Best Restaurants and Cafes in Stockholm

September 15, 2024
Stockholm, Sweden
4 mins read

Lunch in Stockholm

When one of my friends who joined the trip was vegan, I thought our options would be limited, but we concluded that Sweden is one of the best places for vegans to live, starting with Hermans Restaurant. I came across it in a list of budget vegetarian restaurants, and while it wasn’t very budget-friendly for us, the unlimited open buffet meals, unlimited tea/coffee offerings after the meal, the delicious mezze/salad and vegetable lasagna, and the wonderful view made us forget about the slightly high budget. We have variations of hummus in my country yet I’ve never had hummus like this before.

There was no strict time limit for open buffet lunch; when we were there between 3-5 pm, you could still get it. Since the view and atmosphere were so calming, we sat there for hours with our travel fatigue 🙂 Later, when our friends joined us, we also had the chance to try some of their desserts, and I particularly liked one with walnuts on top.

Hermans Restaurant is located in Södermalm, very close to the Fotografiska Museum, practically just above it. Although one of the friends who went to the museum mentioned that the cafe inside was also very nice, keep that in mind 🙂

Another option for lunch might Max Burger. It is a burger chain in Sweden. While McDonald’s and Burger King are also present, Max Burger seems to be the most popular, from what I observed. It’s a go-to spot for a reasonably priced and filling meal. They also offer vegan options. Even though it might look like they don’t accept cash, they do—don’t let the empty registers fool you.

Breakfast in Stockholm

We came Helso Kafe for brunch on the recommendation of a friend who has been living in Sweden for many years. It’s a small but cute cafe and quite crowded. Unfortunately, like many places in Stockholm, they don’t accept cash. Their blueberry pancake is one of the most popular items. I opted for a falafel wrap. Weird choice for a breakfast, huh? 🙂

Dinner in Stockholm

Nalen Restaurant, located in Norrmalm, was where our project partners took us for lunch, and I must say, the interior decor was particularly impressive—the walls themselves were a work of art. The food was delicious as well. For lunch, you can either choose your own meal or go with the daily menu.

Oaxen Slip is another place our project partners took us to for dinner, located in Skansen. It’s a stylish and somewhat expensive restaurant. When I researched it online, it came up as Michelin-starred, but I believe that refers to the “Krog” part of Oaxen Krog & Slip. We had delicious meals, but I felt like we could have had food of the same quality at any luxury restaurant , which leads me to believe that the Michelin stars belong to the Krog side. The fish dishes were good, but the meat options were far superior—keep that in mind if you go.

Coffee and Desserts in Stockholm

If you’re wondering where to have your coffee, my advice would be to go with the chain Espresso House. You can find their branches almost everywhere, and it’s a safe option to start your day with some coffee.

And if you’re looking for some dessert options, of course, the cinnamon bun comes first. Although we couldn’t get a place in one of the best-known cafes, Fabrique Bakery, due to it being so crowded, we managed to get some buns and pastries in Stenugnsbageriet in Gamla Stan.

Having cinnamon bun with hot chocolate in Chokladkoppen at Stortorget Square where the colorful houses are located was both a delicious and enjoyable experience. Make sure it is a sunny day, so you can get to enjoy the square sitting outside.

We also found another cafe that became our go-to: Gateau. The best things we ate here were their apple pastry and raspberry tart. We were satisfied with our desserts in every branch of Gateau we visited. Their raspberry tart was quite delicious, with the perfect tart dough and cream! Since they also serve as a patisserie, you can buy and take home almost everything you find here. Even though the apple pastry we got for our return flight didn’t reach home, it still took its place in our memory.

We couldn’t resist sitting on the benches in front of Spiritmuseum by the canal and have our coffee. They also serve cocktails. It was a hip atmosphere crowded with people enjoying sunshine while having drinks. We definitely did not want to leave and spent quite a good time there.