Image by Papercut Shop

On a quiet street, parallel to the busy traffic on Hornsgatan lies a few hip boutiques, one of them being Papercut. What you notice straight away is how spacious and open the place is and the wall covered with fashion magazines of all kinds and from all over the world from floor to ceiling.

It’s an awesome place to come browse and flip through books that aren’t sold in the huge book stores like Akademi Bokhandlen. At Papercut it’s not niched to a particular kind of genre, the books here range from cook books, to autobiographies, novels, fashion and art.

In addition to books and magazines, they have have a selection of music CD’s, DVD’s and movies. It’s definitely worth a swing by to check out what you can find. If you come out empty handed, walk a few meters along the street and you’ll find three small fashion boutiques catering to both men and women. Make sure to check out Nitty Gritty, a mens boutique/salon where you can find sportswear brands, indie labels and Swedish designers.

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Papercut | Art & culture, Music, Shopping
Krukmakargatan 24 | Södermalm | +468133574
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 18:30, Sat 11:00 – 17:00, Sun 12:00 – 16:00

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!

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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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

A recent discovery that has already gotten me raving about it to my friends. I went to Köttbaren with a friend on an extremely cold Friday night, got lost, froze some more and finally ended up in the cosy, filled-to-the-brim Köttbaren.

As we waited for our table at the bar, we watched as the chefs dressed in thier white aprons prepared and plated the meals right in front of our wine glasses. Köttbaren has an open style kitchen and bar and guests sit at large dark brown tables and enjoy their plates of meat lit by candlelight. Köttbaren meaning Meat Bar in Swedish, is a boutique slash restaurant that only serves up the finest cuts of meats in town. One would think that this would cost a pretty penny but it actually really doesn’t! Its quite reasonable for the high quality food, service and amazing atmosphere. (The average for a main course: 150kr)

Vegetarians head on over to Hermans, because Köttbaren is definitely a meat lover’s paradise. The menu is comprised of, among other things: a daily slow cooked special (meat, duh), oxribs and steak tartare. My favorite would have to be the “Pelle Janzon”, which is a meat appetizer made of thinly sliced marbled oxfilet, a raw egg yolk on top of a small piece of mildly cheesy toast garnished with fish roe and lemon juice. Serious Mums!

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Köttbaren | Bars, Shopping | Main course +/- SEK 150
Tegnergatan 32 | City/Norrmalm | +46850524426
Mon – Fri 11:15 – 23:00, Sat 12:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

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!

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H&M Uncovered | Shopping
Drottninggatan | City/Norrmalm
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

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!

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Aplace Below | Shopping
St:Eriksgatan 79 | Vasastan | +468325110
Wed – Fri 11:30 – 18:30, Sat 11:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Natalia Urbanska

This museum is pure joy for photo lovers. Opened in may 2010 with the top name Annie Leibovitz. It was a big success, no doubt about it. They have lots of different exhibitions every year, so far I haven’t been disappointed.

Fotografiska is beautifully situated in Slussen, just by the water with a nice view over Skeppsholmen and Djurgården. It has really generous opening hours – everyday from 10:00 to 21:00! More museums should have these kind of opening hours! Perfect for some inspiring exhibitions before going out…

I loved the premiere exhibitions. Lennart Nilsson’s “A child is born” was really impressive and made me all nostalgic remembering his photos from my old school books. Leibovitz’s “A photographer’s life” was also impressive, beautiful, startstruck, melancholic and very personal. Speer’s “The birthday party” was beautiful (my favorite!) and Joel-Peter Witkin’s “Bodies” was uncomfortable, disgusting and absolutely beautiful.

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Fotografiska | Art & culture, Bars, Shopping, Snacks | Adult entrance SEK 110
Stora Tullhuset Stadsgårdshamnen 22 | Södermalm | +46850900500
10:00 – 21:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Natalia Urbanska

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Natalia Urbanska

My favourite Myrorna store is at Skärholmen (get off at Skärholmen subway station, it’s on the other side of Skärholmen Centrum.) They have the biggest range of goods here, you will surely find something you like. They get new items everyday, which makes it easy to find unique and rare stuff. The only bad thing is that they’re closed on sundays.

The store is very large with furniture, bags, clothes, cds, books, kitchen ware, decorative gadgets and they also have a big department for children with toys and clothes. You can easily wonder around for hours…

Myrorna is a chain of stores, 8 in Stockholm and more all over Sweden. All surpluses are given away to The Salvation Army and the employees are often there for vocational training.

If you’re a student you get 10% off!

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Myrorna | Shopping | Sweater SEK 80.00
Storholmsgatan 21 | Outside South/East | +46855646170
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 18:00, Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Natalia Urbanska

Tired of mainstream books and conventional stuff? Interested in feminism, LGBT/Queer-questions and want to see things from a different perspective? Then this is the bookstore for you!

It’s pink, full of books, papers, movies, clothes, zines, all kinds of kitschy stuff and more. All their movies are in English and lots of their books as well, like their less square children’s books about rainbow families.

On the second floor they have lots of movies, comics, sex toys and second-hand books.

Hallongrottan wants to keep you updated of all queer things and activities going on. You can sign up for their newsletter and get information straight away. They also have their own TV show on the local network and the internet, they invite authors, have lectures of all sorts, show movies and plenty more.

So, sit down by the window, have a cookie (for free) and dive into a book!

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Hallongrottan | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Book SEK 200.00
Bergsundsgatan 25 | Södermalm | +4686581320
Tue – Fri 12:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Natalia Urbanska

You feel a little bit like Alice in Wonderland when you walk down the narrow hall with walls covered with magazines, furniture and old dolls and end up in a room stuffed with wonderful first and second hand things from the 40s to the 70s.

Usually there’s a bit of a disorder here, I personally love the chaotic feeling to it and hope it will always remain like this with boxes just laying there, full of yet undiscovered stuff… But last time I was there the shoes stood in order and the boxes where gone. I’m sure it’ll get chaotic soon enough though!

This place has everything; shoes, jackets, bags, records, jewellery, colourful plastic kitchenware, hats, lots of nice dresses, shirts, lamps, belts etc.

Strolling around is a true pleasure.

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Modern Retro Vintage Store | Shopping | Bag SEK 200.00
Wollmar Yxkullsgata 9 | Södermalm | +4686407292
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 18:00, Sat 12:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm