Must-Visit Cafes and Coffeehouses in Stockholm, Sweden

Have you even been to Stockholm if you haven’t gorged on one of the oversized cinnamon buns served at Cafe Saturnus? Take in the elegant mosaic floor at this chic French-inspired spot on Eriksbergsgatan, try a delicious baguette or salad, and linger long enough to build up an appetite for the sticky, buttery cinnamon rolls that have made this cafe famous.

This historic cafe, close to the Royal Palace in the heart of Gamla Stan, has exposed brick walls, flickering candles and a pavement terrace perfect for people watching. Tuck into hearty portions of lasagne, traditional skagen sandwiches and salmon pie, or wander down the spiral staircase to glimpse at the atmospheric cellar vault from the 1600s. Stay all day in winter, when the cafe serves mulled wine, saffron buns and hot white chocolate to die for.

Drop Coffee, award-winning coffee roasters, promote Swedish fika culture, which means to make time for friends over coffee and food. The cafe is well-loved for its rich coffee and is a Stockholm icon with over 50,000 Instagram followers. Working remotely? The wifi is reliable, and there are plenty of power sockets.

Kafé 44, operated by non-profit organisations, is a popular choice for music and book lovers; it’s a coffee shop as well as a self-proclaimed “anarchist” book store and music venue. Drop in, and enjoy concerts by Swedish underground bands and singers. This cafe offers budget vegetarian food, with healthy sandwiches as its signature dishes.

Not quite a castle but a regal-looking destination, Flickorna Helin Voltaire is a sophisticated choice for coffee. It offers a variety of baked foods if you’re peckish, too. It’s located on the island of Djurgården, close to tourist attractions such as Skansen (the world’s oldest open-air museum) and Gröna Lund (an amusement park).

Färgfabrikens Kafé, located in a former paint factory, is a large, airy cafe that’s a hit with locals. This cafe serves up lunch and brunch, along with numerous baked cookies. The building also doubles up as a contemporary art venue, and you’ll often find many people holding events here.

Johan & Nyström was founded by a group of coffee enthusiasts who wanted to bring their idea of great coffee to Stockholm. They purchase their coffee beans from fair trade agencies and roast them in their own factory. There is loads of choice, but we recommend opting for their Roast of the Week. You can also pick up a bag of your own speciality coffee to brew at home.

Visiting the Nobel Prize Museum or Royal Palace? Enjoy a Swedish coffee and pastry or sandwich from the Chokladkoppen afterwards. This cosy cafe in Gamla Stan is a stone’s throw away from these landmarks and a great place to relax and recharge. Its hot chocolate also comes highly recommended.

Established in 1959, Konditori Ritorno is a longstanding, beloved Stockholm coffee destination. The cafe is located in Vasatan, on the fringe of the city centre, and is decked out with old furniture and huge mirrors – creating a vintage vibe. The cafe favours traditional filtered coffee, so you’ll experience an authentic Swedish taste.

Slightly outside of Stockholm in the neighbourhood of Hägersten lies the A.B.Café. This cafe is reminiscent of 1950s Stockholm and has a wonderful retro-feel to it. Located near Konstfack University College, you will be sure to find some art students around conversing over a cup of coffee and stopping in for a bite to eat. Recommended by Whitney Wasko

Decorated with a 1950s and 60s vibe, Cafe String is located in the middle of Söder, a neighbourhood famous for its creative vibe. One of the coolest things about Cafe String is that just about everything is for sale, including the coffee cup that you drink out of. The cafe also serves a popular, delicious breakfast buffet that is available on the weekends. Recommended by Whitney Wasko

When you take a step into Louie Louie, you will instantly get the feeling of stepping into the 1950s. With its classic, checkered flooring and red vinyl chairs, this retro cafe offers a wide range of coffees, sandwiches and pastries, which are all at reasonable prices. Recommended by Whitney Wasko

One of the most quintessential Swedish cafes is Vete-katten. Opened in 1928, Vete-katten is filled with tradition, locals and tourists, and has a retro feel. It’s one of the most popular cafes in all of Stockholm. With multiple locations, visitors have great opportunities to visit the cafe no matter where they are in Stockholm. However, we recommend visiting the Vete-katten on Kungsgatan, since it is the oldest and most well-known of them all. Recommended by Whitney Wasko

Traditional and filled with delicious, Swedish comfort-food, Älskade Traditioner is one of the best cafes you can visit in the city. Located in Södermalm, Älskade Traditioner is a place many locals visit, which is an excellent indicator of where to go. If you’re a fan of waffles, we recommend grabbing one as they are popular among costumers. Recommended by Whitney Wasko