When it comes to a culinary adventure, it can be difficult to tell whether or not a feeling of…read morefamiliarity is a good sign. At times it suggests that a concept is overdone or unoriginal, and at other times that familiarity strikes us at a more profound level -- as if we've been there before in a past life, or as if there's something there that feels like home. I was lucky to find this feeling at a stunning café nestled into the greenery of Djurgården in southern Stockholm, a beacon of warmth and light amidst the afternoon chill. My traveling companion and I had spent the morning perusing the vast collections at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, finding ourselves enchanted by the glorious staterooms and the expertly curated painting exhibitions. It's a known fact that museums always tend to make me hungry, and so after exploring the grounds I was just about ready for something to nibble on. By this point in my Swedish adventure, fika had become the most cherished hour (or several) of the day. From cardamom buns to princess cake, I had become fully absorbed in this tradition and was fully committed to incorporating it into my life back in the States. While the simplest translation is "a coffee break," for my traveling companion and I had had become so much more -- an invitation to unwind, to take refuge from the Swedish cold, and perhaps most importantly, to indulge a little. This stunning spot came at a recommendation of a friend of mine who had studied in Copenhagen for a semester and ended up here on a class trip. Luckily, this friend has impeccable taste. Rooted in (pun intended) community, Rosendals Trädgård is a veritable jack-of-all trades. From producing many of their own ingredients on site to serving treats and hearty fare alike, there is so much that this place gets right. To get to the café you walk past a series of plots alive in the soil, wondering what grows there and who planted it. When you reach the café you find that it's a real greenhouse, steeped in sunlight and awash in a rich sea of blues. It's beautiful on the outside, and even more gorgeous on the inside. Something about the self-serve style setup made me feel like I was at a friend's house for tea, contributing to the delightfully homey feel that had seeped into every corner of the abode. I sampled a couple of cookies from the buffet, and my dining companion did the same. When we took our seats, we found that each bite left us feeling warm and comforted despite the nip of Swedish spring beyond the walls of the greenhouse. It was a simple meal, an afternoon pick-me-up, yet it seemed to fill us up in spirit the same way a four-course meal would have filled our bellies. For a plate full of something that feels like home even if you're thousands of miles away from your own, Rosendals Trädgård is an immaculate refuge. Just like the plants that grow on its grounds, you'll find yourself feeling cherished and tended to. What more can we ask of a meal? Read more reviews at letsgetdinner8.wordpress.com.

This place is a short walk from the tram and it's worth the trek after visiting Vasa museum or…read moreSkansen. The walk is absolutely gorgeous and it makes you feel as if you're stepping into an oasis away from Stockholm. They had some Christmas decorations up and a tree, so it felt very festive, even if most of the trees were bare for winter. I loved the meal setup -- there were some quick bites available to grab, as well as pastries, and there were dishes you could order. I got an Asian slaw sandwich and a saffransbulle (LOVE these). I also opted for one of their flavored hot teas, because it was cold in Stockholm in November! The food was great in the cafe, but even better was the plant shop next door! They had Christmas ornaments for sale, as well as lots of handcrafted items and lots of plants. Definitely worth a visit!

We randomly found this place the first time we came to Stockholm in early 2021 after a nice morning…read moreat ABBA Museum. I looked on Yelp for a lunch cafe close by and here we are, 5 years later enjoying another Scrap Fish Soup and a coffee. I follow Skroten Café and Skeppshandel on social media so I can see this place I fell in love with the first time I came here. We visit here at least a couple times every year when we are here for a visit. The fish soup is my favorite but I love the meatballs and the fish and chips as well. The vibe here had me at the sign in this alley where we found the place. It's a world wide favorite place for me. So cheers from Seattle WA! Love it here

On May 6, 26 my friend and me decided to have lunch at Skroten. At 12.20 hrs one of three lunch…read moremeals were not available. I ordered fried herring, my friend beet room steak. After ca 40 minutes my food came, ONE small herring, everything cold. When my friend's food came I had already eaten. Her food was cold too and the steaks uneatable. The food was very bad, service and attitude as well. WARNING! Must be the worst lunch place on Djurgården!

Really nice staff. Fresh sandwiches in the morning. Used to go by on the way to work and make a…read morespecial order, they always made it really fast even during the morning rush and for good prices. I've mostly tried their sandwiches but have heard that their salads are good too. Recommended!

Nice indoor/ outdoor cafe with coffees, pastries, salads, sandwiches, beer and wine. Ordered a…read morelatte which was okay and the apple pie with vanilla sauce was great. Service was huffy, impatient and painfully slow which is why I can't rate it higher. Prices are slightly reasonable here which is shocking because there is a view. Not my favorite place for a mid day "fika" as the Swedish would say but the setting is wonderful.

As I'd been up very early for this Monday morning jaunt around Djurgarden, the fuel from the 7.45am…read moreNorrmalm coffee and croissant was running out and I needed something more to power my bike ride through the rest of the park and back towards the city. The guide book suggested that Cafe Ekorren was worth a look and as it was at the far end of Djurgarden, it seemed like a natural stopping point. As I parked up, it was clear that I'd be the first customer of the day, as it was still just before 9am when I took a seat at the tables by the water's edge. What a view that provided. Ekorren is found on a peaceful promontory that sticks out a bit into the channel there, with lots of rather expensive looking boats at moorings. The sun was shining, the waters were mill-pond flat and there was no sound to be heard apart from a few insistent starlings. Set a little back from the pathway sits a small yellow cafe hut from where the meals are served which opened bang on 9am, enabling me to pick out something more substantial. I settled on a decent sized ham and brie baguette, which really hit the spot - a good mix of main fillings and salad, even the red peppers were tolerable (I usually hate these!). I'd gone for a tea to accompany the baguette, which was served as hot water in a glass, allowing me to dip the teabag in as long as I preferred. The only slight quibble was having to pay 5kr to use the single toilet stall, but that's no big deal overall. This is a great spot for a break if you're on a Djurgarden day out, although the view and the location are the main attractions.

We visited Cafe Pascal for a light Sunday brunch. The egg salad and prosciutto croissant was very…read moregood. The pain au chocolat was also excellent: crisp layers with just the right amount of dark chocolate. Coffee was smooth and rich, and refills on brewed coffee are free. The café has a relaxed vibe, and even though it was busy, the service was quick and friendly. Prices are a bit high, but worth it for the quality. Recommend if you're looking for a great coffee and pastry spot, convenient to city center. Outdoor seating if you're lucky enough to land a spot. If not, there's a nice park across the way, if you order take away.

Very good coffee and tasty sandwiches made this late afternoon 'lunch a perfect respite from a very…read morerainy day. Although the passageway where the interior seating is situated seemed awkward it actually worked out well. Service, despite a crowd, was fairly quick, I would rate the coffee an A or 9/10 on the scale of strength, low acidity/smoothness. It is espresso based and made to exact order. There are serval options for milk (whole, oat, 1/2 and 1/2, etc). The major complaint would be that there is no easy place to throw away your rubbish, nor is there a place that is clearly evident to bust your dishes, which is much needed given that this is a super busy place.. The staff is too busy to bus tables regularly, which backs up the availability of seating . This is the major reason for a one star deduction.. TIP: You can buy beans or ground coffee for home brewing.

The re-review: Imagine a quaint little hut nestled just under the hill where Lidingö kyrka stands…read more It looks so un-assuming from the path running in front of it and potentially ordinary but you notice the soft glow of a neon cafe sign inside, and as you approach the windows you start to see someone's delicate art take shape. The old, double-set of wooden doors present the final barrier to this mysterious little enclave: one swinging out and then other letting in. It's then you realize that the little hut holds more than you imagined, or perhaps just what you dreamed might be possible if you gave it a chance. Opening in May of 2015, this now obvious gem sat abandoned for 2 years until the wonderful owner had the vision to spot a diamond in the rough. People like this are so inspiring, and this tiny little cafe feels like it was handled with so much love that it can't help but wash over you a little bit with your coffee. The woman that owns Kaptensstugan now is so kind and her years of experience in cafes shines so brightly in this little cottage. A heartful thank you to people like this, who master their chosen craft so brilliantly and can present the art of life in a way that touches the lives of those around them. Recommended.