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Stortorget Square, Gamla Stan

Stortorget Square is one distinctively charming place in Stockholm that’s not only difficult to forget, but it is also very hard to dislike! Known as the Big Square, this small area in Gamla Stan is surely the most photographed old town in Sweden, because you’ll see so many visitors fluttering their camera phones and gadgets to take photos of the oldest square of Stockholm. I wanted to go here, ever since I visited Malmo, because I heard from a local barista that the Stortorget Square in Stockholm looks more striking than that of Stortorget Malmo. I wanted to see for myself because… well, because I thought they might be bluffing and that they just wanted me to travel to the opposite end of Sweden – but no, they weren’t; they were telling the truth! Traditionally renowned for their annual Yuletide market festivities, the Stortorget Stockholm has so many notable buildings and structures that looked so festive all year round, you’ll surely have to do a panoramic shot of the whole 360-degree area.

Stockholm’s old town or Gamla Stan, is officially recognized as the Staden Mellan Broarna. This town between bridges is overflowing with medieval narrow alleyways, deep-rooted cobble-stoned streets, and unbelievably beautiful archaic architecture. The scenic center of Gamla Stan looked like a good mix of Northern European vibe, which later I learned that it’s actually of North German inspirations – Brick Gothic – which is very common in regions in and around the Baltic waters. They color of the buildings are bright, but it sure stands out peculiarly because of the bricks and ornaments used. As I tried to find my way just to reach the Stortorget Square, I could see my old boots smiling every step of the way – it was almost worn out and I swore I could have seen my socks say hello! Yes, I decided to walk around nonstop as usual, with a 7 KG trolley bag! It was quite heavy, and it almost prevented me from swinging my SLR to the right direction.

Thinking of some things to do in Stockholm is rather not so fun, if you happen to find yourself just sitting around and relaxing at the Stortorget Square. True story. It serves as the main dish for all of the places of interest that you can find around Stockholm, especially if you prefer an activity that involves just sitting around all day and doing some people watching. From Stockholm Gamla Stan Walking tours, Christmas Walking Tours, and even private tours around this area, the majority of the historic and colorful cultural experiences that you want to experience is here. Although admittedly, it can be very crowded with tourists, especially when a cruise chip docks in Stockholm, there are so many interesting facades, window shops, local cafes and restaurants to choose from.

While I still recommend you going out and about to see the places within and outside the Gamla Stan, like the Stockholm City Hall, Stockholm Palace, and Södermalm, I won’t mind recommending the idea of staying more than half a day at the Gamla Stan. You can easily enjoy the Nobel Museum, which is the former Stock Exchange Building, before relaxing in one of the local cafes or restaurants available just within walking distance from the museum. You can try the Grillska Huset, which offers great apple pastries; or maybe the Mäster Olofsgården, which is an obvious cultural institution; or the Chokladkoppen, a go to coffee place; or yes, the Cafe Järntorget, known for their ice cream and waffles. Needless to say, this is one of the Old Towns in Europe I would prefer to stay longer than usual, because why not? :-)

[SWEDEN TRAVEL] Read the rest of Explore Sweden Travel Blog Series:

Barista Fair Trade Coffee: Malmo, Sweden’s Best Cafe To Wake You Up From Letdowns

Gamla Kyrkogarden in Malmo, Sweden: The Only Time You Should Go For A Walk In A Cemetery

Kungsparken, Malmö: The Park to Enjoy An Unreasonably Good Book

Malmo, Sweden: Get Lazy and Lost - A Rewarding Travel Tip

Sweden Travel: Visiting Sweden for the Very First Time

Swedish Souvenirs Are A Must-Buy For Sure, True or False or Maybe

The Best of Malmo Sweden City Center: This Is The Time To Forget To Blink Your Eyes

Train from Denmark to Sweden: The Quickest Way To One Scandinavian Country to The Next

Walking in and Around Malmo: All You Need to See in Sweden’s Third Largest City

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Singapore :: August 2018: 10 Newly Visited Nearby Cafes & Bars in Singapore That You Would Want To Visit More Than Once

August 2018: Newly Visited Nearby Cafes & Bars in Singapore

August is the official seventh month of the year, and as inviting as it is, there are so many new things to watch on Netflix - from movies, shows, and originals coming and going. But, can we all agree to stop that Netflix-and-chill activity for a moment, and just go out and exercise our social skills with our friends, loved ones, and with ourselves? Why not enjoy some quality coffee time. Because why not, there are some nice inexpensive yet exciting nearby cafes, restaurants, hangout places, and bars in Singapore to discover yet again. Because yes, everyone here takes their coffee and cafes utterly new and freshly brewed, and no one is feeling lazy for doing so. For the month of August, here are the places I recommend for you to try and enjoy your cuppa joes!

Atlas

Address: 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778

Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 A.M. Sat 3:00 P.M. – 2:00 A.M.

Official Website: http://atlasbar.sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlasbarsingapore/
Nearest MRT: Bugis

Atlas Grand Lobby & Bar has gotten plenty of publicity over the past few months because of its location in Parkview Square, a building that has been nicknamed “the Gotham building” due to its striking design. But there’s so much more to this bar that’s opening on 25 March 2017 than just its design. For starters, Atlas is going to be helmed by one of Europe’s leading bartenders, Roman Foltan, who previously worked at Artesian at The Langham, which is voted the World’s Best Bar four times consecutively — if that doesn’t make you excited for what he’ll bring to the table, I’m not sure what else will. Read more at: https://sethlui.com/atlas-grand-lobby-bar-singapore/

Two Hana

Address: Century Square, #01-21, 2 Tampines Central 5, 529509

Opening Hours: Daily 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwoHanaSG/
Nearest MRT: Tampines

The Place It is not easy to imagine that Two Hana is by the Seoul Garden Group, the brand which I am sure most people are familiar with at some point in their lives. Located at the newly renovated Century Square in Tampines in the east of Singapore, Two Hana is an edgy looking Korean and Western cafe at the ground level of the mall. Hana means ‘one’ in Korean, hence the concept of Two Hana feels like a two cuisine in one space, though it also aspire to be a space other than your home. 1+1=3, profound much? Read more at: https://therantingpanda.com/2018/06/19/food-review-two-hana-at-century-square-tampines-affordable-korean-and-western-cafe-served-with-nzs-allpress-coffee-beans/

5 The Moments Cafe

Address: 73 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088494

Opening Hours: Sun – Thu 12:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. Fri – Sat 12:00 P.M. – 11:30 P.M.

Official Website: http://www.5themoments.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5themoments/
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar

5 The Moments, a film photography café is testimonial to excellent use of space and resources – a portion of space is sublet. Their photography works are partially displayed, mostly mood shots, along with travel portfolios portraying romance and freedom. The name is a play on “Find The Moments”. Read more at: http://danielfooddiary.com/2014/12/15/5themoments/

Fasta

Address: 26 Beach Road, B1-23 South Beach Avenue, 189768

Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 12:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Official Website: http://fasta.com.sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fastasg/
Nearest MRT: Esplanade

Fasta is a small cafe residing in South Beach, a large building complex near to Esplanade MRT Station. With only about 20 seats available to dine in, this cafe offers fusion pasta bowls in either warm or cold versions. You can even create your own pasta bowl from scratch! From choices of noodles, sides and meats, you get to customise your bowl of pasta with any of the ingredients you like, prices starting from $8.50. Otherwise, you can order from the standard list of pastas. Big eaters can upsize your bowl for $1.00, or add a Lava Egg for $1.50. One notable feature about this cafe is that food are served in takeaway bowls, so office workers who are not going to dine here can bring delicious pastas back to their workplace, hassle-free! Read more at: http://www.sixmealsperday.com/2016/11/19/fasta-south-beach/

Wimbly Lu Tyrwhitt

Address: 166 Tyrwhitt Rd, 207570

Opening Hours: Mon Wed Thu 12:00 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Fri 12:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. Sat 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M. Sun 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 P.M.

Official Website: http://www.wimblylu.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WimblyLuChocolates/
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer

Wimbly Lu is a cafe and chocolatier that has become well known for their chocolate truffles and waffles. Their popularity must be one of the reasons for the traffic woes in Jalan Riang off Upper Serangoon Road. Their new outlet, Wimbly Lu Tyrwhitt, is a cosy space in the hipster neighborhood of Jalan Besar-Lavender. Parking should be less of an issue at Tyrwhitt Road and, in any case, the location is more accessible by public transport. Read more at: https://ordinarypatrons.com/2017/04/24/wimbly-lu-tyrwhitt-cafe/

Dean and Deluca Somerset

Address: 181 Orchard Rd, 01-09/10/15, Singapore 238896

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.

Official Website: http://www.deandeluca.com.sg/store-locations-sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeanDelucaSG/
Nearest MRT: Somerset

The Fried Chicken & Waffle with Smoky Cheese Sauce ($18) features 2 large pieces of fried chicken with waffle, and a side of cheese sauce and maple syrup. The fried chicken boasts an extremely crispy skin and succulent meat, which exudes out a lush juiciness with every bite. The waffle leans towards the denser, stodgier side, lacking in the crispiness and fluffiness of the usual suspects. While rather bland on its own, drizzle the maple syrup on the waffle for a sweeter rendition, which pairs well with the savoury elements on the plate. Read more at: https://www.sgfoodonfoot.com/2018/03/dean-deluca-orchard-central-offers.html

Pancake Cafe Belle-Ville

Address: 230 Victoria Street #01-01B, 188024

Opening Hours: Daily 8:00 A.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Official Website: http://www.sunpark.ne.jp/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PancakeCafe.belleville/
Nearest MRT: Bugis

Our first stop was not only the newest but also the smallest. Belle-Ville Pancake Café only opened in late June 2018 and has already been attracting long queues on the weekends. The cozy café can be found at Bugis Junction’s office tower facing the corner of Victoria Street and Rochor Road. Originally from Osaka, Belle-Ville Pancake Café specialises in meringue millefeuille pancakes. We placed an order for a stack of four Strawberry and Mixed Berry Pancakes ($14.40), one of their most popular menu items. Read more at: https://www.littledayout.com/2018/06/27/japanese-pancakes-in-singapore/

a-Day Orchard

Address: #04-08, Central, 181 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238896

Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.

Official Website: http://foodinsing.com/a-day-singapore/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adaysg/
Nearest MRT: Somerset

Taking over the former premises of the now-defunct Pompompourin Cafe, the interior layout still pretty reminiscent of the previous tenant, though a-day did make a few changes to create its own look with a more European touch. The menu serves a rather sizable variety of mains, ranging from Tonkatsu, Pasta and Ramen to Kamameshi, Tamagotoji and Omurice. A unique part of the menu is the ability to order two mains as part of the combination plate promotion at a price of $18.99++, though patrons are subject to terms and conditions stated in the menu (which would be elaborated at the end of the post). Read more at: https://jiaksimipng.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/a-day-orchard-central/

Beans & Cream

Address: #01-260, 347 Bukit Batok Street 34, Block 347, 650347

Opening Hours: Tue – Fri 12:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. Sat – Sun 12:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.

Official Website: http://www.beansncream.com.sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beansncreamsg/
Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok

A rare visit to the far North-West of Singapore and thankfully it was satisfying! Beans and Cream is walking distance from Bukit Gombak station (nearer than Bukit Batok Station). As the name suggest, this cafe is in the business of Waffles, Ice Cream and Coffee. Simple and unpretentious outwardly, but promises great delivery! Read more at: http://lepakwithyaops.com/beans-cream-waffles-coffee-at-heartland-of-bukit-batok/

Kopi & Tarts

Address: Suntec City

Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.

Official Website: https://kopiandtarts.com.sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kopiandtarts/
Nearest MRT: Promenade

Looking for another coffee place? Here's where you can get your daily dose of coffee at the newly opened Kopi & Tarts, East Wing #01-648! Complemented with the savoury goodness of freshly baked tarts and pastries, nothing beats the simple pleasures of having a great breakfast! Opening Specials: Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea @ only $1, a large puff @ $2 and a box of 6 egg tarts @ 30% OFF! Read more at: https://sunteccity.com.sg/highlight/opening-special-kopi-tarts/