The best restaurants in Vasastan

Lilla Ego is the fruit of chefs Tom Sjöstedt and Daniel Räms' rebellion against the strict bistro-style trend. The bare brick-walled restaurant features homemade tables, flea market finds and industrial lamps, creating a spontaneous and informal feel. The seasonal menu is updated frequently depending on supply.

Las Brasas on Roslagsgatan is the perfect spot for anyone with a hankering after grilled meat and Nordic inspired tapas. Culinary and cultural influences come from South America and Spain. Take a seat among the dark green tiling and light marble and combine your meal with a glass of wine from the ambitious wine list.

The restaurateurs behind popular Farang opened another restaurant in 2022, this time with more of a neighbourhood restaurant feel, along with Italian and southern French influences. The restaurant was named Bar Nîmes and olive oil rather than butter, wine, relaxed vibes and a Mediterranean atmosphere are the order of the day here. If you're not a wine drinker there's a selection of cocktails to choose from.

This soulful restaurant has taken its name from the Esperanto word for soul. Animo is inspired by the language and its philosophy of joy and love, and the team here have transformed these concept into a restaurant where tempo, feeling and creativity steer the menu. Choose between snacks, starters, main courses and desserts with influences from all corners of the world, and take in the restaurant's soul, animo. 

If you're on the hunt for a lively, sociable atmosphere combined with Japanese flavours, this is the place to come. Miyakadori is a Japanese izakaya which serves grilled skewers, small plates and Asian drinks. Come by for a simple mid-week dinner or more of a slap-up meal towards the weekend.

Bar Nombre combines exciting Spanish flavour influences with the best Swedish ingredients. Rustic furniture combines with white tiles in trendy industrial surroundings. In the summer months, people flock to the outdoor seating area.

Eat popular classic brasserie dishes or meet up with friends over a glass of bubbles and soak up the atmosphere. Brasserie Balzac is a Parisian restaurant on Odengatan with the feel of a big city brasserie in New York.

Wine and pizza is the name of the game at Babette, on one of the best restaurant streets in town: Roslagsgatan. The menu is updated every week and you can always check out the current menu on Instagram. As well as pizza, there are also a few starters and desserts. The atmosphere is wonderfully New York-esque and the restaurant has been recognised by, among others, the Michelin Guide for its work. 

Farang is considered to be one of Stockholm's best Asian fusion restaurants and offers unique flavoury sensations. Exotic aromatic food is served and the menu is adapted to suit allergies and vegetarians. The sleek industrial interior has a distinct metropolitan feel and the bar is famous for its artisanal cocktails.

Svartengrens is considered by many to be one of the city's best restaurants in general, and one of the best meat restaurants in particular. They prepare Swedish meat from reliable and small-scale producers in the local area. The minimalist interior and friendly bar, which is known for its great cocktails and extensive drinks list, complement the delightful overall impression.

The question that divides Stockholm's foodies - who makes the best sushi in the city? One thing most people can agree on is that Minako is right up there battling it out for top spot. Choose between sitting at the bar and enjoying the omakase experience, or sit at a table with table service.

Tranan is synonymous with its red-checked tablecloths and old-school interiors. Guests are presented with traditional Swedish classics such as fried herring with mashed potatoes. Off the menu, Tranan supposedly serves the best meatballs in the city. Enjoy the buzzy atmosphere with a cold beer in hand. 

With the Swedish Chef of the Year 2012 at the helm, Portal quickly became a talking point when it opened in the middle of Sankt Eriksplan in 2016. The restaurant has 75 covers and the focus is on uncomplicated but well cooked modern European food. Go for a casual dinner with friends or an elegant business lunch.

You'll find one of the city's most romantic restaurants at the top of Sveavägen, close to Stockholm Public Library. They've turned a former cinema into an authentic Italian restaurant where they serve both fresh pasta and other delicious dishes. If you can't get enough of the impressive surroundings and sensuous atmosphere, round off your meal with a cocktail in one of the bars. 

This modern neighbourhood restaurant on Odenplan serves Italian pizzas and pasta dishes for lunch and dinner. Drop by for a delicious yet simple, budget-friendly meal. You can also pair your meal with a glass of wine.

Mellqvist Matbar serves up a social dinner experience in the heart of buzzy Rörstrandsgatan. The menu consists of tempting French bistro dishes made from seasonal Swedish ingredients. Drinks-wise, you can choose your favourite from the quirky wine list full of the owners' own hand-picked favourites. There are also cold beers and non-alcoholic options if you prefer. 

The name Scalateatern might primarily evoke thoughts of theatre and shows, but this historic venue also houses a beloved restaurant. Bakfickan serves dishes with classic Swedish-French influences in a slightly modernised format. Of course, lots of people come here to have dinner before or after a performance but the elegant venue, with its heavy velvet curtains, crystal chandeliers, and patterned wallpaper, also attracts external guests to Vasastan.

Kalle Nilsson, one of the founders of Punk Royale, has created Främmat with Jonas Helgesson, previously chef at Adam/Albin, skapat Främmat. You'll find this intimate, cosy restaurant with a French-style elegantly buzzy atmosphere next door to Tennstopet. The restaurant is decorated with vintage chairs from Lyon and flavours come mainly from France, alongside influences from other countries. 

Take in the historic atmosphere at Tennstopet, which has gone by the same name for more than 150 years. The restaurant has changed address a few times since then, but the concept has remained the same: Swedish homecooking in classic restaurant surroundings, a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a well-dressed cloakroom attendant to greet you and take your coat. In 2020 Tennstopet was extended with Tennstopet Grill, a slightly more modern version of the historic restaurant next door. 

Enjoying a great dinner at a restaurant is hard to beat. Despite Stockholm not being known for its cheap dining, there are several affordable options in Vasastan. In this guide, we've listed restaurants that offer delicious food in a pleasant environment at a good price.

Bistro Capitol is located next to the elegant 1920s cinema of the same name, where both food and wine influences abound. The menu is designed for dishes to be shared around the table, and the wine list focuses on natural wines from small-scale producers. Both cinema-goers and passers-by are welcomed here for dinner, after-work drinks or a wine evening.

Vadå is the cocktail bar Apropos' sister restaurant, where people gather to eat small and medium-sized dishes with flavours from different parts of the world, have a drink on the outdoor terrace, and hang out in a relaxed and unpretentious environment. Art also takes centre stage here, so along with the colourful decor, you'll find vibrant artwork on the walls in what they call 'Stockholm's smallest art gallery'.

Handmade pasta, whole-grilled fish and a mouthwatering dessert cart are just some of the treats you can look forward to at Capannone. This Italian has created their own version of Little Italy in New York, with elegant decor, subdued lighting and a large bar mixing negronis and other Italian cocktails. Families, couples and groups of friends alike come here for an evening of food and drinks in a cosy atmosphere.

Knut is a loving tribute to the north of Sweden - land of the midnight sun. The simple menu features Norrland-style flatbread pizza and cocktails with cranberries and crowberries. The rustic, natural decor temporarily transports you to the far north of Sweden. 

If you're in the mood for Texan BBQ, head down to Brisket & Friends on Upplandsgatan. The restaurant began in the Årsta industrial area, where it was a great success and won a prestigious award. As well as grilled meat, they serve craft beer from local breweries.

Bistro Mirabelle is quite possibly Tulegatan's most authentically French bistro. Enjoy rustic dishes where you can see exactly what you're eating, surrounded by café chairs, mosaic floors and kitchen curtains. The menu is written up on a chalkboard and if you're not hungry there are a few spots at the bar where you can enjoy selected wines, also from France. 

This is the restaurant for you if you want to know exactly where your meat comes from. The combined restaurant and butchers serves up top quality meat and the team here know everything there is to know about its provenance. Meat is served in the form of burgers, sandwiches and cuts of meat served with side dishes. The meat menu varies according to what's available, so you'll find the day's cuts and dishes written up on the wall of the restaurant. If you prefer fish, head to Lennart & Bror Fisk.

Fresh, innovative, tasty dishes are the name of the game at Minh Mat, a real hidden gem next to Vasa park. Eat top quality Vietnamese food, with dishes you won't find outside of Vietnam, which is owner and cookbook author Minh Du Alneng's specialty. There are plenty of dishes to choose from, whether you're a vegetarian or meat-eater, and the wine list offers something for all tastes. During the summer months, the restaurant expands out onto a leafy outdoor dining area facing Odengatan. 

The eye-catching golden building in Vasa park that's home to Sven-Harrys art museum also houses Bistro Guld. Eat Swedish/French-influenced bistro dishes for lunch, share small plates for dinner or enjoy a glass of wine in the sunshine. With its high floor-to-ceiling windows, the bistro has an arty atmosphere with fantastic views over the park.

Noorm is the type of restaurant where everyone's made to feel right at home - much like a second living room in the heart of Vasastan's most charming neighbourhood. Gather your friends for a sharing dinner, celebrate everyday life with a three-course meal, or just enjoy a cheeky cocktail at the bar. Speaking of the bar: rumour has it that there's another bar at Noorm, BakomBaren, but if you want to find it you'll have to ask the staff...

Acaza has brought Portugal to Vasastan, in the form of a charming neighbourhood restaurant serving authentic dishes. Come by with your friends, your partner, or just for a relaxed lunch with colleagues. Choose from a variety of small and large dishes, many of which are prepared on the charcoal grill.

Homemade falafel made from broad beans with freshly baked pita bread and tasty accompaniments is the order of the day at Ta'ameya. Accompany your falafel with one of their natural wines. Their falafels are made Cairo-style, from fava beans rather than chickpeas, before being fried to a golden crisp, and they are completely free from additives.

Café Facile, as the name implies, is a distinctly French bisto. The chalkboard menu features steak frites, boeuf bourguignon and lobster bisque. High-quality food at a low pricing point and surroundings to match - intimate and vibrant.

Cosy Sthlm Tapas has created a rustic restaurant with brick walls and muted tones, but the food is bright and colourful. The menu includes everything from Spanish tapas classics to fragrant Asian small plates, which can be combined with drinks from all over the world. Staff create a relaxed, welcoming and fun atmosphere for their guests. 

Adams Smokehouse is a real regulars' haunt, not least among the carnivores of Vasastan. Smoked meat cooked for 10 to 16 hours takes centre stage here, served with fried potatoes, Persian rice and dips such as baba ganoush. During the summer months, the large outdoor seating area draws in the crowds, while during the colder months you can get cosy in the uniquely designed restaurant.

Ever since this much-hyped burger joint opened in 2012 the queues here have stretched beyond the door each evening. Simple, no-frills hamburgers are the name of the game, with an emphasis on top quality, environmentally-friendly ingredients and homemade accompaniments. Once you've managed to bag a spot inside the little diner you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere and food as long as you like.

Prospero serves a set menu that's completely steered by the seasons. Culinary inspiration comes from all over the world, but ingredients are local. Thinking sustainably and organically takes centre stage here, not least when it comes to the wine list, which is short yet sweet and often includes biodynamically-grown wines. 

At Eatnam guests are taken on a gastronomic journey to southern Vietnam, specificaly Saigon, in the form of quick, tasty Vietnamese dishes such as banh mi, noodle soups and curries. At lunchtime they serve simple yet tasty stir-fried dishes which can be enjoyed on site surrounded by exposed brick walls and patterned tiled floors, or to take away. 

If you're looking for a relaxed experience, Lådan is a good option. They serve carefully selected beer and street food made from scratch in an American beer hall on Luntmakargatan. Just as popular for a post-work drink as a slap-up dinner.

At first glance, the menu at Marco's may seem a bit strange, including as it does pizza, burgers, pasta and sushi. Several of the dishes can also be ordered as smaller portions and combined with each other. But the concept here, with it's motley menu and lively atmosphere, has become a firm favourite among Vasastan locals, and the well-blended cocktails are a popular addition. 

Swing by Golfbaren on Surbrunnsgatan and experience the perfect combination of food, drinks and activity. Have fun at the same time as you satisfy your hunger and thirst. Begin with a drink in the bar, play a round of golf on the minigolf course and round off with dinner in the restaurant. A perfect evening. 

Adam/Albin, one of Stockholm's most hyped restaurants, is the creation of chef duo Adam and Albin and it was awarded a star in the Michelin guide in 2022. Ingredients take centre stage here, served in the form of tasting menus in the elegant dining room on Rådmansgatan. Dishes are based on Nordic cuisine, with ambitious gastronomy and personal service. Next to every table there's a little podium on which the food is presented, and if you want to get up close and personal with the action you can book the chef's table.  

On Västmannagatan you'll find the somewhat mysterious restaurant Nana, where extravagance permeates everything from the atmosphere and decor to the food and drink itself. Head chef and owner Jonas Bokedal, who, following the kaisaki concept, creates exclusive tasting menus with Japanese-Nordic flavours. Dishes are served at the chef's table in sittings of nine courses and can be combined with one of the well-thought-out beverage packages.

This fine dining restaurant can be found in an unassuming area between Vasastan and Hagastaden. They serve the very finest ingredients transformed into innovative tasting menus, for which they've been rewarded with a Michelin star, reflecting their creative, playful and bold flavours, often inspired by Asian and African cuisine.  Forget everything you think you know about stiff fine dining experieneces, as this is something completely different. Expect, for example, to eat some of your food with your hands. 

Stockholm's, and Sweden's, only sushi restaurant with a Michelin star is Sushi Sho on Upplandsgatan. The whole restaurant is served one dish at a time, at the same time - omakase with small plates and nigiri sushi. The chef serves his dishes direct to you and he has full control over the menu, which can change from day to day depending on the seasons and what's available. 

Nisch is something of a hidden gem, that wins its guests over with ambitious tasting menus that change according to the seasons and available ingredients. The food and decor are Nordic, and food is paired with well-chosen wines. 

Chef Joel Aronsson bases his cooking around carefully selected ingredients that are served in a seasonal á la carte menu along with exciting wines. Or go for the luxurious four-course Saturday lunch.