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

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

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

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 the weather is nice you should fetch a table outside, it’s 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 has 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 60.00
Katarina Bangata 21 | Södermalm | +4686445043
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 19:00

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
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 18:30, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 17:00