The guide to cosy restaurants in Södermalm

This family-run neigbourhood restaurant invites guests into a laid-back, cosy and intimate atmosphere. They're passionate about food and wine, preferably combined. The restaurant draws in many Södermalm locals, along with other foodies from near and far who find their way here to enjoy an authentic Italian meal. The menu includes pasta and other Italian main courses.

This charming neighbourhood restaurant serves ambitious dishes inspired by French and Swedish cuisine, along with a curated selection of artisanal wines. Beatrice Bercher and Johan Sandberg, who also run the next-door wine bar Folii, run the show.

With its Thonet chairs, white tablecloths and candelight, this charming Parisian-style bistro in a former fire station on Krukmakargatan is the real deal. Pop into Bar Hommage, right next door, for a glass of pastis after your meal.

The seating at Bar Agrikultur is limited, so it's advisable to book a table in advance when the craving for a cosy dining experience hits – although they usually reserve a few spots for walk-ins. They serve tasty small plates and snacks, including their famous cucumbers with smetana and honey.

"Krypin" means a cosy little nest or nook and this peaceful little neighbourhood restaurant near Mariatorget is exactly that. Clad in different kinds of wood, it's the perfect spot to eat dinner or have a glass in intimate surroundings. The menu is influenced by European cuisines, particularly French.

Aleksandar and Filip serve dishes from their homeland just the way they're meant to be eaten. With a strong emphasis on quality ingredients and wines, as well as pared-down interiors, they invite you to meet up and socialise over food and drink in a relaxed and familiar way. The restaurant, close to Södra station, is modern and simple, with furniture in leather, wicker and green leather. 

At Köket vid bordet, they do things a bit differently from other restaurants. Instead of recommending wine to pair with the food, they recommend food to complement the wine. This way, they aim to provide an experience that enhances every nuance of flavour in both food and drink. Close to Södra station, this is a restaurant where you can spend cosy evenings with loved ones over wine – and food.

Small, intimate, and simple are three words that describe the setting at Triton. Their acclaimed menu consists of dishes that vary frequently, sometimes from day to day, made from carefully selected seasonal ingredients. The menu displayed on the blackboard is the order of the day, at a fixed price. Interiors feature mismatched wooden furniture and an open kitchen where you can see your food being prepared.

Every city needs its own city hotel – even Stockholm. The hotel and restaurants are housed in a palace called Oscar I:s Minne, and restaurants are open for both lunch and dinner. The menu changes regularly and draws culinary inspiration from Europe.

Keep an eye out for the neon sign where Skånegatan meets Katarina Bangata – here, pizza, small plates, and ice-cold beer are served in a delightful mix that attracts locals and visitors alike. In the summer, their lush outdoor seating area opens, which many consider to be one of the best in Södermalm.

Red velvet banquettes, gleaming brass lamps and patterned rugs. Rival on Mariatorget has retained its style - along with many of its original interiors - since the Thirties. Hotel guests and locals come by to eat in the bistro or meet up over a drink in the adjoining bar. Their weekend brunch buffet is always popular.

In a classic restaurant locale with views over Södermalm and Stockholm, Gondolen sits like a crown above Slussen. Dishes are served in classic brasserie style, with a familiar mix of French and Swedish cuisine. The interiors are elegant, featuring fitted carpets, beautiful art, and substantial furnishings, but the main attraction is still the views over the city.

Step into the cinematic environment at Capricci, on Hornstulls strand. Chequered floors, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and green climbing plants hanging down from the ceiling set the tone for the visit, and the menu features Italian dishes such as main courses with meat and fish, popular pasta dishes, pizzas, and desserts.

What was once an old glassworks is now a boutique hotel whose restaurants and bar invite you to enjoy a cosy dinner in industrial surroundings. At Hellstens Glashus, you can sink into a comfortable leather armchair, surrounded by exposed brick walls and personal items that the owner, ethnographer Per Hellsten, has collected on his travels around the world. In terms of food, the focus is on classic dishes from both Europe and more distant continents. 

Il Tempo draws its inspiration from Little Italy, with hand-painted Art Deco wallpapers and rustic cooking in modern urban style. This is a real restaurant institution that has been in the same location since the 90s.

Light concrete, personal artworks, green plants, and coiling neon lights create a cosy atmosphere at this welcoming hangout on the waterfront of Hornstull. Food-wise, they focus on updated versions of Mediterranean dishes, while the wine list has its roots in regions around the world.

On the corner of Bondegatan and Erstagatan lies Södertobak, a former tobacco shop that has been transformed into a small restaurant. Small plates, wine, beer, a charming atmosphere – you'll find it all here.

At Kanon on Tjärhovsplan, international grilled dishes are served in cosy surroundings with rustic wooden tables and candlelight. The restaurant is run by the owners of the former A Bowl & Plates, who offer a grill menu inspired by the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and South America. A generous selection of wine is also served with meals.

Tabbouli serves Lebanese meze and wines among atmospheric heavy drapes and candlelight. Gather together a group of friends and order a tableful of small plates to share.

NÒR takes its inspiration from the deep green forests and mirror-like waters of Nordic nature, creating a cosy setting for social dining experiences. The lunch and dinner menus consist of classic brasserie dishes with a modern twist, with a focus on seasonal ingredients. If you come in the evening, you can indulge a little more with the chef's choice menu, a selection of the chef's three favourite dishes.

This intimate little bistro run by a mother and daughter team is on Tjärhovsgatan, in a quiet part of Södermalm. The restaurant combines a homely feel with a touch of luxury. Take a pew and sample a few of the restaurant's medium-sized dishes, inspired by the world's cuisines.

An intimate little creperie that oozes French vibes. Grab a seat among the regulars and eat savoury galettes and sweet crepes with imaginative fillings at reasonable prices. Perfect for a spontaneous dinner or an unpretentious date.

If you're craving a flavour journey to India, steer a path towards Shanti near Medborgarplatsen. The restaurant is part of the popular Shanti family of restaurants and serves Indian dishes inspired by the country's various regional cuisines. Indian fabrics and furniture create an authentic atmosphere.