The best restaurants in Södermalm

The old customs building on Stadsgårdskajen has become a melting pot for creatives and tourists alike. Fotografiska is not only famous for its photo-art exhibitions but also its restaurant. With emphasis on seasonal and organic produce as well as stunning waterfront views to boot - what could be better?

Food critics and ordinary restaurant goers alike have heaped praise on this tiny restaurant ever since it opened its doors on Mosebacke torg. The menu is small but perfectly formed, with unexpected elements such as horse and pike, and drinks are selected with as much passion and care as the raw ingredients. Combine your meal with excellent natural wines or micro-brewed beer.

At 33 metres up, Eriks Gondolen is one of Stockholm's highest and most classic restaurants. The restaurant manages to draw in locals, tourists and foodies with their traditional Swedish cooking concept, along with cocktails and views over the entire city. Catch of the day from Lake Mälaren, or locally-produced meat, is paired with wines from a well-stocked wine cellar. Count on clean, classic flavours.

This hip all-in-one concept hosts a Mediterranean restaurant (Linje Tio), an award-winning cocktail bar, wine bar and barber à la NYC speakeasy. This popular hangout is open all week and packed with regulars.

This all-inclusive concept houses a restaurant, bar and café as well as a gallery and conference rooms. The kitchen favours French and Swedish flavours. The modern, industrial-style interior creates a cool contemporary feel.

Ljunggren, in Brunogallerian, is a popular fusion restaurant. The Asian influences are apparent both in the decor and fine dining-style menu. Adjacent Råbaren serves gastro raw food in smaller portions as well as sashimi. The artisanal cocktail bar specialises in champagne and gin.

Häktet, which was once an 18th century prison, now houses a restaurant and three different bars, one with a distinct speakeasy feel. Although the rustic menu is rather selective, the food is well prepared with both French and local influences.

Housed in former industrial premises by Mariatorget, the boutique hotel Hellstens Glashus has an international atmosphere with definite Manhattan vibes. Behind the narrow glass facade you'll find a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, where you eat Swedish and international dishes, have a drink or listen to jazzy live music.

One-step closer to heaven. This gastronomic restaurant on Skrapan's 25th floor offers breath-taking views over the city and gourmet-style food. The sky bar is a popular haven for its extensive cocktail menu.

Zinkensdamm is not typically considered to be a culinary melting pot, however Pane Vino is well worth the hike. This Italian restaurant serves classic Mediterranean dishes and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pane Vino also has a well-stocked cheese counter, wine bar and quaint outdoor-seating area.

A Bowl (formerly A Bowl Poke Poke) was one of the first places in Stockholm to serve Hawaiian poké bowls. These days, they serve a range of various kinds of healthy bowls at lunch and dinner. You can also pop by for a drink at the bar, or sit out on the al fresco seating area by the steps leading up from Mariatorget.

This old firehouse turned restaurant complete with high vaulted ceilings exudes boho-chic Parisian vibes. With white tablecloths and mismatched bistro chairs the atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. The kitchen serves modern French classics along with a variety of French wines. Be sure to stop by Bar Hommage for a glass of pastis.

Södra Sällskapet serves Italian small sharing plates in Venice-influenced surroundings. The dining room, lounge and bar are decorated with leafy plants and atmospheric lighting to create an Italian garden feeling. The menu consists of ”cicchetti” – Italian small dishes to share. You can also meet in the bar to sip a cocktail or a glass of wine.

La Vecchia Signora, which translates to the old lady, is considered to be one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Authentic Italian fare from the Piedmont region is served. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, the food exquisite.

Barbro, under Liljeholmen's Bridge, is a small Tokyo-style restaurant serving modern and beautifully prepared food. Made for sharing, guests are invited to try multiple dishes. The restaurant also houses a boutique-style cinema and bar.

This little neighbourhood restaurant on Timmermansgatan by Mariatorget, which used to be called Timber, serves a Swedish menu which changes regularly. There are several firm favourites which make a regular appearance and the chefs cook and serve the kind of food they would want to order themselves.

With its ambitious and reasonably priced Korean menu, Nook is well worth its much-hyped reputation. Street food meets fine dining with innovative dishes and exciting combinations. The bar is also a popular watering hole.

Nytorget 6, and its older sibling Nybrogatan 38 on the other side of town, appeals to a wide audience from early morning to late evening. This charming neighbourhood restaurant, complete with an open kitchen, rotisserie and artisanal bar, serves moderately priced French and Swedish food - most dishes are under 200 SEK.

Indio serves nikkei - a combined Japanese/Peruvian cuisine which includes sushi and ceviche. The restaurant is fashionably pared-back and very popular - so come early if you haven't reserved a table.

O'Pizzicato serves Italian food and a wide range of wines in stylish surroundings right next door to Södra station. Friends and families can meet up over an authentically Italian dinner. The menu includes fresh pasta, meat dishes and plates of thinly-sliced charcuterie and you can round off your meal in true Italian style with a glass of grappa.

Chef Saori Ichihara is at the helm, running this celebrated neighbourhood restaurant on Mariatorget. A seasonal tasting menu with Japanese flavours is the order of the day and if you've left it too late to book one of the highly sought-after spaces you can always take a chance on a drop-in spot by the bar.

The most ambitious restaurant on Götgatsbacken, with a modern, playful vibe. Star designer Jonas Bolin is the man behind the interiors and the menu includes selected dishes from the Mediterranean. The wine list is well thought out, with natural wine options.

Star chef Marcus Samuelsson opened his Latin American dining concept in the lobby of the Clarion Hotel Stockholm in 2016. Tuck into homemade tortillas, tacos, ceviche and grilled meat, or perhaps a South American hamburger. Thirsty? In the centre of restaurant you'll find the bar, which boasts a huge selection of tequila and mezcal.

Rival at Mariatorget embodies 1930's art deco glamour, complete with sumptuous red velvet decor and shiny brass detailing. The kitchen serves modern interpretations of classic bistro dishes; the bar is perfect for an artisanal cocktail (or two) after dinner. During the weekend a decadent brunch buffet is served.

Il Tempo has been drawing in hungry groups of friends, couples and families to Högbergsgatan, close to lively Götgatsbacken, since the Nineties. The vibe is New York meets Tuscany, with red art deco wallpaper, Italian classics on the menu (including wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas) and a laid-back atmosphere that'll make you want to stay on for drinks at the bar.

Had your fill of Thai, Chinese and Japanese food? Then it may well be time to try Indonesian cuisine. At this neighbourhood restaurant in Hornstull they serve Indonesian dishes made from local, Nordic ingredients and you can sip on delicious exotic cocktails from the bar.

Aji y Ajo used to be found in Hökarängen, men these days you'll find the award-winning, laid-back cevicheria in Norra Hammarbyhamnen. A must for anyone craving the Peruvian national dish ceviche, marinated fish.

After a controversial guest appearance at Kåken chef duo Jocke Almqvist and Kalle Nilsson opened this much loved and talked-about luxury restaurant in Södermalm. Decadent tasting menus are all part of the unique experience, and if you prefer something simpler their little sister restaurant Punk Royale Café has drop-in spaces.

Elefantpojken has made a name for itself for its combination of budget-friendly Thai food and laid-back bar scene. Order popular dishes such as green curry, spring rolls and rice noodles in different variations or just hang out in the bar and have a beer or cocktail. Expect the place to be packed and lively.

Gossip, just off Nytorget, is inspired by Brick Lane and the walls are decorated in true Bollywood style. The popular restaurant serves reasonably priced Bengali street food and is a modern alternative to Shanti - its older sibling a few blocks away.

Just a stone's throw from Björns trädgård park, Madam is run by a Swedish chef who has lived in Seoul and been culinarily inspired by the Korean capital. The menu includes authentic dishes and drinks served in a pared-back, Scandinavian setting.

A little hidden gem at the top of Folkungagatan where you can tuck into a selection of Swedish small dishes with a modern twist. Everything from pickled herring to classic Swedish desserts, as well as cocktails made with Swedish berries...

Pat's Place on Folkungagatan serves a rather cooler version of Thai cuisine. Humorously named Thai "tapas" are the order of the day and you won't find any waving cats in the window or over-full plates of Pad Thai at this restaurant.

Söderhallarna's indoor food court houses this "fast casual" hamburger concept, which means high quality made speedy and simple. They're best known for their "smash technique", a way of achieving an especially crispy burger surface that brings burger fans flocking from all over town. The menu is short and sweet, with a choice of burgers including one vegetarian and the rest variations on a basic burger with cheese, fried onions, pickles and bbq sauce added.

Izakaya fuses traditional Japanese cuisine with modern fast food culture - contemporary and healthy tapas-style food. Blue Light Yokohama's extensive menu also offers sushi and other dishes as well as sake.

This casual Horntull restaurant is famous for its Chinese food and brunch. The menu offers classics such as dumplings and crispy duck, as well as fusing Cantonese cuisine with inspiration from Shanghai and Sichuan.

Award-winning Indian Garden has several locations in Stockholm and is considered to serve the 'best curry in Europe' as well as classics such as biryani and tandoori. Tradition meets modernity – which translates seamlessly from the menu to the décor.

If you're craving Mexican warmth and flavours, you haven't got far to go. You'll find the Stockholm branch of Finnish restaurant chain Pancho Villa close to Zinkensdamm, serving Mexican-inspired soft tacos, quesadillas and fajitas, as well as hamburgers, grilled dishes and much more. You can also drop by for a cold beer.