Stockholm’s best wine bars, and what to order

What is it? A small bar with a big, bubbling heart of wine. Owner Anton Hansson has been collecting wine for half his life and has opened a place with democratically priced bottles that attracts wine buffs and sommeliers alike, without any hint of snobbery. Everyone who loves wine is welcome here.

Why we love it? Forget drinking wine by the glass! Bar Nacka’s list is so extensive, with such good prices on bottles, that it would be a shame not to go all in. France takes up most of the list, alongside a selection of other small-scale European artisan producers. There’s also a wealth of great vintages, something a little unusual in Stockholm, where so much wine is drunk that it’s hard for bars to build up a proper cellar. The food is every bit as good as the wine: pizza (clam pie is a signature dish), quality charcuterie, French cheeses and a few more seasonal dishes are all on the menu.

Time Out-tips: On Saturdays, the bar opens for lunch and uncorks a special bottle from the cellar (Château Latour from the 1970s, for example), selling it for a mere 165 kronor. Their Bloody Mary is also well worth a try.

Södermannagatan 45, Södermalm. Opening hours: Tue-Fri 17:00-23:00, Sat 13:00-23:00. Expect to pay 120 kronor for a glass of the house organic wine.

What is it? Muscadetbaren is a delightfully niche wine bar almost entirely dedicated to Muscadet, the dry white wine from the western part of France’s Loire Valley. Things are just as focused on the food side, where the wine is paired with its ultimate partner: oysters. In the background, owner Gustav Hökstrand plays vinyl records while shucking molluscs on a conveyor belt of non-stop momentum.

Why we love it? Right in the middle of the room sits a large community table, where conversations spark up across different groups as the evening unfolds. The place attracts a lot of ‘twos’, meaning couples who are often on their first, second or third date. It is likely rather disarming to dive deep into a specific wine and share an aphrodisiac together. The oysters are served in stylish ceramic dishes with a light-blue glaze, accompanied by toppings made in-house. For anyone who would prefer not to have wine with them, there is also a tap pouring an in-house Irish stout (think the same style as Guinness), which goes equally well. Taking a closer look at what is in the wine fridge, we also spotted a good selection of grower champagne (artisanal champagne produced by the same estate that grows the grapes). Nor do you need to worry about being fleeced when the bill arrives.

Time Out-tips: According to Gustav Hökstrand, Muscadet is in the same league as the hyped wine region of Jura was thirty years ago. So take the opportunity to drink Muscadet with a bit of age, as you get plenty of value for money. Then order a few favourite bottles online from a wine shop to lay down for aging.

Sankt Eriksgatan 108, Vasastan. Opening hours: Tue–Thu 15.00–22.00, Fri–Sat 15.00–23.00, Sun 15.00–21.00. Expect to pay 140 or 160 kronor for a glass of wine.

What is it? The same group of friends behind the popular spot Racamaca are also behind Ring Katarina, located at the intersection of Katarina Bangata and Ringvägen.

Why we love it? From the initial welcome right up until the bill is settled, service at ‘RK’ is thoroughly pleasant in a warm, welcoming way. That coveted ‘living room feel’ that every venue strives for? This bar has it. The interior is stylish, filled with cool art and neat wine memorabilia, while the crowd is a great mix of people. A rotating selection of bottles is offered by the glass each day, and the place loves sourcing smaller batches of wines, such as a Zibibbo wine from the island of Pantelleria off Sicily or something extra skin-macerated from Alsace. Ring Katarina also features a menu packed with wine-friendly, mid-sized dishes. It is hard to resist a plate of crudités with a bagna càuda dip packed with anchovies, olive oil and garlic, or a dish featuring baked cheese.

Time Out-tips: At the bar, there is a lineup of bottles sold by the glass that changes daily. Keep an eye out for out-of-the-box wines, like a Serbian Traminer with subtle floral aromas [uncertain: “subtle floral aromas”] (alternatives: “a faint shampoo scent”, “delicate shampoo-like aromas”) or, if the sun is shining, a Hungarian rosé.

Katarina Bangata 66, Södermalm. Opening hours: Mon–Thu 17.00–23.00, Fri–Sat 17.00–00.00. Expect to pay 150–170 kronor for a glass of wine.

What is it? The city’s most hyped natural wine bar with a loyal crowd of regulars. This is where winemakers hang out when they are in town for tastings, alongside wine connoisseurs who love bottles with plenty of personality. In the fridge, you will find bottles from renowned producers like Austria’s Gut Oggau and Judith Beck, or the iconic Matassa from France.

Why we love it? Restaurateur Markus Welin is a charismatic Scanian with a knack for creating a brilliant atmosphere and an inclusive bar environment across just a few square metres (though in summer the venue expands with outdoor seating). Savant is more than just a bar; it is a gathering place for wine geeks who appreciate winemakers who use additives sparingly, but plenty of people drop by simply because they think natural wine is cool. The owners also co-organise the annual natural wine festival Natural Mystics, which is so popular that entry tickets always sell out.

Time Out-tips: Every day, a curated lineup of small-scale wines is opened to be served by the glass. This can range from a Grand Cru Riesling to a Georgian Rkatsitelli, little nuggets that you will not find on many other wine lists in town. Or why not try the hyped French natural wine producer L’Anglore from Tavel in the Rhône Valley, which Savant is said to have Europe’s largest list of.

Tegnérgatan 4, Vasastan. Opening hours: Mon 14.00–23.00, Tue–Fri 14.00–00.00, Sat 13.00–00.00, Sun 13.00–23.00. Expect to pay 145–185 kronor for a glass of wine.

What is it? Step into Bar Ninja and walk through a wall of freshly washed hair. Women dominate the clientele here, whether in groups, as couples or flying solo with a book for company. Behind this natural wine bar is a wine importer with an excellent portfolio of natural wines, something that’s reflected in the list.

Why we love it? On the wall beside the bar, the word Beaujolais is painted in looping red letters. That’s no coincidence. The bar’s owner, Niklas Jakobsson, who also runs the wine import business, has been a driving force in championing this juicy French wine, not least by celebrating its annual festival, Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau, on the third Thursday in November, when the new vintage is released for sale. The day’s festivities kick off at Bar Ninja as early as 11:00. Don’t be surprised if guests come in and order a glass of ‘sports juice’ – that’s what sommelier pros call Beaujolais. Ninja attracts all kinds of wine drinkers, from the geek with a sommelier qualification under their belt to the enthusiast who has just discovered orange wine. Every now and then, the bar hosts the world’s smallest wine festival, selling glasses of wines from the importer’s latest releases on Systembolaget’s limited-edition range.

Time Out-tips: This is the place to try Beaujolais from one of the more respected producers, such as Domaine Marcel Lapierre, or see whether the much-hyped Italian producer Arianna Occhipinti from Sicily has released anything new.

Katarina Bangata 29, Södermalm. Opening hours: Tue-Fri 16:00-00:00, Sat 14:00-00:00. Expect to pay 140-170 kronor for a glass of wine.

What is it? Acclaimed chef Niklas Ekstedt’s natural wine bar, one of the first of its kind to open in Stockholm. Tyge & Sessil calls itself a ‘wine café’, which suits the setup, with its many small, low tables. A jazz band or pianist occasionally plays, adding to the atmosphere.

Why we love it? Regulars simply call this wine bar ‘Tyge’. It has become a popular haunt on Östermalm, a fun addition to a neighbourhood where people tend to order classic, conventional wines (think Chablis). Tyge does things differently, focusing on smaller producers from lesser-known wine regions. The emphasis is on wines that are easy to quaff, known as glouglou wines. The bar is just a stone’s throw from Stureplan, making it an easy addition to other plans in the city centre.

Time Out-tips: The wine list is extensive, with plenty of interesting orange wines from Slovenia and the neighbouring Italian region of Friuli, as well as drinks from parts of Eastern Europe that rarely feature on the city’s wine lists.

Brahegatan 4, Östermalm. Opening hours: Tue-Sat 16:00-01:00, Sun-Mon 16:00-23:00. Expect to pay around 150 kronor per glass of wine, on average.

What is it? Bambi isn’t strictly a wine bar, but more of a lively, noisy restaurant beloved by artists, designers and wine geeks. It’s a French bistro, but the wine cellar is just as much of a draw as the food, and there’s a bar area for anyone who just wants a glass. Around 20 different wines are available by the glass at any one time.

Why we love it? The atmosphere at Bambi is decidedly un-Swedish. French people go there and feel homesick, while Stockholmers go for a bit of escapism. Owner Arthur Amoghli Thunberg is a master at securing sought-after allocations, managing to get hold of bottles that other sommeliers can only dream of. The much-coveted Jura and Loire regions feature prominently on the list. Sharing a bottle is a good idea here, given the quality of the selection, although Arthur is also happy to open some prized bottles and sell them by the glass for the evening. Extra points for piano evenings, live bands and other offbeat art projects supported by Bambi.

Time Out-tips: Bambi has a good selection of champagne, as well as plenty of Coteaux Champenois, a still wine from Champagne.

Bjurholmsgatan 18, Södermalm. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 17:00-01:00. Expect to pay 145–225 kronor for a glass of wine.

What is it? A well-stocked wine bar with a strong French focus, tucked inside a boutique hotel that often flies under the radar. The wine list features plenty of classics, with around 500–600 references. From time to time, the bar zooms in on a particular region, such as the western Loire, serving Muscadet with moules frites. The kitchen is overseen by chef Mathias Dahlgren.

Why we love it? Francophile wine drinkers with a soft spot for Burgundy in all its colours tend to find their way here. That means plenty of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay flowing into the glasses. Among the prized bottles are champagnes from classic houses, and beyond Burgundy, you’ll also find a few fine wines from Bordeaux. Despite Stureplan being less than a minute away, you can still (for now) find some bargains on the list, such as white wine from the coveted Jura region. The Sparrow mostly sells bottles in the mid-price range, and there’s a generous selection of wines from the cellar available by the glass, which we like.

Time Out-tips: As well as boasting one of Stockholm’s very best wine lists, focused on mainland France, the bar also offers some fun deep dives into particular regions, such as Corsica. The island’s wines are something of a blend of the two great wine-producing nations, France and Italy.

Birger Jarlsgatan 24, Östermalm. Opening hours: Wed-Sat 16:30–22:00. Expect to pay around 145–359 kronor for a glass of wine.

What is it? A wine bar focused on European artisan wines, with a particular emphasis on France, which also heavily inspires the food menu. The list includes wines from Italy, Spain and Austria, too, and many are available by the glass. Vina is a cosy little hideaway spread over two floors. Its welcoming atmosphere has made it popular, with a loyal crowd of regulars.

Why we love it? While some wine bars can feel as though you need a WSET diploma (the most widely recognised global wine qualification) just to get through the door, Vina has a much lower barrier to entry. The atmosphere is lively, and a whole host of four-legged friends can be found beneath the tables, apparently enjoying themselves too. Sometimes it feels as though you’ve wandered straight into a party that none of the guests wants to leave. But leave you must, unfortunately, by 23:00. If all the low tables are taken (which they often are), head further into the space towards the bar stools in front of the open kitchen. This is the place to pop in for just a glass.

Time Out-tips: A handful of bottles are opened each day, beyond the printed by-the-glass list. Every now and then, you might find a volcanic red from Tenerife or perhaps something fuller-bodied from Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.

Sofiagatan 1, Södermalm. Opening hours: Tue-Thu 16:00-22:00, Fri 16:00-23:00, Sat 14:00-23:00. Expect to pay 125-225 kronor for a glass of wine.

What is it? A place devoted to orange wine, which makes up around a third of the selection, as well as sherry. There are wines in other colours and styles, too. Add to that the slightly unusual pairing of dumplings as a snack.

Why we love it? Wine bottles and other vessels are dotted around the place, some repurposed as candle holders. The bottles are an important part of the décor, mixed in with flea-market finds. The atmosphere at Ambar feels like being invited to a wine collector’s home for a party. The English-born restaurateur Damon Young creates that welcoming living-room feel by taking time with his guests and matching them with the right wine. Those keen to learn more can find themselves drawn into long conversations.

Time Out-tips: The obvious thing to do here is, of course, explore orange wine. How, for example, does the wine taste different depending on how many days it has spent macerating on its skins? If wine isn’t your thing, there’s also an excellent selection of spirits from small-scale producers.

Tomtebogatan 22, Vasastan. Opening hours: Tue-Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 14:00-00:00. Expect to pay 145-210 kronor for a glass of wine.