Stockholm’s best breakfast spots

What is it? The breakfast at Ruth – a small family-run boutique hotel in Sibirien – is the ultimate breakfast experience when you want to linger and treat yourself to something extra. The buffet can be booked even if you’re not staying at the hotel and is also a top tip if you’re after an early breakfast in Stockholm.

Why we love it? Great cheeses, fresh fruit, various juice shots, bagels, seed crackers, avocado spread and everything in between. Ruth has mastered the art of creating a buffet that feels both abundant and carefully curated at the same time. The setting and interiors are also delightfully understated, colourful and artistic. Sit down in the dining room or choose the inviting lounge area, where comfortable armchairs welcome you like a safe embrace. Slow down, relax, have another helping of yoghurt with sweet-and-salty roasted cashews before heading back out into the city buzz. In the end, the bill feels incredibly good value considering the spread.

Time Out tip: At Ruth, there’s always alcohol-free fizz and cake available if you fancy celebrating something extra – the start of summer holidays, a birthday or simply life itself. And don’t miss the rhubarb compote, it’s magical!

Surbrunnsgatan 38, Vasastan. Breakfast is served: Monday–Friday: 06.30–11.00, Saturday–Sunday: 07.30–11.00. Price: 320 SEK/person.

What is it? Bageri Slipen is a charming newcomer that has moved into the historic old shipyard on Djurgården, in the premises where the star restaurant Oaxen previously resided. Here, you’re greeted by the smell of freshly baked goods in a unique setting right by the water’s edge.

Why we love it? Some places you visit because they’re on the way to somewhere else, others are destinations in themselves. Bageri Slipen belongs firmly in the latter category. And there’s something special about drinking your morning coffee beneath the large wooden boats hanging from the ceiling, a reminder of the site’s shipyard history. But it’s out back where the idyll is at its strongest – here you sit on a creaky wooden jetty listening to the gentle lapping of the waves. The atmosphere is wonderfully unpretentious, where four-legged guests are just as welcome. Take the chance to say hello to the house cat if he’s in the mood. The fact that it’s open from early morning until evening also makes it a go-to summer favourite on Djurgården. Like an archipelago café in the middle of the city.

Time Out tip: Already had breakfast at your hotel? No problem. Come here for lunch instead and order a sourdough pizza and a glass of wine.

Beckholmsvägen 26, Djurgården. Open weekdays 08:00–17:00 and weekends 08:00–18:00.

What is it? Svedjan Bageri started as a farm shop in Västerbotten and, since opening on Södermalm, has landed on numerous lists of Stockholm’s best bakeries and cafés. And rightly so.

Why we love it? Everything on offer is of high quality. So choose whichever breakfast bread and coffee you fancy, take a seat by the large windows and enjoy the morning hours. In summer, there’s also outdoor seating. Weekdays are calmer, but on weekends it’s not uncommon for queues to form outside at all hours. Before you leave, take a look in the fridge – there are dairy products for sale from the farm outside Skellefteå. Why not pick up some grilling cheese for tonight’s stroganoff?

Time Out tip: Got a sweet tooth? Don’t miss their croissant swirl. Or their semla, if it happens to be February. It might be one of the best semlor in the city. (And that’s no small thing for Swedes, who take their light wheat bun filled with almond paste and cream very seriously.)

Brännkyrkagatan 93, Södermalm. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 07:30–18:00, Saturday to Sunday 09:00–17:00

What is it? An award-winning bakery on Valhallavägen with huge windows facing the grand diplomatic residences. Here, even the winter sun is allowed to warm frozen KTH students, who often settle into one of the café’s many armchairs or rickety wooden chairs.

Why we love it? Because the pastries – like the small chocolate cake with dulce de leche and sea salt, or the almost decadent, flaky morning bun – are exquisite. But also for the lovely space that invites cosy conversations and hanging out with friends and family. You’ll find everyone here, from new parents with their babies to those students mentioned earlier. As Bullar&Bröd has a no-laptop policy, there are no traditional study sessions – instead, philosophy and ideas are discussed over sourdough bread and biskvi biscuits.

Time Out tip: The bakery has a mezzanine level with deep armchairs that feels like a living room in the city. Perfect for some time with your favourite book.

Valhallavägen 65, Östermalm. Open weekdays 07:00–18:00. Weekend opening from 08:00 (Saturdays) and 09:00 (Sundays).

What is it? Coffee bar, lunch spot, after-work hangout. There’s really no bad time to visit Mellqvist, but we most often end up here for breakfast.

Why we love it? It must be the oldest trick in the book: the coffee maker, like a siren, placed in the breakfast hatch or out on the street, filling half of Rörstrandsgatan with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and casting its dark-roast tentacles towards unsuspecting commuters and pensioners. We, however, happily let ourselves be lured in. It doesn’t take much persuasion to sit down on the small outdoor bar stools with a cup and a hearty baguette or grilled croissant. Even better, the spot lines up perfectly with the morning sun. How nice can it get?

Time Out tip: In the evenings, Mellqvist often hosts live music and music quizzes. Lovely is the word.

Rörstrandsgatan 4, Vasastaden. Open 06:00–22:00 Mon–Sat. On Sundays they close early at 20:00.

What is it? A hub for Stockholm hipsters since 2009. The perfect spot if you want your first caffeine fix of the morning to come in the form of craft coffee.

Why we love it? If you think coffee is the most important part of breakfast, head to Drop Coffee – slightly later opening hours on weekends but perfect during weekdays. The nerdy and knowledgeable baristas serve the roastery’s coffee, accompanied by a selection of sourdough sandwiches, juice, yoghurt and sweeter treats. The menu is stripped back, as is the space, where hipsters are still present, along with the occasional laptop worker, tourist and dog owner. Don’t be intimidated by the coffee geekery – it’s relaxed, and you can absolutely order a regular latte.

Time Out tip: Loved the coffee? Take some home – they also sell plenty of coffee-related gear for those who want to make craft coffee at home.

Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 10, Södermalm. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 08:30–18:00 and Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00.

What is it? A newly opened and charming coffee hatch run by chef Stefan Ekengren and the acclaimed team behind restaurant Hantverket. At Eken high-quality craft coffee is served straight from a hole-in-the-wall on Sturegatan.

Why we love it? There’s something about coffee hatches that makes me like a place a little extra. Like when you were a kid playing shop and ordering over the counter. It feels personal, unpretentious and slightly continental. Here you can buy beautiful blueberry mazarins and juicy pistachio buns, as well as sandwiches and freshly baked bread to take home – or perhaps to surprise colleagues at the office? The location near Stureplan and Humlegården doesn’t hurt either.

Time Out tip: ‘Write about their falukorv sandwiches and that they have egg sandwiches, people like egg sandwiches,’ my partner Viktor suggested. Done and done.

Address: Sturegatan 15, Östermalm. Open Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30 and Sat 10:00–16:30 (closed Sun).

What is it? A small espresso bar on a side street in the city centre that could have been lifted straight from any Italian metropolis.

Why we love it? This is where I go when I want to be reminded of my time as an au pair in Turin. A double espresso, a cornetto (croissant), and I’m ready for the day. It’s the kind of place where you drink your coffee standing at the bar on the go, just like the Italians do.

Time Out tip: On Friday evenings, Sempre stays open late and offers aperitivo. Come here for a spritz and pre-drinks before continuing your exploration of Stockholm’s bar and restaurant scene.

Sempre is located at Jakobsbergsgatan 7 and is open Mon–Fri 07:30–17:00 and Sat 10:00–17:00 (closed Sun).

What is it? A beloved neighbourhood café by Telefonplan, a short metro ride from central Stockholm.

Why we love it? It’s hard to beat a really good neighbourhood café that combines high-quality food and interiors with a genuine interest in culture. The menu includes everything from hearty sandwiches and egg croissants to pancakes and smoothies – naturally accompanied by really good coffee. Everything is framed by a laid-back 1950s vibe, with large dreamy windows facing the street. Here, local regulars mix with students from Konstfack, creating a lively and inspiring atmosphere. A.B.Café is more than just a classic café; thanks to their workshops and events, it also becomes a natural meeting place for creativity.

Time Out tip: Combine breakfast with climbing or bouldering at Klättercentret, which opens at 07:00 on weekdays and 09:00 on weekends. Without a doubt the quietest time to climb.

Address: Valborgsmässovägen 34, Midsommarkransen/Telefonplan. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 and Sat–Sun 10:00–16:00.