Every time I go to Grandpa I get a homey feeling that is a bit unusual when entering design clothing stores. This mainly arises from the cozy home-like retro decoration as well as the extremely friendly personnel which I have consistently encountered here over the years.

Grandpa is mainly a fashion store that has a very good mix of Swedish and other International brands like April 77, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, Whyred, Uniforms for the dedicated among others. But besides the clothes one can also find furniture, decoration (such as porcelain tigers), gadgets, and movies.

There’s often a DJ playing music and on the last Thursday of each month the Södermalm’s store is opened until 9pm (SoFo Night) and wine is offered to their customers. In the Fridhemsplan’s store there is both a café as well as a bigger furniture section, including new and second-hand products.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Grandpa | Shopping | Jeans SEK 1000
Södermannagatan 21 | Södermalm | +4686436080
Mon – Fri 11:30 – 18:30, Sat 11:30 – 17:00, Sun 12:00 – 16:00

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

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

Stadsmissionen is a humanitarian organisation which focuses on helping homeless people. Their Second Hand shops are part of their social work.

There are 7 Stadsmissionen Second Hand shops in Stockholm. This one, at Hornsgatan, is one of my favourites. Mostly because it’s on a great street where I often stroll. Another one, at Skånegatan, might be the most popular one and a real pearl. I always find really cheap and nice clothes here.

They have a Re-make department where they give old fabric new life. You can find really nice remade clothes in every store. A very cool and environment-friendly idea!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Stadsmissionen | Shopping | Re-made pillow SEK 120.00
Hornsgatan 58 | Södermalm | +4686429335
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 11:00 – 16:00, Sun 12:00 – 16:00

This is THE store for vegetarian food in Stockholm. It’s a small but packed shop with everything you’d need. Almost all products are organic and many of them fair-trade as well. Vegetables, tofu, cookies, washing powder, diapers… They even sell organic dog food.

Goodstore received “Guldråttan” (the Golden Rat) year 2009, a price given out each year to places/people who have worked exceptionally well in the field of animal rights. Good work Goodstore!

Goodstore’s goal is to have Sweden’s widest selection of vegetarian goods. The prices could be lower, but it’s totally worth buying food here; it’s healthy, tasty and you’re supporting a good cause.

I just realized that you can buy the organic soda Bionade here, hurrah!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Goodstore | Shopping | Tofu SEK 20.00
Skånegatan 92 | Södermalm | +4686414036
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 20:00, Sat 11:00 – 18:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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 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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fotografiska | Art & culture, Bars, Shopping, Snacks | Adult entrance SEK 110
Stora Tullhuset Stadsgårdshamnen 22 | Södermalm | +46850900500
10:00 – 21:00 daily

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

This shop is a delight for the eye. Just popping in makes me happy, all those colors and creative crafts; and the best part is that it’s all fair trade! This is the best place for shopping presents!

The first shop opened already in 1967 but was taken over by six textile designers from Konstfack in 2003. They work with 30 different countries, get new products regularly and some by season; right now they have lots of stuff made of recycled things.

Check out their really cool recycled stuff like the frames, water-jugs and furniture.

The idea behind Afroart is to create new jobs for local craftsmen from developing countries (lots of cooperation with Bangladesh for example) and to adapt traditional crafts to the western market.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Afroart | Shopping | Woollen Mittens SEK 235.00
Hornsgatan 58 | Södermalm | +4686425095
Mon – Fri 10:30 – 18:30, Sat 11:00 – 16:00, Sun 12:00 – 16:00