Aaron Larsson (1990)

One of the best dishes to warm yourself right down to your bones during Stockholm’s seriously cold winters is a piping hot bowl of one of Stockholm’s most popular fish soups located in Hotorgshallen (my article about Hotorgshallen here).

Its a ‘restaurant’ hugely popular with tourists and locals alike, one for its location in the middle of the city and for its affordability. 85kr gets you a scrumptious bowl of their fish soup (including mussels, shrimps and a generous spoonful of garlic aoili), dark and white bread with butter and a small salad. Apart from their famous fish soups, their menu is comprised of traditional Swedish seafood dishes like ‘nystektstromming’ and salmon.

Its a definite must-try when you come to Stockholm. The restaurants tables quickly fill to maximum capacity during lunch hours with suits and ties, backpackers and hungry students tired from a day of hardcore H&M shopping.

Discovering Aplace has been detrimental to my bank account because they always have clothes for both men and women from well known Swedish/European designers at huge markdown prices. How do they do it? I don’t know, I just know I’m there every weekend to check out any new arrivals.

The articles that you can find here are from old season collections and samples sales. At Aplace Below its not limited to clothing but to shoes, baby clothing, underwear and jewellry as well. It all depends on what sort of sale they’re having that week.

Some brands that I’ve managed to buy at rock-bottom prices are Onitsuka Tiger, Resteröds and Our Legacy. Be there early when the sales start or else the locals and other well-informed tourists will snatch up all the food stuff!

What stockholm lacks in Starbucks, it makes up for with H&Ms. This is my guide to some of the best H&M’s in Stockholm city. Take it from a local, we know Stockholm and we definitely know our H&Ms.

The first category I wanted to tip you all about is an H&M collection that features unique pieces that look and feel more designed than the ‘average’ H&M line. For this, I go to the flagship store located across Gallerian (here), one on Gotgatan (indie shopping street of Stockholm) or to the one located on the corner of Drottninggatan and Master Samuelsgatan. Only at these stores do they display the Trend collection (as its known).

Look out for the purple label for menswear and the white label for women. The prices are of course slightly higher than usual but you’re getting pieces that look and feel more luxe.

If it’s time to spruce up my bedroom with new sheets, H&M Home would be my first option. H&M Home products are only stocked in one store in Stockholm which is located on the corner of Drottninggatan. It’s a refreshing, affordable and unique H&M to visit to source for gifts or unnecessary glittery silver laundry bins.So now the time has come to whip out your Visas and kronors and spend, spend, spend! Don’t think twice if it looks nice. You’re on holiday after all!

When I think of street food, Stockholm definitely does not immediately spring to mind. However, although limited in choices and variety, there is one little gem that can save the city’s street cred. Apart from the usual ‘korv med bröd’/hot dog, my favorite thing to order is a “tunnbrodsrulle”. Actually, its more of a meal than a street snack.

Tunnbrödsrulle means ‘thin-bread roll’ in english and what it is, is mashed potatoes, one or two sausages, salad, tomatoes and räksallad (shrimp salad) all wrapped in a soft thin Swedish tortilla bread. Granted, not every hot dog stall will serve this monster wrap but just look for a larger sized grill and it is sure to be on the menu.

It’s typically Swedish and its as comforting as Friday night on the couch with a good movie and a warm blanket. Thats how it feels, tastes and looks. The combination of all the ingredients is just perfect as well. The warm soft mash potatoes with the crunchy chewy sausage and refreshing raksallad is the perfect takeaway for me after a night out while I’m sitting waiting for my bus home at 3 in the morning. With my tunbrodsrulle I never feel alone.

Total package. Thats how I would describe Samba Sushi. Located on the busy shopping street of Götgatan in Slussen, it serves some of the tastiest made-before-your-eyes sushi in Stockholm.

Not only is the food great but its location is ideal. The street on which it’s located, is the shopping hub for the hipsters and indie fashionistas. Samba Sushi is located smack in the middle of that scene so you’ve basically got front row seats to the Stockholm’s never ending fashion show while stuffing your face with amazing sushi.

The restaurant itself is small and the decor, simple with bar-like seating all around (so make sure to beat the lunch crowd!). The prices are slightly higher than average but for what you get (location and great taste) it’s worth it. Try it out the next time you’re town. You can thank me later