Stockholm's hottest restaurants right now

Arnold's, with its elegant, imaginative style, is reminiscent of the restaurants of Hollywood's glamorous heyday. Timeless continental dishes are served with an emphasis on fish and shellfish as well as spectacular desserts.

The famous fine-dining restaurant Frantzén has moved from the Old Town to a completely renovated 19th century house in the heart of the city, and the result is something completely extraordinary. The restaurant has three floors, with a dining room, terrace and a lounge in the old loft apartment - but only 23 covers. Take the restaurant lift going up and prepare yourself for a gastronomic journey.

In spectacular premises that used to house a cinema/theatre - complete with six-metre high ceilings, beautiful hand-painted wall murals and red velvet sofas that transport you to Italy - this Italian restaurant is truly unique. There are two bars and a restaurant with an open kitchen from which Italian dishes magically appear. If you're dreaming of a short break to Rome, this is the place to come.

In the basement of the Nobis Hotel, where Caina restaurant used to be, you'll find this elegant concept for gourmets and lovers of luxury. With Stefano Catenacci at the gastronomic helm, Noi serves up exclusive creations using the finest seasonal ingredients in surroundings that are guaranteed to impress.

At the heart of the Bank Hotel you'll find Bonnie's. You're welcome to eat here whether you're a hotel guest or not, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cuisine is international, with an emphasis on European food from the sea and on the dessert list you'll find their chocolate "Smash the piggy bank" dessert for two, which has quickly become a favourite. Just like the hotel, the restaurant has thoroughly luxurious interiors, with lots of details that recall the building's heritage as an historic bank.

Béatrice Becher and Jonas Sandberg, the restaurateurs behind the acclaimed Folii, also run Voisine, right next door. Their aim is to be the city's best neighbourhood restaurant, serving authentic French-inspired cuisine made from the best ingredients and at decent prices.

You'll find this Japanese-Peruvian restaurant right in the centre of the Sturegallerian shopping arcade. The restaurant is part of the Stureplansgruppen group of restaurants and includes a rawfood bar.

In 2019, Loén took over the premises of what used to be Duck & Crab. The same team are behind the venture, but it's an entirely new concept. Scandinavian and international medium-sized dishes are served in rustic, relaxed surroundings and sharing food and social eating are the name of the game.

From the moment it opened, Saori Ichihara's new neighbourhood restaurant on Mariatorget has been packed. Saori has worked with star chef Sayan Isaksson, among others, and anyone who wants to try her tasting menu should get in line for a table reservation. You can also take a chance on one of a few unbookable spaces by the bar.

The new city district Urban Escape on Brunkebergstorg is home to the lifestyle hotel Hotel At Six and its rooftop restaurant Tak, which was designed by Wingårdhs Arkitekter. There's a restaurant, bar, raw bar and terrace with a magical view over Stockholm. Star chef Frida Ronge is in charge of the kitchen and Nordic-Japanese flavours are on the menu.

After a controversial guest appearnce at Kåken, the chef duo Jocke Almvist and Kalle Nilsson opened this rather cheeky luxury restaurant on Södermalm. The flavours are as much of a talking-point as the wildly creative presentations and the prices are relatively benevolent. Very popular. 

What used to be Le Nom on Roslagsgatan became Las Brasas in 2018, a modern restaurant influenced by South America and Spain. The owners are the same, but the concept is completely new. Eat grilled dishes and tapas in warm, stylish interiors including green-tiled walls, photographic art and humorous curios.

On the former site of fine-dining restaurant Frantzén you'll now find two friends creating taste sensations that are the talk of the town. Between them, the two chefs have masses of experience from well-known Stockholm and international restaurants, and here they serve ambitious, Scandinavian small dishes in a laid-back atmosphere. Some spots are left open for walk-ins.

The highly experienced team behind French-inspired Brasserie Balzac have created an unpretentious restaurant serving authentic, seasonal dishes from small-scale French producers. The drinks menu impresses, as does the eye- catching zinc cocktail bar.

Italian fan? An old cinema on Biblioteksgatan has been transformed into Eataly - a magnificant meeting place which has branches in cities including New York and Rome. You'll find Italian produce, a restaurant, café and bars all under the same splendid roof.

Since Ilse opened up in the former BonBon premises, a concept-free and classic approach has taken over; white tablecloths, an open kitchen and food for all tastes. The owner is still the same, but the thinking is broader. Forget all about niche trends - this is somewhere to revisit year after year without it ever feeling outdated.

Ever since the team behind Tranan opened La Colline in the middle of Götgatsbacken the street has become a touch more French - and more gastronomic. The locale (formerly an Irish pub) has interiors by Jonas Bohlin and the menu pairs French dishes with selected natural wines.

Johan Jureskog from award-winning meat restaurant Restaurang AG serves modern streetfood with an emphasis on gourmet burgers - made from the finest fresh ingredients. Try a "Highfive" burger with truffle aioli, or one of the ambitious veggie options and drinks. Sustainability and quality are the keywords.

This Lebanese restaurant - popular with Stockholmers and international celebrities alike - has been renovated and upgraded. An oriental ambiance with a modern twist, with turquoise walls, heavy velvet curtains, gold chairs and a basement area in authentic A Thousand and One Nights style. You can even order an entirely vegan menu (by request).

Poké bowls, hamburgers and tacos are on the menu at this funky, welcoming fusion restaurant in Kungsholmen. Their sister joint, The Seven, right next door, serves streetfood and cocktails.

Daniel Crespi has closed his restaurant Omakase Köttslöjd and opened Flickan in the same premises in the Old Town. Omakase is the order of the day, with 13 courses, completely free from conservatism and gastronomic conventions. The restaurant is only open Thursdays to Saturdays and has just 16 covers. 

 The team behind Vassa Eggen have transformed the former nightclub right next door into an underground fusion restaurant with Japanese and Korean influences. There's a sushi kitchen, grill and a large cocktail bar for anyone in a party mood - which is just about everyone here. Count on elegant medium-sized dishes and sophisticated water features.

A former printing works in Liljeholmen has been transformed into a southern French Mediterranean park, complete with boules, a bar and food. It's the largest addition to the Boulebar chain so far and hot new neighbourhood destination.

Part of the Army Museum, Artilleriet has been housed in this building's beautiful stone vaults since 2018. A real Östermalm oasis with modern decor, this is a perfect spot for lunch or an after-work drink. The summer outdoor seating area provides a peaceful, leafy refuge just a short walk from Stureplan and Nybroviken.

Södra Sällskapet in Södermalm has been given a face lift and abandoned its French influences. Dine on Italian small dishes in decadent Venetian surroundings, or just sink into a velvet armchair and sip one of their ambitious cocktails or a glass of wine.

Forget the city centre - one of Stockholm's most lauded restaurants can be found in a residential area in Älvsjö. Aloë serves a good-value tasting menu with simple but refined seasonal flavours. The two chefs behind the venture have previously worked at top restaurants such as Esperanto and Lux.

East Södermalm is hot at the moment - and since early 2017 it's been home to the popular winebar Folii, among other places. The owners are two experienced sommeliers who serve cocktails and light dishes as well as wine.

Yet another hip little gem has opened its doors in the eastern parts of Södermalm. Guests who book a table are served a pre-set tasting menu, otherwise you can just mosey into the bar for a glass of wine and something light to eat. The flavours are modern, with continental influences.

There's no doubt about the fact that the food scene inside Ringen shopping centre has transformed Skanstull to a culinary mecca. Some of the country's most awesome restaurateurs can be found here serving the city's possibly best value (and best?) fast food under one roof. You'll find the noodle bar Raamen and Magnus Nilsson's (Fäviken) popular Korvkiosk, among others.

Stockholm's first IBS-friendly restaurant is a modern healthfood concept for sensitive stomachs. You'll find both hot dishes and substantial salads on the menu, all of which are sugar, gluten and lactose-free and include the magic ingredient, kale.

Right at the top of this popular museum, the prize-winning restaurant has become a story unto itself. The star chef Paul Svensson is in the kitchen, the focus is on the green and organic - and it's food you really don't want to miss. The view over Stockholm harbour can also be admired through the restaurant's panorama windows.

This Gatsby-influenced brasserie on the waterfront doesn't just boast one of the city's most glamorous outdoor seating areas during the summer months. They also serve French-inspired crossover cuisine and delightful cocktails all year round. The restaurant was given a facelift in 2018 with a new layout and "dinner club" concept.

Cosy Matateljén draws the crowds to Gamla Enskede for their ambitious fine dining along served in a friendly atmosphere with soul music playing over the loudspeakers. And it's just a short journey from the city centre...

Street food and fine dining meet at this heavily-hyped Södermalm restaurant which also has a bar in mini-Korea style. The food is inspired by both Asia and Scandinavia and can also be experienced as two wallet-friendly three course menus. Innovative, casual and very popular.

Woodstockholm on Mosebacke Torg ticks all the hot boxes right now. The owners previously ran a pop-up restaurant in a garage in Svedmyra and they now serve a sustainable mix of gastronomic dishes, natural wines and micro-brewed beer surrounded by blonde wood interiors designed by Lars Stensö. Yep, they also run a design agency/furniture manufacturers. Madly stylish, according to a unanimous group of restaurant goers.

Swedish Chef of the Year winners Tom Sjöstedt's and Daniel Räms' unpretentious restaurant is universally adored by both the press and guests. Roughly framed by exposed brick, simple chairs and industrial lamps, the menu consisting of pure, Swedish flavours is scribbled up on the walls. Getting a table here is an achievement in itself, but all good things come to those who wait...

Pat's Place, on Folkungagatan in Södermalm, serves Thai tapas - a cool, modern version of Thai food culture in which Pad Thai and sweet cocktails are notably absent. The tapas dishes, all reasonably priced, are named after well-known films and artists.