A winter’s day in Munich feels magical to us when it has snowed a little.

It starts off lovely when we sit on cosy lambskins for breakfast at Alexa von Harder’s, before buying winter flowers in Haidhausen or sending out our first Christmas cards.

When the huge Christmas tree is set up on Marienplatz and Maximilianstraße is aglow with holiday lights, when we go ice skating on the Nymphenburg Canal and warm up with a cup of Dallmayr tea - that’s when we have the perfect day in our wintery hometown.

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• Stefan Ekengren's Hasselback Potatoes are truly as fabulous as everyone says

• the Spritbordet - a great cocktail or mocktail pairing

• our sunny weather tip - the pretty courtyard garden

The atmosphere here is unpretentious and friendly, while the food is incredibly refined and artistic without being affected.

Traditional Swedish dishes, crafted with careful handwork by Stefan Ekengren and his team, are presented with a modern twist and sometimes a touch of humor.

There is also a bar where experienced, cool bartenders mix remarkably good cocktails with great passion.

For those interested, a "Spritbordet" five-course menu is available, perfectly paired with cocktails or mocktails.

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• homemade ramen and Japanese canned beer

• dinner in a hypnotic red underworld

• our sin of choice - crispy chicken bao burger

On Jakobsbergsgatan, nestled between the massive complexes of Epi Center Stockholm and the Europahuset, an almost unremarkable entrance leads into the red-lit underworld of Sin.

Stepping inside feels like entering an Asian science fiction set, where you can savor fantastic ramen, Korean fried chicken, delicious gyoza and the best bao burgers, complemented by Japanese IPAs and Far Eastern-inspired drinks.

The experience is made all the more enjoyable by a super friendly crew that adds a touch of playful lightness to the dark, almost illicit atmosphere.

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• unpretentious Nordic cuisine artfully interpreted

• hidden in the charming Vasastan district

• the few seats are highly sought after  - so be sure to reserve soon

This small neighborhood restaurant boast just a few seats and each one is highly coveted.

If you want to experience the refreshingly nonchalant yet elegant cuisine of Daniel Räms and Tom Sjöstedt, be sure to book in advance.

While you might snag a shoulder-to-shoulder spot at the counter with a view of the kitchen, the best seats are at the large window in the cozy dining room, styled like a French bistro.

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• iIn the middle of the old town - really good burgers, no tourist rip-offs

• freshly minced meat from Swedish cattle

• what we love - watching people stroll by while enjoying a local beer

The burger bun - fluffy with a hint of sweetness and saltiness, the patty - juicy and pink from Swedish cattle, crispy cheese fries and the lively hustle and bustle of Gamla Stan before our eyes…this is, how we like an uncomplicated dinner.

Pair it with a cold IPA from one of Stockholm's microbreweries and we're completely content at Barrels.

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• great comfort in a small space

• in master tailor Frantz Bock's beautiful house from 1647

• family-run with lots of heart

Hotel Frantz in Södermalm, near the Stockholm locks, exemplifies how to masterfully execute small luxury.

The historical rooms have been lovingly transformed into a charming, sophisticated city hotel.

The large, cozy bed, stylish bathroom, high-quality fabrics, and soft colors align perfectly with our tastes.

And the breakfast, served in the pretty Frantz Restaurant, is among the best we’ve ever encountered in a hotel.

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• Residence in the heart of the old town, yet wonderfully homely 

• furnished by architect and host Henrik himself

• our favourite Fabrique branch just steps away

The spacious, tastefully furnished apartment in a dream location, right in the heart of the historic Old Town, is the perfect spot and ideal starting point for two people eager to explore Stockholm while feeling completely at home.

If you, like us, have a penchant for old buildings and appreciate the skilled touch of an architect's hand, you should definitely rent this place on your next visit to Stockholm.

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• beautiful interior design by Gert Wingårdh

• just the right mix of elegance and cosiness for us

• the Swedish breakfast here will delight even the biggest morning grouch 

Miss Clara is one of those rare hotels that we enter and immediately feel at home.

It's centrally located yet away from the hustle and bustle, refined but not stiff, spacious yet intimate.

In high-ceilinged rooms with stylish bathrooms, we sleep in unbelievably cozy beds.

The inviting bar on the ground floor offers a nightcap in the evening and a delicious Swedish breakfast in the morning, preparing us to explore Stockholm refreshed.

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• a little bit of Lapland in Södermalm

• fresh milk from Alfred Hellström's parents' farm

• what we could do for hours  - watch the open bakery

Svedjan Bageri in Södermalm is the kind of place where we could easily spend an entire Swedish winter day.

Because really - what could be better than sitting at a big wooden table with a steaming black coffee in front of us, gazing into the open bakery where fresh sourdough loaves are being pulled from the oven?

We could definitely imagine celebrating Kanelbullens Dag here - Sweden’s Cinnamon Bun Day in October.

At Svedjan Bageri, the buns are so good that a line outside the door is anything but rare.

Not that this comes as a surprise - Alfred Hellström, who runs the café in Södermalm, puts enormous care into the quality of every single ingredient.

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• here we like to treat ourselves  after a walk on Monteliusvägen

• award-winning coffee and an award-winning barista

• the delightful pastries are from Svedjan Bageri

Joanna Alm, Managing Director of Drop Coffee, has swept up every award the coffee world has to offer. Today, she is a board member of the Specialty Coffee Association, which is dedicated to ensuring quality, sustainability and fair trade in coffee.

Back in 2009, she co-founded Drop Coffee with the simple idea to serve really good coffee. 

The company has since then grown to a successful roastery of organic, fair-trade 

beans. 

The tiny spot by Mariatorget Park has remained what it was  from the beginning - a cosy neighbourhood café where we can get really good coffee.

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• a lovely trip to Djurgården Island - preferably on a midsummer day

• perfect for a picnic beneath apple trees

• the best extra - cutting our own flowers

The island of Djurgården, a green oasis in the heart of Stockholm, is a wonderful place for daydreaming.

It's hard to believe that this idyllic paradise can be found so centrally located in the Swedish capital.

Wandering through Rosendal Trädgård, established by the Swedish Garden Society between 1861 and 1911, to the greenhouses and gardens with the charmingly romantic café, makes for a perfect outing on a long Swedish midsummer day, we would never want to miss.

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• traditional Swedish baking in a cosy industrial setting

• we love the cardamom buns

• our favourite branch - in Gamla Stan's Lilla Nygatan

The small Swedish bakery chain, Fabrique, has successfully expanded to London and New York for good reasons. 

Right after our first visit, we became Regulars and loyal fans of their Cardamom Buns.

Stylish stores with an industrial look set an appealing scene for traditional baked goods.

There are several lovely locations throughout Stockholm, and we always like to stop by for a quick coffee.

Here, crispy sourdough bread, delicately prepared bread rolls, cinnamon and cardamom buns, cakes and cookies are all handmade from natural, fresh ingredients.

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• traditional Swedish caramels as a gift or to enjoy yourself

• handmade in a copper pot and lovingly wrapped

• and in summer - delicious soft ice cream with caramel topping

„It’s a caramel specialist shop in Stockholm” – that was the first thing we heard about Pärlans.

A caramel specialist?!? That could only mean a little slice of heaven made of cream, butter and sugar.

And that’s exactly what it is.

You’ll find this charming little shop on Nytorgsgatan in Södermalm.

In this 1930s-style shop, you’ll find lovingly wrapped caramels and pralines, along with the most delicious soft-serve ice cream topped with homemade caramel sauces, caramelised popcorn and your choice of sprinkles.

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• gorgeous brick and cast iron market hall from 1888

• from köttbullar to smörrebröd - everything we could wish for

• and don't forget - a cooler bag for the trip home

Stockholm's market hall thrives on its unique blend of historic architecture and a delightful selection of exquisite delicacies.

Whether we're looking for fresh ingredients to cook in our Airbnb, searching for culinary souvenirs for loved ones back home or just craving a quick snack among the old market stall - Saluhall is the perfect place.

So, grab your shopping bags and let yourself be tempted!

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• the Hansson family - Stockholm‘s tea and coffee specialists

• sales rooms from 1918, preserved almost in their original state

• our favourites - "Sir Williams" Earl Grey and the cardamom-seasoned coffee beans 

When writing about Stockholm, we often highlight the beautiful long summer days. Finally, here’s one of our favorite tips for Swedish winter days: Sibyllans!

Especially when Sibyllegatan in Östermalm is adorned with fairy lights during the Christmas season and a festive magic envelops Stockholm, the windows of this small tea shop glow brightly and invitingly.

Vividly colored tea and coffee tins with elegant gold lettering line the dark wooden shelves, and the shop exudes a cozy warmth, surpassed only by the fragrant cup of tea we'll brew at home.

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• artistic, casual Scandinavian fashion since 1996

• carrying the pink Acne paper bag home - always a bliss 

• special treat - bargains in the Acne Archive

Unconventional, artistic and quirky, yet minimalist, functional and superbly crafted - that's the fashion of Acne Studios.

Clean, graphic looks sit alongside Nordic folkloristic hippie styles or loud punk creations.

And in the brand's hometown, Stockholm, you can get all of this at a much lower price than in the rest of the world. If that's not enough, you can also go on an exciting bargain hunt at the Acne Archive on Torsgatan.

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• for anyone who didn't know how great cookies could be

• hand-rolled cookies - crispy outside and chewy inside

• The Classic Crump" with Xoco chocolate and Maldon sea salt – never fails

„Krümel“ means Crumbs in German - and blue like the Cookie Monster itself  („Krümel-Monster“ in Germany), the awning above the matching bench outside this Södermalm bakery shines from afar. 

And even inside, the vibrant blue interior feels like a sweet tribute to everyone’s favourite crumb-loving Muppet.

Here, hand-rolled cookies are baked to perfection and served with coffee, tea, matcha – or, naturally, just a cold glass of Swedish milk.

And if you’ve ever thought of cookies as boring, this is the place that will make you change your mind.

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• a little gem in De Pijp

• Amy and  Julius - the loveliest hosts

• what we love - every plate is a work of art

Being cooked for by friends, in a familiar atmosphere, with that extra touch of love that only dear ones can infuse into their food, is always a rare delight to find outside one's home.

At Amy and Julius's restaurant JA such a cozy feeling washes over you the moment you step into the charming space with its open kitchen.

It is here that we learn fine dining can indeed be incredibly familial.

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• eating with the locals

• from breakfast to dinner

• our favourite – shiitake bitterballen with Amsterdam IPA

We could hardly feel more at home in Amsterdam than when we step into Café Wilhelmina.

In the Helmersbuurt neighbourhood in Amsterdam's Oud-West district, you rarely encounter excited tourists.

There are wide streets with large old trees and 19th-century townhouses just north of the beautiful Vondelpark.

Wilhelmina itself is an unpretentious place with a friendly team that remains calm and composed even when the few seats are in high demand.

The changing menu is small but spot on.

Actually, we can have breakfast, lunch, a small snack with an aperitif or a delicious dinner here.

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• when we feel like going out in Oud West

• a super friendly team

• our favourite cocktail here – Broken Negroni

Slow-roasted tomatoes, candied walnuts, fermented chili, confit Medjool dates, Jerusalem artichoke chips, homemade ricotta dumplings, boozy coffee biscuits, pistachio crème Anglaise… just reading the ingredients on the menu at Night Kitchen is enough to lure us there.

But there’s even more to it than that!

They describe their wonderful concept as “Dinner with Friends.”

This idea hails from Tel Aviv and has been successfully exported not only to Amsterdam but also to Berlin.