Starbucks in Stockholm

Entrance to Södermalm Starbucks.

Ok. Now I know many readers will think "why are you writing about Starbucks? You usually write about museums, festivals and local restaurants". True. And this subject (the coffee giant's expansion in Sweden) is also not without controversy... with Stockholmers divided on the subject. As you may know, Swedes are very particular about their coffee (second largest consumers of coffee per capita in the world) and Stockholmers can especially be a bit pretentious about their java. For some, Starbucks is a multinational corporation squeezing out small cafés from the market, while others are happy that they no longer have to travel abroad to get their "pumpkin spice latté" fix.

So why write about it? Well, as a Concierge, I have been asked quite a few times by hotel guests where the closest Starbucks is located. I would usually just recommend one of the many great local cafés in the neighborhood (including the Café Rival), as the only Starbucks, until recently, has been located in the Central Train Station... a bit far away from the hotel just to grab a coffee. However, I was recently informed by a guest that the reason she wanted to find a Starbucks is to buy the Stockholm Starbucks coffee mug. Apparently people collect them in every city they visit much like Hard Rock Café merchandize. I learn something new everyday...

Starbucks' merchandize...

So I am writing this blog article as a public service announcement to inform visitors that Starbucks opened today on Södermalm (location), just a 10 minute walk from the Rival Hotel. And they do have Stockholm merchandize! Otherwise, there are Starbucks located on Stureplan and, as I mentioned earlier, in the train station. More are planned as part of their Swedish expansion. It remains to be seen if they can find their place in the finicky Swedish coffee market.

Starbucks in Stockholm

Posted by zlatin

Entrance to Södermalm Starbucks.

Ok. Now I know many readers will think "why are you writing about Starbucks? You usually write about museums, festivals and local restaurants". True. And this subject (the coffee giant's expansion in Sweden) is also not without controversy... with Stockholmers divided on the subject. As you may know, Swedes are very particular about their coffee (second largest consumers of coffee per capita in the world) and Stockholmers can especially be a bit pretentious about their java. For some, Starbucks is a multinational corporation squeezing out small cafés from the market, while others are happy that they no longer have to travel abroad to get their "pumpkin spice latté" fix.

So why write about it? Well, as a Concierge, I have been asked quite a few times by hotel guests where the closest Starbucks is located. I would usually just recommend one of the many great local cafés in the neighborhood (including the Café Rival), as the only Starbucks, until recently, has been located in the Central Train Station... a bit far away from the hotel just to grab a coffee. However, I was recently informed by a guest that the reason she wanted to find a Starbucks is to buy the Stockholm Starbucks coffee mug. Apparently people collect them in every city they visit much like Hard Rock Café merchandize. I learn something new everyday...

Starbucks' merchandize...

So I am writing this blog article as a public service announcement to inform visitors that Starbucks opened today on Södermalm (location), just a 10 minute walk from the Rival Hotel. And they do have Stockholm merchandize! Otherwise, there are Starbucks located on Stureplan and, as I mentioned earlier, in the train station. More are planned as part of their Swedish expansion. It remains to be seen if they can find their place in the finicky Swedish coffee market.

The Semla

It's that time of the year again, when all the bakeries and cafes in Sweden are filled with the delicious pastry we call a semla (plural: semlor). Today, Shrove Tuesday (Fettisdagen) is when you are traditionally supposed to eat a semla, but these days semlor are sold during most of the month of February. A semla is made from a wheat bun, spiced with cardamom, hallowed out and filled with almond paste mixed with the removed bread.  It is then topped with whipped cream and a "hat" made of the top of the bun. In recent years I have seen an increase in specialty semlor... chocolate, blueberry and so on. Traditionalists consider these to be borderline sacrilegious. According to statistics, the average Swede consumes 5 semlor during these weeks.

Every year most newspapers put together their own "expert" jury of semla-aficionados who rate the semlor sold at popular cafes and bakeries throughout the city. For example, here is Svenska Dagbladet's test. But if you are staying at the Rival Hotel, you don't have to go far to try a semla... our own Café Rival is a popular spot to try these delicious pastries!

The Semla

Posted by zlatin

It's that time of the year again, when all the bakeries and cafes in Sweden are filled with the delicious pastry we call a semla (plural: semlor). Today, Shrove Tuesday (Fettisdagen) is when you are traditionally supposed to eat a semla, but these days semlor are sold during most of the month of February. A semla is made from a wheat bun, spiced with cardamom, hallowed out and filled with almond paste mixed with the removed bread.  It is then topped with whipped cream and a "hat" made of the top of the bun. In recent years I have seen an increase in specialty semlor... chocolate, blueberry and so on. Traditionalists consider these to be borderline sacrilegious. According to statistics, the average Swede consumes 5 semlor during these weeks.

Every year most newspapers put together their own "expert" jury of semla-aficionados who rate the semlor sold at popular cafes and bakeries throughout the city. For example, here is Svenska Dagbladet's test. But if you are staying at the Rival Hotel, you don't have to go far to try a semla... our own Café Rival is a popular spot to try these delicious pastries!

Mariatorget: Restaurants, Cafés & Food Stores

First I wrote about the shops in our neighbourhood (Mariatorget), now it is on to food! The Rival Hotel has a great Bistro, Bar & Café, but if you want to leave the hotel and dine/snack in the surrounding area then there is a large variety of options to choose from. As these are all establishments that mostly cater to the locals, the websites linked below are mainly in Swedish.

Rival Bistro

Restaurants:

• Bistro Süd. Neighbourhood bistro serving Swedish & French favourites. Location.
• Nostrano. Quaint italian restaurant. Location.
• Ramblas Mariatorget- popular Spanish tapas restaurant. Location.
• Marie Laveau. Cajun restaurant with a popular bar/nightclub. Location.
• Tabbouli. Restaurant serving Lebanese cuisine. Location.
• Tehran Grill. Specializing in Iranian cuisine. Location.
• Blå Dörren. Classic Swedish dishes with a pub atmosphere. Location.
• Ljunggrens. Popular restaurant serving Asian fusion cuisine. Location.
• Angry Diner. Newly open. American classics with a twist. Location.
• Pitcher's. Restaurant and "soft" sports bar. Swedish/American favorites. Location. 
• Nyagatan Patagonia. Neighbourhood South American restaurant. Location.

Restaurant Sjögräs

Cafés:

• Drop Coffee. Coffee bar where they roast their own beans. Location.
• Johan & Nyström.  Coffee bar where they roast their own beans. Location. 
• Kaffe. Trivia: scenes from "Girl with a Dragon tattoo" were filmed here. Location.
• Muggen. Popular with the "söder" locals! Location.

Oaxen Skafferi

Specialty Food Stores:

• Oaxen Skafferi. Butcher shop and great place to find Swedish specialties like herring and sausage. Location.
• 8T8. Ecological and locally produced specialty foods. Noodle bar as well! Location.
• 18 Smaker. Home made ice cream... 18 flavours. Location.

8T8

Mariatorget: Restaurants, Cafés & Food Stores

Posted by zlatin

First I wrote about the shops in our neighbourhood (Mariatorget), now it is on to food! The Rival Hotel has a great Bistro, Bar & Café, but if you want to leave the hotel and dine/snack in the surrounding area then there is a large variety of options to choose from. As these are all establishments that mostly cater to the locals, the websites linked below are mainly in Swedish.

Rival Bistro

Restaurants:

• Bistro Süd. Neighbourhood bistro serving Swedish & French favourites. Location.
• Nostrano. Quaint italian restaurant. Location.
• Ramblas Mariatorget- popular Spanish tapas restaurant. Location.
• Marie Laveau. Cajun restaurant with a popular bar/nightclub. Location.
• Tabbouli. Restaurant serving Lebanese cuisine. Location.
• Tehran Grill. Specializing in Iranian cuisine. Location.
• Blå Dörren. Classic Swedish dishes with a pub atmosphere. Location.
• Ljunggrens. Popular restaurant serving Asian fusion cuisine. Location.
• Angry Diner. Newly open. American classics with a twist. Location.
• Pitcher's. Restaurant and "soft" sports bar. Swedish/American favorites. Location. 
• Nyagatan Patagonia. Neighbourhood South American restaurant. Location.

Restaurant Sjögräs

Cafés:

• Drop Coffee. Coffee bar where they roast their own beans. Location.
• Johan & Nyström.  Coffee bar where they roast their own beans. Location. 
• Kaffe. Trivia: scenes from "Girl with a Dragon tattoo" were filmed here. Location.
• Muggen. Popular with the "söder" locals! Location.

Oaxen Skafferi

Specialty Food Stores:

• Oaxen Skafferi. Butcher shop and great place to find Swedish specialties like herring and sausage. Location.
• 8T8. Ecological and locally produced specialty foods. Noodle bar as well! Location.
• 18 Smaker. Home made ice cream... 18 flavours. Location.

8T8