Cafe with hot meals$sodermalm
Tehuset Java on Skånegatan in Stockholm's SoFo is the long-running tea house and cafe; daily hot lunch plates, sandwiches and the heaviest cardamom bun in the area.
Signature: Daily hot lunch plate, Cardamom bun
Order: Hot lunch plate of the day plus the cardamom bun.
Tip: Open seven days from 09:00. The garden out back fills for fika by 14:00.
Swedish meatballs$$sodermalm
Meatballs for the People on Nytorgsgatan in Stockholm's SoFo runs a meatball-only kitchen with eight rotating proteins from beef to wild boar to vegetarian shitake.
Signature: Beef meatballs with cream sauce, Wild boar meatballs
Order: The classic beef meatballs with mash, cream sauce, pickled cucumber and lingonberry.
Tip: Walk-in counter; queues from 18:00. The takeaway window does the same plates for half the wait.
Mediterranean bistro$$hornstull
Linje Tio on Hornsbruksgatan in Stockholm's Hornstull is the dining-room half of the Tjoget marketplace; Mediterranean small plates, natural wines, late kitchen.
Signature: Roast-chicken plate, Lamb shoulder with flatbread
Order: The half-roast chicken with the salsa verde plate; finish with a cocktail at Tjoget.
Tip: Open seven days. Kitchen runs until 23:00; the bar at Tjoget next door takes the late crowd.
Nordic fast-casual$$sodermalm
Kalf och Hansen on Mariatorget in Stockholm's Södermalm runs a Nordic fast-casual counter; build-a-bowl format with local produce, smoked fish and root vegetables.
Signature: Build-your-own Nordic bowl, Daily stew
Order: Build a bowl with the smoked salmon, brown rice and dill mayonnaise.
Tip: Lunch only most days; takeaway window runs until 16:00.
Chinese vegetarian$$vasastan
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: Sichuan-style dry-fried tofu, Mapo tofu with brown rice
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.
Swedish bistro$$$ostermalm
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.