FSG*City guide: Desia Ava x Stockholm
A city guide to the Swedish capital curated for you by the local artist Desia Ava.
All the FSG*City guides are carefully crafted for an unique experience.
Where to stay
Selected hotels
Blique by Nobis is a vibrant design hotel in Stockholm’s Vasastaden district. Set in a building designed by renowned architect Sigurd Lewerentz, the hotel combines industrial charm with contemporary elegance. Enjoy a lovely breakfast or lunch at their Boketto restaurant.
Hotel At Six is a modern luxury hotel in central Stockholm. We aslo loved the vibrant rooftop bar.
Nobis Hotel Stockholm the Stockholm edition of the Nobis Hospitality Group. Contemporary luxury, warm, personal and friendly Nobis is your peaceful oasis in the vibrant heart of the city.
Where to eat and drink
For Coffee and baked goods
Café Pascal has 3 locations around the city with Norrtullsgatan 4 being my favourite. Perfect spot for breakfast, their lunch menu is also pretty good.
Socker sucker is a patisserie and bakery in the heart of Stockholm. This is the place for those cube croissants, the best semlas in town or other beautiful pastries (with some decent vegan options as well). Drottninggatan 93.
Svedjan Bageri is my favourite bakery in Södermalm. Would go on a rainy Sunday morning to have breakfast and buy some freshly baked bread.
Stora bageriet Vasastan at Sankt Eriksgatan 88 is another good spot for coffee and baked goods. They have some really cool merchandise products as well.
Bars
HOSOI is quite unique, we love it for its hype location in the former meatpacking district of Stockholm. Excellent selection of wines, dining options and a second bar with a more mysterious lounge/party area.
NOFO Wine Bar is great for drinks and small bites. Satisfying variety of organic wines, the food is delicious and the price range is within the moderate. Tjärhovsgatan 11.
Häktet is pretty vibrant on a Friday night, with some good cocktails options and a dining area as well. Hornsgatan 82.
Schmaltz Bar Their Reuben sandwich and their BAMBINO cocktail (Aperol with almond syrup) are truly divine. Nybrogatan 19.
For Dinner
Bar Montan A cosy atmosphere, delicious small-plates, Bar Montan is where you could go for a bite or two before heading to HOSOI bar which is just next door.
Take Ramen No matter where you are or how much you are enjoying the local food, there comes a time on every trip when you simply crave some good comforting Ramen. Take Rame is in my opinion the best in town.
Hasselsson Stockholm is one of those rare places where they always have the same 3 things on the menu (Fish and chips, Fish Burger, Moules Frites) and they’ve mastered them so well that you keep going back for more. Unpretentious, chill, tasty. The amount of parmesan cheese they put on the frites is remarkable.
Woodstockholm is certainly our favourite for a fine-dining experience. The cosy atmosphere and the friendly staff all make you feel incredibly comfortable while you are enjoying a splendid combination of flavours all inspired by a monthly theme.
B.A.R. is where we would go for a nice seafood dinner with fries as a side and lots of cava.
Where to go
Galleries and Museums
Fotografiska is a contemporary museum of Photography, Art and Culture. The curation is impeccable, the top floor bar and bistro are also worth the visit.
Färgfabriken is a foundation and an exhibition space for contemporary art and architecture. Located at Lövholmen between Liljeholmen and Gröndal.
Liljevalchs is located on the green Djurgården in central Stockholm. A beautiful exhibition space showing art and design in large and generous exhibitions.
National Museum is Sweden's museum of art and design. The building’s architecture features a juxtaposition of the old and the modern.
Galerie Nordenhake is a contemporary art gallery located at Lützengatan 1.
Museum of Archaeology Medelhavsmuseet/the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities is situated at Fredsgatan 2. A hidden gem in the city, the museum Bagdad Café is also highly recommended.
Cinemas
Bio Aspen a hidden gem in Aspudden. The bistro and the movie theatre feels like travelling back in time in the best way.
Bio & Bistro Capitol is a beautiful centrally-located cinema with an art-deco feel.
Botanical gardens
Bergius Botanic Garden Bergianska Trädgården is where you could go if you want to be immersed in plants. A bit outside of the city-center, the Stockholm Botanic Gardens are certainly worth the visit. The surrounding area is also great for a walk.
Where to shop
Nitty Gritty Independent multi brand retailer, their sneakers and perfumes selection is impeccable. Krukmakargatan 24-26, after visiting their 2 neighbouring shops, head on to Papercut.
Papercut My favourite bookshop in Stockholm! The selection of books and magazines is fantastic and their gift options will make gift giving easier again. Krukmakargatan 24-26, thank me later.
Axel Arigato If you are looking for a new pair of sneakers, Axel Arigato’s store at BIBLIOTEKSGATAN 7 is your place. The Swedish brand encapsulates high quality, craft and culture.
APLACE Götgatan 36 is the home of this concept store where you can find fashion, footwear, beauty products and fragrances, as well as some pre-owned garments.
ACNE ARCHIVE Acne Studios obsessed? Torsgatan 53 is where you can find a hand picked selection of classics, show pieces and exclusive items from their previous collections with up to 75% off.
A perfume
Scent is memory. For each of our city guides I have selected a perfume for you to match your trip. The fragrances in our collection are always niche and unisex.
For Stockholm I have selected Bal d’Afrique by BYREDO and CORIANDER by D.S. & DURGA
Notes Bal d’Afrique by BYREDO
Top notes: African Marigold, Bergamot, Buchu
Heart notes: Cyclamen, Violet
Base notes: Moroccan Cedarwood, VetiverNotes CORIANDER by D.S. & DURGA
Top notes: Russian Coriander, Pepper, Juniper Needle
Heart notes: Geranium, Clove Stem, Clary Sage
Base notes: Musk, Magnolia, Mace
6. Where to view/buy some of our art
Oysters by Desia Ava at Melanders Dalagatan , Dalagatan 9R.