Things to do

• Vasa Museum: if you’re into history, this is a must-see. An entire museum built around one item. Do NOT miss the bottom floor under the ship!

• Fotografiska: the greatest photography museum in the world. If you’re into photography, you will not be disappointed. Also, it’s open until 11pm, which most places aren’t. So if you’re jet-lagged and don’t want to go to a bar, this is a worthy alternative. 

• Artipelag: a really cool museum in the archipelago. Take the boat there if you’re going from Stockholm, it’s also a beautiful trip to get there, seeing the archipelago and some of the coolest Swedish summer homes along the way. The restaurant upstairs is excellent. The herbs served with your meal are grown on the roof, which is something you should also visit while you’re there.

• Gamla Stan (Old Town): it’s where Stockholm began! Really great place to just walk around. Definitely has touristy parts, but even with them, it’s an amazing place. It’s also small enough to walk all over in an hour or two. 

• Skansen: an open air museum and zoo. Massive, peaceful, a nice place to take a really long walk when the weather is great.

• Grand Hotel Lobby: If you want to feel fancy, get a drink here. Cool atmosphere, though a little pretentious.

• Sturebadet: Amazing spa, not cheap but if you want some relaxation in the middle of the city, the pool is gorgeous and there are all kinds of rooms and experiences that are centered around relaxation.

Food

Södermalm 

• RacaMaca: Awesome local bar and tapas restaurant. Super cool owner/operators and the food, all made in the tiniest “kitchen”, is amazing. 

• Drop Coffee: if you’re into drinking coffee, the owner and some employees have won awards for best baristas in Europe. And they deserve them.

• Svedjan Bageri: amazing coffee and the best fika (sweet treats) 

• Fang Yuan Shi Wu: Home-style dumplings made by two lovely and sweet women who’ve run this little restaurant for years. 

• Barrels, Burgers & Beer: best burger in Stockholm. The triple smash burger is my favorite. Simple and delicious! (Also has locations in Gamla Stan and the city)

• Gossip : Fantastic Bengali street food in a really cool area of the island, lots of shops and cafes on this street.

• Älskade Traditioner: fantastic waffles and crepes as full meals (with lots of savory and sweet choices). I can’t help but get the Eggs Benedict Waffle every single time. Styled after a 50’s American diner, and in a nice quiet area of Södermalm.

Gamla Stan 

• Cong: run by the same family as An Nam. Vietnamese tapas and bar in a cool spot on Gamla Stan

• Chaikhana: if you’re into drinking tea, this is the place in Stockholm. Next to a really cool church in Old Town (Gamla Stan).

• Stiernan Ramen: a tiny place on Gamla Stan, one of the most authentic ramens you'll find in Stockholm. You can tell it’s made with the care and dedication of someone truly striving to make the best they possibly can.

• Sjatte Tunnan (The Seventh Barrel): A classic “Viking-style” restaurant. My favorite thing to get is the Farmer’s Feast. You will not regret this. Somewhat cheesy and touristy, but totally fun.

• Den Gyldene Freden: famous Swedish restaurant where the Nobel dinners are held! 

City 

• An Nam: best Vietnamese food in Sweden. Home style cooking, super authentic and delicious!

• Take Ramen: Delicious ramen in a small setting… make reservations if you can or go really off hours.

• Svartengrens: Chill vibe, awesome steaks, amazing cocktails. This is sneakily the best steakhouse in Stockholm and isn’t hard to get reservations. 

• Ling Long: inside the Story Hotel, fantastic Asian fusion food, cool vibe. Easy to get reservations, which is not the same for most of the other restaurants here.

• Prinsen: it’s been there since 1897, and has been a favorite of artists and celebrities for decades, but it’s not pretentious. The Wallenburger is the best I’ve had anywhere!

Off the beaten path

• Karshamra - If you’re up for leaving the city, our favorite pizzas are made by a truly wonderful couple on a farm in the countryside. The whole place is beautiful as are the surroundings. You can hike right from the parking lot and we’ve seen amazing birds, deer, and foxes on this hike! The road into the farm goes past a wetland with all kinds of birds from spring to summer.

Shopping

Södermalm 

• Second Sunrise: awesome heritage clothing shop, with lots of great brands, and a wide selection of Japanese denim. They also do great repairs, which I’ve used them for multiple times. Owned and operated by a super cool couple who are passionate about vintage denim and workwear. 

• Nitty Gritty: there's a men's and a women's store, right next to each other. Great clothes, nice people. There was a time we only shopped here for clothes.

• 654: Outdoor/surf shop with great brands.

• Herr Judit (Men) and Judits (women): higher-end second hand clothing stores.

• Brandstationen: Vintage furniture and stuff, lots of variety, lots of $$$

City

• Nymans Ur: best watch dealer in Sweden  and the place we buy almost all of our watches (all the brands they carry). They’ve been around since 1851 and have an amazing Rolex store-in-store experience. We’ve been going since 2014, and all of the staff are warm, knowledgeable, and fantastic. 

• NK: Similar to Barney's New York, but bigger and more departments, including home, kitchen, and a really nice supermarket downstairs.