Natalie

A lively little slice of Italy on Grev Turegatan.

Just next door to us on Grev Turegatan in Stockholm you'll find the Italian neighbourhood gem Trattoria Montanari, a place of lively energy, comforting food, and thoughtful touches you remember long after you leave. If you've ever visited, you might have noticed something familiar in the bathrooms: Juniper's hand soap and hand lotion.

Last week, Jacob and I had lunch at Trattoria Montanari, and over coffee sat down with Natalie, one of the owners, to talk about how Montanari came to life and why details, both big and small, matter so much to them.

How Montanari came to life

What inspired you to start Trattoria Montanari?

"My father came to Sweden in the late 60s and opened several restaurants, Capri, Martini and Invito, among others. My siblings and I grew up in that world. Honestly, I think we had more family dinners at restaurants than at home.

When my father passed away 25 years ago, that life disappeared, and it was something I missed for many years. So about ten years ago, my siblings and I decided to honour him, and the food culture we grew up with and loved more than anything, by opening Trattoria Montanari."

The feeling that keeps people coming back

Every time one visits, the atmosphere is so warm. How do you create that feeling?

"Trattoria Montanari is a small, lively and family-friendly neighbourhood restaurant. The cuisine is the focus, of course, Italian classics made with ingredients of the highest quality.

But the atmosphere is just as important. We wanted it to feel homey, lived-in. Family photos, Italian books on the shelves, warm-coloured walls, and Italian music playing softly in the background. Most of the staff speak Italian, and there's a lot of joking and bantering, which creates a relaxed, welcoming energy.

Many guests tell us they feel like they're in Italy when they're here. That's exactly the feeling we want."

What not to miss on your first visit

What do you pay attention to that guests might not notice?

"For us, it's everything. From how the food is prepared and served, to how the space feels when you walk in, and even what you experience in places people might not think about, like the bathrooms.

Those small moments matter. They shape how guests feel, even if they can't always put their finger on why."

This is something we at Juniper deeply relate to, creating products meant to be used every day, but chosen because they elevate the overall experience.

What to order, especially your first time

If someone is visiting for the first time, what dish should they absolutely not miss?

"Oh, that's difficult! We have several dishes we simply can't remove from the menu, our regulars would protest immediately.

Two classics are our Spaghetti alle Vongole and Tagliatelle al Tartufo. And if you like tiramisu, you have to try ours.

A personal favourite starter is Culatello con Stracciatella e Tartufo, simple, high-quality ingredients in a perfect combination. Just as Italian food should be."

A shared philosophy

If you haven't been yet, consider this your sign, and next time you visit, take a moment to notice even the smallest details. They're what make places like this unforgettable.

You can find Trattoria Montanari's website here. When it was time to head back to Juniper, we simply took the short walk, just 50 metres down Grev Turegatan.