Södermalm's mainstreet: Guide to Hornsgatan

A steep , sunny cobble-stoned street lined with historic colorful buildings

Bellmansgatan, Södermalm KVADRAT

Summer in Stockholm. Swedeborgsgatan street on Södermalm, summertime. Early morning.

Swedenborgsgatan KVADRAT

Year after year, decade after decade, one thing remains: If you want to get your finger on the pulse of Stockholm's latest trends Södermalm is the place for you.

Södermalm

Looking for more tips on Södermalm? Read our district guide for more inspiration and suggestions.

More Södermalm

English

Swedish

Autumn sunset over Hornsgatan in Södermalm. People are passing by on bikes or by foot. Cutting across the northern edge of the Södermalm district, Hornsgatan is one of Stockholms busiest streets.

A plate of food and a glass of beer at Akkurat, a popular beer bra in Stockholm.

Akkurat

Akkurat is a well-known name among beer aficionados, not only in Sweden but internationally as well. The bar on Hornsgatan pops up regularly on lists and rankings of the world&#x27;s best beer bars. Akkurat has a rotating selection of 28 brews on tap and a large cellar of vintage beer, with over 500 bottles of aged beer.

A huge piece of steak from Central European-style restaurant Bar Central.

Hyped European bistro Bar Central re-opened in October 2023, at their new Södermalm location. The menu has stayed the same though. Hearthy dishes from central Europe, like Hungarian Pörkölt, Polish pierogi, and Austrian apfelstrudel.

Bar Central

Red onions, leeks and small seeds in a bowl from Barabao

Taiwanese bao, steamed buns served with various fillings, are one of the latest trends on Stockholm’s restaurant scene. Söder is home to Barobao, an innovative, trendy and affordable Asian restaurant offering fast food with an organic sensibility. A seasonal side-dish menu complements the delicious, fluffy buns. This popular hole in the wall does not take reservations.

Barobao

Blås & Knåda

Blås &amp; Knåda has the country’s largest selection of contemporary Swedish studio pottery and studio glass, both studio and unique art objects. 45 working members operate the store and gallery together. Since it was started in 1975, Blås &amp; Knåda has become a concept in handicraft circles and today it functions as a center for those interested in glass and pottery.

Bokslukaren

Children´s bookstore for both kids and their parents. Run by true enthusiasts and with books for all ages and in several different languages, as well as gifts and toys. There&#x27;s a small café in the back which serves great coffee along with miniature cakes, cookies and scones.

Brandstationen

Brandstationen (The Fire Station) focuses on furnishings and antiques. From the same people behind the Herr Judit clothing stores, Brandstationen shares the concept of high-quality vintage and second hand. All of the items and jewelry are carefully selected with a trendy and style-conscious target group in mind. The store name comes from it previously being located in – that&#x27;s right – a fire station.

A colourful image of a yummy falafel

Take your meal to go if you are not lucky enough to get a seat in this hole-in-the-wall-sized restaurant. Freshly fried falafel is, of course, the hero on the menu but you can also choose from traditional dishes like börek. The food is made to order and definitely worth the wait.

Falafelbaren

Folkbaren

Folkbaren is adjacent to Folkoperan and the theatrical and musical influences are unmistakable. A pleasant, classic local bar on Hornsgatan on Södermalm that will appeal to most.

The stage at Folkoperan, an opera is being performed with spectacular theatrical scenery. A woman appears to be high over the audience, floating in a white dress that covers almost all of the stage itself.

With constant innovation and much-discussed performances, Folkoperan has established itself as one of Stockholm’s most exciting venues, and new visitors are regularly drawn to the opera house. The ensemble offers artistic fashion, high quality and moving productions. The beautiful space was originally a premiere cinema in the 1920s and it shares a wall with cozy Folkbaren, where you can enjoy a glass of cava, little delicacies, or the full Opera menu. Don’t miss the balconies offering views of the lobby and mingling opera attendees.

Folkoperan

A plate of food at Freyja. Freyja openend in March 2023 and is Stureplansgruppens first restaurant on Södermalm in Stockholm.

Freyja

Freyja opened in mid-March 2023 and is Stureplangruppens&#x27; first restaurant on Södermalm. The new venture is located on Hornsgatan, just a short walk from Slussen, on a spacious rooftop floor. Besides a great panoramic view over Stockholm, Freyja offers a menu of classic Swedish dishes, infused with international flavors.

Gamla Amsterdam

Nobody in Stockholm knows Dutch cheese culture better than Gamla Amsterdam. Their cheese shop has a wide selection of the best Gouda, Edamer, Chévre, and Leiden varieties as well as an assortment of delicious cheeses from all over Europe. If you’d rather eat something right away, Gamla Amsterdam also has a cheese bar serving cheese platters, sandwiches, wine, and beer. Obviously, a cheese sandwich here isn’t just a cheese sandwich.

Gazza Stockholm

Gazza is a spaghetteria with craft pasta at its core. The menu varies, but can include anolini – small saucers filled with liquid parmesan – or ravioli with rabbit ragu, lardo and sage. They spend days making the foccacia just right and the espresso machine is, of course, imported straight from Milano. If you&#x27;re not one for pasta, stracciatella cheese, charcuterie and carne cruda are also on the menu, but Book in advance, because the room tends to get filled quickly.

Gazza

Bars in Stockholm. A dark cocktail at Hernö Gin Bar on Södermalm, a bar run by the award winning Gin company.

Hernö Gin Bar

Award-winning Hernö Gin became Sweden&#x27;s first gin distillery in 2011, and in 2021 the company opened a bar at Södermalm in Stockholm. Focusing unsurprisingly on gin drinks and cocktails, both classics and new creations, the bar also has a light menu with snacks and smaller dishes.

A group of Café- guests are sitting on narrow chairs by a table on the sidewalk of the cobbled streets of Hornsgatspuckeln, a charming part of the street Hornsgatan in Stockholm.

The advent of the car posed a problem for city planners in Stockholm in the early 20th century. Many of the city’s streets were narrow and ill-suited for motorized transport, Hornsgatan being one of them. Consequently, the buildings along the southern parts of Hornsgatan had to be demolished and their lots paved over with tarmac, to accommodate a wider two-way street for cars and city trams. The raised part of southern Hornsgatan – Hornsgatspuckeln - is what’s left of buildings closest to old street.Today Hornsgatspuckeln (“The Horngatan hump”) is known for its many art galleries and historically important buildings. It’s also a great place to start your Sunday walk, with its close proximity to the scenic Monteliusvägen.

Hornsgatspuckeln

Judits second hand store.

The store at Hornsgatan 75 has one section with used clothes and shoes and another with new clothes, bags, and accessories. Vintage garments are carefully selected styles from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Judits second hand

A view of the Silk weavery exhibition hall

Almgrens Sidenväveri

K. A. Almgren silk weaving is the only still active silk weaving mill left in the Nordic region. Here, silk fabrics and ribbons are woven on original machines in their original factory environment from the 1860s. The museum gives an insight into the history of the company, silk production in Sweden and the place of women in our industrialization - all seen through Almgren&#x27;s micro perspective.The history of the silk weaving industry reflects the rise and fall of the Swedish textile industry, from the 19th century to today. Here, present day and history meet through textile craftsmanship.

K. A. Almgren Silk Weaving & Museum

Restaurants in Stockholm. Liebling on Södermalm. A chef prepares a large Schnitzel in the german-inspired kitchen.

Liebling

Liebling on Södermalm is a german bistro, through and through. Schnitzel, kroketten, maultaschen, kartoffel and apfelkuchen. Served, naturally, with pilsner and the best german wines.

Two bowls of desserts from Magnolia, one with a scoop of ice cream sprinkled with coconut flakes and one with fresh blueberries and strawberries.

Magnolia is situated just a stone’s throw from Monteliusvägen, the popular viewpoint on Södermalm. Their specialty is bao, a Taiwanese bun steamed and stuffed with various delicious fillings. Pick one on offer from the menu, or compose one yourself. There is also a selection of dishes from East Asia with typical Japanese, Chinese and Thai flavors.

Magnolia

Mahalo

Also has a location at Odengatan 26, in the Vasastan district.

Mahalo specializes in plant-based breakfasts and lunches. Enjoy American pancakes and a smoothie at the start of the day or come back later for a fresh lunch bowl or a plate of loaded vegan fries.

Beautiful view from Monteliusvägen in Södermalm, Stockholm.

A 500-meter long (quarter-mile) walking path with a magnificent view of Lake Mälaren, Stockholm City Hall, and Riddarholmen, especially at sunrise and sunset. The path is lined with charming houses on one side and a beautiful view on the other. There is, of course, a safety rail on the path, but be careful in the wintertime when parts of the path might be a bit slippery.

Monteliusvägen

Papercut

Papercut is a store that offers both international and Swedish newspapers, books, films, music and printed matter. The collection is carefully selected with the focus on art, design, and fashion. If you share these interests, you will want to spend several hours here. If you need to buy a present for anyone, you will likely find it here.

A long wooden bench is lined up along the white wall, a woman is walking past, reading the menu. Framed photographs are visible behind her.

Cozy bar with a menu of light vegetarian dishes on their menu. The bar, located close to Mariatorget, also has one of the finest collections of rum in town.

Paradiso

Shopping in Stockholm. Interior shot of Pen Store, a boutique specializing in pens, markers and pencils in all shapes, colors and sizes. Pictures are the shelves, lined with tray full of colorful pens.

Need a ballpoint pen? A felt-marker? Or a good-old pencil? Pen Store has got you covered. As the name implies it’s a haven for anyone who takes their longhand-writing seriously. The store, located along Hornsgatan on Söder, has colorful writing –and drawing utensils in all shapes and sizes.

Pen Store

Restaurants in Stockholm. Tapas at Racamaca on Södermalm.

Racamaca

Small and cozy Södermalm-restaurant Racamaca quickly garnered attention for its Basque-inspired tapas. Garbanzo, boquerones, and chistorra-sausage turn up in unusual combinations coupled with a great selection of wine and beer.

The courtyard at restaurant Häktet. Several tables are set up on the little square between the old prison buildings.

This old prison is a place to escape to, rather than from. Whether you&#x27;re looking for a nice meal or to party like a prisoner, with three bars and an interesting Stockholm crowd, this is the place for a night out. Häktet is also one of few bars on Södermalm that closes at 3 am.

Restaurang Häktet

Stockholm's low skyline and a summer sunset seen by lots of people picnicing on the cliffs of Skinnarviksberget in the Södermalm district

Skinnarviksberget

The highest natural point in central Stockholm is a favorite place among the locals for picnics and parties under the open sky. The views are stunning – across Kungsholmen, Gamla Stan (Old Town), the Stockholm City Hall, and other points of interest. The park beneath the hill has a small playground and an open-air café where you can enjoy a light lunch or an ice cream in one of the hammocks.

Secondhand shops in Stockholm. Clothes are haning in Slow Fashion Hub on Södermalm.

Slow Fashion Hub

Founded by a trio of designers and vintage lovers, the Slow Fashion Hub is a space where independent designers and smaller shops can rent a pop-up table to sell second-hand, vintage, and re-design treasures. Together with their neighboring shops on Hornsgatan, SFH has formed the <a href="https://www.slowfashionhub.se/slow-fashion-district/">Slow Fashion District</a> with a total of 19 boutiques within walking distance from one another.

Restaurants in Stockholm. Söders hjärta, a cozy neighborhood eatery on Södermalm.

Söders hjärta

Söders hjärta is a small and cozy restaurant and bar just off Hornsgatan. Serving both lunch and dinner, the food is a mix of classic dishes and Swedish favorites. Hjärtat, as the locals lovingly refer to it, also hosts regular music quizzes every Tuesday.

A magnificent 17th-century palace filled to the brim with Stockholm’s history. Building of this charming palace started as early as 1663 and its located at Slussen in Stockholm. The museum is currently under renovation. During the time for renovation city-walks are available every day, some of which are in English.

A magnificent 17th-century palace filled to the brim with Stockholm’s history. Building of this charming palace started as early as 1663 and its located at Slussen in Stockholm. The museum is currently under renovation. During the time for renovation cit

A magnificent 17th-century palace filled to the brim with Stockholm&#x27;s history. Trace the city&#x27;s development from a little, medieval harbor town to today’s multicultural metropolis.

Stockholm City Museum

Dinner table at Tjoget, Linje Tio, in Hornstull.

Tjoget is an interesting combination of restaurant, wine bar, and beer café. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and a vibrant bar that has quickly become popular among the residents of Hornstull in Södermalm. Order a perfectly composed cocktail or take your pick among the carefully selected beers or vines. The bar has been named one of the best in the world more than once.

Tjoget

Uniforms for the Dedicated

Innovative, cutting-edge fashion for men. New purchases are brought home in “The Rag Bag,” which can be turned inside out and used to send in your used clothing for recycling at the same store.

Wos Store

If you are at all into accessories, Wos is your nirvana. Everything in the store is carefully selected or handmade by artists and designers. This is also the place to discover upcoming brands or find one-of-a-kind pieces!

Hornsgatan is one of Södermalm's longest streets and has a plethora of great bars, shops, and restaurants. Here are some of the best.

Visitstockholm is the official guide to Stockholm for visitors and talents. The website is editorial, and the content is based on an independent, qualitative selection of what Stockholm has to offer.

Visit Stockholm

The official guide for visitors and talents about things to see and do, activities, restaurants, cafés and events in Stockholm.

Södermalm's mainstreet: Guide to Hornsgatan

More Södermalm

Looking for more?

Be adventurous in the Stockholm archipelago

Where I find mindfulness in the city

Experience Stockholm with a personal guide

Guided tours with a twist

Vacation on two wheels

Kayak adventures in Stockholm

Have an active vacation

Winter activities in Stockholm