The best cafés in the Old Town

The best cafés in the Old Town

Stockholm's Old Town is, just like the historic parts of all cities, packed with tourists from all over the world. Some Stockholmers tend to avoid the area because of its rather tacky tourist traps, but if you look beyond the facade you'll find some excellent restaurants, bars and cafés serving everything from classic konditori cakes and pastries to more substantial menus. Don your cosiest café cardie and don't be surprised if one of our Old Town café recommendations ends up becoming a regular haunt.

In this guide
  1. Cafés in the Old Town
    1. Skeppsbro Bageri – Coffee and buns with a view
    2. Under Kastanjen – Granny café
    3. Panem – Artisanal coffee break
    4. Sundbergs Konditori – Traditional
    5. Bröd & Salt – Urban bakers
    6. Chokladkoppen – Gay-friendly and homely
    7. Café Kaffekoppen – Chokladkoppen's sister café
    8. Café Fika and Wine – Classic fika in a cosy setting
    9. Augustas folksalong – Old-fashioned fika
    10. Grillska Huset – Coffee with a conscience
    11. Chaikhana – Authentic teahouse
    12. Fabrique – Well-known chain
    13. Belgian Bakery – Waffle Day all year round

Cafés in the Old Town

Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri – Cafés in the Old Town
Skeppsbro Bageri

Skeppsbro Bageri

Coffee and buns with a view

This organic artisan bakery in Tullhus 1, a former customs house, is perfect for a fika, breakfast or light lunch right on the waterfront. The counter is loaded with delicious cinnamon buns and sourdough sandwiches. Take a pew in the light, airy premises or sit outside and soak up the view when the weather allows.

Under Kastanjen

Granny café

As the name (which means "Under the Chestnut Tree") suggests, this café is situated right under one of the Old Town's largest trees, a large chestnut on Brända Tomten square. The style is cosy and homely à la grandma's house and they serve traditional pastries - like sponge cake and cinnamon buns - and traditional homecooking, such as soups and meatballs. Much of what they bake is lactose and gluten-free. During the summer months you can sit and eat al fresco under the shade of the leafy tree.

Panem

Artisanal coffee break

The focus at Panem is on craftsmanship, whether it's pastries, pizzas or any of their other edible delights. The counters are laden with ambitious baked goods and confectionery, often inspired by Italy and France, but you can also enjoy lunch or an early dinner if you prefer. For drinks, you'll find everything from coffee and frappes to selected wines and beers.

Sundbergs Konditori

Traditional

You'll find Sundbergs konditori, with its original interiors and classic selection, in the heart of Järntorget. The outdoor seating area is often packed in the warmer months with locals and tourists jostling for the best spots in the sun. The place to go if you want to visit a really traditional Swedish konditori.

Bröd & Salt Tullhus 3 Bröd & Salt Gamla stan
Bröd & Salt Tullhus 3
brodsalt.se
Bröd & Salt Gamla stan
brodsalt.se
Bröd & Salt Tullhus 3 Bröd & Salt Gamla stan

Urban bakers

You'll find one of Bröd & Salt's larger cafés on the waterfront of Skeppsbron and its open stone oven bakery often wafts a delicious aroma around the neighbourhood. Passers-by stop in for a quick breakfast or lunch, but you can also take a pew and stay a while to enjoy the view over the entrance to Stockholm harbour. Their selection of sandwiches, cakes and pastries, salads, pizza slices and coffee is also served in their Järntorget branch.

 

  • Skeppsbrokajen, Old Town Järntorget 83, Old Town
    Bröd & Salt Tullhus 3
    Skeppsbrokajen, Old Town
    Bröd & Salt Gamla stan
    Järntorget 83, Old Town
  • Bröd & Salt Tullhus 3
    brodsalt.se
    Bröd & Salt Gamla stan
    brodsalt.se
    Bröd & Salt Tullhus 3
    070-767 73 67
    Bröd & Salt Gamla stan
    08-522 468 70
  • Bröd & Salt Tullhus 3 Bröd & Salt Gamla stan

Chokladkoppen

Gay-friendly and homely

In the centre of Stortorget in the heart of the Old Town, Chokladkoppen welcomes café guests with their cosy, living-room vibes and open hearts and minds. The café calls itself gay-friendly and its location makes it the perfect spot for people-spotting. They serve a soup of the day, sandwiches made to order and cakes and pastries.

Café Kaffekoppen

Chokladkoppen's sister café

You'll find both locals and tourists in search of a good cup of coffee at this cosy café, which is the sister café and neighbour to Chokladkoppen. Have a cake or pastry with your coffee or a proper hot meal, and enjoy the historic 16th century cellar locale.

Café Fika and Wine

Classic fika in a cosy setting

Why choose between wine and coffee when you can have both? Enjoy homemade cakes and pastries at this charming café, or satisfy your hunger with more substantial dishes. Or how about a wine-fika, with a cinnamon bun and a glass of wine in your hand? Whichever you choose, you can expect high levels of cosiness and a homely atmosphere.

Augustas folksalong

Old-fashioned fika

Journey back through time to the 1880s. At Augustas Folksalong, time stands still, with candles and kerosene lamps instead of lights and electricity. Sip on good old-fashioned filter coffee with a cookie or two in period-appropriate surroundings, or maybe try a glass of punch. Staff wear authentic 19th-century costumes.

Grillska Huset

Coffee with a conscience

The charitable organisation Stockholms Stadsmission run this café, also on Stortorget. They bake their own bread and buns, in what many regard as one of the best bakeries in Stockholm. Kill two birds with one stone; enjoy delicious cakes and pastries and make a positive contribution to society at the same time.

Chaikhana

Authentic teahouse

Swedes may be known for their prodigious coffee consumption, but you can also find one of Scandinavia's largest selections of teas in a café in the Old Town. Choose between flavours and varieties from all corners of the world, perhaps in combination with a scone, sandwich or tempting pastry. If you really want to take a deep dive into the universe of tea, you can try Chaikhana's tea tasting.

Fabrique

Well-known chain

This branch of the popular bakery and café chain is a stone's throw from Gamla Stan underground station. Pop by for a cup of coffee, breakfast or light lunch, or pick up one of Fabrique's famous sourdough loaves. The café is tucked away in a cosy medieval alleyway.

Belgian Bakery

Waffle Day all year round

The Old Town is something of a waffle mecca, and one of the most beloved spots for waffles is Belgian Bakery. They serve the large Belgian type of waffle, with a variety of toppings such as chocolate sauces, whipped cream, fruit, and ice cream. They also offer sweet crêpes, churros, and ice cream for anyone who prefers. 

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.