Image by Aaron L

Across from the godzilla (for Stockholm’s standards) department store, Åhlens there’s a great café/restaurant that serves up mean cinnamon buns and oreo cheesecakes. From the outside it seems like your typical tourist trap café/restaurant located in the middle of the city but what they offer inside is pretty quality stuff.

It’s a big place with café customers seated towards the front and the open kitchen and lunch/dinner crowd seated in the back. Bolero is a decent place to come for a fika after finishing your tour of Gamla Stan or having a light lunch before you take on the many H&M’s of Drottninggatan (my guide here).

In the evenings they serve tapas, which are delicious, tasty and quite big portioned. I know that kinda defeats the purpose of tapas but I ain’t complaining. All in all, Bolero Cafe gets a solid recommendation for those looking for a nice place to go for a coffee in the center of Stockholm city.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bolero Cafe | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Intern.)
Klarabergsgatan 25 | City/Norrmalm
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 11:00, Sat 10:00 – 23:00, Sun 11:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

House partay! That’s the kind of atmosphere you get at Judit och Bertil. Okay, I lied. It’s more of a ‘dinner-at-your-alcoholic- friend’s-place’ kinda feeling. Nonetheless, this two story restaurant and bar is the jewel of Hornstull, or as I call it – ma’ hood.

It’s located a minute from the subway station, right beside my dream apartment building and across the neighborhood gym. It’s definitely one of those places you go and you’re like, “I bet no other tourist in Stockholm has EVER been here…” and you’re sorta kinda right! Many of the people that frequent Judit oct Bertil are locals, more specifically those who live in Hornstull.

The main selling point for this place are two things: First and foremost, the ambiance; It’s laid back, cool and it oozes a sort of buzzing electricity that can only be comparable to being slightly tipsy. Secondly, it’s the unique and fresh take on cocktails that they have every week. Its recipes the bartenders come up with themselves and they are nothing short of amazing.

The bar downstairs is always crowded with people (especially on weekends) clinking their beer together and debriefing each other on the week’s events, while the couples upstairs enjoy their scrumptious saffron fish soups (a.k.a they serve Swedish food with a twist) whispering sweet nothings to their special lady/gentlemen/undecided. It’s the perfect background noise to a perfect relaxing night out in the best part of Stockholm’s söder district, Hornstull!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Judit och Bertil | Restaurants (Swedish) | Main course SEK 150
Bergsundsstrand 38 | Södermalm | +4686693131
17:00 till late daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

Juke boxes, neon signs and milk shakes will take you back to the retro 50′s era here at Marion’s Gastro Diner. It’s the perfect place to host your bi-annual Grease Lightning themed party or go bowling with a bunch of friends and realize that you don’t need alcohol or David Guetta to have a good time! They do serve cocktails and beers here though, if your bowling is really not your thing.

Marion’s is a large American styled diner that serves up your typical diner type food. Hamburgers and pickles, baby back ribs and that classic chocolate milkshake. After dinner you can choose to go bowling to work off those calories. They’ve got super cool lanes lit up by neon and ultraviolet lights on both bottom and second floor and they’re really great for big groups and a fun afterwork session.

In all seriousness, it really is a refreshing take on a night out with friends. It could serve as a great pre-party place as it’s located walking distance from Stureplan (clubbing central! untz untz) and the 50′s style decor makes for great photos to upload on Facebook and tag the members of your family so they stop asking you if you actually have real friends… Story of my life.

Regardless! Bowling is 250kr/hour for one lane before 16:00 and 400kr from 16:00 till 01:00. Strike out now!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Marion’s Gastro Diner | Bars, Restaurants (American)
Kungsgatan 37 | City/Norrmalm | +46854611000
Mon – Wed 11:00 – 00:00, Thu 11:00 – 01:00, Fri 11:00 – 2:00, Sat 13:00 – 02:00, Sun 13:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

Situated right around the corner of my apartment, Ramblas is a very small dimly lit tapas restaurant that serves up a delicious assortment of tapas for affordable prices. Its that winning combination that draws all the locals here to eat. It almost always full during every day throughout the week so be sure to make a reservation the day of or the day before!

Their tapas menu covers everything from gaspacho (cold tomato soup), dates rolled in bacon to my all time favorite gambas al ajillo. The tapas are served on flat brown bowls that quickly leave your table without space for your glass of sangria. Its a great place to go with friends or with that special someone to enjoy a jug of sangria, great food and a bustling cosy neighborhood restaurant.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Ramblas | Bars, Restaurants (Tapas) | Per tapas SEK 53
Långholmsgatan 3 | Södermalm | +4686692536
15:00 – till late daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

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

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Samba Sushi | Restaurants (Japanese) | Main course from SEK 90
Götgatan 28 | Södermalm
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 20:00, Sat 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

An authentic, affordable and delicious Mexican restaurant hidden away on a small street in downtown Stockholm makes La Neta the best taco restaurant in Stockholm period. Its a unique local favorite where everything thats served on the brightly colored plates are freshly made by the Mexican chefs: the soft taco fillings, guacamole and even the tortilla breads, which are made by the machines specially brought in from Mexico!

After a tiresome day of shopping on the main high street of Stockholm, La Neta is my number one restaurant that comes to mind when I wanna tug into some fast and tasty comfort food and destress. It’s my favorite place to introduce to friends and family because no one suspects to find such a refreshing Mexican restaurant right in the city center and to top it off its cheap and has great Mexican beers that can only be found here.

Its often always full of locals, international students and occasionally tourists, but seating has never been a problem for me. The restaurant feels really lively and fun, you can even get shots of tequila with your tacos! La Neta is located below street level and you sit close to the other guests on the picnic-like tables and get your grub on. Friendly, fun and delicious!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Neta | Bars, Restaurants (Mexican) | Taco Grande SEK 45
Barnhusgatan 2 | City/Norrmalm | +4684115880
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kajsas Fisk | Restaurants (Swedish/Seafood) | Fish soup SEK 85
Hötorgshallen, 11157 | City/Norrmalm | +468207262
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 18:00, Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Natalia Urbanska

This is THE spot for Chinese/vegetarian food. It’s so delicious I don’t know where to start. Fresh vegetables, organic tofu, soy products and mushrooms, especially the shiitake mushrooms are divine! The restaurant has a really fresh, clean and professional feeling to it.

I take everyone I know here, this place is a pearl! Last time I took my mom and she absolutely loved it. Be sure to call and book a table the day before or even earlier, it’s a very popular spot and the restaurant is pretty small.

You should definitely eat Chinese style, which means ordering different dishes and then sharing them. The dishes are pretty large so three persons can easily split two dishes, which means it’s both cheap and a big taste-experience!

They don’t use eggs or dairy products, though often different kinds of nuts. The service is wonderful and you’re welcome to peek into the kitchen. If you have any questions at all, they have the answers. Once I came there with a friend who was allergic to all kind of nuts, they were really careful and sweet, and the food ended up being delicious as usual.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Lao Wai | Restaurants (Vegetarian) | Meal SEK 175.00
Luntmakargatan 74 | Vasastan | +4686737800
Mon 11:00 – 14:00, Tue – Fri 11:00 – 14:00 & 17:30 – 22:00, Sat 17:30 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Natalia Urbanska

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hermans | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Vegetarian) | Buffet from SEK 80.00
Fjällgatan 23 | Södermalm | +4686439480
11:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm