In college, I was a coffee fanatic. I did all of my studying at coffee shops around town and on campus, and they were just great places to relax and read a book or hang out with friends. When I moved to Stockholm, I was determined to find new coffee shops and cafes in which to hang out. In a totally foreign place, it was important to find something that felt familiar. I went to a few different places at first, but they just didn't feel right. Since then, I've been on the hunt for the perfect Stockholm café, and I've found many great ones along the way. Here are a few of my favorites.

Vurma

Vurma is my kind of Stockholm café – it's part coffee shop, part bakery. I like to come here and get some comfort food after spending a few hours looking like an idiot while I play hockey with some of my new friends. I nurse my dignity back to health with a hot cup of coffee and some pastries. The interior is really cozy, and I like to pretend that I can hide my hockey-shame at the small, colorful tables.

Cinnamon Bakery & Coffeeshop

Alright, I'm not sure if this should count. When most people picture the perfect Stockholm café, it's probably more often a hole in the wall than a famous institution. I don't care; the cinnamon rolls here are good enough that I would hang out in the middle of a Wal-Mart for them. I'm not kidding – they alone are worth a trip to Stockholm. If I feel particularly energetic on the weekend (or the seemingly endless sunlight wakes me up), I like to get there early and grab a seat outside. I'm still trying to get acquainted with the city, and this is my favorite Stockholm café to sit back and watch daily life.

Gildas rum

Gildas rum is pretty new, and it's quickly become one of my favorite Stockholm cafes. It's located near a few nice parks, so the location is really relaxing. The interior has a lot of personality—I always get a kick out of their fake bookshelf wallpaper. The best things about Gildas rum are the service and the food. My Swedish is coming along, and the people who work here are more than accommodating of the fact that sometimes neither of us know what I'm saying. The sandwiches are also great, and the caffe lattes are delicious. I don't think 'flashy' when it comes to Gildas rum, but it's a wonderful Stockholm café that feels homey and comfortable, and it's the closest I've come to perfect.

If you want some food after your coffee, Stockholm dining options are also plentiful and satisfying.