Indagare's Stockholm Cheat Sheet

“Ett hem” is Swedish for “at home,” and that’s exactly what Scandinavia’s favorite boutique hotel feels like. The original building is a lovely 1910 townhouse (actually three townhouses combined into one), in Stockholm’s embassy quarter, which has been spectacularly refurbished by owner Jeanette Mix and designer Isle Crawford. This jewel box of a property tops the best-ever lists for most Indagare members and staffers alike.

Grand by name, grand by nature, this historic waterfront institution is the place where Nobel laureates lodge and well-heeled guests come for the views, people-watching and award-winning food and drink. The Flag Suite is a penthouse of dreams.

Villa Dagmar is the answer to our travel prayers for a pretty, lively, well-located boutique hotel at a (slightly) lower price point in Stockholm. A highlight is breakfast in the sky-lit Orangerie courtyard; even in the dead of winter, the space is full of light.

Östermalms Saluhall opened in 1888 in the posh Östermalm district and has been a Swedish icon ever since. The stunning brick structure houses vendors (many of which are family-owned and have been there since the beginning) selling regional specialties like pickled herring, smoked salmon and lingonberry and cloudberry preserves. Sample bites and small plates as you stroll or sit for a proper meal at one of the restaurants, like Lisa Elmqvist.

Serving Stockholm’s best pizza (plus seasonal dishes and an excellent wine list), Babette is a casual neighborhood restaurant that has managed to stay a bit off the radar of tourists despite being one of the hottest spots in town. Located just a few blocks from Ett Hem, the low-key eatery is owned by four industry vets (including an alum of the three-Michelin-starred Stockholm institution Frantzén).

The sister restaurant to Stockholm classic Agrikultur, this small vegetarian eatery in SoFo is known for its home-distilled gin (different herb-infused flavors are created by various members of the staff). Most tables at the dinner-only restaurant are held for walk-ins.

The most casual of Swedish celebri-chef Mathias Dahlgren’s fine-dining group, this one-Michelin-starred restaurant serves delightfully relaxed dishes in a welcoming room with an open kitchen, U-shaped bar and eclectic furnishings. Diners are greeted with a parcel of crisps and butter, and paper placements detail the day’s dishes, which sample both local and international cuisines. Everything rotates based on seasonality and the freshest produce.

One of Stockholm's defining contemporary dining destinations, Adam/Albin showcases modern Nordic cuisine through elegant, ingredient-driven tasting menus. Located in Östermalm, the Michelin-starred restaurant highlights seasonal Scandinavian produce prepared with artful precision, complemented by an outstanding wine program and warm, understated service, all in a minimalist space.

One of the most celebrated restaurants in the world, holding three Michelin stars, Frantzén is a renowned dining experience in Stockholm. With just 23 seats, the tasting menu features Nordic cuisine with Japanese influences. During the experience, guests move between rooms across three floors of a beautifully restored townhouse. For those wanting a more intimate experience, private dining is available.

From Mathias Dahlgren, Green Rabbit is a beloved neighborhood bakery dedicated to exceptional Scandinavian breads and pastries. Best known for its naturally fermented rye loaves—made using heritage grains and traditional techniques—the bakery also turns out excellent cinnamon buns, cardamom buns, sandwiches and seasonal pastries in a warm, minimalist setting.

The quality of the food, the attentive service and the constant happy hubbub of the room make Saturnus one of Stockholm's very best cafés. It’s known for its huge cinnamon buns, we also recommend ordering a slice of one of the cakes (the French cheesecake is outstanding). During the week when it’s calmer, it’s an ideal place to idle away an afternoon with a newspaper or a book; over the weekend it’s more bustling, and you’ll be lucky to squeeze in.

A staple of Stockholm's fika culture, Fabrique has earned a devoted following for its handcrafted sourdough breads and exceptional Swedish pastries, all baked by hand in traditional stone ovens using natural ingredients and slow fermentation methods. Don't miss the chokladboll, a local treat made with chocolate, coconut and oats, or a sandwich to go for a picnic lunch. There are several locations throughout the city.

Buzzy and brooding, and centrally-located within an old cinema, Brasserie Astoria is the restaurant of the moment in Stockholm. Many travelers and locals alike come here for the international cuisine from chef Björn Frantzén—but there is no question that Astoria has the premier atmosphere and menu for a proper cocktail. Reservations must be made well in advance, or walk in early to snag a seat at the stylish bar.

Inspired by Sweden’s first pharmacy, which opened nearby in 1575, Pharmarium creates cocktails with scientific precision. Located on the main square in Gamla Stan, the cocktail bar specializes in theatrical presentation and mixology that incorporates Swedish elements like licorice, cloudberry jam and birch and moss smoke. These can also be paired with seasonal dishes for a full meal.

One of Stockholm's most exciting destinations for beer lovers, Omaka is a brewery, restaurant and taproom founded by acclaimed female brewmaster Hedda Spendrup. Located in the striking former KTH Architecture School building, the brewery pairs rotating house brews with globally inspired dishes, making it as compelling for dinner as it is for a tasting flight.

It's impossible not to become enamored with Svenskt Tenn, the female-founded Swedish design institution that doesn’t shy away from color or pattern. It’s the ultimate place to find a souvenir or gift—or embark on your next home project. Founded in 1924, the flagship store is centrally located on the waterfront, just steps from the Grand Hôtel Stockholm. Travelers can spend hours wandering the magazine-worthy showrooms.

Founded in 1607 by King Karl IX, Skultuna is one of the world's oldest brass manufacturers and a cornerstone of Swedish design heritage. Its elegant Stockholm boutiques showcase beautifully crafted brass objects, candleholders, jewelry and home accessories that blend more than four centuries of craftsmanship with collaborations from leading contemporary designers.

Men and women's fashion powerhouse Acne has locations worldwide, but its flagship boutique in Stockholm is a must-visit for shoppers as well as history buffs: the boutique on Norrmalmstorg square is housed in the former bank where the ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ robbery took place.

Camouflaged into the Stockholm Archipelago is Artipelag, a striking modern art museum (90 minutes by boat or 20 minutes by car from the city center). The over 100,000-square-foot center blends into the pine tree-laden island and includes two restaurants, temporary exhibition galleries and an events space. It's worth visiting even for non-art lovers: nature trails wind through the surrounding forest and along the water’s edge.

This impressive and beautifully maintained mini-Versailles was inspired by 17th-century French architecture and has some of the best untouched Gustavian interiors. Visit the palace interiors, then walk to the intimate Gustavian opera house to see a performance, or wander through the formal gardens to see the vividly painted Rococo Chinese Pavilion.

ABBA The Museum is an immersive tribute to Sweden's most iconic pop group, tracing the band's rise from Eurovision winners to global cultural phenomenon. Located on Djurgården, the interactive museum combines original costumes, instruments, handwritten lyrics, gold records and multimedia exhibits with playful experiences that invite visitors to sing, dance and even perform virtually alongside Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Frida.

The historic Old Town of Stockholm, Gamla Stan is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval city centers, where cobblestone streets, ochre-colored buildings and narrow alleyways reveal more than 700 years of history. At the center of Gamla Stan, Stortorget is Stockholm's oldest public square and one of the city's most iconic landmarks.

Stockholm's creative heart, the island of Södermalm has evolved from a working-class district into the city's hub for independent and vintage fashion, contemporary design, indie art, vibrant cafés, innovative restaurants and nightlife. The island's distinct neighborhoods, from the boutiques of SoFo to the lively waterfront at Hornstull and the charming streets around Mariatorget, offer a more relaxed, local perspective.

Just a 30-minute ferry ride or private boat cruise from central Stockholm, Fjäderholmarna—meaning "The Feather Islands"—is the closest island in the Stockholm Archipelago and an easy escape into Sweden's coastal landscape. The car-free island is known for its artisan studios, craft shops, waterfront cafés and rocky swimming spots, making it ideal for a leisurely half-day excursion.