Snacks – All our local tips

This is a lovely café. They make delicious sandwiches and use organic ingredients, try my favourite “Shiva” with lots of garlic. The environment is warm and homely with a kitschy touch. The first room is green, the next one blue and the one further back is red. When it’s nice weather you should fetch a table outside, really nice and relaxing.

My favourite room is the red one where you find the nicest photo (at first glance I though it was a painting). It’s of a friendly dog and it’s framed with a really kitschy, gold frame. There’s something about that friendly dog. Excellent shit!

The blue room have many mirrors with golden frames, stars on the walls and a nice painting of Virgin Mary. The green room is the largest one and if you can squeeze in by the window (this spot is pretty small) you should, it’s a delightful little spot with a nice view over the street. The toilet is really nice as well; it’s pink and has a Hindu theme.

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Blå Lotus | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich SEK 50.00
Katarina Bangata 21 | Södermalm | +4686445043
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 19:00

It is easy to overlook this beautiful venue for contemporary art and head straight to Moderna museet when in Stockholm. However, I really recommend you drop by Bonniers Konsthall if you are strolling through Vasastan, to check out the current exhibition or grab a snack in the cafe.

The building, which is an airy and bright glass construction located right off St Eriksplan, is a pleasure to visit in itself. The artists exhibited at Bonniers Konsthall are generally young and upcoming and the foundation awards scholarships every year to new talents. I really like the edge and diversity of the exhibitions and was introduced to this place by my artsy mum.
If you have your own laptop and want to use the broadband, the café has a wireless connection.

They offer good coffee, some salads, soups and pastries as well as brunch at the weekends. It is run by the Maria Bonnier Dahlin foundation, established in 1985 by Jeanette Bonnier in memory of her daughter.

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Bonniers konsthall | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Entrance fee SEK 60
Torsgatan 19 | Vasastan
Wed – Fri 12:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 17:00

The area Hornstull on Södermalm went from bearing the not so flattering nick name “Kniv-Söder” (Knife Söder) to becoming one of the most hip and coming parts of town. And it all happened in a few years around 2002-2004.

Copacabana rode the new wave and was just what Hornstull needed at the time – a really cosy and relaxed café with a simple but great menu. The location is spot on, facing the water. And recently the movie theatre nextdoor opened up again after long renovations. “Copa” seized the moment and expanded with a door between the two places and put more tables in the lobby of the Rio cinema.

They serve the regular café drinks and food consisting of all sorts of coffees including soya versions for vegans and lactose intolerants, juices and smoothies, an all day breakfast, soup of the week and a few sandwiches including things like Copacabana luxury toast with mango- and chili marinated crayfish, mayo, avocado and salad for 75 kr.

Copacabana writes on their website that they are the “nicest” café in town and they have succeeded. The staff is great, it’s gay friendly and they also arrange events, mostly book readings but also talks on feminism, politics and queer culture. Unfortunately it’s mostly in Swedish.

You can also call to check out what is going on at Rio, as they host small film festivals where documentaries, shorts and much more are screened. And all the information is not always on the web site.

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Copacabana | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Caffe latte SEK 29.00
Hornstulls Strand 3 | Södermalm | +4686692939
Mon – Thu 09:00 – 20:00, Fri 09:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 19:00

This is one of my favourite places to dance for sure! They have many different clubs and they’re usually for free if you come before 22:00. They also have lots of concerts, check their homepage for dates!

One night that was particularly wonderful was during Debaser Medis “Berlin night” where one of my favourite artists Apparat performed. It was an excellent night, packed with different electronic music which made us dance for at least 6 hours.

The first floor has two rooms. The larger room gives me a feeling of prom-night or something. The ceiling is really high, the stage is large and the floor spacious. There’s lots of room to dance, though it does get pretty packed during the night. Losing your friends in the crowd is not unusual, which is okay, you always find someone else to chat or dance with.

The smaller room is more chilled out with a bar, seats and you can order food. They also have a nice bar and a small cinema on the second floor.

Bring earplugs!

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Debaser Medis | Bars, Cinemas, Music, Snacks | Entrance SEK 100.00
Medborgarplatsen 8 | Södermalm | +4686947900
Fri – Sat 17:00 – 03:00 (concerts 19:00) | Check their website

This is my favourite café, newly opened and perfectly situated next to small shops and nice parks in the south of Stockholm. I introduce everyone I know to this new 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.

The tiles covering the floor are very beautiful and contribute to the creativity as well. Dostojevskij’s red cushions and chandelier 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, waiting patiently for your books and your thoughts.

But what I love the most is the laidback service and cosy, homely feeling. The people working here are really sweet, their sandwiches delicious 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

Sweden makes the best sweets in the world. That’s my firm opinion. Sure, the Belgians have their chocolate, but we have our Swedish fish (jelly fish in different flavours and colours) that we export to the Americans. Amongst others.

At Godislagret they claim to have 200 different kinds of sweets. They have, of course, Swedish fish, salty liquorice (only liked by Swedes and Dutch, but worth trying), chocolate, lollies, fudge and so on. I have never counted if they really do have 200 different sorts, I just have to take their words for it. When you have found your favourites you pick your own bag and pay by weight.

Even if I see myself as a fairly open minded person that like to try new things ever now and then, I tend to go for the same sweets every time. But if I would like to try something new, this is the place to go to. So you don’t have to be a kid to like a good candy store.

Sometimes I take detour passed this shop just to fill up my sweets storage at home. I use the extra walk to get here as an excuse to buy more than I actually want.

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Godislagret | Shopping, Snacks | Candy (100gr) SEK 7.90
Skånegatan 47 | Södermalm | +4686409871
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 21:00, Sun 11:00 – 21:00

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

A very short career of shoplifting started in Hötorgshallen. Story has it that a small pink tea box was found in my pram after my first visit to this amazing food market.

Today Hötorgshallen is my favourite place to go for groceries – they have everything you need for a good dinner, including a great cheese shop, fishmongers, butchers and a few excellent delicatessens with specialties from South America and the Middle East and not to forget, even a Systembolaget wine shop.

If you get tired of shopping then grab a kebab or have a coffee at Piccolino and spend some time people watching.

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Hötorgshallen | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Free
Hötorget | City/Norrmalm
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 18:00, Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 16:00

When I came back from London this continental coffee bar has 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 you find here it is a rather large venue. During the weekends it’s crowded with local Södermalmers in their mid thirties and upwards, grabbing a quick coffee on their feet, or sitting on one of the stools by the large windows facing St Paulsgatan.

True to its Italian inspiration, Kaffebar serves toasts, but with Swedish 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. Although I am a bit nostalgic about the passing of time and wonder what happended to Platanos, I cannot deny that Kaffebar is quite a nice place.

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

I love this museum. Situated on my favourite island and neighbour with the also very nice Museum of Architecture; Moderna is the most visited art museum in Sweden. It’s big, light and has one of the most creative and fun art shops in town. Their collection of artwork is really nice and their temporary exhibitions are usually excellent; they have a couple of large ones every season.

One of my favourite exhibitions at Moderna Museet was Max Ernst’s “Dream and Revolution”. So many different techniques, I stared at his pencil frottage for a long time. Beautiful!

Moderna has something for everyone. All exhibitions have guided tours, which are included in the admission, check their website! For the art in the museum’s collection you can borrow audio-guides for free.

If you’re younger than 30 and are planning on staying in Stockholm for a while, I recommend you to buy the “Friends of Moderna Museet” card for 250kr/year. You get invited to previews, get 20% discount in the art shop and free admission to several other museums like the Museum of Architecture and Magasin 3. It’s a bargain!

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Moderna Museet | Art & culture, Shopping, Snacks | Entrance SEK 60.00
Skeppsholmen | City/Norrmalm | +46851955200
Tue 10:00 – 20:00, Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Having a place that only serves different kinds of hummus-dishes in Stockholm might sound a bit weird. But Reggev on Ringvägen is a wonderful place with the best hummus ever.

From a small menu their are about five different hummus creations to choose from. You can have it with beans and boiled eggs, with fried mushrooms and with minced meat. I haven’t tried them all, but I bet that they are all as good as the ones with beans and mushrooms.

With the hummus they also serve some pickled vegetables and pita bread.
If you get thirsty you should try their home-made lemonade with lemon and mynta. It is so refreshing and delicious so the drink itself is almost worth the visit to Reggev.
As good as the food is, just as nice are the people working there. When it’s not too busy they sit down for a small chat and make you feel that you are very welcome at their place.

The only downside with the place is that it takes a little while to get the food. But it’s worth the waiting and I guess we should start to appreciate slow food more. It tastes so much better than fast food.

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Reggev | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Hummus with beans & eggs SEK 65.00
Ringvägen 145 | Södermalm | +4686405801
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 18:00

I came here fore the first time when I was sixteen and Saturnus was a hangout for teenagers. They had those massive cinnamon rolls that were served in trendy cafés in the mid nineties. I thought it was amazing back then. And while the interior and clientele has changed since then Saturnus has retained the nice atmosphere and the cinnamon rolls.

Apart from that you can get French style salads, hot sandwiches like croque monsieur and soup. The massive cakes bring the US to mind, as does the striped wallpapers and kitschy gold framed menu board. So rather than being a French café, Saturnus of 2010 feels more like North America doing French than anything else.

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Saturnus | Coffee & tea, Snacks
Eriksbergsgatan 6 | Östermalm | +466117700
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 20:00, Sat – Sun 09:00 – 19:00

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 35.00
Nytorgsgatan 38 | Södermalm | +4687148514
Mon – Fri 09:30 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 10:30 – 19:00

Svart Kaffe was favorite spots for a coffee ever since they started in 1996, but for years it was so tiny that it was hard to get a seat. But lovers of club music still came to hear some cool tunes.

Since the Hello Kitty shop next door got smaller there is now more space for in-house eating. But during summer nobody cares anyway. Svart Kaffes location close to the little square Nytorget means that, when it’s warm, most people come here for a take away. It’s the perfect spot to hang and look at typical Södermalm people – and you will notice more than one with the Svart Kaffe paperbags with the famous “afro dancer”.

Svart Kaffe were no fools and started selling the very popular picnic bags – a coffee of your choice, any sandwich and a pago juice for 70-80 kr. And there are many delicious sandwiches to choose from, over 20 items from SEK 35 to SEK 65 and you can always pick between big and small, with or without meat, heated or cold and with dark or light bread – so be prepared to answer all those questions before you order.

Some of my personal favorites are “salmon with chives cream cheese, tomato and lemon spring onion” and “halloumi with pesto, olives, tomato and red onion”.

The customers have changed from only clubbers to more regular Södermalm people. The free wifi explains the more than occasional laptop you can spot on the tables.

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Svart Kaffe | Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks | Caffe latte SEK 28.00
Södermannagatan 23 | Södermalm | +4684629500
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 20:00, Fri 08:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 19:00

Fancy a drink with a vampire? This is one of the coolest bars in Stockholm, for sure! Pass the door, go down the stairs and enter a very different atmosphere set in a cave.

The drinks really make this place, most of them have vampire-names and are delicious as hell! You have to try a Milkshake drink, they’re like candy. My favourite is Vlad the Impaler and yeah, Monday is the day to come here since it’s much cheaper. There’s a new DJ playing records every night and if you’re not into alcohol it’s alright, all drinks can be ordered alcohol-free!

Sit down on a comfy, red sofa with your drink, red wine or beer and enjoy the atmosphere with candle lights and interesting ornaments. The toilet is also quite interesting…

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Vampire Lounge | Bars, Music, Snacks | Drink SEK 58.00
Östgötagatan 41 | Södermalm | +4686432240
Mon – Fri 17:00 – 01:00, Sat 19:00 – 01:00