It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Swede, in possession of a spare moment, must be in want of some sun. While rooftop bars deliver bird’s eye views and sidewalk seating has its charms, courtyards and terraces hit a sweet spot: close enough to capture the city buzz, while providing just enough enclosure to feel like a well-kept secret. Here, we take a look at some of the best spots in Stockholm that are just-secluded enough for making the most of summer in the city
Photo: Nico Schinko
Stockholm Stadshotell
Stockholm Stadshotell, the boutique hotel on Södermalm’s Björngårdsgatan, bills itself as a house where you can eat and sleep, so it is little wonder that its central courtyard embodies the same effortless hospitality. Framing the entrance to the meticulously restored heritage building from 1875, three honey-hued façades all but glimmer when the sun hits. Parasol-shaded tables and chairs that would look at home on any Parisian terrasse and oversized terracotta pot plants add to the refined, welcoming appeal. Open from breakfast onwards, the courtyard truly comes alive in the summer, transforming into an outdoor living room where cocktails flow, grill embers glow, and the season unfolds across Midsummer celebrations, crayfish feasts and pizza nights from Babette – the beloved restaurant also led by Stadshotellet’s Head Chef, Olle T. Cellton. With live music and even Wimbledon finals screened under open skies, at Stadshotellet, Stockholm Summer has found its new headquarters.
Photo: UTELIV
UTELIV
Stockholm’s Slussen has emerged from years of transformation as one of the city’s new exciting food and drink destinations. At its core is Mälarterrassen, a gathering place that overlooks the meeting point of Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. Among standout recent openings is Restaurang LIV, a new venture from chefs Tommy Myllymäki and Pi Le, whose 2-MICHELIN-starred restaurant AIRA lies across the waters on the island of Djurgården. Housed within a striking glass pavilion, the new arrival brings refined cooking to one of Stockholm’s most attractive vantage points, though without any stuffiness. The restaurant’s playfully named outdoor space, Uteliv (which can mean either nightlife or outdoor life), is an expansive, sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Old Town and Slussen. Offering a curated drinks lineup alongside regular DJ nights (Wednesdays are a literal oasis for Britpop), Uteliv makes the case for staying outside, day or night.