Restaurant Lux, Lilla Essingen
The former Electrolux factory by Lake Mälaren (Sweden's third-biggest) is home to Restaurant Lux. Chef and owner Henrik Norström shows off his genius with a modern Swedish menu featuring only local products (and a biodynamic wine list). I go for the fish and always order crepes with chocolate, plums and cinnamon ice-cream when it's on the menu.
• Primusgatan 116, +46 8 619 01 90, luxstockholm.com, mains from £11
Snickarbacken 7, Östermalm
The coffee here is outstanding, but it's more than just a cafe. The 19th-century building, with hugely high ceilings and gothic arches, also houses an art gallery and sells clothing, furniture and gadgets. Try the unusual coffees, an apple and ginger juice, or toasties with serrano ham and manchego cheese.
• Snickarbacken 7, snickarbacken7.se, lunch dishes from £8
Restaurant Svartengrens, Vasastan
If you think Swedish restaurants are all about fish and crustaceans you'll be surprised by Svartengrens. This steakhouse has ab open kitchen, high-quality local meat and beautiful tiled walls with themed drawings. It's also known for its cocktail bar.
• Tulegatan 24, +46 8 612 65 50, svartengrens.se, steaks from around £21
Byredo, Norrmalm
In 2006, Swedish basketball player Ben Gorham launched the Byredo perfume brand. His unisex fragrances are inspired by childhood memories of trips to India, but it's the sleek and clean packaging that makes his perfumes and scented candles so popular.
• Master Samuelsgatan 42, byredo.com
Brandstationen, Södermalm
Herr Judit's shop, housed in a century-old former fire station, sells vintage furniture, clothing, lighting, jewellery and accessories. And it's not just any old stuff either: the owners, who also run two men's vintage clothing shops, travel the world looking for beautiful objects to sell here and online.
• Krukmakargatan 22, herrjudit.se
Skansen, Djurgården Island
Djurgården is an island and national park in the middle of the city, chiefly famous for the Skansen open-air museum, the oldest of its kind in the world. It's a good spot for a dose of fresh air and nature in the city and is great for kids as it has a zoo and a children's theme park, Junibacken, based on the books of Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking.
• adult £9.70, child£5.80, skansen.se
Moderna Museet on , Skeppsholmen Island
The Museum of Modern Art is good for a culture shot of Swedish and Scandinavian art, renowned international works such as Spring by Pablo Picasso or The Enigma of William Tell by Salvador Dali, plus photography, film and video. The museum shop is also fantastic.
• Exercisplan 4, modernamuseet.se
Acne Norrmalm
This famous jeans brand does not believe in traditional shops; instead it runs "studios" designed to inspire creativity. Jeans are still its mainstay, but nowadays you can also buy streetwear, jewellery, shoes and other clothing and accessories at its Stockholm flagship store. And if you can afford the clothes, you can probably afford the high-spec design hotel next door, Nobis (nobishotel.se).
• Norrmalmstorg 2, acnestudios.com
Rival Hotel, Södermalm
Abba fans choose to sleep at the Rival because it is owned by Benny Andersson – the bearded one of the band's songwriting duo. The building has in the past been a cinema, a restaurant and a bakery, but it now has 99 guest rooms, some with balconies, overlooking Maria Square in the hip Södermalm neighbourhood.
• Mariatorget 3, +46 8 545 789 00, rival.se, doubles from £155 B&B
Hotel Skeppsholmen, Skeppsholmen Eiland
An easy walk over a bridge or a ride in a water taxi takes you to the tranquil island of Skeppsholmen. The hotel of the same name, in a 300-year-old building, has spacious, sleek bedrooms and a friendly restaurant.
• Gröna gången 1, +46 8 407 23 00, hotelskeppsholmen.com, Doubles from £140
Coffice, Södermalm
I like to combine work with the popular Swedish concept of fika (coffee with something sweet to eat). Lots of creative people network at Coffice, which has all sorts of facilities for freelancers, including meeting rooms, in one of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods. It opens early and serves the excellent, locally roasted Drop Coffee (dropcoffee.com).
• Tjärhovsgatan 5, coffice.coop
Design House Stockholm, Norrmalm
DHS is the place to go for contemporary Scandinavian design – it sells furniture, accessories, lighting and limited-edition prototypes that can only be bought here. More than 70 independent designers work for DHS, some well-known, others new talent. Non-Scandinavian designs also make a regular appearance, such as innovative lighting created by the Venezuelan designer Pablo Pardo.
• Smålandsgatan 16, designhousestockholm.com
Urban Deli, Södermalm
Urban Deli is a mini-supermarket where you can buy cheese, charcuterie and fresh ingredients, or stay for a while at the bar and restaurant next door. The menu in the industrial-looking restaurant ranges from French classics such as duck confit to Swedish toppers such as Skagen toast – with typical pink prawns.
• Nytorget 4, +46 8 599 091 80, urbandeli.org, lunch from around £11
Read Emma's blog at emmas.blogg.se
