The Best Bars in Östermalm

You walk through what appears to be a flower shop, find the basement door, and descend into a purple-lit cocktail bar that takes its botanical theme more seriously than most. The menu runs to nine drinks, each one built around naturalistic technique without making a fuss about it. A Difford's Guide five-star rating and a White Guide Exceptional Level nod confirm the crowd already knows the way down.

1. Difford's Guide 5 stars · Difford's Guide
2. White Guide Exceptional Level · White Guide
3. The 50 The 50 Discovery

The name spells it out, literally: G for generosity, E for emotional, right down to A for artisanal. This small, intimate cocktail bar on Grev Turegatan was built almost entirely by hand by the bartender who runs it most nights, which tells you something about the level of care behind the stick. Food stops at snacks. The drinks are the point, and the room is sized exactly right for that to matter.

1. Difford's Guide 5 stars · Difford's Guide
2. White Guide Very Fine Level · White Guide

Moody lighting and a pumping soundtrack set the tone at this intimate gastro bar on Engelbrektsgatan, where the cocktail bar gets as much attention as the kitchen. The creative menu skips around South America, Asia, and Europe without apology, leaning on modern technique and bold spicing, with Oscietra caviar and Périgord truffles appearing when the mood calls for a little drama. A fun night out that also happens to be serious cooking.

1. White Guide Very Fine Level · White Guide
2. Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
3. Difford's Guide Difford's Guide

1. White Guide Exceptional Level · White Guide

1. White Guide Very Fine Level · White Guide

1. White Guide Very Fine Level · White Guide

1. White Guide Very Fine Level · White Guide

The bar runs the length of the room, and the dining room noise behind it is part of the deal. Tucked inside an Italian restaurant on Östermalm and nodding to New York's Little Italy, this aperitivo bar lines the walls with old black-and-white photographs and fills the stools with people who came in for one drink and stayed for three. The bartenders dress the part and pour accordingly.

1. The 50 The 50 Discovery