About Us
Christian Wabnig & Niclaes Wallmark – a story of hospitality, time, and trust

There are restaurants that open to become something new, and then there are those that continue in order to remain something meaningful.

When Christian Wabnig and Niclaes Wallmark took over Söders Hjärta in 2015, it was with the latter conviction. By then, both had already spent most of their adult lives in the restaurant world. They came from different backgrounds but shared the same respect for the craft. Christian was shaped by the classic Stockholm restaurant scene, with its sense of responsibility, pace, and everyday discipline. Niclaes, on the other hand, came from the world of the bar. As a bartender and restaurant manager, he built his professional identity around the meeting with the guest, drink culture, and the atmosphere of the room. As early as the 1990s, he had already made a name for himself in the industry.

Christian and Niclaes met in the 1990s while both were working seasonal jobs in the Alps. Hard work, skiing, and the occasional drink. When Söders Hjärta came up for sale, they didn't hesitate for a second.

Since the 1970s, Söders Hjärta had been a living room for the neighborhood: food, wine, music, conversation. Christian and Niclaes promised not to break that contract. The interior would remain. The feeling would stay the same. The food would be familiar. At the same time, they wanted to let the place continue to breathe—slowly, carefully, in step with time.

That is exactly what defines our work: gentle development. Menus were adjusted without disturbing the whole. The bar was given more space. The dining room evolved. Music and DJs became a natural element—not as events, but as a continuation of the conversation in the room. Söders Hjärta became both a restaurant and a meeting place, both everyday and evening. It is not a destination—it is part of life.

Our story is not about rapid growth or grand words. It is about understanding what already exists and having the patience to take care of it. That is why Söders Hjärta continues to beat.