How to Combine Coffee & Your To-Do List in Stockholm

Coffee is life-saver when we need to run errands around town. Luckily, it’s available pretty much anywhere in the city. Did you know that in Stockholm you can get a cuppa and have your bike fixed at the same time? How convenient! Or perhaps you want to spruce up your home for spring with new houseplants? Instead of driving to a remote garden centre, finding yourself at the mercy of dubious gas station coffee on the way, why don’t you sit back and choose your plants while sipping on well-crafted cappuccino? We’ve found just the place for you.

Join us on this out-of-ordinary café tour – you’ll surely cross a few chores off your to-do list and drink some pretty darn good coffee along the way.

Bonne Mécanique

Flat bike tire? Broken gear cable? At Bonne Mécanique you can have your two-wheeler fixed or you can fix it yourself using the tools as well as bicycle care products available in the shop (self-service costs 100 SEK/hour). To do the latter, a little bit of bike maintenance knowledge is, of course, useful, but whenever in doubt you can count on the help from the on-site staff or fall back on one of the bicycle repair manuals. If you’re a pro but have neither the space nor the equipment at home, consider a yearly membership for only 500 SEK. In addition to access to the workshop and all tools, you get five cups of coffee to keep the work flowing.

Don’t have a bike but are looking to purchase one? There’s plenty to choose from here and if you dream of having a one-of-a-kind bicycle, the mechanics can repair, restore and customise oldies, giving them (and you!) a new lease on life. If bikes aren’t your thing, just come by for coffee and good vibes; there’s something particularly charming about the bike-themed ambience, especially when a crowd of cyclists storms in for pre-ride espressos. Their enthusiasm is always contagious.

→ Bonne Mécanique

Vartoftagatan 45
118 30 Stockholm

Opening Hours:
 Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 6:00 pm 
Sat 12:00 – 4:00 pm

Krukor och Kaffe

This might be one of the cosiest little cafés you’ll ever step into. The white-tiled walls adorned with plants instantly lighten your mood; you’ll feel like you’ve found a tranquil hideout in busy Östermalm. All the plants are for sale and if you’re a newbie house-gardener, Filippa – who runs the place – will tell you everything about them. While making a mean cup of coffee, she’s sure throw in some plant care tidbits.

You’re also very welcome to set up your computer and work from here: wifi is available. Also, hasn’t it been scientifically proven that plants in the workspace increase productivity? To say nothing of the coffee!

The food is as central to Krukor & Kaffe as the plants and coffee. Porridge, nutty & fruity granolas as well as vegetarian sandwiches are served for breakfast. At lunch we suggest you pay a close attention to the selection of cheesy sourdough toasties. The café is also pet friendly. Cup of coffee with a side of prickly cactus, anyone?

→ Krukor & Kaffe

Valhallavägen 53
114 22 Stockholm

Opening Hours:
 Mon – Fri 7:45 am – 4:00 pm 
Sat & Sun 11:00 am- 4:00 pm

Bokslukaren

If you’re a parent or have found yourself in the company of a little moppet, you’ll love this little bookstore. It’ll keep everyone happy. You: will get your caffeine shot and provide entertainment for the little ones. The kids: will instantly be swept away into the literary world of dinosaurs, Moomin or knights in shining armours. You’re welcome to sit back in a comfortable chair and read to the little ones. You can peruse the shelves and buy books together or you can all take part in weekly reading series featuring local children’s authors and illustrators. And while you’re at it, you’ve got to try Harry Potter’s scones with jam and butter or Willy Wonka’s chocolate muffins!

Bokslukaren has also the tiniest stage in Stockholm. On merely 1 square metre of space magic happens. Little ones can listen to live children’s music or enjoy children’s theatre.

→ Bokslukaren
Mariatorget 2
118 48 Stockholm
Opening Hours: 
Mon – Fri 7:45 am – 4:00 pm 
Sat & Sun 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Café String

Should you be a vintage lover, always on the lookout for perfectly preserved old furniture, Café String is for you. Not only will you be able to drink coffee while sitting in a vintage chair while resting your cup on a vintage table, but you’ll also be able to buy the very furniture set you’re using. Take a look around; do you like the armchair occupied by an elderly gentlemen by the window? Maybe that one would fit in your living room better. All the furniture in the café is for sale.

To celebrate a successful antique purchase (or without any reason whatsoever) we urge you to order your coffee with a side of tosca brownie where a layer of wonderfully crunchy Swedish tosca meets a layer of the American fudgy classic brownie. And don’t fear if you stumble upon a Sunday crowd of brunchers, as String’s weekend breakfast buffet is very popular among the locals; just walk a few steps down and you’ll find yourself in the comfy basement room with more seats available.

→ Café String

Nytorgsgatan 38
116 40 Stockholm

Opening Hours:
 Mon – Thur 9:00 am – 10:00 pm 
Fri – Sun 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Weekend breakfast buffet: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Twang

Does your precious guitar needs to be serviced? Take it to Twang. While she’s being taken care of in the on-site basement workshop, go upstairs to order coffee and grab a savoury bite or a pastry in the café. For kids, there’s a little playground inside, conveniently located by the big window. The whole space feels homey and lots of locals enjoy hanging out here, guitar or no. The basement, apart from housing a workshop, is also a boutique with plenty of vintage guitars for sale.

You’ll find a little stage too – on some evenings you can listen to musicians and singers perform live. Check the Facebook page for updates, and you may occasionally be surprised with an impromptu concert. Both the café and the boutique space are available for hire, either for a small family celebration or whenever you feel like sharing your own music in front of an audience.

→ Twang

Katarina Bangata 25
116 39 Stockholm

Café Opening Hours:
 Mon – Thu 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
 Fri & Sat 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sun 12:00 – 9:00 pm

Shop Opening Hours:
Weekdays 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm or by appointment

Lazy Barber

Grooming and coffee under one roof? Yes please! Don’t be misled by the name; the barbers, hairdressers and baristas are anything but lazy. Before you know it, you’ll be assisted to your seat and then it’s just straight razors, shears and shaving brushes moving deftly around your head. Coffee is made with an equal precision – latte art is the Australian barista’s specialty.

Even if you don’t have a beard, you’re still welcome to have your hair cut. The venue specialises in haircuts and hair treatments for both men and women.

In addition, there’s a beard and hair care boutique on the premises where you’ll find pomades, shaving brushes, conditioners and everything else you need to keep you beard or hairstyle in impeccable condition.
Thanks to its Americana-inspired décor with colourful gumball machines, Elvis Presley life-size wall sticker and retro diner accessories, Lazy Barber is a very enjoyable place to spend your time, whether you need a new lid or not.