Hannah Rees-Middleton

Pizza by the slice and a good glass of natural vino: it's like being back in NYC. Only when you pop by 800 Grader and get your ever-so cheesy stracciatella, or pizza con le patate, you're in fact in the scenic, quiet streets of Södermalm. Pop by for a casual lunch or dinner, before wandering around SoFo. 

With it's wooden panelled bar, tiled floor, Schmaltz is your typical bistro. Pickles, pâtes, charcuterie, cheeses, and smoked fish are put on a pedestal at this spot, and for all good reason. Share a few plates and naturally, a few glasses of the natural wine. All fance aside, the highlight for us has to be their grilled cheese broodjes come lunchtime: you'll have tasted nothing quite like it! 

This luxurious boutique hotel captures the essence of Stockholm. It's chic, remarkably comfortable, though ever-so homely. Boasting city views from every window, there really is no better place to wake up when in the city. 

Located between the cobblestone alleyways of Södermalm, Hotel Frantz is a boutique hotel, with swoon worthy interiors. Laid-back, yet wonderfully luxurious, grab a drink from the bar and unwind at this home-from-home stay. 

Hotel Ruth is the neighbourhood abode of Vasastan: a home away from home, located in the heart of the city. It's unpretentious, inviting, and blends classic Scandinavian design with a huge dose of passion, and good fun. If you're a laid-back traveller, this is the spot to settle down for a few nights. 

Our favourite homewear store come café bar. Pop by to browse at the beautiful interiors and design, before settling down at the adjoining Cafériör for a cup of coffee and a classic bagel. Always a great ambience, this is a spot which will have you back time and time again. 

Voted as the best bakery in Stockholm for their kanelbulle, Lillebrors bageri is a casual, neighborhood spot. Though, queuing for your loaf of freshly baked bread and bun of the day is to be expected, it's totally worth it. There are no seats to sit-in, but during the summer months there is nothing better than taking your goods to Rörstrandsgatan and finding somewhere to perch. 

When they say the burn is next level, they're really not kidding. The Place Stockholm is tough and the workouts will have every muscle in your body aching but, with the killer playlists and great instructors pushing you through, we have to say it's a whole lot of fun!

Ed Wilson and Josie Stead, makers of Columbia Road favourite Brawn, are behind this brick-walled Harbour Arm spot, serving Med-influenced small plates of serious quality given the narrowness of the bar-style open kitchen. Happiness is sitting outside on a summer’s evening with a Pantelleria orange wine and a full table: of Cantabrian anchovies, airily magnificent parmesan fritters or red mullet with fennel and fregula. Stay long enough – Wild Turkey 101 Old Fashioneds will help – and you might see the tide fully wax or wane.   

As formulas go, Recoin edges on the more refined and so naturally comes with a slightly heavier price tag. Albeit, for a couple of euros more we have what can only be described as a sensationally, flavorsome feast. Potato rosti is topped with a creamy shallot and chive dollop and bump of caviar, red mullet is drowned in a rich fennel flower broth and pud takes the form of a vanilla chiffon tart served alongside ribbons of rhubarb sorbet. Fine dining, bistrot de quartier style. Despite the more polished air than Florent Cicolli’s other ventures, Recoin is equally groovy. There are the orange maceration bottles that circulate at €30, the chef of the moment is the self-taught, fashion design student, Julie Della Faille and as soon as the sun sets, Le Marais kitted-locals come marching in seeking a spicy marg with a chipotle-spiced rim.