Understand

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Stockholm is not the oldest town in Sweden but after its establishment in the 1250s it rapidly became a national centre, having a very strategic location between a major lake (Mälaren) and the Baltic Sea.
The city is in almost every respect the most important city in Sweden, even though more peripheral regions, especially in the south and west, feel they survive quite well without the political centralism exerted by the capital.
Stockholm is a mix of old and new. Particularly between 1955 and 1975, hundreds of older buildings were demolished during a great modernization process, encouraged by similar projects in London and other cities damaged during the Second World War.
Sweden's beautiful capital has a very picturesque setting that makes the city unique. The difference between summer and winter is quite large, with long, mild summer nights and lots of greenery, and dark, cold, often snowy winters with millions of Christmas candles in the windows.

Eat

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Stockholm features a large variety of restaurants, including Asian, Indian, Mexican and fast food; many of them offer rather cheap but good 'eat all you can' lunch buffets. It is far more difficult to find authentic Swedish cuisine, though. For vegans, Vegan Stockholm has a good list of vegan restaurants and cafes.

Most restaurants offer lunch at a reduced cost, including non-alcoholic beverages, bread, butter, salad and coffee Mon-Fri, usually 11-2. Expect to pay between 60-80 SEK.

Sweden has enforced non-smoking in all bars, pubs and restaurants. Smoking is usually only permitted outdoors.

Budget

Hötorgshallen . Deli market situated in the basement of the Cinema Sergel near Hötorget. Here you can get everything from sushi via meze to Swedish meatballs.

Folkets kebab. Very nice kebab shops on Hornsgatan 92 and Folkungagatan 62, both on Södermalm.

Creperie fyra knop, Svartensgatan 4. Authentic French-speaking crêpes/galettes place. Mains 70-92 SEK.

Stockholms glass- & pastahus, Valhallavägen 155 and Götgatan 58 . Really tasty homemade ice cream.

Nystekt Strömming, a typical swedish food! Fried herring in all variants, e.g. with potatomash. Just a small stand, a few metres outside Slussen station. Very good and quite famous! Open 11h-18h, during winter 11h-15h.

Max, Central Station and Norrmalmstorg. Hamburgers in Swedish style. Free restrooms and coffee!

Mid-range

Peppar. Awesome cajun and creole food at decent prices. Some have argued that they make the best burger in the city. The place is especially known for having excessive decorations at all major holidays like christmas and halloween. They also make really good jalapeño bread. Torsgatan 34, 08-34 20 52

Hermans, Fjällgatan 23. Sumptuous weekend vegetarian buffet (theme changes weekly) followed by delicious coffees, teas, and desserts (140-190 SEK depending on beverage/dessert choice). The view over Stockholm is amazing -- go there at sunset and sit on the back terrace. They sometimes have live entertainment, 08-643 94 80. .

Tennstopet. More traditional Swedish cooking. On one evening in August each year they will serve the Swedish culinary delicacy Surströmming (fermented herring). Dalagatan 50, 08-32 25 18.

Pelikan, Blekingegatan 40 (T-Skanstull), 08-556 090 90 (Reservations 08-556 090 92). (See also the "drink" category). Offers a small selection of Swedish dishes...