Image by Aaron L

I’m not sure why this place hasn’t been written about before. Perhaps, it’s because its not located in a place you’d usually look. Unless you’re the kind of person who searches for bars 33 meters up in the air! BAM!

Gondolen has a bar with the best view in all of Stockholm. Although 33m doesn’t sound very impressive, please consider the fact that Stockholm city isn’t exactly filled with towering office buildings and skyscrapers worthy of King Kong’s attention. The bar is located in the bridge that connects the old Katarina Hissen (Katarina lift) and Mosebacke on Sodermalm.

The bartenders are professionals in red and white striped uniform. Cute right? And you’ll have a dazzling view over Gamla Stan and the rest of Sodermalm by the large windows on both sides of the bar. I would say the clientèle at the restaurant are locals and Swedish tourists who are slightly more mature (like a good wine, around 40 years old and up) but don’t let that stop you young travelers! Or maybe you kind of dig that? Youngsters nowadays…

Anyway the view and great cocktails make for a memorable night out in the city and when you’re feeling the need for a change of scenery just head over to Götgatan, which is a 5 minute walk from Gondolen and check out the indie bar scene like Bauer, Ljungrens (check the articles here & here) and Indigo (Götgatan 19). All hugely popular with the Stockholm locals.

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Gondolen | Bars
Stadsgården 6 | Södermalm | +4686417090
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 01:00, Sat 16:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Stockholm

Image by Aaron L

Fish and chips eat your heart out! Sweden’s version of the classic English favorite checks all the tasty boxes and comes up on top. Why is it better? First of all its Swedish, second, it’s healthier (it’s got some cucumbers…) and finally, it’s not covered in oily batter that’ll make you break out.

It is called nystekt strömming (freshly fried herring) and the best one you can find is a stall right outside on the square at Slussen subway station (Södermalmstorg). You can’t miss it. It’s been raved about by numerous publications and it’s equally popular with the locals as with the tourists. During the summers its not unusual to see a queue from the little kiosk window to…somewhere far from that little kiosk window. Anyway, humans are programmed to think that if there’s a queue, whatever it is, it’s gonna be good.

What you’ll be enjoying is the fried herring, some mashed potatoes of course and a special relish made of cucumber, radish and red onions. You’ll be able to choose a few variations: as a burger, a dish or in the old school way which is on a piece of knäckebrod a.k.a “Is that cardboard?” a.k.a brown Swedish hard bread.

It’s the perfect street snack before exploring Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace and/or the Stockholm’s City Museum which is right next to the stall. If you’re interested in more street food Stockholm has to offer, check out my article about Tunnbrödsrulle.

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Nystekt Strömming | Snacks | Main dish SEK 50
Södermalmstorg | Södermalm
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 17:00

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!

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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 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 Holger Ellgaard

Exercise and I have never been good friends. Especially during the winter months in Stockholm. It’s pretty bad… However, over the past year I have made an effort to increase the amount of exercise from nonexistent to minimal.

A great place that for a brisk winter walk is by Tantolunden or affectionately known by locals as ‘Tanto’. It’s a park located in Hornstull right by the water, which makes for beautiful scenery for a walk, jog or ‘jolk’.

However, what I really love about Tanto is Hobbit Land, a personal nickname that I gave the hill that’s absolutely jam packed with tiny huts and gardens. Basically in Stockholm, the locals who live in apartments can buy an area of land where they can grow fruits and veggies and erect miniature houses and sit there during the warmer months to enjoy their land. I know, so organic it’s sickening but I love it.

It’s a really fun and interesting walk and quite unique compared to the other walking trails in Stockholm city. As you make your way up the hill you pass by all sorts of miniature cottages, apple trees, rose bushes when finally you reach the top and come to absolutely breathtaking view over Hornstull, the water and over to Liljeholmen. I’m out of breath just writing about it… Whew!

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Tanto | Relaxing
Tantolunden | Södermalm
24 hours daily

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.

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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

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

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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 Natalia Urbanska

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!

You have to leave your jacket for 20 kronor, even if you’re there only for a drink. I don’t like these kind of small expenses but this place is totally worth that 20. 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 60.00
Östgötagatan 41 | Södermalm | +4686432240
Mon – Fri 17:00 – 01:00, Sat 19:00 – 01:00

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