Sturehof is the kind of place that you would like to go anytime of the day or night; initially the sheer size of the place overwhelms you, and then you observe people from all walks of life streaming in, adding to the general bonhomie. It’s almost always bustling and busy and, if the prospect of an al fresco meal seems tempting, just step outside where the outdoor air and could perhaps build an appetite. Some may agree that pausing between mouthfuls to people-watch is welcome to the digestion.

Sturehof has come a long way from when it first started as a beer hall more than 100 years ago. Things have changed greatly for the better and the impressive glass wall that separates the downstairs bar from the main eating space is the only thing that remains from the now-extinct 1930s interior. The dining area is a more formal affair with crisp white table cloths, wooden panels and distinctive light fixtures.

Seafood is certainly the main draw here and starters of cured salmon with a sweet dill and mustard sauce, shellfish cocktail with tomato vinaigrette and vendace roe from Vänern with butter-fried toast, red onion and Smetana – soured heavy cream - grace the daily changing menu. Meaty main courses are a subtle explosion of flavours with boiled fresh brisket of beef drowned in a horseradish sauce, grilled entrecôte with béarnaise and tenderized beef with bean salad, bacon and red wine butter, all smacking of bovine goodness.

Extending the maritime emphasis fish is one dish that cannot be sidelined at Sturehof, especially when it includes such delights as poached lightly salted cod with prawns, fried Baltic herring, broiled cured pollack and lemon sole on the bone with mushrooms, charlotte onion and browned butter. Shellfish also takes its place under the sun and consider choices like the oyster platter or the shellfish platter of ½ Maine lobster, prawns, Dublin Bay prawns, crab and Fine de Claire.

For a meal such as this desserts should be nothing but remarkable, and the taste of almond parfait with berries and sour cream pannacotta with rhubarb soup could linger long after this highly satisfying and beautifully prepared meal. With over 600 wines, the drinks list certainly commands respect and is sure to hold something to delight every palate.

After dinner party-hoppers will definitely be attracted to the pulsating vibe at the O-bar upstairs keeping in tune with Stockholm’s vibrant nightlife. They also feature a couple of live performances every week from some famous and not-yet-famous artists.

Hamburg's Wandrahm restaurant derives its name from the historic 'wandrahmen' or wooden frames upon which cloth manufacturers dried their products on the waterfront, between the 14th and 17th centuries. While the name has no bearing on the restaurant fare, it could make a good icebreaker, and adds to the interest of diners who flock there for the delicious food.

Wandrahm looks out over the water and is located near the Kaiserkai. Two levels with delightful views serve to fuel your enthusiasm even further. Fragrant coffee and a hearty breakfast are the way to begin your day on a special note or you can drop by for a tasty lunch later. The atmosphere is rich and opulent in an understated manner, with twinkling crystal chandeliers and dim lights exuding the effect of subtle luxury.

The menu is largely international and brings a host of starters that could include favourites such as grilled calamari with melon salad and yoghurt dressing or veal and lobster carpaccio with artichokes and Noilly Prat vinaigrette. If soups are your mainstay, you might be tempted to try the bouillabaisse, clear game and fish broth with saffron and vegetable pearls.

Main meals might encompass a lobster ravioli with green asparagus and sepia espuma or a marinated and fried spring chicken on a sugar pea and baby tomato risotto. Fish lovers will rejoice in the barb fish poached in Riesling stock with stuffed zucchini flowers and crushed lime, but for meatier dishes opt for the fillet of beef with spinach leaves and shallots. The more adventurous will enjoy the ostrich medallions with sautéed potatoes, leeks and rosemary sauce whilst the veal ossobuco is a trusted choice for many.

Finally, coming to the desserts, the list is befitting of any grand pâtisserie with delectable selections such as crème brûlée with orange salad and Grand Marnier, ravioli filled with cacao-pomegranate cream in a passion fruit sauce or the apple tart with tonka beans and port wine sabayon. If you find delights of more savoury nature appealing, explore the cheese board, which is accompanied by fig mustard and aged balsamico.

The comprehensive wine list is excellent and features some well known choices that span the entire gamut of wine producing countries.

A Stockholm landmark since 1863, Berns Salonger remains a favourite haunt for both locals as well as visitors and there's little wonder why. With a boutique hotel, conference and banquet facilities, a vibrant Asian restaurant and summer terrace, popular bars, nightclub, gallery and a theatre that showcases all major theatrical and musical performances, concerts and international stand-up comedians, the place is without a doubt Stockholm?s unequalled entertainment hub and ideal meeting place for business and pleasure.

Nestled in the city's main attraction is Berns Asiatiska - a gem of a find both for its novelty as the city's first Chinese restaurant in 1944, as well as for its culinary excellence that sustains its popularity even today. Beginning with China, the restaurant has managed to work its way through Asia and now offers the very best of Asian cuisine, the recipes of which have been sourced from every nook and corner of this vast and fascinating continent. There are skilled sushi chefs working 'live' at the restaurant, adding reassurance that everything which comes out of this kitchen is truly Asian.

Berns Asiatiska has at its roots a vision to create a 'relaxed, international atmosphere where all kinds of guests would thrive'.  On entering, you observe how true this is. There are people from various ethnic backgrounds dining under the gilded ceilings and magnificent chandeliers that have set the place apart since its beginnings. The dining area is spacious, so you can enjoy the vibrant notes in the ambience without having to overhear your neighbour's conversation. There are several touches in the décor that indicate its rich history and the service works well with the relaxing ambience created by the restaurant. Though justifiably crowded on most days, guests are never hurried to leave the table after a meal.

There are breakfast, lunch, brunch, à la carte and sushi menus, including an enormous brunch buffet during weekends. Pop in for yum cha - Chinese tea in the afternoons, which includes dumplings and a fabulous desserts buffet.

Begin lunch with oysters from Charentes with trout roe and cumquat butter, fried pork and peanut dumpling with chilli and ginger sauce, followed by Thai meatballs in red curry or the fried duck breast. Vegetarians may go for the garlic-fried French beans and dumpling with asparagus and spring onion. Sushi lovers have a long list of chef's specials apart from the regulars including sashimi, ika and unagi, prepared right before their eyes by sushi wizards, carefully hand-picked from Asia.

Come here for authentic food, historic musings, top notch service and an international dining experience. Be it a stop-over before catching a concert at China Theatre or a casual meal with a friend, there's no better way to soak in the flavour of Stockholm than over dim-sum in Berns Asiatiska.

This uber chic supper club in Berlin is sleek, sexy and very modern with all the elements of a trendy hotspot prominently visible, making it a very happening place to head out to, once darkness sets in. But the magnificent views of the Spree River are best during sunny days, and so it's also the ideal spot for a leisurely lunch with friends and others of your circle.

The decor is minimalist and the attitude spunky, a combination that works remarkably well; no wonder you see all the fashionistas and trendy people there, sipping cocktails and nibbling on the delectable Asian inspired fare. In summer months, Spindler & Klatt is constantly busy on weekends with promoted events and celebrity parties that keep the buzz flowing.

The beach style loungers and bench type tables on the outdoor terrace are inviting while inside, there's a sense of vastness about the space, and the predominant white colour creates a soothing background. Apart from the central dining area, there's also a lounge and a freeform dance floor where nightly events take centre stage after 11 pm.

The gentle mix of Japanese and Thai cuisines lends their unmistakable nuancesto starters of chicken satay, skewered pieces marinated in coconut milk and peanut sauce. On a slightly different note is the gratinated goat cheese with chilli sweet potato, macadamia nuts, herb salad and watercress vinaigrette. But when it comes to the unusual, fillet of ostrich with lettuce, passion fruit dressing and pomegranates wins hands down.

The Japanese open kitchen brings a variety of exciting sashimi and tempuras; don't miss the tartar of salmon with Thai basil and ginger, or the marinated octopus with wild herbs and cilantro chilli salsa.

For the main event, the chefs delve into their repertoire and come up with the linguine with green asparagus, mascarpone cream and black truffle, whilst another choice could bring you grilled black guinea fowl with garlic gnocchi, root vegetables and ginger jus. Adding further to your dilemma is the Korean veal with wasabi mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach beef and ginger jus while the grill also beckons with the salmon or the rump steak atop wok vegetables with Thai basil and ginger. Rounding off this excellent meal are the fruity desserts, mango with vanilla brittle cream and yoghurt ice cream or the strawberry rhubarb cake with bourbon tinged mascarpone.

Cocktail choices run into the popular daiquiri, margarita, mojito and mai tais while those with a discerning eye will find the wine list to be an excellent compilation of European wines, whiskies and spirits. Beers, soft drinks, teas and coffees are some of the other drinks on offer and the extensive list seems to have something for everyone.

Berlin's night scene would be incomplete without a jaunt to Spindler & Klatt.

A copy of the charter by the king in the entrance hall gives a fascinating insight to Edsbacka Krog's life way back in 1626 when it all started. Inn-keeper Henrik Olofson was authorised to 'establish an inn at Edsbacka, in the rural district of Sollentuna, where he could tap and serve miscellaneous foreign and Swedish beers as well as wine and spirits and other fiery drinks and also offer food'. Things haven't changed much except for the fact that this old inn has now evolved into a fine restaurant, incorporating the values of traditional pub hospitality.

Inside there is a whole gamut of dining options, from the Vinkällaren, the oldest part of the restaurant, which once housed the wine cellar, to the large and airy Paviljongen where you could get a little closer to nature. Salongen on the upper floor takes in fabulous views of the park of Edsberg Manor while the Kammaren, which can accommodate up to four guests, is for those who seek privacy.

After serving Edsbacka Krog for 26 years, Christer Lingström finally decided to hand up his ladle and former chief cook-now-turned-restaurateur Fredrik Pettersson carries on his vision to create an excellent restaurant experience. True to form the timeless tradition of homeliness, simplicity and honesty is passed on, and diners certainly have much to look forward to.

The kitchen is not afraid to experiment and clever little combinations are manifest among starters, duck liver with white chocolate and figs and oven baked salmon with scallop and oyster foam. Main dishes too follow suit, think grilled tenderised beef imbuing the flavours of smoked chilli and variation of red deer teamed with a warm salad of yellow beetroot and parsnip. Sweet treats are petite creations in themselves, a cylinder of white chocolate and cloudberries with black currant sorbet, and a warm soufflé of white peach.

Seasonal specialities include variation of Swedish lamb flavoured with truffle and rosemary. For the big event there's always a comforting Edsbacka Krog's classical bagarby soup followed by seared char with mussel sauce and a salad of fennel, saffron and potato, and mousse of raspberries with raspberry sorbet and a crispy cake.

First there is a wine list and then a wanted wine list, the latter being the name of a new series of wines featuring champagne from the house of Alfred, an Alsace white, a Lirac red and a sweet Château Puy Servain Terrement.

Edsbacka Krog is keen to help you make your wedding day more special with customized menus and even offering a Volvo S80 limousine for that added touch of class.

The French inspired Brasserie Am Gendarmenmarkt is one of those places where style meets substance effortlessly in a setting that is sophisticated yet casual. The location of this restaurant in the heart of historic Berlin is another factor that contributes to its chic elegance, particularly as it is right in the centre of the fascinating cultural life and grandiose architecture that is so prevalent in the Pigeon Strasse.

Comfortably casual, the restaurant fits the mould of an upmarket Parisian Brasserie with ease and the pleasant and relaxing atmosphere is perfect if you want to linger over lunch or a dinner with someone special. The stylish lounge with its opulent Art Deco prints is just the place to add that hint of glamour to your events and meetings, and it's equipped with the latest technology to ensure that your presentations are carried out seamlessly. The terraces and patio, on days when the weather is clement, are a delightful setting for a lazy afternoon over a delicious bouillabaisse.

Fresh, seasonal produce, which hasn't travelled too far to reach your plate, forms the basis of the dishes that emerge from the kitchen. The cuisine is French although the German hints are inevitable and add to the overall enjoyment of the food. Consider for example the potato and watercress cream with grilled shrimp or the consommé of parsley root with Parmesan ravioli; the delicate blend of flavours and textures spur you on to anticipate the next course with mounting pleasure.

For starters, you might have the duck liver with potato salad and winter truffles or the beef with capers, spicy cucumber, anchovy fillets, shallots and boiled quail on toasted bread. Main courses bring to light the German connection with the wiener schnitzel from the veal topside while the calf's liver in port wine sauce with balsamic shallots lends to a lighter and flavourful taste. If lamb is more to your liking, then the saddle of lamb with herb crust on rotweinjus beans and bacon could be more favourable.

Surprisingly, there's also a slight Italian twist, with homemade ravioli and tagliatelle, while the steaks offer a hearty alternative with the Black Angus breed heading the list, and dishes might feature such appetizing meals as the châteaubriand with vegetables and herb béarnaise or the 8 oz sirloin with broad beans and dried tomatoes.

The French are on top form when it comes to dessert and in this aspect too, the Brasserie does not lag behind with delectable choices such as mousse of white Valrhona chocolate and apple strudel with raspberry sorbet or crème brûlée ruling the list. There's also an exquisite selection of cheeses for the connoisseurs.

The wine list offers an eclectic selection which spans the wine producing countries in the New and Old World ending with an entry from South Africa, Fusion V 2004, which is a neo-classical variant that has found numerous enthusiastic takers. Their comprehensive Website outlines further details regarding menus and offers.

Housed on the top floor of the Harvey Nichols store in the Dundrum Town Centre complex on Sandyford Road, the First Floor Restaurant offers a modern European menu in a stylish contemporary setting, complete with a dance floor and guest DJs to help you unwind. Just the place for a quick lunch or a more relaxed dinner after shopping or sightseeing, the restaurant is also just a short walk from the Mill Theatre and is ideal for a pre or post show dinner.

Using the finest locally sourced produce, especially beef from Donald Russell's and fish from Hanlon's, the à la carte offers small plates of Carlingford Lough rock oysters served with tabasco, lemon and shallot vinegar; a charcuterie plate of Spanish meats and accompaniments for two and oak smoked seared tuna with Chantertais melon, pink grapefruit and soy jelly.

For the main course choices could include Harvey Nichols fish pie with winter vegetables; loin of Wicklow venison with red cabbage, violet potatoes, chocolate and spice and chicken two ways with sage and onion stuffing, fondant potato and jus. Steak lovers can try succulent Donald Russell’s 8oz fillet of beef with shallot puree, spinach, duxelle, truffle dauphinoise and Perigord sauce or a 10 oz ribeye with chunky chips, roscoff, heirloom tomato and bearnaise or peppercorn sauce. Daily specials are also available.
 
Vegetarians are also well catered for with dishes such as dolce latte, walnuts, pear and mesclun salad, roasted vine tomato soup with brie Cromesque and basil, beetroot papardelle with goat's cheese crotin and beetroot textures and wild mushroom risotto with aged parmesan.

The lunch menu is equally luxurious and offers starters of crayfish cocktail with shellfish dressing, ham hock terrine with potato salad or cecina with asparagus, bone marrow, watercress, poached egg and béarnaise. Then follow with mains of braised pork belly with barley, parmesan, squash and rocket; shellfish linguini with chilli, crème fraiche and parmesan or fish and chips with tartare sauce and pea relish. Guests could also order an express business lunch which is served within 45 minutes. A Sunday lunch menu is also available.

The tempting dessert selection includes lychee crème brûlée with citrus sorbet and marshmallow, Harvey Nichols rhubarb fool and chocolate brownie with peanut mousse and caramel.

At the vibrant bar, next door to the restaurant, enjoy a range of exciting cocktails along with a tapas menu. An excellent wine list includes expertly chosen wines from around the world alongside exceptional house wines such as a Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux and a Vin de Pays d'Oc Merlot.

The First Floor also offers diners a variety of interesting programmes including wine tastings, wine and food pairing evenings and cocktail master classes. Private dining for 6-10 people with chef’s special five-course menu is also available.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

What happens when you put together an impeccably prepared meal along with a hugely entertaining theatrical opera? It's not an unlikely concept because at El Cafe de la Opera, they have been making a success out of it from the past decade and more. Located opposite the Teatro Real, the magnificent setting is not out of place and guests can enjoy the flavoursome food at this iconic restaurant as they settle down to a night of fun and musical enjoyment.

The atmosphere strikes a delicate balance between trendy chic and old world elegance but nevertheless, gets it right with the linen covered tables, wooden floors, exquisite place settings and a gleaming grand piano. The waiting staff are excellent not just in their service, but also in providing burst of song to diners when the spirit takes them.

Dining at the El Cafe de la Opera is an exciting experience because it is a treat not just for the taste buds but a dramatic overload for all the senses. The ambience is perfectly in tune with what customers love, and at dinner time, there?s a wonderful selection of arias, duets, quartets and romances with well known pieces that resonate in the air, long after the performance has culminated.

The international menu brings a variety of tasty dishes under one roof and there are different fixed menus based upon what will be performed musically that night. From the à la carte menu however, the ceviche of salmon with emulsion of corn and tomato chutney is a great choice for starter, but there are other delicious options too, such as the Iberian ham croquettes, foie gras terrine with fig salad and honey vinaigrette and steak tartare with toasted bread.

Vegetarians will undoubtedly rejoice in the risotto pumpkin with green asparagus or penne pasta with wild mushrooms, Parmesan cheese and truffle oil. If healthy food is a top priority, then the salads will appeal, particularly the seasonal vegetables in their own juice. If you prefer fish, then the corvine crispy spinach with purple potatoes and clam emulsion could become a firm favourite.

But meat prevails as with anywhere else with the rack of lamb with ratatouille, rösti potatoes, juice and liquorice mint or the Magret duck roast with creamy smoked bacon. There's also the fillet of beef with whiskey sauce and roasted peppers for those with hearty appetites whilst the desserts on offer can easily steal the show with their rich flavours and textures. Note for instance the chocolate fondant with passion fruit or the cheese and pear tart with coffee ice cream and calvados. There's an extensive wine list, a selection that does great justice to your meal by complementing it perfectly and there's a range of ports and other spirits too.

When was the last time you stepped into a mall and after a hectic day of shopping, rushed into a food court, wearily hauled those bags aside, hoping to grab a bite and seeking respite from the crowd frenzy? At Kungsholmen they do things differently, for one thing there is no shopping happening here, but the food court concept reigns supreme, albeit in a more sophisticated, diner style way. Its location along the Mälaren River is an added bonus, guaranteeing views that could hardly be bettered.

The décor is a blend between a traditional dining room and lounge with seven different food stations, so there’s raw, Nordic, organic, fast food classic, spice and a fruit bar. The cocktail bar features a collection of old classics and new creations. The interior is trendy and design schemes are realistic, catering to hungry hordes that descend here everyday. Pontonen, situated right next door, is more of a summer retreat, surrounded by Kungsholmen’s guest dock,and is accessible by boat.

Bocuse d’Or or the biennial world chef championship is often considered to be the culinary world’s answer to the Olympic Games; landing a silver medal at this prestigious contest is no mean feat, and that’s exactly what the Kungsholmen’s cooking duo of Melker Andersson and Danyel Couet have managed to achieve. Their cooking thrives on innovation and presents a blend of international cuisines and taste combinations that are highly appealing

At the raw bar expect to find bento boxes, nigiri or maki, sashimi, Vietnamese beef salad or fine du Claire oysters, and also delights from the Nordic region such as salmon tartar with trout roe, Swedish bouillabaisse and smoked strip loin with bacon. If organic is the way to go then choose a tomato salad caprese, bleak roe blini with lemon crème and coq au vin blanc, or if you don’t have too much time to spare then munch on a tuna burger with lime and coriander or fish and chips with lobster aioli.

Bar classics such as seafood cocktail and moules mariniére are not entirely forgotten and those who’d like to spruce up their meal with a bit of spice could choose pepper grilled beef with Béarnaise or the Caribbean barbecue piggham sandwich. Finally head to the fruit bar for a rhubarb compote with yogurt sorbet or a coupe peach Melba.

The F12 Group has many classy restaurants in its kitty and Kungsholmen certainly stands out on its own, maintaining the high standards set by this thriving group.

It doesn't take too much effort to guess what the mainstay of The Lobster House would be, so if you're passionate about seafood, lobsters in particular, this Barcelona restaurant gives you your money's worth. Located close to the Diagonal metro, and situated in the heart of the Eixample district, this airy restaurant follows a Mediterranean theme in the food as well as décor.

Diners are pleasantly surprised with the ambience which is cool and elegant with white napery, large windows, dark furniture and potted plants, while the warmth exuded by the service enhances the dining experience. The bar is also a cosy spot for pre-dinner drinks and The Lobster House is a perfect place if you want to host an ebullient party for friends, with the private room offering space and atmosphere.

Five different fixed price menus ease the dilemma regarding choices, and these include an aperitif with first and second courses, wine and dessert. While this could prove to be of great value, there's also the à la carte if you prefer to do the choosing on your own.

Fresh salads topped with tuna fish and olives or tomato and mozzarella with avocado are just right for a light and tasty beginning. Other starters that rouse the appetite could include the Andalusian style cuttlefish, king prawns with Maldon salt or fisherman's paella.

While lobster is a huge favourite, grilled or steamed, there are other dishes for fish lovers too, such as the sliced grilled hake, baked loin of cod with cream of escalivada or fillets of sea bass cooked in the Santurce fashion. More hearty dishes follow, with meats cooked over holm oak charcoal, and you could try the imperial lamb ribs or the stewed shoulder of lamb with the steaks and burgers as excellent alternatives.

The best way to end such a leisurely meal would be with something sweet, so do save some space for the Catalan custard with burnt brown sugar or the warm chocolate coulant. Fruity desserts such as the frozen mandarin mousse with citric coulis should do the trick if you're not overly fond of rich sweets.

The wine selection is as befits a restaurant of their scale, extensive and indulgent and yet reasonably priced.