Östermalm

Svenskt Tenn is possibly the most famous design store in Sweden and it is easy to understand why. Designer Estrid Ericson initially needed a space to sell her pewter wares, but over time her interest turned to interiors. Ericson teamed up with Jewish-Austrian architect and furniture designer Josef Frank (who had fled to Sweden to avoid the Nazis), and their interior collaborations became renowned after the world expos of the late 1930s. Today the store’s inventory is in the thousands—bolts of beautifully patterned fabrics, Scandinavian furniture, cushions, throws, curtains, and pretty much everything else you could imagine for your home. There is much here that is both portable and giftable, and they also sell other brands like Fornasetti.

Occupying a sunny corner space with windows on two sides, Broms is part restaurant, part deli, with a full sit-down experience available three meals a day, plus a fully stocked pantry and counter of takeaway options. The menu offers a mix of Swedish dishes and influences from abroad. For breakfast, try one of their acai bowls, or go for it with a sandwich made with Kalles Kaviar—a fishy Swedish spread that's purchased in graphically appealing toothpaste-style tubes. For dinner, regulars recommended the Swedish meatballs and the salmon sashimi with mango and avocado.

In a city of ever-evolving New Nordic cuisine, PA&Co is refreshingly old school and has obstinately served essentially the same dishes for three decades. While the food may not be cutting the culinary edge, this bistro still attracts Stockholm's perennially trendy fashion and media crowd night after night. Serving up classics like meatballs and beef Rydberg (beef tenderloin, crispy potatoes, and rich onion marmalade) in a cozy space with leather sofas, chandeliers, and marble-topped tables, PA&Co definitely requires a reservation (unless you're a regular, in which case you get to walk in).

A beautifully ornate space in a city that favors more rustic and minimalist aesthetics, Lilla Baren and Riche is a Parisian-style bar that's a favorite with the post-work professional crowd. The mirrored walls, chandeliers, and white stucco cornicing make for a ridiculously pretty setting that also hosts regular art exhibits and serves up some of Stockholm's best meatballs.

One of a few hybrid bar/restaurant/market spots in Stockholm, Taverna Brillo's menu might be described as Italian with strong Nordic influences. Favorite items include grilled bread topped with crab, mayonnaise, and roasted garlic; pizza with vendace roe, crème fraîche, Swedish cheese, and lemon; and a yellow beet dish that comes with spinach, ricotta, roasted almonds, pickled beets, and deep-fried black cabbage. There's a really good wine list, too, so this is a great spot for casual drinks and snacks after work or a long day of sightseeing.