Travelling alone and want to hit the social scene? Or you’re on a trip with your friends or other half, and eager to meet Stockholm locals to make a bunch of new pals? Stockholm is a great place to mingle, as the city is famously open towards all visitors, regardless of who they are, how they identify or whom they love!
That said, there are some places that are particularly suitable for encounters with the capital’s 2.4 million inhabitants; from their favourite shopping spots to a hotel inviting locals into its trendy co-working space. To make a friend or two – or many more – in Stockholm, read on…
Grab your morning smoothie at The Green Queen
Nothing like a healthy start to the day, right? The Swedish have somewhat of a reputation for clean eating and lifestyles, so it’s no surprise many Stockholm locals head to conscious cafés like The Green Queen for their first meal of the day.
A vegan street food restaurant and juice bar, The Green Queen makes for the perfect base to connect with fellow herbivores and try some of Sweden’s pioneering and utterly mouthwatering plant-based ‘meat’ products! The scene here is very friendly and social, and there’s a constant buzz that makes it easy to strike up a conversation. If you’re stuck, why not ask someone for a veggie food recommendation?
Check out Swedish brands in Bibliotekstan
Although arguably the capital’s best destination for international designers and the latest looks coming out of Paris and New York, Bibliotekstan is also home to the creme de la creme of Swedish designers. Their design-heavy and super-trendy retail spaces, needless to say, are frequented by Stockholm’s cool crowd from Monday to Sunday.
Whether you pop into J.Lindeberg’s flagship store or stop by Eytys or Acne Studios, local fashionistas are aplenty around Bibliotekstan, and they all head for the area’s cool cafés for their post-shopping spree oat lattes: both Pas d’Art and Sempre Espresso Bar have a super chatty and fun atmosphere!
Co-work alongside locals at Hotel Hasselbacken
Consider yourself a digital nomad? The co-working space at popular Hotel Hasselbacken not only has all your office needs covered (including amazing food from the hotel’s restaurant!), but it also provides a friendly working area where nomads exchange ideas and network over unlimited tea and coffee.
What makes the co-working space here so unique is its idyllic setting among Royal Djurgården’s natural landscape. When emails and similar get a bit too much, join the locals in stretching your legs for a bit, walking around the leafy surrounds. Stockholm residents also bring their dogs to the co-working space, and who wouldn’t like a companion for that obligatory afternoon dog walk?
Get groceries like a local at Sturehofs Matmarknad
If you want to meet a local, you’ve got to shop like a local! And no, we’re not talking about fashion again: at Sturehofs Matmarknad, the authentic Swedish food market and delicatessen fair by legendary Sturehof, visitors to the Open City can bag all the finest produce of the capital alongside those who would know all about where to find it.
Matkmarknad offers everything from ‘grönsaker’ (fresh produce) to the best, imported deli items, like selected oils and vinegars, sweet treats and roasted nuts, alongside simple but delicious meals – it’s absolute foodie heaven, and Stockholm locals gather here in great numbers after work to pick up dinner ingredients or sit down for a glass of champagne and catch up with friends… or make new ones. If this isn’t the ideal place to meet Stockholm locals, we don’t what is!