Stockholm is packed with cafés that mostly have a modern design or just a cozy one. Rival tries to fill this gap by being a sophisticated and smart but yet homey place to hang out. Its Parisian-like decoration with mirrors and photos of famous and not-so-famous Swedes as well as its big windows turned to the trees of Mariatorget make this spot a great place for meeting a friend, work, study or just reading the daily newspaper.

Café Rival has his own bakery and during lunch time serves great crossover food ranging from soups and pastas to quinoa salads. While it is typically full during lunch time it is possible to find a table without any waiting, most of the time. It is also very popular among locals for an afternoon coffee as it has delicious pastry.

Besides the main local just at the entrance, there is also a smaller one a level above and in case you get to pass by here on a sunny day, just take a sit on the tables outside overlooking the calm Mariatorget park.

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Café Rival | Coffee & tea | Quinoa salad SEK 80.00
Mariatorget 3 | Södermalm | +4654578900
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:00 – 19:00, Sun 09:00 – 19:00

Vurma is mostly a café but also a bakery. Because of the second, it is possible to combine the great ingredient combinations they have with various kinds of freshly baked breads. I also love the excellent pasta/quinoa salad choice they have. In fact both of these selections are almost unlimited as customers are free to pick the ingredients according to their wishes.

This spot is also very popular among vegans as Vurma offers a wide variety of alternatives for them. But maybe the strongest point of Vurma is the environment. It has a mix of kitsch and cozy with warm wallpapers, plenty of colors on the tables and dishes and many small tasteful details.

The clientele is loyal and friendly and even though it is usually crowded, Vurma still manages to hold a relaxed mood where time passes slowly. Even though Vurma can be found in Gästrikegatan and Polhemsgatan (closed in Hornstull for the moment), it still manages to keep its very local feeling!

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Vurma | Coffee & tea | Sandwich SEK 50.00
Gästrikegatan 2 | Vasastan | +468306230
10:00 – 18:00 daily

When I returned to Stockholm after six years abroad this continental coffee bar had replaced Platanos Livs – for many years my local grocery store, and source of milk and breakfast cereal.

Kaffebar is really what it claims to be: a bar where you drink mainly coffee, but in contrast to most other, much smaller ones of its kind you find in Stockholm Kaffebar is a rather large place. During the weekends it’s crowded with locals in their mid-thirties and upwards, grabbing a quick coffee on their feet by the large windows facing St Paulsgatan.

True to its Italian inspiration, Kaffebar serves toasts, but with Swedish style filling such as Västerbotten cheese or Falukorv. They also have mini croissants and some Italian patisseries. Not the place to go for a big lunch, but perfect for people watching or for grabbing a quick coffee.

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Kaffebar | Coffee & tea, Snacks
St Paulsgatan 17 | Södermalm
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

In each major area or hub of Stockholm city, you’ll be able to find different indoor ‘markets’ where you can go to buy high quality meats. fresh produce, dried herbs and etc. Perhaps the most famous of them and quite popular for the tourists and locals alike is Ostermalmshallen. However, in this post I’ll be talking about the lesser known, ever-busy Hotorgshallen located right in the city center.

Everytime my sister and I shop on Drottningatan we make it a point to stop here (like many of the other shoppers) to recharge and get our dose of vitamins and minerals with the huge variety of dried fruits, nuts and berries which are free to sample and try. We used to be quite shy but now its a fight with the other curious and hungry shoppers to get the last dried Incaberry.

Along with the meat and seafood vendors you can find different restaurants, fine chocolates as well as a Finnish food store all in Hotorgshallen. It’s definitely one of the most diverse halls in Stockholm city. What’s special about Hotorgshallen and all other ‘halls’ in Stockholm is that every vendor has very high standards for the freshness and quality of what they sell or serve, so you are sure to be getting the very best without having to pay a very high price!

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Hötorgshallen | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Restaurants (Fresh)
Hötorgshallen, 11157 | City/Norrmalm
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 18:00, Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 16:00

The fairytale about the islands who lost it’s loaf…

Once upon a time there was an island named Utö which had a long tradition of baking. Most widely known is their dark loaf that’s been named after the island. A couple of years ago a charming and wealthy gentleman knocked on the door of the baker who owned the secret recipe and asked for permission to come in.

After a few hours the gentleman took the boat back to the mainland and little did the other people know, that in his pocket he held a copy of the secret recipe. As the news got out that the old bakery had sold their recipe to the gentleman a great depression hit the island. The years went by and people got on with their lives, until last summer.

One morning the people on the island sensed something in the air, what was it, springtime? Were the lilac in bloom? They all started to move towards the main harbor to find that a new bakery had opened. The old loaf was far gone and forgotten. A young man with fiery cheeks was baking the most exquisite breads and rolls. The island had regained its glory. As the summer went along it turned out that the young man was one of Sweden’s most promising bakers. 

Take a tour to Utö, follow the scent of fresh baked delicacies and you will be able to get a taste of the island.

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Utö | Coffee & tea, Snacks
Gruvbryggan, Utö | City/Norrmalm
Easter, weekends in May | Daily from 1st of June

When in town you might just stroll by Nybroviken and even Strandvägen. Here there are a number of boats all departuring to different destinations in the archipelago, some more nearby then others. For example you have the low canal boats which takes you around the many islands that Stockholm is built upon or you can find the MS Josephiné which takes you out on different theme cruises for the day. You’ll even find the Cinderella boats which take you out to some of the islands in just an hour or two.

Most of the spots that I have been recommending so far depart from here. Depending on the time you have to spend and what you are looking for to experience I recommend you go here and see for yourself what you have to choose from on that particular day.

If you walk from Nybroviken along Strandvägen towards Djurgården you will soon pass a building made out of glass, here you can buy a coffee or some handcraft from the archipelago. There is also a archipelago information where they know more about what´s up in the archipelago for the day. I recommend it, I even hang there myself of and on!

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Nybroviken | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping
Strandvägen, Kajplats 18 | Östermalm
Mon – Fri 10:00 -17:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 16:00

This is a great place for dinner or just dessert, or both! The buffet is delicious and the pastries are very tasty, especially the carrot-cake. The atmosphere is very cosy and warm.

You always get two buffets for the price of one! And students eat half price every Monday.

It’s situated on a hill, with a great view over the water. It’s cosy both inside and outside. You can sit on the terrace and enjoy the view during colder seasons as well thanks to heaters. During summer they place hammocks outside, best place for relaxing.

Instead of a soya latte you should have tea, the tea is great! The lattes are unfortunately not so great.

Hemans only uses organic ingredients and the tea and coffee are fair-trade. Every weekend they set the table with new and different buffets from all over the world. A very inventive and aware restaurant you shouldn’t miss out on!

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Hermans | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Vegetarian) | Buffet from SEK 80.00
Fjällgatan 23 | Södermalm | +4686439480
11:00 – 22:00 daily

I don’t know what happened but my favourite café isn’t my favourite anymore. I still come here and enjoy the furnishing and cosy atmosphere but the sandwiches aren’t like they once used to be.. It’s still cheap though and definitely worth going to, it hasn’t lost it charm.

The atmosphere is warm, relaxed and creative. It was really hip a couple of years ago but people keep coming. Downstairs you find more seats and if it’s nice weather they have a couple of attractive tables outside.

It’s been serving us cheap sandwiches since 1992. Every sandwich comes with a tasty little salad as well. Their Soya-latte is one of the best in town and their carrot cake is excellent. They have music and theatre performances downstairs every Wednesday and the art hanging on the walls is for sale.

Oh, if you like the chair you’re sitting on you can buy it as well, all furniture is for sale.

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String | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Music, Shopping, Snacks | Sandwich SEK 40.00
Nytorgsgatan 38 | Södermalm | +4687148514
Mon – Thu 09:00 – 20:00, Fri 09:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 10:30 – 19:00

This is my favourite café. Perfectly situated next to small shops and nice parks in the south of Stockholm. I introduce everyone I know to this pearl.

The interior is very welcoming and inspiring with wallpaper tricking your eye, making you think the place is packed with shelves of books; a very creative and fun atmosphere. It is a very popular spot and sometimes very packed. Oh, don’t go here if you’re allergic to dogs, there’s usually at least one hanging around.

The tiles covering the floor are very beautiful and contribute to the creativity as well. Red cushions and chandeliers meets Middle Eastern patterns and colours! I love the imaginary bookshelves and the corner with that light green armchair that is placed there just for you.

But what I love the most is the laid-back service and cosy, homely feeling. The people working here are really sweet, their sandwiches delicious (especially the mozzarella toast) and their caffe lattes a piece of art.

If you only have time for one café during your stay in Stockholm – this is your café! I’m sure you’ll love it.

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Gildas rum | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Caffe latte SEK 32.00
Skånegatan 79 | Södermalm
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 23:00, Fri 08:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:00 – 20:00, Sun 09:00 – 21:00

Entering this shop is an experience itself with fruity scents striking you straight away, dim lights making you feel at home and rows of beautiful tins packed with carefully chosen blends of tea which leave you stunned and curious.

A bag of their most popular blend “Blend of South” is a superb buy and a great give-away!

The owner Vernon Mauris opened this boutique in 1978 and it’s located on “the hump” at Hornsgatan, in the oldest part of Södermalm. Vernon’s passion and profession is tea; he answers all your questions with a big smile.

If you’re a tea enthusiast this will become your new favourite spot. If you don’t drink tea you will definitely start, I’m sure Mr. Vernon will find something just for you.

But beware, after visiting you might get addicted. There’s something about this place, a pleasant mix of nostalgia, hospitality and exquisiteness.

Their website is great as well. You can get the tea shipped to your place.

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Tea Centre of Stockholm | Coffee & tea, Shopping | Blend of South SEK 39.00
Hornsgatan 46 | Södermalm | +4686404210
Mon – Fri 09:30 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 14:00