Stockholm is a sprawling city packed full of different restaurants and cafés, so it can be handy to know where the locals themselves most like to eat. With the insider scoop tucked under your belt, you'll be able to enjoy the best and sometimes most secret culinary gems that the city has to offer.

Choose anything from a humble burger in a relaxed ambience to a luxurious tasting menu with beverages pairings. Treat yourself to a wholesome bun or some classic cold cuts, or enjoy dinner to the swinging sounds of cool jazz. Whether you're after a quick bite on the go or an entire evening of surprise and sensation, you'll soon discover that good food is serious business in Stockholm.

  • 1

    Lilla Ego in Vasastaden

    Experience fantastic food atop quirky wax tablecloths

    Lilla Ego in Vasastaden
    • Couples
    • Food

    Acclaimed restaurant Lilla Ego is the perfect place to satisfy your taste buds without breaking the bank. Lilla Ego is located in the district of Vasastaden, just over a mile away from Central Station or a couple of minutes on foot from the Odenplan Metro Station.

    Enjoy classic, unpretentious Nordic dishes alongside a wide selection of carefully curated beers, wines and juices. Tables are released a month in advance and because the number of spaces is limited and the restaurant is hugely popular, it is a good idea to book well ahead of time.

    Location: Västmannagatan 69, 113 26 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday 5 pm to 11 pm

    Phone: +46 8 27 44 55

    Map
  • 2

    Flippin' Burgers in Vasastaden

    Sink your teeth into a good old-fashioned burger

    Flippin' Burgers in Vasastaden
    • Families
    • Food

    Flippin' Burgers is the place to go for high-quality handcrafted patties or vegetarian alternatives without bells and whistles. The super cozy joint is located in the district of Vasastaden, about a mile away from Central Station. Enjoy simply yet painstakingly prepared burgers in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Children's burgers and gluten-free baps are also available as well as thick, American-style milkshakes in a variety of exciting flavors.

    It's not possible to book a table, but many Stockholmers feel that their unbeatable burgers and the restaurant's focus on organic and local ingredients is well worth the short wait.

    Location: Observatoriegatan 8, 113 29 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Monday–Thursday 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday–Sunday noon to 10 pm

    Map
  • 3

    Eggplant in Östermalm

    Sample an array of flavors in a genuine neighbourhood pub

    Eggplant in Östermalm
    • Couples
    • Food

    Eggplant is a cozy neighbourhood pub and a super romantic spot to enjoy a memorable lunch or dinner in Stockholm. The restaurant is located on the corner of Linnégatan and Jungfrugatan in the district of Östermalm, around a 20 minute walk from Central Station. Enjoy a quiet moment in the company of your partner or book a table for a larger group. The menu changes with the seasons and puts firm focus on top-quality ingredients.

    Swing by for happy hour at the end of the working day and enjoy the buzzing yet laid-back atmosphere at the bar. The restaurant serves dishes à la carte with two wallet-friendly specials on offer each evening.

    Location: Linnégatan 38, 114 47 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Monday–Thursday 11:30 am to 11 pm, Friday 11 am to 1 am, Saturday 5 pm to 1 am

    Phone: +46 8 660 02 04

    Map
  • 4

    Östermalm Market Hall (Östermalms Saluhall)

    Discover a world of restaurants and cuisines

    Östermalm Market Hall (Östermalms Saluhall)
    • Families
    • Food

    Östermalm Market Hall (Östermalms Saluhall) is brimming with different meats, fish, wraps and health foods to choose from. The affordable food hall is located on Östermalm Square, which is just a short 10 minute walk away from Stockholm City or about 15 minutes by metro from T-Centralen Metro Station.

    Hop from counter to counter and discover a world of flavors and foods before pulling up a chair at one of the restaurants. Or if you don't fancy a full meal, simply sample your way through all the cheeses, breads, pastries and confections on offer. There's also a wine bar where you can perch yourself with a robust glass of red and watch as the crowds swirl by.

    Location: Östermalmstorg, 114 39 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Monday–Friday 9:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm

    Map

    photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 5

    ICHI on Södermalm

    Discover Nordic food prepared using Japanese techniques

    ICHI on Södermalm
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    ICHI is a unique restaurant serving up Japanese spins on Western classics, a style of cooking known as Yoshoku. Nordic and Japanese flavors take center stage and since the menu changes depending on produce and season, there are different options available on an almost daily basis.

    ICHI is located just a stone's throw away from Maria Square on Södermalm, about 10 minutes by foot from the Medborgarplatsen Metro Station. Tables can only be booked via their website and reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. Leave plenty of time for your visit – a meal at ICHI typically lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours.

    Location: Timmermansgatan 38B, 118 55 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Wednesday–Saturday 5:30 pm to 1 am

    Map
  • 6

    Punk Royale on Södermalm

    Treat your taste buds to a trendy and lavish culinary experience

    Punk Royale on Södermalm
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Punk Royale is a renegade yet upscale gastropub offering a multi-course tasting menu alongside carefully curated beverages pairings. The restaurant is located on the island of Södermalm, just over half a mile away from the Medborgarplatsen Metro Station. The extensive menu is served up in a unique and playful style, filling your table with an abundance of high-quality ingredients inventively presented alongside plastic gloves, rat traps and Lego bricks.

    The price tag is pretty hefty but includes beverages pairings, while the restaurant itself is so trendy that it doesn't even publish opening hours on its website.

    Location: Folkungagatan 12B, 116 30 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday 6 pm to midnight

    Phone: +46 72 938 12 84

    Map
  • 7

    Artilleriet at the Swedish Army Museum (Armémuseum)

    Discover the city’s best kept foodie secret

    Artilleriet at the Swedish Army Museum (Armémuseum)
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Artilleriet is a hidden gem where you can enjoy lunch or dinner under large stone arches in a modern, elegant environment. The restaurant is located on Östermalm and can be accessed from Artillerigatan or from across the courtyard from Riddargatan via the Swedish Army Museum. The dishes served are Nordic classics which incorporate European elements in their own unique interpretation.

    Swing by for a happy hour at the restaurant's inviting bar or come down and enjoy some live jazz on a Tuesday evening. Four-legged friends are warmly welcome – there's even a dog menu!

    Location: Artillerigatan 13, 114 51 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Tuesday–Thursday 11 am to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday 11 am to 1 am

    Phone: +46 8 664 34 30

    Map

    photo by PKron~commonswiki (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 8

    Elevated street food at Teatern

    Discover innovative takes on global flavors

    Elevated street food at Teatern
    • Families
    • Food

    Teatern is the spot to go to for incredible street food prepared by renowned chefs in a laid-back setting. The food court is located in the Ringen Mall on the corner of Götgatan and Ringvägen, close to the Skanstull Metro Station. Discover world-class hot dogs, vegan burgers and mouth-watering pastries of the highest quality.

    You'll find flavors from both Sweden and Italy as well as India and Japan, all served up in a fast, simple and unpretentious form. Lunch times can be very busy so head down early if you want to guarantee yourself a table.

    Location: Götgatan 98, 118 62 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Monday–Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday 11 am to 8 pm

    Map

    photo by Bengt Nyman (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 9

    Hötorgshallen in Norrmalm

    Sample food from all four corners of the world

    Hötorgshallen in Norrmalm
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Hötorgshallen is home to more than 40 different vendors and food from all over the world, so you'll be guaranteed a unique, culinary experience. The modern food market is located in the district of Norrmalm in central Stockholm, just a few minutes walk away from the Central Station.

    Build your own 3-course menu with flavors from all over the world by selecting a starter, main and dessert from different culinary traditions. Asian, Italian and Spanish are just a few of the different cuisines you can choose between. Work up an appetite between courses by strolling between stalls and checking out the full array on offer.

    Location: Sergelgatan 29, 111 57 Stockholm, Sweden

    Open: Monday–Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Friday 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm

    Map

    photo by Holger.Ellgaard (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 10

    Cafés in Gamla stan

    Treat yourself to something sweet from a traditional or modern spot

    Cafés in Gamla stan
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families

    The narrow cobblestone streets of Gamla stan are home to a wide array of artisan bakeries, distinguished confectioners' and modern cafés, so a tasty treat is never far away. The district of Gamla stan is a brisk 15 minute walk away from Central Station, on the other side of the Vasa Bridge. Enjoy fresh bread straight from the stone oven, classic biscuits and extravagant pastries together with fair trade coffee, unique teas or a steaming hot chocolate. Combine your coffee break with a spot of art at one of the quarter's art cafés.

    Many also serve simpler lunch dishes and some offer breakfast or afternoon tea. In the summer you can sit out in the sun on one of the terraces and watch the crowds as you enjoy your pastry.

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