Lao Wai is a chinese vegetarian restaurant in Vasastan, Stockholm.
Lao Wai on Luntmakargatan in Stockholm's Vasastan runs a Chinese vegetarian kitchen with Sichuan and Yunnan dishes; the dry-fried tofu is the dining-room signature.
Signature dishes: Sichuan-style dry-fried tofu, Mapo tofu with brown rice
Must order: Dry-fried tofu with celery and chilli; mapo tofu over brown rice.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Tight room of 18 seats; book or arrive at 18:00.
Address: Luntmakargatan 74, 113 51 Stockholm
Broms on Karlavägen in Stockholm's Östermalm is a tight bistro that the locals walk to; brown-butter fish, steak frites and a wine list that leans French.
Signature: Steak frites with béarnaise, Plaice with brown butter
Order: Plaice with brown butter and capers; finish with the cheese plate.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The bar counter is the better solo sit; book the back room for a table.
Vassa Eggen on Birger Jarlsgatan in Stockholm's Östermalm has run a long-bar brasserie since 1998; classic Swedish-French brasserie food and a daily chalkboard.
Signature: Steak tartare with capers, Daily fish off the chalkboard
Order: Steak tartare and a daily chalkboard fish.
Tip: The bar runs late; kitchen until 23:00. Walk-in friendly at the long counter.
Thelins Konditori on Sankt Eriksgatan in Stockholm's Kungsholmen has been a cafe-bistro since 1957; sandwiches, soup of the day and Swedish baking from the counter.
Signature: Open prawn sandwich, Princess cake slice
Order: The classic open prawn sandwich and a slice of princess cake.
Tip: Lunch only most days; open 07:00 to 18:00. The window tables fill by 09:00 on weekends.
Trattoria Corazza on Rörstrandsgatan in Stockholm's Vasastan is a small Italian trattoria a step from Sankt Eriksplan, plating fresh-filled ravioloni and a carbonara locals will queue for.
Signature: Spaghetti alla carbonara, Ravioloni with bufala ricotta
Order: The spaghetti alla carbonara with guanciale, pecorino and pepper; the bufala-ricotta ravioloni on the side.
Tip: Tiny dining room of about 30 covers; book ahead on weekends or aim for the first sitting at 17:00.
Spritmuseum on Djurgårdsvägen in Stockholm is the museum-of-spirits restaurant; smörgås boards, snaps tasting flights and the harbourside terrace facing the water.
Signature: Daily smörgås plate, Snaps tasting flight
Order: The smörgåsbord plate with the snaps tasting flight; finish with the cheese board.
Tip: Best for lunch and an afternoon snaps tasting. The terrace is the seat in summer.
Lisa Elmqvist at Östermalms Saluhall in Stockholm has run a fishmonger and counter restaurant since 1926; oysters, Toast Skagen and the saluhall shellfish platters.
Signature: Shellfish platter, Toast Skagen with bleak roe
Order: The shellfish platter for two and a glass of dry Champagne.
Tip: Lunch is the better sit. Closed Sunday; closes at 18:00 Saturday.
