The guide to the best cafés in Stockholm

Café of the year 2018

With their decadent French pastries, freshly-baked bread, excellent breakfast deals and homemade lunches, Fosch Artisan Pâtisserie draws in the crowds from morning until dinner time. In 2018 they won a prestigious award for Stockholm's best café.

Quaint and kitschy by Nytorget

Gilda’s Rum is a popular and cosy café with a distinct boho-chic vibe à la your kitschy grandmother. Settle into an armchair with a cuppa and pastry in hand. The candlelit interior offers a cheerful respite; during the summer the sun-drenched terrace facilitates prolonged coffee-sessions.

Traditional meets trendy

Judging by the classic interiors, this is a very traditional Swedish café. The atmosphere is laid-back and homely, perfect for anyone wanting to stay a while and work, eat lunch with friends or have a coffee in peace and quiet. Yet the menu is modern and on-trend, with Insta-friendly avocado on toast, smoothie bowls, omelettes and Asian salads. An excellent combination of two worlds.

Day tripping

Take a trip out to Herrängens Gård by Fruängen where you can go for a walk in leafy surroundings around Lake Långsjön before stopping for a cosy coffee or lunch at this historic house. They serve hearty lunch dishes and delicious cakes and pastries for the sweet-toothed.

Edgy in Vasastan and Södermalm

Exposed brick walls, bistro chairs and top-notch ingredients. Pascal has quickly become a favourite café of in-the-know Stockholmers and both branches are stylish and ambitious - whether you're after breakfast, lunch or just a fantastic fika.

Sweet as sugar

When you're in the mood to try something a bit different, head to Dirty Coco, where they serve up decadent desserts such as pancakes, waffles, chocolate fondue and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Eat in unique, completely pink premises, covered with thousands of flowers.

Coffee from their own farms

You'll find Lykke Kaffegårder a stone's throw from Nytorget in Södermalm, serving everything from coffee to small dishes and cocktails. They're open all day, so drop by for an espresso, something to eat, or post-work drink. They're passionate about coffee and the coffee they serve comes from farms in which they're part-owners.

On the Old Town quayside

This organic artisan bakery and popular café is housed in a former customshouse on Skeppsbrokajen. Have a coffee and cinnamon bun or sourdough sandwich and enjoy the view over the water, either indoors or outside when weather allows.

Baked goods and a good deed

Grillska Huset is owned by Statsmissionen's charity. With emphasis on organic and local produce the menu combines international influences with Swedish tradition. Their award-winning pastries are well worth the trip.

Stockholm institution

A real Stockholm classic in the heart of town with a charming atmosphere and updated café and konditori selection. Sit and enjoy a long fika break in one of their many rooms, or take a seat in the inner courtyard in good weather. Vete-Katten has been on Kungsgatan since 1928 and their large range includes homemade chocolates.

A cosy retreat

Amidst Bergius Botanical Garden an old conservatory has been converted into lovely café and farmers market complete with an outdoor terrace for sunny afternoons. Gamla Orangeriet offers fresh pastries, food and coffee from a local coffee roaster. The café is a popular destination, be it summer or winter.

Organic bakery

This quaint bakery has been located on Kungsholmen since the 1920s. The current owners have preserved the authentic vibe in combination with modern, organic and sustainable practices. Bulleboden is famous for its sourdough buns.

Historic surroundings

A classic konditori where it feels as though time has stood still since the 1930s. Take a seat for lunch or breakfast, or coffee and dinner. During the summer months you can eat al fresco, with views over Vasa Park.

Organic and biodynamic food

After a promenade around the scenic gardens of Rosendal and Djurgården an afternoon pick-me-up is a prerequisite. The greenhouse-cum-café offers a completely organic menu with biodynamic food and pastries.

Biggest buns in town

Decidedly Parisian Saturnus offers petite dejuner, lunch and baked goods throughout the day. Despite classic offerings such as croissant and pain au chocolat the Swedish influences are apparent, illustrated by the gigantic cinnamon and cardamom buns proudly displayed upon the counter.

Gelato fika

If you're in the mood for something cooling and refreshing instead coffee and a bun, head to one of StikkiNikki's ice cream bars. Buy a cup or cone filled with homemade gelato. StikkiNikki's selection is extensive - flavours include everything from classics such as strawberries and pistachio to more innovative ones such as popcorn and peanut butter crunch. They also have vegan ice cream.