This place is like a sanctuary to me! I go there to buy great flour for baking bread (they have manitoba cream!), the best dark chocolates, presents for friends, fresh deli products and things you never thought about but that soon you can’t live without.

Even though I tend to use the term supermarket, my friends usually explain to me that Fine Food is actually a deli store. They are right. This deli store started in Hammarby Sjöstad by a couple of chefs that believe that the best food shouldn’t only be available to the best restaurants but also to individuals. It gained so many followers that come from all over town, that it has now expanded to another area of Hammarby Sjöstad as well as to Kungsholmen.

And if you are in the South of of Södermalm on a sunny day and feel like having a already made meal just take the free boat that runs continuously over to Sjöstaden and either take a sandwich or a warm meal and enjoy your lunch next to the water. But if it’s too cold for that just sit inside in the newly open Fine Kitchen that is now serving great food for fine prices.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fine Food | Shopping, Snacks | Lunch SEK 90.00
Hammarby allé 62 | Södermalm | +4686433420
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 20:00, Sat – Sun 09:00 – 18:00

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tunnbrödsrullar | Snacks | Tunnbrödsrulle SEK 50
All over the city | City/Norrmalm
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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kaffebar | Coffee & tea, Snacks
St Paulsgatan 17 | Södermalm
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Vigårda is the latest restaurant venture by one of the best restaurant groups (in my opinion) in Stockholm, F12. Vigårda is their latest addition and their first foray into a fast food. The restaurant is located in the newly opened mall Mood in central Stockholm and serves up some tasty gourmet burgers.

You can choose your choice of barbecue meats e.g. chicken, lamb and pork or their signature original burger, then choose between fries or a type of salad (quinoa and edamame, fresh salad etc..) and a sauce (curry apple, BBQ). The best thing about the burger was probably the amazing burger buns! Mums.

I tried the original burger and it was absolutely delicious. The environment is great, as is all F12′s restaurants, the food is of a noticeable higher quality (not just compared to McDonalds and Max…) and the presentation is quirky and fun too. Everything is served in recycled paper bento-type boxes and the thick cut potato fries are perfection in a paper cup.

It’s a great place to go for lunch when you’re shopping around Stockholm. It’s already a huge hit with the locals. The burgers start at 75 kronor and prices range depending on the type of meat as well as how much meat, as you have a choice of adding 25% or 50% more meat so don’t worry about leaving hungry.

Also, check out the Köttbaren article, another F12 restaurant I love!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Vigårda | Snacks, Restaurants (Burgers) | Original Burger SEK 75
Norrlandsgatan 13 | City/Norrmalm
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 21:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 23:00 , Sun 11:00 – 19:00

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Utö | Coffee & tea, Snacks
Gruvbryggan, Utö | City/Norrmalm
Easter, weekends in May | Daily from 1st of June

If your Stockholm weekend is already scheduled but you still can’t get rid of that feeling that you have not experienced it all. Well I have a option for you. As the entire city is built on 13 islands that are all connected with bridges there is one island with restaurants, cafes and shopping. To get there you’ll have to take a boat and in summertime the boats departs every hour. The boat trip takes no longer then 30 minutes and once you’re on the island named Fjäderholmarna you can hang around, sunbathe and watch the busy harbor and all the boat traffic in the surrounding waters. On the island there are also many different arts and handcraft shops if you’re into that.

If your time is short, just go there and calm down after a warm and crowded day in the city. When I’m there, I almost compulsively follow the same routine. I step off the boat, buy a toast with our traditional pickled herring and a beer. After finishing that I take a walk across the island to the other side. Here the wind is more fresh and I find myself in a secluded place where I just hang for a while, watching the sea, all the boats and activity. As its starts to become late in the afternoon it’s perfect to take the next boat back to mainland. After that you can head home, take a shower and then you are totally ready to hit the town again!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fjäderholmarna | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing, Snacks
Fjäderholmarna | Östermalm
April 28 2012

Moderna is situated on my favourite island and neighbor 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. Right now there’s a bunch of interesting exhibitions, go see!

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Moderna Museet | Art & culture, Shopping, Snacks | Entrance SEK 100.00
Skeppsholmen | City/Norrmalm | +46851955200
Tue 10:00 – 20:00, Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

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! Some of them here at Medis and some of them at Debaser Slussen.

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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