The story
L'Avventura occupies one of Stockholm's most extraordinary rooms: the former auditorium of the Metropol-Palais cinema on Sveavägen 77, built in the 1920s in a style that drew on neoclassicism and the era's fascination with Pompeii. Six-meter-high ceilings, elaborate stucco details, and wall paintings by Nils Asplund — depicting Apollo, the three muses of love, and Dionysus — still preside over the dining room. Red velvet sofas and small table lamps recall the dance palaces of 1920s New York. The venue has been carefully restored to its original state, with two bars occupying the elegant foyer and the old balcony. Where the cinema screen once stood, there is now an open kitchen.
The name pays homage to Michelangelo Antonioni's 1960 classic, and the spirit of that film — unhurried, atmospheric, intensely felt — carries through to the experience on the plate.
Head chef Laura Marino, with restaurateur Karl Ljung behind the operation, leads an Italian kitchen built on carefully selected ingredients and a genuine commitment to sharing. In her own words: "We cook with passion and carefully selected ingredients. Generous sharing plates, Italian truffle, burrata, stracciatella, and 'nduja. This is food to be savored, enjoyed in the company of those you love."
The menu moves through antipasti, crudo, and salame before reaching pasta and grilled fish — sea bass served with caponata being one example from the kitchen's repertoire. On Thursdays, the room's most theatrical moment arrives: a trolley bearing a whole, lightly hollowed wheel of Parmesan is rolled to the table. Vodka is poured in and flamed, slowly melting the cheese, before pasta and shaved truffle are folded through. It is a crowd favorite that has become something of a signature ritual.
The restaurant also runs monthly ingredient-focused menus — recent themes have spotlighted Calabrian 'nduja and, in June, the tomato in its many expressions.
White Guide has recognized L'Avventura at Fine level, describing it as an "all-in-on-Italy restaurant" where the setting is extraordinary and demand for tables is consistently high. The wine list leans naturally toward Italy, and the bar program — spread across Bar Sotto below and the foyer bar above — produces substantial classic cocktails.
The Italian cuisine here is designed to be shared and lingered over, in a room that makes every evening feel like an occasion.
Recognition
Ambience
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History
The atmosphere is stunning at this all-out Italian restaurant located in the former cinema hall of the Metropol-Palais entertainment palace. Built in the 1920s, its original splendor—inspired by Neoclassicism and the era's fascination with Pompeii—was meant to outshine every other cinema. Almost everything has been preserved, except for the 700 original cinema armchairs. Wall murals by Asplund still depict Apollo, the three muses of love, and Dionysius, while red velvet-upholstered furniture and small table lamps evoke the dance palaces of old New York. An open kitchen now occupies the space where the movie screen once captivated audiences. Today, it’s head chef Laura Marino, backed by restaurateur Karl Ljung, who enchants the guests. Everyone wants to experience the “adventure” (*avventura*), and securing a table can be difficult. On Thursdays, they often serve the crowd-pleasing spaghetti dalla forma. A server wheels out a cart carrying a whole wheel of Parmesan cheese with a shallow well carved into the top. Vodka is poured into the well and gently heated to slowly melt the cheese. Tossed with pasta and shaved truffle—and voila! Beforehand, you can indulge in antipasti, crudo, and salami. Sea urchin is served grilled alongside caponata. The finest selections from the wine world, naturally focused on Italy, are available to order, while impressive classic cocktails flow from the bar. Dessert? Absolutely—if there’s time before our reservation ends. Published November 2021
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