photo by Marta Vargas
Travel
A Complete Scandi-Lover’s Guide to Stockholm
With its beautiful golden light in the evenings that lasts well into the night, summertime in Stockholm is a thing to behold. If you’re looking for the best restaurants and bars in Södermalm or where to shop in Östermalm,...
photo by Marta Vargas
With its beautiful golden light in the evenings that lasts well into the night, summertime in Stockholm is a thing to behold. If you’re looking for the best restaurants and bars in Södermalm or where to shop in Östermalm, we’ve got you covered. From the Michelin-starred restaurant that operates without gas or electricity to a waterfront bar that shimmers in the summer sun, there’s no shortage of things to eat, drink and experience in this city. Beautiful boutique hotels and townhouses show off the best in Scandinavian design while the city shines with lush parks, great galleries and plenty of fascinating museums.
Hop aboard a ferry to explore the archipelago and come along as we explore and share our top recommendations in the city of islands.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Hop aboard a ferry to explore the archipelago and come along as we explore and share our top recommendations in the city of islands.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Where to Stay
Stockholm, Sweden
Scandinavian design lovers, rejoice. Beautifully designed interiors with careful attention to detail are commonplace among the boutique hotels and townhomes of this Nordic town.
You’ll enjoy spacious, luxurious rooms that are large enough to entertain friends during your stay at Hotel At Six. Spring for a room with a terrace and panoramic views or cozy up in a suite surrounded by woods, marble and soft textiles. Enjoy all-day dining at the Dining Room At Six, an international brasserie-style restaurant or explore any of the three bars: the wine and food bar, Blanche & Hierta, for 400 wine options, the cocktail bar for signature cocktails and Scandinavia’s first slow-listening bar, Hosoi, a living room where the music is the focus.
The classic, stately Scandinavian grounds of Ett Hem date back to 1910 when it was erected as a private residence. Now a 12-suite townhouse hotel, the Arts and Crafts building stuns with its impeccable details inside and out, right down to the lush courtyard garden.
Part of the Nobis hotel collection, Miss Clara is a Swedish boutique hotel with a minimalist-meets-glossy aesthetic. Walkable to Gamla Stan (Old Town), the building itself is a seven-story Art Nouveau structure that dates back to 1910 and houses 92 sleek, modern rooms.
A design hotel that caters to luxury seekers and business travelers alike, Nobis Hotel seamlessly blends beauty, comfort, elegance and hospitality. Located in Norrmalm, you’ll have easy access to the best parks, museums, galleries, restaurants, shops and bars Stockholm has to offer.
Set just along the waterfront, this Radisson BLU is upfront and center to some of Stockholm’s best sights. With over 400 rooms and a slew of meeting spaces to choose from, this spot is great for travelers who want to be in the mix of all Norrmalm has to offer.
Located in the heart of Stockholm, this palatial boutique hotel has housed celebrities from across the world. The rooms at Berns Hotel, each individually designed, are flawless. A French bistro, a classic Chinese restaurant, a rooftop bar and nightclub, and a casual cocktail bar offer culinary experiences for guests and visitors alike.
Welcoming, comfortable digs with designer edge is what you can expect at Stockholm’s Hotel C. With 367 slumber spots to choose from, there’s a room style for every personality type at this lively hotel.
Where to Eat + Drink
Stockholm, Sweden
From the Michelin-starred restaurant that operates without gas or electricity to a waterfront bar that shimmers in the summer sun, there’s no shortage of things to eat, drink and experience in this city.
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Located at Hotel At Six, Dining Room At Six is a minimal, modern and buzzing brasserie with contemporary international and seasonal cuisine inspired by all parts of the world. Warm yourself on a crisp day with a selection from the impressive wine list, by the glass or bottle.
Nosh on open-faced sandwiches and sip batch brews at Kavalleriet Café in Stockholm’s Östermalm district. The spacious spot with tall ceilings and a lovely outdoor terrace shares a building with the Performing Arts Museum, making it a great place to fuel up while taking in the local art scene.
Biodynamic farming and a farm-to-fork concept are the focus of Rosendals’ Garden Foundation. The sweet greenhouse café on site pulls from the extensive gardens and wood-fired bakery to create a menu that’s organic and homegrown, served in a truly unique space.
This sweet little French Pâtisserie in Stockholm’s Östermalm is all about technique when it comes to producing their delicious, beautiful pastries and breads. It's a perfect place to stop in for breakfast, lunch or a good, strong coffee.
Take your pick of tasting your way through refreshing beers on tap or sipping from a long list of Rieslings at Bar Central on Birger Jarlsgatan. The kitchen churns out Mediterranean and Central European dishes in a space that’s well designed to feel both welcoming and stylish.
If wood-fired, smoky, artfully plated foods are your jam, this Michelin-starred restaurant is sure to make its way onto your must-dine list. Ekstedt uses no electricity and no gas to cook with, so each dish has a smoky, complex flavor profile.
Craft coffees and delicious sandwiches and pastries are all on the menu at Café Pascal in Södermalm and Vasastan. Sit inside the casual, cool interiors or take your coffee outside on the sidewalk while gazing at passersby.
Whether you find yourself dining on a Swedish corn fed duck cooked over open flame or fish cheeks with pea and asparagus porridge, there’s always something that’s bound to take you by surprise on the inventive menu at Gastrologik. It’s no surprise that the creative chefs and beautiful space here have warranted a Michelin star.
Set in a thoughtfully appointed space, Rutabaga offers a vegetarian gastronomy experience. If you’re keen on getting to know the scene behind this charming restaurant, opt for a seat at the chef’s table and you’ll be hobnobbing with some of Stockholm’s best cooks in no time.
The recent recipients of a Michelin star, the team at Agrikultur pour a whole lot of love into creating an atmosphere that feels alive with energy and warmth. There are only 24 seats in the open-kitchen restaurant, where the menu changes daily and always reflects the best of local agriculture and community.
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With locations in Södermalm, Gamla Enskede and Stavsnäs Vinterhamn, this third generation bakery has fans locally and internationally. Stop in for a quick pick-me-up or stock up on beautiful breads and pastries for your travel squad.
Nordic meets Japanese cuisine at Tak Stockholm, perched right above the water’s edge. This gorgeous, sun soaked spot offers everything from raw bar and sake tastings to brunch and daily lunch and dinner.
This summery spot sits right on the barges of Norr Mälarstrands promenade and makes a fab spot to grab an afternoon drink or bite with friends. Keep an eye out for their events schedule, as they often have DJs and epic parties in the floating gardens.
Open-air restaurants dot Stockholm’s waterfront, and that’s exactly where you’ll want to be when that golden summer evening light hits. Pop a bottle of rosé and toast to the good life with your newest Swedish friends.
There’s a grill, a restaurant, a courtyard and a lounge at this multi-story eatery in Norrmalm. The townhouse structure of Nosh and Chow is designed to a T inside, with each space having its own look and feel that’s modern and plush.
If you’re looking to stock up on booze during your stay in Stockholm, you’ll have to pop into a government run store known as a Systembolaget to get your hands on anything with over 3.5% alcohol content. These shops are actually an awesome way to peruse all the local and craft brews and spirits Scandinavia has to offer.
If you’re looking for a fab spot to stop and sip on a cold beer or listen to some live, local music while you’re island hopping, check out Fjäderholmarnas Bryggeri. This microbrewery is the perfect casual stopover for a quick drink or to toss back a few with friends.
Bakfickan Djuret emphasizes the use of the whole animal, presenting a rustic, sustainability-minded set menu of three courses. The outdoor patio is open all summer long, while the interior shuts down for a summer break.
What to Experience
Stockholm, Sweden
Hop aboard a ferry to explore the archipelago with lush parks, superb shopping, great galleries and plenty of fascinating museums.
The former sculpture studio of Swedish artist Carl Eldh houses several hundred of his stunning works. Set in Bellevue Park, the surrounding gardens are also worth a wander.
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Hoping to get in on the Scandinavian fashion scene while in Stockholm? Check out Grandpa Store for the best in clothes, accessories and lifestyle goods.
Stockholm’s Old Town, Gamla Stan has buildings that date back hundreds of years, making great walking territory for anyone who’s interested in architecture and history. The Nobel Museum offers a brush-up on award winners of years’ past, making a good educational stop for those so inclined.
Take a walk through the Royal Djurgården or hop on bikes to ride along the pathways. Either way you choose to enjoy it, the landscape here makes for a gorgeous city park wander.
It’d be hard to forget to Fika in a town that prides itself on its coffee and pastries. This tried and true Swedish tradition celebrates the art of taking a coffee break, made ever sweeter with the enjoyment of twisty, spicy-sweet Cannebulle and Cardamombulle.
About 410,000 books are on display at Stockholm’s City Library, with around 2,500 visitors passing through daily. Pop in and check out the collections and be sure to pencil in time to explore the gardens and pond outside.
Stockholm’s subway art is known as the world’s longest art exhibit, with artistic installations that date from the 1950s to present day. You can take a guided tour and learn all about the history of the metro station art and artists, or opt for a self-guided trek to the murals, statues and installations across the city.
One of the top shopping heavy hitters in Stockholm, Snickarbacken 7 is located in late 19th century stables on the edge of Ostermalm and sells great finds for gifts, homewares and more. There’s also a great café if you’re looking to take a break for coffee and treats.
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