Guide

Where to go on a first date in Stockholm

Updated 14 Nov 2018

The first date can be really tricky. Where to go? What to do? How full-on, romantic or spontaneous should you be? The singles scene is as full of unwritten rules as Stockholm is full of date-friendly spots. To help you on your way we've rounded up some great ideas for things to do when you've taken the first step and asked that special person out on a date. You'll find restaurants, bars, cafés and activities perfectly suited to a first date in Stockholm.

 

Something romantic...

Himlen

Two floors of heaven

You don't just come here for the magnificent views over the city, but also for the great cocktails and romantic vibes. Go all out in the restaurant or choose something slightly more "simple" in the lounge - Himlen is divided into two different sections with separate menus and prices, which makes the whole experience even more date-friendly. 

 

  • Address:
    • Himlen, Götgatan 78 (Skrapan), Södermalm

Delphine & Edouard

Paris chic

Any couple looking for a true taste of France should get down to Roslagsgatan and Delphine & Edouard, which is run by two Parisians. A gorgeous little bistro with blue velvet sofas, mismatched wooden stools and a warm, intimate ambiance. Modern small dishes and French wines are the order of the day.

Something cosy...

Kryp In

Share South American small dishes

For a really intimate, cosy feel, take your date to the neighbourhood rstaurant Timber by Mariatorget. All the interiors are made of wood and the menu consists of ambitious small and medium-sized dishes with South American influences - perfect for sharing.

Fondueboden

Just like an alpine chalet

For an authentic alpine feeling with candlelight, whitewashed walls and steaming fondue pots, book a table at Fondueboden in Vasastan. You cook your own fondue at the table, perfect if you want to make your date last a little bit longer...

Capitol

Food and a film

A movie and dinner date is a real classic. The neighbourhood restaurant Capitol has elegant cinema auditoria and its own Twenties-feel bistro, and you can even take a glass of wine and something to eat in to the cinema with you. Go for a classic old film or get tickets for the latest blockbuster.

Something relaxed...

Glashuset

Atmospheric surroundings

Add a touch of romance with a first date at Glashuset, a lovely, not-too-long stroll from the city centre with gorgeous views over the waters of Nybroviken. They serve globally-inspired medium-sized dishes, perfect for sharing. Combine with delicious cocktails and chilled music from a live DJ on certain days.

  • Address:
    • Glashuset, Kajplats 18 Strandvägen, Östermalm

Aubergine

Duskily-lit, good value neighbourhood restaurant

A nice, relaxed atmosphere prevails at Aubergine no matter what day of the week it is. The menu has something for all tastes and wallets and standards are high, in terms of both the service and the food. Start or round off the date with a cocktail in the bar.

Yellow

Chicken and cocktails

Take your date to Stockholm's first dedicated chicken restaurants (they have vegetarian options) and eat dinner or have a drink at the cocktail bar. The concept is inspired by Costa Rica, Miami and New York and the vibe is laid-back, urban and innovative. If you don't want the date to end, Jakobsgatan is the perfect street for bar-hopping.

  • Address:
    • Yellow, Jakobsbergsgatan 23a, Norrmalm/City

1889 Fast Fine Pizza

In the mood for pizza

Fine dining meets fast food in the middle of Moodgallerian shopping galleria. Gourmet pizza is served in luxurious but relaxed surroundings with velvet chairs, black marble and lavish graffiti art. Sure to impress!

Eatery Social

Sociable à la Mexiko and Peru

Marcus Samuelsson's Latin American, and very social, concept within the Clarion Hotel Stockholm puts paid to any date-night nerves. Share a bunch of Mexican-Peruvian dishes and try out the cocktails if you really want to let your hair down.

Mellow Bar

French classics and nice Pacific vibes

Impress with French classics such as oysters and champagne, in a low-key way. If tiki cocktails and tropical vibes feel more right, head downstairs to the Tiki Room bar.

Vapiano

The city's best date restaurant

Forget red roses and candlelight. Vapiano is large, lively and serves modern Italian food. A laid-back date option spread out over several different locations in town. The food is ordered at various stations and you pay later. Bright and unpretentious and the most popular date restaurant in town (according to Match.com).

Glöm röda rosor och stearinljus. Vapiano är stort, stimmigt och modernt italienskt. Ett avslappnat dejtalternativ utspritt på flera ställen i stan. Maten beställs i olika stationer och betalas i efterhand. Fräscht och anspråkslöst, och dessutom mest populära dejt-restaurangen bland singlarna (enligt Match.com).  

Vapiano Choose an option
Vapiano Gamla Stan
Munkbrogatan 8, Old Town
Vapiano Stureplan
Sturegatan 12, Östermalm
Vapiano Skrapan
Skrapan, Södermalm
Vapiano Kungsbron
Kungsbron 15, Norrmalm/City
Vapiano Mall of Scandinavia
Evenemangsgatan 14C, Solna
Vapiano Täby Centrum
Stora Marknadsvägen 15, Täby

Glenn Miller Café

Bona fide jazz by candlelight

The city's best jazz joint suits serious jazz aficonados as well as romantic couples. Dinner is accompanied by live jazz all week, and the atmosphere is as intimate as it is relaxed. Although its well known to true connoisseurs, Glenn Miller is still something of a hidden gem on Brunnsgatan. 

Some tapas...

La Tonteria

Spanish date

Spend date night in Spain and accompany typical tapas dishes with a glass of sangria. La Tonteria serves authentic Spanish small dishes from cheese and charcuterie to squid and meat. The restaurant is simple and unpretentious, with modern decor and colourful details, and if you're not hungry you can just have a drink at the tile-clad bar.

Xarcuteria

Continental romance

An easy-going tapas spot on Kungsholmen which will transport your date straight to Barcelona, Madrid or perhaps Milan. Share a steady stream of tasty small dishes and combine with a good wine or microbrew beer.

  • Address:

Something budget-friendly...

À la Crêpe

Charmig dejt med franska lantvibbar

Glöm fine dining. Här serveras crepes, franska lantvibbar och personlig atmosfär. Och det finns även galetter (matiga crepes) för alla smaker - från biff till haloumi. Avsluta med en söt och maffig efterrättscrepe och missa inte cidern.   

La Neta

Mexican meet-up

Come as you are - the city's most popular taqueria is just the place for a laid-back, budget date. Just order a few tacos and other Tex-Mex bits and bobs at the counter and pick it up when your food's ready. Wash it all down with a cold beer. 

La Neta Choose an option
La Neta Barnhusgatan
Barnhusgatan 2, Norrmalm/City/Vasastan
La Neta Östgötagatan
Östgötagatan 12B, Södermalm

Something lively...

Le Bistro

Spontaneous date

Brunch date? Weekend breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Spontaneous after-work drink? You can just turn up at Le Bistro in Västmannagallerian shopping centre at any time of the day or night. The à la carte menu includes classic bistro dishes with options for all kinds of special diets, and the bar serves beer, wine and cocktails.

  • Address:

Brasserie Balzac

Champagne and oysters

Stop by this Parisian brasserie for something to eat or just to sit at the bar and have a glass of fizz and a few oysters. Take in the atmosphere and get to know each other among the buzz - Balzac feels a little like Paris and New York at the same time.

A cocktail bar...

Gondolen

With an enchanting view

This is the place to come if you really want to impress your date with a breathtaking view - and great cocktails too, of course - without coming across as too clichéd or over the top. Gondolen is always a fabulous place to meet for a drink, whatever the occasion.

Gay-friendly...

Mälarpaviljongen

Tried and tested

Summer date? Mälarpaviljongen is one of the city's most popular summer hangouts and it's extremely gay-friendly. You'll find a large, mixed crowd here and everything from lunch and dinner, to clubs and DJs. The atmoshere is always fun and flirty.

Something active...

Boulebar

Boules, bar and nosh

Challenge each other to a game of boules while you get to know each other over a beer. Boulebar is a mixture of popular boules pitches, a bar and French-inspired restaurant and you'll find a happy mixture of families, groups of friends and workmates here. Laid-back, friendly and slightly, but not too, competitive!

Boulebar Choose an option
Boulebar Rålambshov
Smedsuddsvägen 2, Kungsholmen
Boulebar Liljeholmen
Liljeholmsvägen 14, Hägersten-Liljeholmen
Boulebar Tanto
Tantogatan 85, Hornstull/Södermalm

Golfbaren

Crazy golf charm offensive

What could be more charming than inviting your date to join you for a round of Thirties-style mini golf and a cocktail? Swing by Golfbaren in Vasastan has ambitious courses and a restaurant where they serve everything from lobster rolls to hot dogs. The outdoor courses in Kristineberg and Aspudden are perfect for a summer date.

Golfbaren Choose an option
Swing by Golfbaren
Surbrunnsgatan 46, Vasastan
Golfbaren Aspudden
Hövdingagatan 14, Hägersten-Liljeholmen
Golfbaren Kristineberg
Hjalmar Söderbergs Väg 10B, Kungsholmen

A coffee date...

Vete-katten

Singles' favourite café

The classic konditori Vete-katten is Stockholm's most date-friendly café (according to singles on Match.com). Could it be the distinctly un-hip but cosy atmosphere? You're likely to spot several slightly nervous looking couples on sofas sipping a cup of tea or coffee and eating pastries.