for a lunch, fika, after-work drink, dinner or brunch amidst the hustle and bustle, and pick up some delicacies from the shop while you're here.

Bleck, in Blecktorn park, boasts a large outdoor dining area ideal for spending long summer evenings - you can often hear the buzz of happy diners and drinkers from way off. During the winter you can sit in the restaurant or in their glassed-in terrace. On the regularly-updated menu you'll find small dishes with Scandinavian flavours as well as international ones, with an emphasis on European dishes.

Indulge in USA and Asia-inspired street food at Bird, where they're all about socialising around the table. Share chicken dishes, tasty sides, wings, sandwiches, and other delicious treats with your companions, and wash your meal down with the venue's own beer and signature cocktails. Perfect for a date or a fun evening with friends.

Fine dining and fancy touches are not what Tripletta's all about – instead, rustic farmhouse food, made with plenty of heart and quality ingredients, takes centre stage. Influences come from all over Italy and the menu changes often, but it always features pasta in some form, a couple of sharing dishes, and desserts. The atmosphere is as down-to-earth as the menu, and the venue is thoughtfully designed and cosy.

Nook has long been celebrated for its mix of fine dining and street food. Enjoy three-course menus and snacks with influences from Asia, France and Sweden alongside selected drinks. The restaurant originally started on Åsögatan and can now be found on Högbergsgatan.

Restaurant Ponti is run by the same duo that's behind Schmaltz Bar & Delicatessen. In the Sofo area of Södermalm, influences from both Florence and Los Angeles take centre stage, served in the traditional format of starters, main courses, and desserts. The drinks selection is also carefully curated, primarily featuring selected wines and reinterpreted cocktails with vermouth, amaro, gin, and bitters. 

This pintxos bar on Mariatorget serves up a warm, welcoming atmosphere and good-value Spanish small dishes to share. You'll find modern and familiar flavours on the menu, which can be paired with wines. There are no reservations at Racamaca, so just drop by when the fancy takes you.

This little neighbourhood restaurant on Timmermansgatan by Mariatorget, which used to be called Timber, serves a Swedish menu which changes regularly. There are several firm favourites which make a regular appearance and the chefs cook and serve the kind of food they want to eat themselves.

Step into a modern premises with considered interiors choices. Two brothers with long experience of the restaurant world are behind the restaurant - their family runs O'Pizzicato. But in contrast to the Italian restaurant, Aleks y Filip serve traditional Spanish dishes just the way they're served in Spain.

The spectacular old library on Medborgarplatsen now houses restaurants, bars, a stage, and events. Enjoy European dishes in a party atmosphere which turns into lively club nights at weekends. The intimate interior is characterised by the building's old 1930s architecture with its beautifully preserved Art Deco style.

NOFO boutique hotel is a city oasis that draws in locals and global travellers alike. The restaurant on the ground floor serves seasonal sharing dishes with international influences, along with selected wines, cocktails and beers from local breweries. Don't miss the hidden inner courtyard which is open during the summer months.

Mormors Dumplings is a proper hidden gem. Authentic Chinese flavours are served at reasonable prices in the form of dumplings (naturally), soups, stews and wok dishes, all in relaxed surroundings. 

With its glamorous Seventies Italian influences, Florentine is an eye-catching spot on Medborgarplatsen. Take a seat in one of the large sofa groups and share classics such as handmade pasta and Neapolitan pizzas, or sip cocktails made with homemade fruit juices and kombucha in the 360-degree cocktail bar. 

This creative spot on Götgatsbacken is the sister restaurant to Riche. They've created a social space serving excellent dishes and a lively bar with hand-selected wines. The restaurant is also full of artworks and exhibitions. To keep it simple and spontaneous they don't take reservations.

Snug local Italian Tavino is on Bondegatan just next to Nytorget. Rules and frameworks are rejected here in favour of creativity and the joy of food, where the chefs simply prepare what they truly enjoy – though the foundation is firmly rooted in Italian cuisine. Perhaps the best way to experience Tavino is to come here with a whole group of friends and order a bit of everything from the menu to share. 

Rosetta's brings a little taste of LA to Södermalm and Hornstull. The restaurant oozes 1960s and 1970s American vibes, with vinyl-clad booths, carpets and a menu full of tasty international comfort food. The menu's primarily plant-based, but they also serve mussels.

The summer restaurant Pelago had its first season in the summer of 2024, quickly becoming a popular spot to hang out. Summer dishes and cool drinks are served with the entire Stockholm skyline as a backdrop. Pelago spans 760 square meters with four bars, 200 seats, and room for a total of 800 guests.

At Hellstens, you can enjoy international cuisine in an equally international atmosphere. The restaurant has an industrial style with bare brick walls and a ceiling height of seven metres, creating an impressive feel. The menu includes classic dishes from both Europe and more distant shores, presented in the traditional format of starters, main courses, and desserts.

O'Pizzicato serves Italian food and a wide range of wines in stylish surroundings right next door to Södra station. Friends and families can meet up over an authentically Italian dinner. The menu includes fresh pasta, meat dishes and plates of thinly-sliced charcuterie and you can round off your meal in true Italian style with a glass of grappa.

This Palestinian bistro opened on Skånegatan in summer 2022 and quickly became a popular spot among Södermalm locals. Eat wallet-friendly, tasty dishes with modern influences and sip on a glass of wine. Mazra'a is run by the restaurateurs behind Falafelbaren and Pita.

Authentic Latin American food created from memories of the sea and grandma's kitchen in Peru - that's what you get at Checa. They serve food and drinks inspired by owner Valentin Checa's childhood memories, such as ceviche and grilled fish and meat dishes, all with fresh, rounded flavours, along with perfectly paired drinks shaken and stirred in the bar.  

Bar Central, right next to Folkoperan, is all about the Central European theme. The menu consists of hearty dishes such as sausages, cheese, pickles, schnitzel and bread, and there's fresh pilsner on tap. The restaurant consists of two bars and a dining room.