Spesso

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Italian Flavours at Stockholm's Rooftop Level

Twelve floors above Malmskillnadsgatan, Spesso occupies a position that is hard to ignore — both literally and figuratively. The rooftop restaurant, terrace and bar opened in 2020 and has since become one of the more talked-about addresses in central Stockholm, earning a place in the White Guide's Fine level for 2026. The recognition is well-founded: this is a room where the setting and the cooking genuinely reinforce each other.

The Italian kitchen is the anchor. Spesso's own description puts it plainly: "Italian flavours take centre stage, with respect for the classics and a playful, luxurious twist." The menu is built to be shared or ordered entirely on your own terms — a format that suits the relaxed, unhurried pace the place encourages, whether you're in for a long lunch or a late dinner that drifts well past midnight.

The Dishes and the Drinks

White Guide's reviewers were specific in their praise. The pikeperch resting on butter-tossed spinach with a smooth parmesan sabayon, crispy hazelnuts and herby gremolata was singled out as close to perfect. The lobster ravioli — a dish chef-sommelier Janni Berndt Dahl has even used to demonstrate wine pairing on camera — arrives in a deep, flavourful broth that makes the shift from sparkling wine to a buttery Chardonnay feel like an obvious next move. Vegetable dishes hold their own too: a yellow beetroot plate with white peach, house-made ricotta and smoked almonds was described as flavourful and well-balanced.

The wine list is fully Italian, and the bar takes its role seriously. Aperitivo-style drinks, sparkling wines and cocktails with a martini lean are all part of the offer. A Rhubarb/Basil signature cocktail has already made Stureplansgruppen's list of notable Swedish signature drinks.

Janni Berndt Dahl and the Wine Programme

The person most responsible for the drinks culture at Spesso is Janni Berndt Dahl, who serves as both restaurant manager and head sommelier. In 2024 she was inducted into l'Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne — one of the most prestigious champagne honours in the world — placing her alongside names like Richard Juhlin in Swedish wine history. She also chairs the Swedish Sommelier Association. Her influence on the wine list and the overall service standard is tangible.

The Space

The 360-degree panorama from the twelfth floor — Södermalm to Djurgården, the NK rooftop below, the city spreading in every direction — is not incidental to the experience. On Thursday through Saturday, DJs add to the atmosphere without overwhelming it. The rooftop terrace, which the team also refers to as Tetto, is available for private events and handles everything from intimate dinners to large summer gatherings. The Italian cuisine travels well across all these formats.