40 cheap eats places in Stockholm, editor-picked. the best low-budget spots in Stockholm: the places editors actually return to. All Stockholm food.

Vete-Katten ★ 4.8

norrmalm · Kungsgatan 55, 111 22 Stockholm

Vete-Katten on Kungsgatan in Stockholm's Norrmalm has baked the classic Swedish konditori canon since 1928; the semla in Lent and princess cake year-round.

Tip: Semla counter from Fettisdagen (Shrove Tuesday) through April. Order ahead online for the saffron-pearl-sugar version.

Lillebrors Bageri ★ 4.7

vasastan · Rörstrandsgatan 12, 113 40 Stockholm

Lillebrors Bageri on Rörstrandsgatan in Stockholm's Vasastan bakes the Vasastan cardamom bun the city's food press argues about; the brown-butter cardamom.

Tip: Closed Monday. Pre-order the semla in February or it sells out by 11:00.

Drop Coffee ★ 4.7

sodermalm · Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 10, 118 50 Stockholm

Drop Coffee on Wollmar Yxkullsgatan in Stockholm's Södermalm is the third-wave cafe and roastery from 2009; light-roast filter, pour-over and a Mariatorget.

Tip: Open until 18:00 weekdays. The standing counter is for espresso; the back room is for filter and laptops.

Tössebageriet ★ 4.6

ostermalm · Karlavägen 77, 114 59 Stockholm

Tössebageriet on Karlavägen in Stockholm's Östermalm has been a working bakery since 1920; the Tössetårta layered cake and the saffron semla in February.

Tip: Pre-order semla in February via the website; over-the-counter sells out by 11:00 in peak weeks.

Café Pascal ★ 4.6

vasastan · Norrtullsgatan 4, 113 29 Stockholm

Café Pascal on Norrtullsgatan in Stockholm's Vasastan runs the third-wave coffee bar locals send friends to; the cardamom bun pulled apart and arranged.

Tip: Open from 07:30 weekdays. Queues hit hard at 09:00; arrive at 08:00 or after 13:00.

Rosendals Trädgård ★ 4.6

djurgarden · Rosendalsterrassen 12, 115 21 Stockholm

Rosendals Trädgård on Rosendalsterrassen in Stockholm's Djurgården runs the biodynamic garden cafe; wood-fired sourdough, cardamom buns and an orchard.

Tip: Closes at 17:00 in winter, 19:00 in summer. The bakery counter cuts off at 16:00; arrive earlier for the full board.

Fabrique Stenugnsbageri ★ 4.5

sankt-eriksplan · Rörstrandsgatan 12, 113 40 Stockholm

Fabrique on Rörstrandsgatan in Stockholm's Vasastan exported the modern Swedish cardamom bun to London and Berlin; the stone oven still runs the flagship.

Tip: The cardamom bun is the buy. Bread sells out by 14:00 on weekends; arrive by 11:00.

Vete-Katten ★ 4.5

norrmalm · Kungsgatan 55, 111 22 Stockholm

Vete-Katten on Kungsgatan in Stockholm's Norrmalm has run the classic Swedish konditori since 1928; semla, kanelbulle, princess cake and karlsbader buns.

Tip: Open from 08:00 weekdays, 09:30 weekends. The back rooms are quieter than the front window tables.

Johan and Nyström Swedenborgsgatan ★ 4.5

sodermalm · Swedenborgsgatan 7, 118 48 Stockholm

Johan and Nyström on Swedenborgsgatan in Stockholm's Södermalm runs the flagship roaster cafe; fair-trade beans roasted in-house, brewed at the counter.

Tip: Open from 07:30. The street seating runs spring through autumn; in winter the back tables warm fastest.

Fabrique Stenugnsbageri ★ 4.5

sankt-eriksplan · Rörstrandsgatan 12, 113 40 Stockholm

Fabrique on Rörstrandsgatan in Stockholm's Vasastan is the stone-oven bakery cafe; the cardamom bun shipped Fabrique to London; coffee bar runs straight off.

Tip: Open from 07:00. The cardamom bun is hot to 11:00; after that the standard buns are the bet.

Lillebrors Bageri ★ 4.5

vasastan · Rörstrandsgatan 12, 113 40 Stockholm

Lillebrors Bageri on Rörstrandsgatan in Stockholm's Vasastan bakes the Vasastan cardamom bun the local press argues about; sourdough, pastries and coffee.

Tip: Open from 07:30. The semla in February sells out by 11:00; pre-order online for guaranteed pick-up.

Günter's Korvar ★ 4.5

vasastan · Karlbergsvägen 66, 113 35 Stockholm

Günter's Korvar on Karlbergsvägen in Stockholm's Vasastan grills the city's reference korv, rotating sausage selection from German producers.

Tip: Closed Sunday. The frying takes time; the queue at 13:00 is normal. Bring exact change for faster service.

Rosendals Bageri ★ 4.4

djurgarden · Rosendalsterrassen 12, 115 21 Stockholm

Rosendals Bageri on Rosendalsterrassen in Stockholm's Djurgården bakes wood-fired sourdough in the biodynamic orchard cafe; cardamom buns, levain rounds.

Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday in low season. The biodynamic flour rounds sell out by 14:00 on weekends.

Cafe Saturnus ★ 4.4

ostermalm · Eriksbergsgatan 6, 114 30 Stockholm

Cafe Saturnus on Eriksbergsgatan in Stockholm's Östermalm bakes the city's largest cinnamon bun, marble cakes and a runs Sunday brunch on the corner.

Tip: Open from 07:30. The Saturnus bun is the size of a fist; one feeds two.

Nordic Brew Lab ★ 4.4

norrmalm · Vasagatan 38, 111 20 Stockholm

Nordic Brew Lab on Vasagatan in Stockholm's Norrmalm runs a specialty coffee bar with multiple roasters on rotation; pour-over service highlights origin.

Tip: Open until 18:00 weekdays. Better for the brew bar than for laptops; arrive before 14:00 to get a counter seat.

Kajsas Fisk ★ 4.4

norrmalm · Hötorget 3, 111 57 Stockholm

Kajsas Fisk at Hötorgshallen in Stockholm runs the saluhall counter pouring the city's reference fish soup; cream-and-tomato broth with white fish.

Tip: Closed Sunday. The soup is unlimited refills; arrive 11:30 for a seat at the counter.

Kajsas Fisk ★ 4.4

norrmalm · Hötorget 3, 111 57 Stockholm

Kajsas Fisk at Hötorgshallen in Stockholm pours unlimited fish soup with bread, aioli and crispbread; one of the cheapest sit-down meals in the city centre.

Tip: Closed Sunday. The soup-and-bread bowl is unlimited refills; arrive 11:30 to claim a counter seat.

Bröd och Salt ★ 4.3

vasastan · Odengatan 41, 113 51 Stockholm

Bröd och Salt on Odengatan in Stockholm's Vasastan is the city's largest artisanal bakery group; wood-fired levain, cardamom buns and the Odengatan flagship.

Tip: Cardamom buns are still hot at 09:00; sourdough cuts off when the day's bake ends, usually 16:00.

Konditori Ritorno ★ 4.3

vasastan · Odengatan 80-82, 113 22 Stockholm

Konditori Ritorno on Odengatan in Stockholm's Vasastan has run the same 1950s konditori since 1959; princess cake, semla in Lent, meatballs from the kitchen.

Tip: Open from 07:00 weekdays. The Vasaparken-facing tables fill from spring through autumn; the back room runs quiet on weekday afternoons.

Mellqvist Kaffebar ★ 4.3

vasastan · Rörstrandsgatan 4, 113 40 Stockholm

Mellqvist Kaffebar on Rörstrandsgatan in Stockholm's Vasastan is the writer's cafe that Stieg Larsson used as office; espresso, sandwiches and a steady.

Tip: Open until 19:00. The street seating runs spring through autumn; the bar counter is the regulars' sit.

Gast ★ 4.3

norrmalm · Rådmansgatan 57, 113 60 Stockholm

Gast on Rådmansgatan in Stockholm's Norrmalm-Vasastan border runs a specialty-coffee bar built for breakfast, brunch and fika; rotating roasters.

Tip: Walk-in only, drop-in basis. Check the Instagram for current hours; the morning counter is the work seat.

S:t Paul Bageri Götgatan ★ 4.2

sodermalm · Götgatan 42, 118 26 Stockholm

S:t Paul Bageri on Götgatan in Stockholm's Södermalm runs the bakery-cafe locals send neighbours to; cinnamon and cardamom buns, sourdough sandwiches.

Tip: Open seven days. The cinnamon buns sell out by midday on weekends; arrive before 10:00 for the full pastry board.

Il Caffè ★ 4.2

sodermalm · Bergsundsstrand 33, 117 38 Stockholm

Il Caffè on Bergsunds strand in Stockholm's Hornstull runs an Italian-leaning cafe with a waterside terrace; espresso, sandwiches and the Reimersholme bridge.

Tip: Open until 19:00 in summer. The terrace seats fill from 11:00 on weekends; the smaller original on Södermannagatan is the back-up.

Kaferang Nytorget ★ 4.2

sodermalm · Skånegatan 81, 116 35 Stockholm

Kaferang on Skånegatan in Stockholm's SoFo runs the bistro-cafe next to Nytorget; breakfast and fika in the morning, sourdough sandwiches and pastries.

Tip: Open from 08:00 weekdays, 09:00 weekends. The corner-window seats look onto Nytorget; the Norrmalm sister branch on Gamla Brogatan is the central back-up.

Nystekt Strömming ★ 4.2

gamla-stan · Södermalmstorg, 116 45 Stockholm

Nystekt Strömming on Södermalmstorg in Stockholm at Slussen has fried Baltic herring from a kiosk window for decades; lingonberry, mash. Booking recommended.

Tip: Cash sells slightly cheaper. The mash plate is the seated meal; the roll is the takeaway.

Tahrir ★ 4.2

sodermalm · Bondegatan 48, 116 33 Stockholm

Tahrir on Bondegatan in Stockholm's Södermalm runs an Egyptian-Swedish falafel and shawarma counter, the falafel-in-pita is the lunch standard.

Tip: Closed Sunday. Tight room; the takeaway window runs faster than the dining-in queue.

K25 ★ 4.2

norrmalm · Kungsgatan 25, 111 56 Stockholm

K25 on Kungsgatan in Stockholm's Norrmalm is the Asian food hall with eight street-food counters; ramen, pho, dim sum, Korean fried chicken and the central.

Tip: Closed Sunday. Order at each counter; the central tables get crowded 13:00-14:00.

Hermans Trädgårdscafé ★ 4.2

sodermalm · Fjällgatan 23B, 116 28 Stockholm

Hermans on Fjällgatan in Stockholm's Södermalm runs an all-you-can-eat vegetarian and vegan buffet from a Söder hillside terrace; the Gamla Stan.

Tip: Buffet 11:00-16:00 weekdays. Dessert and coffee included in the buffet; the outdoor terrace runs spring through autumn.

K25 Asian Lunch Counters ★ 4.2

norrmalm · Kungsgatan 25, 111 56 Stockholm

K25 on Kungsgatan in Stockholm's Norrmalm runs eight Asian counters under one roof; ramen, pho, dim sum and Korean fried chicken with lunch sets under 160.

Tip: Closed Sunday. The central seating fills at 13:00; arrive 12:00 or after 14:00.

Tahrir Falafel ★ 4.2

sodermalm · Bondegatan 48, 116 33 Stockholm

Tahrir on Bondegatan in Stockholm's Södermalm runs an Egyptian-Swedish falafel kitchen; the falafel-in-pita at 95 kronor is one of the cheapest sit-down.

Tip: Closed Sunday. Takeaway window faster than the dining-in queue.

Tehuset Java ★ 4.1

sodermalm · Skånegatan 64, 116 37 Stockholm

Tehuset Java on Skånegatan in Stockholm's SoFo is the long-running tea house and cafe; daily hot lunch plates, sandwiches and the heaviest cardamom bun.

Tip: Open seven days from 09:00. The garden out back fills for fika by 14:00.

Svedjan Bageri ★ 4.1

sodermalm · Brännkyrkagatan 93, 117 26 Stockholm

Svedjan Bageri on Brännkyrkagatan in Stockholm's Södermalm bakes the Zinkensdamm kanelbulle the city cafe press cites, from a Västerbotten farm dairy family.

Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The cinnamon bun is the buy; the line is longest on Saturday mornings.

Tradition Dagens Lunch ★ 4.1

gamla-stan · Österlånggatan 1, 111 31 Stockholm

Tradition on Österlånggatan in Stockholm's Gamla Stan runs a dagens-lunch sitting at 150 kronor, the Swedish husmanskost menu including pyttipanna.

Tip: Lunch only 11:30-14:30. The dagens menu includes a salad, bread and water.

Östermalms Saluhall Lunch Counters ★ 4.1

ostermalm · Östermalmstorg 31, 114 39 Stockholm

Östermalms Saluhall in Stockholm runs midweek lunch sets at the saluhall counters; Tysta Mari, Lisa Elmqvist and the meatball counters all set lunch options.

Tip: Lunch only 11:30-14:30. Tysta Mari runs the most-budget dagens lunch.

Valhallabageriet ★ 4.0

ostermalm · Valhallavägen 174, 115 27 Stockholm

Valhallabageriet on Valhallavägen in Stockholm's Östermalm is the neighbourhood bread-and-bun bakery; the kanelbulle, fresh sourdough and Lent semla pull.

Tip: Open Sundays. Sourdough rounds run out by 13:00; the Östermalm crowd arrives at 09:00 sharp.

Sibyllans korvkiosk ★ 4.0

norrmalm · Sveavägen 11, 111 57 Stockholm

Sibyllans Korvkiosk on Sveavägen in Stockholm's Norrmalm grills hot dogs from a kiosk window; the tunnbrödsrulle with shrimp salad is the classic dining-room.

Tip: Open late seven days. The tunnbrödsrulle is the to-go order; varmkorv med bröd is the budget pick.

Magnus Ladulås ★ 4.0

gamla-stan · Österlånggatan 26, 111 31 Stockholm

Magnus Ladulås on Österlånggatan in Stockholm's Gamla Stan is a vaulted cellar dining counter; Toast Skagen, meatballs and traditional Swedish husmanskost.

Tip: Closed Sunday. The cellar fills with tour groups at 13:00; arrive at 12:00 for a seat.

Bar O Bao Takeaway ★ 4.0

sodermalm · Skånegatan 41, 116 37 Stockholm

Bar O Bao on Skånegatan in Stockholm's SoFo runs the pork-belly bao counter; the takeaway window pulls steamed buns to-go alongside dine-in seating.

Tip: Open Wednesday to Sunday. Takeaway window on the side runs faster than the dining counter.

Kebabhaket ★ 3.9

sodermalm · Götgatan 36, 116 21 Stockholm

Kebabhaket on Götgatan in Stockholm's Södermalm is the late-night halloumi roll counter; halloumi-sallad rolls, kebab plates and the bar crowd from 23:00.

Tip: Open until 04:00 every night. The halloumi roll is the post-bar order; cash counter for fastest service.

Sibyllans korvkiosk ★ 3.9

norrmalm · Sveavägen 11, 111 57 Stockholm

Sibyllans Korvkiosk on Sveavägen in Stockholm's Norrmalm is the classic late-night hot-dog stand; tunnbrödsrulle with shrimp salad at 75 kronor is the budget.

Tip: Open until 23:00. Cash counter slightly faster than the card terminal.