Sturehof
This multi-purpose, relaxed establishment has earned the sobriquet: 'Stockholm's living room'. In the heart of the Stureplan entertainment hub, with its four bars, sidewalk cafe and dining room, it has become a popular meeting place from early morning until late at night. The classic restaurant, styled as a modern brasserie, is renowned for its fish and shellfish, but also serves up some delicious Swedish home cooking, all extravagantly prepared and presented. The menu features a vast array, from light snacks to tempting main courses such as lobster, fish and oysters, as well as meat and vegetarian dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Operakällaren
A jacket is most definitely required at this grand special occasion restaurant, which has high prices to match its high reputation for outstanding food and service. Besides the stunningly presented international dishes and huge wine list the Operakallaren has also been rated as Sweden's most beautiful dining room, set in the Gamla Stan with a fantastic view of the Royal Palace. The main dining room is open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm.
Kaffegillet
A warm and friendly atmosphere, reasonable prices and hearty local traditional specialities make Kaffegillet, one of the oldest restaurants in Stockholm, a perennial favourite with locals and visitors alike. In the centre of the Gamla Stan, this restaurant hides in a 14th-century cellar, the décor matching the setting with brick walls, suits of armour and assorted medieval weaponry lit by candles burning in wine jugs.
Erik’s Gondolen
This well-known waterfront restaurant is an institution in Stockholm, where celebrity chef Erik Lallerstedt serves up neo-Swedish cuisine and French specialities in a dining room that hangs beneath a 100ft (30m) high walkway, much like the gondola of an airship. The unusual setting allows for dining with a spectacular view over the old town, Lake Mälaren and the Baltic. Erik's opens for lunch on Saturdays and lunch and dinner during the week. Examples from the menu are shellfish soup, fillet of venison and Kaluha cheesecake.
Collage
Dining out in Stockholm is usually a pricey affair, but the centrally situated restaurant-cum-nightclub, Collage, provides a tasty alternative for young budget travellers. On the ground floor is a traditional reasonably priced à la carte restaurant, while above is a clubby bar where you can fill up on an early evening (between 7pm and 9pm) ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet, usually on a theme like Tex-Mex, Asian or Italian. Later the bar starts jumping when the dance floor lights up.
Ulla Winbladh
There is no restaurant in Stockholm more traditional than this inn in the city's favourite fun zone, the island of Djurgården. The restored building dates back to the 1800s and offers outdoor dining in summer. Speciality of the house is Swedish meatballs, and of course Baltic herring also holds pride of place on the menu. Open daily from 11.30am (12pm on weekends).
Kungshallen
If you are tired of Swedish dishes and want to have the world at your feet, in a culinary sense, head down to the popular Kungshallen restaurant hall where you can choose from 14 different restaurants serving up taste treats from as many different countries. Prices are reasonable and the quality is excellent, the variety ranging from pizza and kebabs to curry, cannelloni, enchiladas and sushi. Dine at one of the 800 seats in the hall, or take it away with you. Open until 11pm every night.
