Il Merlo

Wine and sandwich bar with Italian charm

Il Merlo wine and sandwich bar, on a side street off Mariatorget, serves carefully selected wines alongside grilled Italian sandwiches in cosy surroundings. There's a particular fondness for Sicily here, especially when it comes to the wine list.

The dream of Andreas Bjunér, who runs Il Merlo, is to create a familiar, inclusive, warm and homely space, which feels like a living room. A place where you're treated like a guest, rather than a customer.

The menu features Italian sandwiches that are filled with, among other things, Italian cheeses, tomato, pesto, salami and other goodies before being grilled to perfection. All sandwiches are available as a whole or half, as well as vegetarian alternatives. Other warming dishes such as soups and lasagna are also served. Every detail is thought out here and their producers have been carefully chosen. The coffee beans, for example, come from a Tuscan family business, so naturally you can get an excellent espresso here.

The venue is full of details that reflect the Italian heritage and the golden years of cinema, from older classics to slightly more modern favourites. The mismatched chairs bought second hand create a charming impression, together with a beautiful wooden floor, cosy lighting and lit candles – just like in a romantic Italian film. Every week there are things happening at Il Merlo, such as happy hours, quizzes and other fun. You can also hire out the venue for cultural events, releases and other gatherings.

As well as sandwiches and wines, there's also a small gelateria and an Italian pantry with selected goods such as coffee, olive oil and pasta, if you want to continue the Italian theme at home, or give something nice as a gift.

Aurora Holm