The guide to affordable lunch in Stockholm

There's no doubt that Babel Deli and Bazaar are popular lunch spots. Hungry lunch guests queue up every day for meze, salads and wraps all made to order, to eat in or take away. The restaurant has a cheery Mediterranean-influenced atmosphere and the food is both popular and good value.

K25 food court has offshoots of several popular Stockholm restaurants serving food from all over the world. If everyone in your party fancies different kinds of food, you can just choose and buy from separate outlets and then eat together in the communal food court. You can also order your food to take away.

Kantin av Kalf & Hansen aims to offer healthy and tasty food for everyone, no matter how fat their wallet is. Everything here is prepared completely without additives, and with as much organic and local produce as possible. Choose from different salads and hot dishes such as wraps and open sandwiches, served with whichever kind of meatballs you prefer: meat, fish or vegan.

The menu at Mummus is based around a bowl of homemade hummus with the flavouring of your choice, which you can pimp with accompaniments such as chicken, falafel, halloumi and mushrooms. Bread is included and you can make your lunch extra filling by adding falafel or salad. 

If the coffers are a little low for a trip to Thailand, you can always take an exciting flavour journey with authentic Thai dishes. Elephant Thai serves classics such as Pad Thai, satay and stir-fries, at budget-friendly prices. They use their own-grown organic vegetables from their farm in Västmanland wherever possible, along with carefully selected Thai products.  

With food from some of the country's best chefs, Teatern food court in Skanstull has proved a huge hit. Top quality streetfood made from great ingredients and, best of all, plenty of bang for your buck.

This popular taqueria draws in diners looking for a simple and cheap, but still tasty, lunch. Food is ordered and collected at the counter and the menu consists of a selection of tacos and quesadillas in various sizes, with generous amounts of melted cheese. Count on a queue during the lunchtime rush.

At Mormors Dumplings you can eat handmade dumplings with various fillings and sides such as dipping sauces and hot-pot broth. Authentic flavours at nice prices. 

Falafelbaren have made a name for themselves with their organic falafel and stone-oven baked sourdough pita bread and delicious accompaniments. Choose from a range of different falafels or tuck into a falafel salad, and be prepared to wait a while - it gets pretty busy.

Sate your hunger at Bar Schiacciate without burning a hole in your wallet. This small sandwich joint, which has several branches in town, serves substantial sandwiches inspired by Italian street food culture. Choose from nutritious fillings such as charcuterie, burrata, spreads and fresh vegetables, to eat on site or take away.

It's hard to find more authentic Thai food than at Thongwiset in Stockholm - the fact that it's especially popular with the city's Thai residents says a lot. Even though the prices might not quite match those in their homeland, they're lower than at many other restaurants in the capital. Every weekday, two new and two set lunch dishes are served, available with meat or vegetarian options.

If anyone's out to debunk the idea that “a sandwich is not a proper lunch”, The Butcher's Deli in Kungsholmen is a strong candidate. The delicatessen serves up hearty, high quality lunch sandwiches, at surprisingly low prices. Ingredients and fillings change from day to day.

The Good Gringo can be found at several locations in the city, so if you're in the city centre, you're never too far from a freshly made burrito. They serve 'Mission style burritos', which is the San Francisco version of Mexican street food. Choose from a variety of options served in a bowl and bread, large or small – whatever you choose, you can expect budget-friendly prices and fresh ingredients. 

You'll find authentic ”Malmö falafels” served here in Södermalm. Burgerian has made a name for itself as much for its reasonably priced menu as the slightly unusually named dishes. Whether you choose a police roll, a divorce roll or a minister roll you can count on a seriously good lunch at wallet-friendly prices. 

Hawaii Poké was among the first poké restaurants in Stockholm, and today they have branches everywhere. They serve fresh poké bowls for all tastes, prepared with selected ingredients and at an affordable price.

The buffet at Légumes on Bysistorget in Södermalm is completely vegetarian and it's easy on the wallet. Mediterranean-inspired food is served over the counter and eaten, ideally, al fresco on the outdoor dining area.

Mesh, which used to be called Planet Food, can be found with the historic Östermalmshallen covered food market and they serve a popular healthfood plate with your choice of ingredients. They also serve wraps, juices and smoothies. Fast, nutritious and tasty.

This award-winning Indian streetfood chain serves popular lunch dishes. Sustainability is their watchword and they serve traditional Indian flavours in a modern way. Fill your belly with curries and kathi rolls - Indian flatbread wraps, with various fillings.

Pascha Deli on Kungsgatan serves pita wraps, hearty sandwiches, salads and plates filled with meze at really great prices. Whether you prefer meat or vegetarian you'll find plenty to choose from, and during the summer months you can enjoy the food on the outdoor dining area which faces out onto one of Stockholm's most central neighbourhoods. 

Take a deep dive into the global culinary offerings at this indoor food market. You'll find something for all tastes, whether you want to take your food with you, eat in, or just buy ingredients to make your own lunch. The restaurants' prices vary, but there are plenty of great, popular budget options among the stands.

This family-owned neighbourhood restaurant in Birkastan serves hearty homecooking at reasonable prices. The menu varies from day to day, and includes dishes such as schnitzel, pea soup and fish stew. They also have a regular lunch menu with hamburgers and steak and chips, as well as vegetarian options.

Lunch at Cucina Povera means fresh salads and a wide selection of luxurious pasta dishes with classic flavours from Italy. Inspiration comes from Italian peasant cooking, where food is prepared using simple ingredients but with a lot of love, and prices are suitable for even tighter budgets. Our tip is to use the money saved on lunch for dessert in the form of the restaurant's homemade soft ice cream...

Kungsfisk, just a stone's throw from the City Hall, serves well-prepared fish dishes at decent prices. For lunch, options include fish & chips and fish soup made with fresh ingredients, and the price also includes salad, bread, and coffee. Eat in or order take away.

Bongo has embraced what it describes as a slightly more “punky” lunch concept, which aims to offer reasonably simple yet well-prepared lunch at a really nice price. Choose between the traditional dish of the day and the weekly vegetarian option, either to eat in or take away.

Up on Erstaklippan on the eastern side of Södermalm, Ersta Terrass serves up a generous lunch buffet with flavours from around the world every weekday. The lunch includes two hot dishes, a salad bar, freshly baked bread, coffee and biscuits, all made from carefully selected and often locally sourced ingredients. When the weather permits, you can enjoy your lunch on the charming outdoor terrace.

Pat's Place is perhaps best known for its innovative Thai tapas, but you can also come here to enjoy an affordable lunch with fresh ingredients and lots of flavour. The menu is updated each week with new dishes served with rice or noodles, most of which can be made vegetarian or vegan. 

Next door to the Dansmuseet, this bistro serves up French-Swedish fusion dishes. Swedish homecooking favourites sit side by side continental classics on the menu. Centrally located on Drottninggatan and plenty of atmospheric bistro vibes.

Create your own salad at Bröd and Salt's salad bars, which you'll find at various spots all over Stockholm. Pick and choose all your favourites, from vegetables to protein, toppings and a range of dressings. Flavours include spicy tuna mayo, Caesar and Asian dressings. You can also buy a cinnamon bun and coffee to enjoy after your salad.

Cosy café right on Nytorget where you can drop by for a coffee or eat a proper lunch with views over the park. Sink into a comfy armchair or grab a spot outside, if the weather allows. They serve lunch sandwiches, soups and hearty salads, not to mention all the homemade cakes and pastries.

This little coffee bar close to Medborgarplatsen has a yellow logo that can be seen from afar. There are a few seats but the dishes - such as noodle salads, sausage baguettes, and other tasty treats from all corners of the world - are perfect for take away. 

Vurma's alfresco dining area is perfectly placed when the sun shines down on Hornstull Strand, which draws in the crowds during the warmer months. Eat breakfast and lunch or enjoy a coffee and cake. The menu consists of various flavour combinations which you can choose to order as a salad, sandwich or grilled sandwich. They also serve vegetarian stews, cakes and pastries and smoothies.

At Café Blåbär, you can choose from a variety of salads with substantial ingredients such as feta cheese, tuna, quinoa, grilled chicken, and beans. If you're in the mood for something warmer, there are also grilled sandwiches, soups, and a few other main courses. The decor is quite pared-back, as are the prices. 

Family-owned Wilmer is a popular café where you can take a seat and enjoy lunch in warm, welcoming surroundings. The menu includes substantial sourdough sandwiches, hearty salads and hot main courses which vary from day to day. If you fancy something sweet to go with your coffee there are plenty of homemade cakes and pastries to choose from.