WINE BAR • MACKERIA
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday-Sunday 11 AM - 7:00 PM
YOU CAN FIND US AT
WOLLMAR YXKULLSGATAN 10.
STAZIONE DELLA METRO: MARIATORGET
About Il Merlo
On a side street by Mariatorget in Stockholm, you’ll find Il Merlo – a small Italian-Sicilian wine bar and mackeria (our take on an Italian sandwich bar) where time moves slower and flavors speak their own language. Our wines are chosen with care, with a special love for Sicily, and served alongside grilled Italian sandwiches that change their shape from time to time.
Il Merlo is more than food and drink – it’s a feeling. Our guiding words are family, inclusiveness, warmth, and homeliness. Here you don’t arrive as a customer, but as a guest. Inside, you’ll find inspiration from Italian culture and cinema’s golden years – from the classics of the 1950s to the masterpieces of the 90s.
Beyond our sandwiches and wines, you’ll also discover a small gelateria and an Italian pantry with carefully handpicked goods – from coffee to olive oil and pasta. And yes, of course we serve espresso.
Every week, something new happens at Il Merlo:
-
Tisdagsklubben (The Tuesday Club) – an evening where the whole room becomes one big gathering. Perfect if you want to meet new people and feel a sense of community.
-
Thursday AW Quiz – bring colleagues, friends, or your date and compete in quizzes on different themes, from film to football.
We’re also happy to open our doors for cultural events, release gatherings, and other celebrations. Reach out at ciao@ilmerlo.se if you’d like to host something with us.
Il Merlo opened in September 2024 by Andreas Bjunér and Elin Ungman. Today, it continues under the direction of Andreas together with the staff – with the same dream as from the beginning: to create a place that feels more like a living room than a wine bar.
Benvenuti a Il Merlo.
IL MERLO IN MEDIA
"Grilled sandwiches, excellent vegetarian options, a clear aversion to stress, and a love for togetherness and Italian cinema. What's not to like?"
HUGO REHNBERG, SVENSKA DAGBLADET, OCTOBER 2024
SVD – WEEKEND SUPPLEMENT
Weekend Guide: Art Finds and Italian Sandwiches
EXPRESSEN/ALLT OM RESOR:
Stockholm's 9 Hottest Spots You Don’t Want to Miss
DAGENS NYHETER:
3 x Restaurant News
DAGENS PS:
Stockholm's Hottest Newcomers
What does Il Merlo mean?
Il Merlo means "the blackbird" in Italian, and to explain the choice of name, we’d like to share a bit of Italian history:
In Italy, there is a tradition called I Giorni della Merla, translated as "the blackbird's days." According to legend, Giorni della Merla originated from the struggle of three blackbirds – Merla, Corina, and Cóla – against the cruelty of winter.
To seek shelter from the biting cold, they pleaded to Saint Peter for mercy, and he granted them three days of milder weather. These three days, from January 29th to 31st, became known as I Giorni della Merla, symbolizing hope in the harshness of winter. During I Giorni della Merla, people gather to eat and socialize, often enjoying the popular Panino della Merla, which we’ve created our own interpretation of.
Some regions organize festive events with music, storytelling, and culinary delights, creating a sense of togetherness and warmth amidst the winter chill.
Our place, Il Merlo, embraces this tradition year-round and is a space where Stockholmers can seek refuge from the often-biting cold in our city. Family-oriented, inclusive, warm, and cozy are our guiding principles.
We simply believe that we in the north have a greater need for I Giorni della Merla than the Italians themselves do.
With us, you should be able to sit down and stay as long as you wish, and all forms of stress are banned here. Basta.
Questions and Answers
Are there plant-based and gluten-free options?
Yes, all our sandwiches can be made plant-based. And yes, we also have gluten-free focaccia bread.
Where does the bread come from?
Our bread is baked by Barbara Caracciola from Spigamadre.
What coffee beans do you use?
We use beans from the Tuscan family roastery Mokaflor. At the moment, we’re serving their Golden blend – made up of 80% Arabica and 20% Robusta.
Are dogs welcome?
Yes, dogs are warmly welcome! Our own bar pup Sasha is often here with us.
How do you work with sustainability?
Sustainability is an important issue for us, which is why we have a plant-based standard. Most of what we serve and sell is vegetarian (lacto-ovo) or plant-based. In the name of sustainability, we have also invested in second-hand furnishings and have largely chosen producers for our grocery section who have a strong focus on sustainability.
Is it possible to reserve a table?
Yes, just drop by and book, or send an email to ciao@ilmerlo.se. Please include the date, time, and number of people.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Yes, we hope that Il Merlo will become a meeting place for culture and cultural creators. We see that, in the future, we will be able to host releases, openings, and movie nights with us.