The guide to Stockholm's best neighbourhood restaurants

Since 1994 diners have been able to eat well-cooked food at Aubergine in Östermalm. At the crossroads of  Linnégatan and Jungfrugatan, a stone's throw from Östermalmstorg, regulars, business lunchers, couples on dates and single diners come together to enjoy well-executed classics with both Swedish and other European flavours.

In an otherwise rather sleepy part of Östermalm you'll find the neighbourhood restaurant Paraden - housed in the building that used to be home to the modernist cinema Paraden on Valhallavägen. The food stretches mainly across Swedish, Italian and French, but influences from other parts of the world also sneak in. There's a welcoming feel to the place and the decor is reminiscent of a cosy sitting room with art deco patterns and a relaxed atmosphere. 

Il Merlo has managed to create that authentic Italian feeling we all love, a place to swing by regardless of what's on the agenda: lunch, post-work, dinner, or perhaps an espresso on the go while having a chat with the owner? Additionally, they're always coming up with fun activities such as happy hours, wine tastings, quizzes, and the regular Tuesday club on Tuesdays. This transforms the entire venue into a sociable meeting place for a few hours – perfect for anyone who wants to meet new people and feel a sense of community.

At Café Facile on Luntmakargatan you get exactly what the name promises - simple, French food. But don't be fooled by the unassuming name - the authentic cooking and intimate atmosphere make this place one of Stockholm's true gems. Choose something like steak frites, moules marinières or simply the plat du jour from the blackboard, order something delicious to drink and lean back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere - and the great value food.

Flatbread pizza, Norrlandic potato dumplings and game meat - can you sense the theme? Yup - at Knut you'll have a dining experience with strong northern Swedish overtones. The concept is all-encompassing but still friendly, authentic and cosy. Thanks to Knut you don't need to travel any further than Tegnérlunden to enjoy food and drink specialities from Norrland.

Relaxed and generous – that's the motto at Tavino, where they aim for everyone to arrive as a guest and leave as a friend. This Italian neighbourhood restaurant is just off Nytorget, in a cosy venue on two levels. The culinary style is distinctly Italian, although the chefs always add their own twist to the dishes. You can also come here just for a glass of wine or an aperitivo at the bar.

This welcoming local restaurant can be found at a couple of different addresses in Stockholm. Common to both of them is the cosy environment and inviting atmosphere. In Södermalm, you're greeted by wood paneling, wooden furniture, and timber decorations, while the restaurant in Kungsholmen features exposed brick walls and lush plants. The food is well-prepared and comes in the classic format of starters, mains, and desserts. You can also come here for a glass of wine at the bar.

On Sankt Eriksplan you'll find this cosy bistro housed in the 1920s cinema of the same name. Everyone's welcome here, whether you're going to the movies or just want to socialise with friends, famil, or your date over some food and drinks. The menu consists of small dishes with flavours from all corners of the world, which can be paired with carefully selected (natural) wines.

At Sensum, after-workers as well as couples, friends, and families gather to eat and drink together. The concept is based on small plates that you're encouraged to share around the table to taste as much of the good stuff as possible. Favours come from both the Nordics and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, and the bar is stocked with exciting wines, craft beers, and various types of gin that are turned into G&Ts.

As part of the ever-reliable Bockholmen restaurant group, which also includes Nybrogatan 38, Österlånggatan is a safe bet in the Old Town. A sociable atmosphere, good value food and generous opening hours make it a popular option at any time of the day or night.

Despite its sleek, minimalist design, Ponti has a relaxed and inviting atmosphere typical of a local bistro. Come here for a lively dinner, a long weekend lunch, or just for a cocktail at the bar. When it comes to food, it follows a traditional set-up with starters, main courses, and desserts, and the chefs draw inspiration from their favourite restaurants in Florence and Los Angeles.

It's not every restaurant in Stockholm that gets a mention in the encyclopedia, so you'll understand the level of gravitas Mäster Anders has. For decades, centuries even (!), the Kungholmen restaurant has drawn in regulars looking for classic, well-executed dishes. The authentic brasserie decor is the finishing touch with its classic globe pendant ceiling lamps, hexagonal-checked tiled floor, bentwood chairs and arched windows. 

At this relaxed Italian next to Karlaplan, guests enjoy sitting for a long time over lunch or dinner, letting conversations flow as dish after dish is served to the table. Inspiration comes from 1960s Milan and Florence, and the menu consists of Italian classics with a twist.

Bistro Tartine is the kind of local eatery you might find down a back street somewhere in Paris. Surrounded by rustic decor in tones of burgundy, brass, and walnut, you can enjoy French classics such as moules and steak frites, perhaps accompanied by a nice glass of French wine. Or why not round off the workday with a couple of oysters and some bubbles?  

Animo is a modern neighbourhood bistro where the idea is to drop by and make yourself at home, no matter who you are. The dishes are more elegant than those at the average restaurant, and the menu changes regularly – creativity takes the lead on what ends up on the plates. The prices, however, are slightly more modest than at many other places with the same level of ambition. The bistro is also home to a bar where innovative cocktails and selected wines are served.

Urban Deli's popular restaurants are local eateries in the true sense of the word; people come here from early morning until late evening to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, or drop by for a coffee or post-work drink in between. During the summer months, many choose to eat and drink al fresco. The menu includes flavours from all different parts of the world, with options to suit most tastes.

Napoleon isn't like other neighbourhood restaurants in Östermalm, it's more reminiscent of a neighbourhood bistro in Paris. The menu is filled with modern French and European dishes with a smattering of Swedish flavours, and among the many wines there's something for all tastes. Open for both lunch and dinner, and in summer the outdoor dining area on Grev Turegatan is a popular hangout.

On Tulegatan, you'll find Cliff Barnes' slightly better behaved sister spot. Sue Ellen may be named after a decadent housewife in the TV series Dallas, but you can bring your in-laws as well as friends here. European flavours are served for lunch and dinner.

Lux Dag för Dag is one of those places right outside the city centre that's worth a little detour. They take seasonal food extremely seriously here and simply let the ingredients and Swedish flavours steer the menu. Jump on the number 1 bus and get off at Lilla Essingen, you know you're there when you find a beautiful old listed brick buiding with a view over Mariebergsfjärden.