The guide to cosy restaurants in Stockholm

Whether you want to eat dinner in Södermalm or Östermalm, you can visit Nostrano, on Timmermansgatan in Södermalm and inside Östermalms Saluhall indoor food market. This warm, welcoming Italian is passionate about big flavours on your plate and in your glass. The menu consists of antipasti, pasta, main courses and desserts, and wines come primarily from various different Italian regions.

Whether you're peckish or thirsty, stepping into Napolyon Bistro & Bar feels like coming home to a charming mish-mash of a typical French bistro and a favourite Swedish neighbourhood restaurant. You'll find classic dishes such as moules moules marinière and steak tartare on the menu and a wide range of wines behind the bar.

On Birger Jarlsgatan, on the border between Östermalm and Siberien, is E&G – a charming neighbourhood restaurant ideal for cosy dinners. Rustic food combines with German wines in a homely atmosphere, featuring wooden floors and an open fireplace that crackles during the winter. The menu is seasonal and lists everything from snacks to larger dishes for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. The wine list focuses on Europe and Germany, with self-imported gems at reasonable prices.

A congenial little nighbourhood restaurant by Mariatorget which takes its lead from its address, Timmermansgatan ("Carpenter Street) - the premises are decorated with wooden walls and timber. Order starters, main courses and desserts inspired by southern latitudes, or just have a glass of wine at the wooden bar.

Stadshuskällaren manages to feel warm and inviting despite its grand, historic dining room. Walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful wall murals, tables are laid with classic white tablecloths and candlelight and the menu includes Nordic and modern dishes.

Cosy Capannone on Roslagsgatan is an Italian restaurant with a Little Italy vibe. Dine according to the Italian concept of antipasti, secondi and so forth, with dishes such as fresh, handmade pasta, fried seafood, and whole grilled fish on the menu, always prepared with seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also features a wine bar on street level, Capannone Bottega.

They no longer show films in the old Paraden cinema on Valhallavägen; the premises are now home to a welcoming neighbourhood restaurant. Sit on the stairs, the bar or the dining room, or find your way up to the second floor and look out over the other guests. The menu offers dishes from both southern European and Nordic cuisines.

At Tegelbacken, you can enjoy European small dishes in a romantic setting, complete with patterned wallpaper, soft velvet furnishings, candlelight, and views of the water and Rosenbad. The overall palette is mainly pink and red, with light turquoise as an accent colour - an excellent colour combination when it comes to cosiness.

With exposed brick walls, lush plants and a really cosy basement level, Kryp In on Kungsholmen lives up to its name. Everything from bar hangouts to dinners is welcome here, and if you visit the restaurant for the latter, you can choose from a bunch of European classics that have been given a whole new, Swedish twist. 

Noi restaurant, in the Nobis Hotel at Norrmalmstorg, manages the hard-to-pull-off feat of being cosy in an elegant way, without being stiff or dull. Come here to enjoy well-prepared European dishes with a friend, a date, or why not with a colleague? This is a restaurant that suits all occasions.

Authentic Italian charm is the order of the day at Tavino, a relaxed neighbourhood bistro by Nytorget. The venue is adorned with lush plants, shelves lined with wine bottles, and a mezzanine level that overlooks the rest of the restaurant. Enjoy an Italian family dinner with dishes that are shared across the table, or simply grab a drink at the bar. Influences, as mentioned, come from Italy, but expect a little personal twist – the chefs prepare what they themselves really want to eat.

The Old Town is so much more that a busy tourist trap. This modern neighbourhood restaurant on Österlånggatan draws in both Stockholmers and tourists who want to eat and drink in stylish yet relaxed surroundings. Don't miss the picturesque outdoor dining area in the summer months.

Knut pays tribute to the land of the midnight sun. The northern Swedish influences are apparent in the decor - rustic wooden surfaces and furs. The menu does not only feature game, it also includes Norrland-style flatbread pizza and herring, the bar menu offers crowberry and cranberry cocktails.

Soft tones of pink and green create a charming atmosphere at this playful bistro on the corner. Whether you just want to chat away an hour or two over a glass of wine, or enjoy a sharing dinner with flavours from all corners of the world, you're equally welcome. If you're lucky, you'll get a table next to one of the large windows with a view of the street outside.

In a bright and airy space in the middle of Sankt Eriksplan, restaurateur Klas Lindberg's restaurant focuses on Swedish ingredients. As you enter, you're welcomed by chequered floors, simple wooden furniture, and a long bar counter in the centre of the restaurant. Choose from Swedish flavours on the regular menu or from the blackboard.

You'll find this charming restaurant in the middle of Kungsbron, serving Italian food in cosy, rustic surroundings. Treat yourself to homemade pasta, pizza or authentic fish and meat dishes among candlelight and exposed-brick walls.

Grodan is a real restaurant institution that has been attracting regulars to Grev Turegatan since the 1980s. They serve classic signature dishes in lively surroundings with several rooms, each with its own atmosphere. The main dining area is lined with chandeliers, plasterwork, and antique paintings.

These cosy neighbourhood restaurants on either side of town are popular haunts due to their relaxed atmosphere, ambiance and living room-style interior. Aubergine offers seasonal Mediterranean cuisine, while 39 Wäst focuses on traditional Swedish fare served on large platters, family-style.

At Bistro Zissou, owners Kalle Lindborg and Emma Skerfe have a playful approach to food and drink, with a menu that's constantly updated and wines made by people who love wine and have a sustainable approach to farming. The atmosphere is warm, personal, and unpretentious – perfect for a glass of wine at the bar with a date or a long dinner with family.

Stortorgskällaren is housed in cosy, historic premises in the Old Town. The restaurant, which used to be a furniture workshop, has maintained its traditional, atmospheric feel. Enjoy classic dishes given a modern touch. Head chef Mathias Brogie combines Swedish wishes with international and Continental flavours and focuses on top-quality organic, locally-produced ingredients.

Hotel Kung Carl's bistro is overflowing with influences from the French 1800s, "la belle époque". Add a touch of luxury to your everyday life with European dishes on your plate as you listen to live jazz music. Next to the restaurant, you'll also find the hotel's hidden wine bar and Parisian cocktail bar.

“Small but annoyingly good” is an expression that perfectly describes Flor Matbar, an intimate and relaxed restaurant on Surbrunnsgatan in Vasastan. The menu consists of dishes in various sizes and flavours from the Mediterranean and Sweden in a well-composed mix. The wine list is equally well thought out, featuring a selection of wines that work both on their own and with the food.

Le Passepartout is run by a father and son team, Jean-Yves and Leo, in Kungsholmen. They have built, repaired, and furnished the premises with second-hand items to create a personal and welcoming neighbourhood bistro. Drop in for a glass of French wine and some small and medium plates, all with French flavours.

In a corner venue near Södra station, Köket vid bordet is a small and personal eatery where wine sets the tone for the entire experience. Usually, wine recommendations are made according to the food you order – they do the opposite and provide food recommendations for the wine. In this way, the restaurateurs, a mother and son team, aim to deliver a different type of gastronomic experience. The venue is stripped back and warm, with light walls, patterned flooring, and hanging light bulbs that spread a pleasant glow.

This Newport-inspired brasserie in Nacka strand is open all year round for anyone who wants to eat and drink and enjoy the views over the entrance to Stockholm harbour. During the summer months you can eat al fresco and in the winter you can cosy up by the log fire in the dining room. Take the ferry across from Nybrokajen for the full nautical experience.

NÒR inside the Clarion Hotel Stockholm offers modern, Nordic “all day dining” in an environment that breathes Nordic design. Seasonal flavours and creative brasserie dishes are served from the open kitchen, either à la carte or chef's choice, including vegetarian options.

What was once an old glassworks has housed a charming boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar since 2016. The industrial vibe has been preserved with exposed brick walls, stripped-back furnishings, and a ceiling height of seven metres, softened by patterned rugs, leather armchairs, and other personal decorative details. At Hellsten's Glashus, you can enjoy an international dinner, or just hang out in the bar, whether you're a guest at the hotel or not. 

Among the winding alleys of the Old Town lies one of Stockholm's most talked-about French restaurants. If you want to be one of the lucky ones to get a seat, it's a good idea to reserve a table, as the number of seats is limited. Alternatively, you can pop into their sister wine bar, Petit Pastis.

Villa Dahlia, sister hotel to Diplomat and Villa Dagmar, excels at the art of combining elegance with a relaxed atmosphere. In the hotel's restaurant, located on the ground floor next to lush Tegnérlunden park, Italy-inspired dishes are served for dinner as well as lunch and brunch. In the summer, you can start with a cocktail in the courtyard or in the rooftop bar, with a magnificent view over Stockholm's rooftops. 

You'll always find a warm welcome at Hotell Reisen, whether you're staying the night or just want to have something to eat or drink. As well as modern international flavours, Restaurant Reisen has a sophisticated bar with international cocktails right on Skeppsbron.

At Spanjorskan, southern European warmth pervades both the menu and surroundings. Drop by for a glass of wine and some tapas on your own or for a big dinner with loved ones. All in a warm, welcoming environment with red walls, wooden tables, leather sofas and brass lamps.

Stroll along the Djurgårdsbrunn canal with Villa Källhagen as your destination. Eat lunch, brunch and dinner in an extremely charming setting surrounded by nature. In the summer you can eat al fresco in the restaurant's leafy garden with its own jetty, while in the colder months you can enjoy the view from inside. The menu consists of popular classics with a modern touch, from meat and fish to vegetarian options.

On Hornstulls strand is Italian Capricci. Life feels like an Italian film the moment you step inside, with a homely buzz, lit candles, a beautiful bar, a checked floor and climbing plants everywhere. The menu varies regularly according to the seasonal ingredients.

In an old boatyard out on Djurgården, Slipen's interior reflects its marine location with large windows facing the water and wooden boats hanging from the ceiling. In summer, the terrace is a big draw, while the winter season offers indoor cosiness complete with sheepskins and candlelight. Food-wise, you'll find European influences on the menu, including several kinds of homemade pasta.

At Såstaholm manor they follow the seasons, transforming the very best ingredients in season into delicious menus that are served in “scenes”. This is a nod to the manor's past as a retirement home for film stars, a legacy that's also celebrated with photographs on the walls and other small details. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here to both hotel and outside guests.

Italian with American influences, just like in Little Italy in New York. You'll find Il Tempo in the charming neighbourhood around Götgatspuckeln. The restaurant serves up rural ingredients and gastronomic influences from international big cities, to be enjoyed surrounded by Art Deco wallpaper, red velvet furniture and black wood panels.