Exclusive
Edsbacka Krog
Sollentunavägen 220. Tel: +46 8 96 33 00.
Master chef Christer Lingström's renowned restaurant is a veritable temple of French cuisine. The oldest inn in Sweden, with a charter from 1626, it is the country's only establishment with two Guide Rouge stars.
Operakällaren
Royal Opera, Karl den XII's torg. Tel: +46 8 676 58 01.
Boasts what is probably the world's most beautiful dining room - magnificent in more ways than one: great view of the Royal Palace, exquisite service and, of course, a faultless menu. Jacket and tie required.
Franska Matsalen
Grand Hotel, Blasieholmen 8. Tel: +46 8 679 35 84.
Enjoy world-class fare while taking in a panoramic view of the Royal Palace across the bay. Extensive wine list.
Bon Lloc
Regeringsgatan 111. Tel: +46 8 660 60 60.
The name means "good place" in Catalan and Bocuse d'Or-winner Mathias Dahlgren can be counted on to provide a memorable evening. Experimental Mediterranean gastronomy. Excellent wine list. Star sommelier Andreas Larsson is on duty every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Closed Sundays.
Gondolen
Stadsgården 6. Tel: +46 8 641 70 90.
Star chef Erik Lallerstedt spoils guests with dishes of the highest order and is often on hand to greet them personally. The bonus here is the view from the restaurant, taking in the entire city and the waters of its archipelago.
Classics
Riche
Birger Jarlsgatan 4. Tel: +46 8 679 68 40.
For nearly 50 years this was one of Stockholm's finest restaurants. Now, after a period in the dumps, new owners have brought it back to life with a bright, playful, bistro style that appeals to the smart set. Favored by the famous.
Ulla Winbladh
Rosendalsvägen 8. Tel: +46 8 663 05 71.
This restaurant is located in a charming building from 1897 in the lush island of Djurgården, only minutes away from down town. We believe it is one of the nicest places in Stockholm to explore traditional Swedish cooking - we suggest meatballs or Beef Rydberg.
Den Gyldene Freden
Österlånggatan 51. Tel: +46 8 24 97 60.
Historic restaurant in Old Town cellar vaults. Den Gyldene Freden has been located here since 1722. The environment is matched by the food, where Swedish classics are blended with more modern dishes.
KB
Smålandsgatan 7. Tel: +46 8 629 55 30.
Legendary artists' eating house where you can try classic Swedish dishes surrounded by wall paintings from the 1930s. Reassuringly untrendy.
Teatergrillen
Nybrogatan 3. Tel: +46 8 545 035 65.
Cozy, stylish. Just round the corner from the Royal Dramatic Theater. Meat-lovers are recommended to order the entrecôte from the carving trolley.
Moderate
Bakfickan
Royal Opera, Karl XII's torg. Tel: +46 8 676 58 09.
The "hip pocket" shares the same kitchen as Operakällaren but the prices are friendlier. Opera House people and staff from local banks eat Swedish specialties at the long counter.
AnnaKhan
Riddargatan 12. Tel: +46 8 440 30 00.
Classy Indian restaurant with elegant décor featuring mint-green walls and white, stone-tiled floors. Menu includes fusion dishes such as sandalwood- and rose petal-scented chicken with pistachio and date stuffing.
PA & Co.
Riddargatan 8. Tel: +46 8 611 08 45.
Modern classic among Stockholm restaurants - it opened its doors in the 1980s with lots of gastronomic innovations and is still going strong. Earlier the preserve of minor celebrities, it is today much more laid back but the food is just as good - a fine mix of Scandinavian and Mediterranean dishes.
Öst 100
Östgötagatan 100. Tel: +46 8 556 976 70.
1,000 square meters of newly-built bar/restaurant on the southern edge of Söder. Scandinavian minimalism meets Southeast Asian cooking while sluicing boats glide by the windows. Try the enormous 200-gram sea tiger prawn.
Sturehof
Sturegallerian/Stureplan. Tel: +46 8 440 57 30.
A modern brasserie that attracts a business crowd from the offices around Stureplan. Ambitious cuisine. Booking recommended. Popular bar that gets crowded during late nights and weekends.
Inexpensive
Moldau
Bergsunds Strand 33. Tel: +46 8 84 75 48.
No-nonsense eatery with simple wooden tables and chairs. Large helpings of Austrian/Hungarian dishes, with a natural bent towards schnitzels. Tasty, if calorie-rich, desserts such as Kaiserschmarren. (Note: Must be ordered in advance!). Just down the road from where Ingrid and I used to live.
Koreana
Luntmakargatan 76. Tel: +46 8 15 77 08.
Fine selection of Korean specialties that are cheap, served quickly and strike you as the real thing, especially as there are usually a fair number of Asian tourists among the guests. No credit cards.
Glenn Miller Cafe
Brunnsgatan 21a. Tel: +46 8 10 03 22.
Small eatery with only a few tables, but the staff are friendly and helpful and the mostly French-inspired food is priceworthy, to say the least. Live jazz on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays. Tell Maria and Ulf that Daniel sent you.
Eyubi
Döbelnsgatan 45. Tel: +46 8 673 52 36.
Kurdish restaurant that has won much praise during recent years. Flavorful mix of Kurdish, Persian and Mediterranean cuisines. Best bet is to choose several small dishes.
Bronco's Bar
Tegnérgatan 16. Tel: +46 8 16 02 15.
Former Swedish weightlifting champion "Hoa Hoa" Dahlgren's bar offers portions he can be proud of - jumbo hamburgers, heaps of Swedish home-made fare and big, frothy beers.