Of all the cities that call themselves the capital of Scandi cool, Stockholm has the strongest claim. This is a place that takes everything in its stride – where Baroque palaces sit alongside high-stakes fashion stores and where you could visit an under-the-radar bar and an ABBA museum in the same evening.
As you might have gathered, there are many ways you could spend a perfect day here. But this itinerary, designed by Quintessentially Nordic, shows off Stockholm’s sophisticated side – from Michelin-starred restaurants to secret menus at upmarket cocktail bars.
Morning
Item one on your agenda: breakfast in a chandelier-lit former bank vault. And you can do that at the appropriately named Bank Hotel – a boutique stay in the city centre. Its restaurant, Bonnie’s (named after one half of the notorious bank-robbing duo), has a black and white chequered floor and emerald-green vaults – a pretty place to fuel up on Swedish cold cuts and an energising green juice.
(L) Djurgården | (R) Bonnie's restaurant at Bank Hotel
Hold off on coffee, though, as that’s where you’re headed next. Amble along the waterfront at Strandvägen until you reach Butiken and pick up an oat milk cappuccino to go. Then, walk for a further five minutes until you arrive on the island of Djurgården. There’s no shortage of things to do here – you could disco dance through the ABBA Museum, discover Nordic wildlife at an open-air zoo, or challenge your companions to a DIY pentathlon at amusement park Gröna Lund.
Afternoon
Next, hop on the tram to Brasserie Astoria on Nybrogatan – the latest venture from triple Michelin-starred chef Björn Frantzén. The restaurant is set in an 1870s cinema, so expect to use adjectives like ‘glamorous’ and ‘opulent’ when describing it to your friends. The menu offers classic brasserie dishes with the odd Asian influence, although we love the pizza topped with Kalix Löjrom (fish roe).
(L) Brasserie Astoria on Nybrogatan | (R) Biblioteksgaten
Hunger satiated, it’s time to shop – and luckily, some of Stockholm’s best stores are just a two-minute walk away. Dive into the world of Nordic furniture design at Nordiska Galleriet (or NO-GA, as it’s sometimes known) before strolling down Biblioteksgaten (translation: library street) and popping into cute boutiques like Tôteme. Finish your shopping spree in NK – one of Stockholm’s largest luxury malls.
Evening
You’ve had breakfast and lunch in historic buildings, so you may as well complete the set by having dinner in an 18th-century opera house. So, don your finery and head to Operakällaren – a Michelin-starred restaurant serving French-inspired dishes in an ornate, wood-panelled dining room. Its wine list is particularly good, with over 1,500 bottles listed – including the wine served at Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding.
Restaurant Operakällaren
For a final flourish, follow the crowds of locals to Cadier Bar for a nightcap. You’ll fit right in if you sit at the bar and order a Bird Drink – a special, off-menu cocktail served in a huge gold cage.
