Chokladkoppen

Chokladkoppen occupies one of the old merchant houses on Stortorget, the main square of Gamla Stan, and it has been serving coffee and cake there since 1997. Its position could hardly be more central: the Nobel Prize Museum is across the square, the Royal Palace is a couple of minutes away, and the narrow lanes of the old town lead off in every direction. The café describes itself as a beautiful café in a historic setting, and the small rooms inside feel cosy, especially on a dark winter afternoon.

The name means the chocolate cup, and hot drinks are at the centre of the menu, along with cold drinks and a counter of sweets and delicate pastries. For something more filling, the menu includes large open sandwiches and a short list of main dishes, so it works for a light lunch as well as a fika break. The full menu is published on the café's website.

In summer, the terrace on Stortorget is one of the most popular places in the old town to sit outside and watch the square, with its tall painted houses and the old well in the middle. Tables fill quickly on sunny days, so be prepared to wait or arrive early. In winter, the café is a warm refuge from the cold, and the Christmas market on Stortorget makes December a particularly atmospheric time to visit.

Chokladkoppen suits couples, families and solo travellers who want a break in the middle of exploring Gamla Stan. It is open from 10:00 to 22:00 in winter and from 09:00 to 22:00 in summer, which makes it one of the few cafés in the old town where you can still get a hot drink and cake in the evening. The café fills up at busy times, so you may need to wait for a table.

The café is about five minutes' walk from Gamla Stan metro station through the lanes of the old town. Combine a visit with the Nobel Prize Museum, Storkyrkan cathedral and the Royal Palace, all within a few minutes' walk, or continue along Västerlånggatan and Österlånggatan for shops and further cafés.