Fika Stockholm: 12 Best Cafes in Stockholm For Swedish Fika
Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, is located on the country’s eastern coast, not far from where the Baltic sea and the Lake Mälaren meet.
The city is constructed on a group of interconnected islands and is famous for its beautiful scenery, significant landmarks, and thriving cultural scene. Before the pandemic hit, Stockholm County saw a record high of 15.3 million overnight stays from tourists. I love going to Stockholm for a weekend getaway and shopping since it still has more options than Göteborg. I enjoy walking around Gamla stan (Old Town). It’s so cosy, and the colourful buildings remind me of Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The iconic buildings in Gamla Stan
You can anticipate a lot of options for bars and restaurants in the city serving both international cuisine and local specialties, such as Sweden’s world-famous meatballs. One of the most Swedish things you can do is indulge in the everyday ritual of Swedish fika in some of the many cosy cafés, so we have listed down our picks for the best 12 cafes in the city. (Fika Stockholm)
Friendly tip: This is a list of some of the must-try Swedish desserts and pastries.
Vete-Katten
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Vete-Katten is a well-known bakery and café in Kungsgatan, Stockholm. It was founded in 1928 by Ester Nordhammar, and at that time, there were very few women who founded businesses. The cafe has remained a respected institution ever since.
Vete-Katten is famous for its traditional Swedish pastries and baked products, which include kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls), kardemummabullar (cardamom buns), prinsestårta (princess cakes), and semlor. You can also order sandwiches, salads, and hot foods. With tiled floors, rich wood panelling, and chandeliers, the café offers a wonderful, antique ambience.
Since the cafe is quite famous, it may easily get crowded during peak hours. If you are in Stockholm, this is one of the must-visit cafes!
Drop Coffee
Drop Coffee is a premium coffee roaster and café in Stockholm. Joanna Alm and her husband founded it in 2009 because they were passionate about coffee and wanted to supply Stockholm with high-quality, responsibly sourced coffee. Being a coffee enthusiast, the location piqued my interest. Drop Coffee sources its coffee directly from farmers and cooperatives all around the world, with a focus on sustainability and fair remuneration for growers. They roast the coffee directly in tiny quantities to bring forth the particular smells and characteristics of each bean.
In addition to its roastery, Drop Coffee has a café in Stockholm’s Södermalm neighbourhood. The design with white walls, wooden furnishings, and an abundance of natural light strikes me as the ideal illustration of a Scandinavian pleasant café. You may order a variety of coffee drinks, including pour-over, espresso, and cold brew, as well as pastries and sandwiches.
Drop Coffee is unquestionably one of Stockholm’s best coffee businesses, having won several awards for its coffee, including the World Brewers Cup in 2015. This is a must-see for coffee enthusiasts!
Café Pascal
Café Pascal, located in Stockholm’s lovely Vasastan area, is one of my favourite cafes to visit when I am in the city. Although it is just a small café, it is a popular fika go-to spot. The café, which was founded in 2011 by three coffee and culinary aficionados, is a celebration of great ingredients and beautifully made coffee.
The coffee is the star of the show at Café Pascal. Each cup is a precise blend of taste and fragrance, sourced from some of Europe’s top roasters and brewed with care and accuracy. Café Pascal is about more than simply coffee. There are pastries, sandwiches, and salads too.
As you walk inside Café Pascal, you’ll be met by a warm and friendly ambiance filled with natural light, plants, and a mix of antique and modern design. I find the atmosphere to be very relaxing. There are many seating places to select from, including a comfortable rear room with a fireplace.
If you’re a coffee expert or a gourmet traveller, you can’t miss this café in Stockholm. I am not surprised that this quaint café has become a beloved institution in the city, with a commitment to quality and a passion for superb coffee and cuisine.
Kaffeverket
Kaffeverket, located in Stockholm’s dynamic and colourful Södermalm area, is a delightful café that provides a warm and inviting ambiance, exquisite food, and some of the best coffee in the city.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee and the cheerful grins of the employees will greet you the moment you walk into Kaffeverket. With wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and a combination of vintage and modern design, the café offers a comfortable and private atmosphere.
But it’s not just the atmosphere that keeps people coming back to Kaffeverket; it’s also the great food and beverages, from pour-over to espresso to cold brew, as well as teas, juices, and smoothies. As for food, there are sandwiches, salads, and desserts for fika.
I believe that the nicest aspect of Kaffeverket is the sense of community it promotes. It’s a gathering spot for residents and tourists alike to unwind, chat, and connect through a mutual love of coffee and cuisine. It’s also a great spot for meeting up with friends or working on your laptop.
Amazing coffee, cuisine, and community are all found in Kaffeverket. It really gives a memorable customer service experience.
Kaffekoppen
Kaffekoppen, located in the heart of Stockholm’s picturesque Old Town, has been entertaining locals and tourists alike for decades. It’s no surprise that Kaffekoppen has become a local institution.
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With wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and a warm and friendly ambience, the café has a rustic and quaint character.
The feeling of history and tradition that Kaffekoppen symbolises is possibly its finest feature. Since the 18th century, the café has been serving clients, and many of the original elements, such as the comfortable fireplace and the old-fashioned wooden seats, have been painstakingly kept. It’s a location where you can feel the weight of history and tradition while also enjoying all of the modern conveniences of a superb café.
Systrarna Andersson
Systrarna Andersson, or “The Andersson Sisters,” is a quaint and comfortable cafe in Stockholm’s fashionable Vasastan area. Systrarna Andersson has become a popular destination for both locals and visitors because of its warm and inviting ambiance, pleasant personnel, and good food.
The cafe claims to be a place for everyone. It’s a place where you come for food and stay for the atmosphere. The cafe has about 100,000 visitors per year! They serve 25 different dishes and 10 kinds of coffee and have been around for a decade.
This is another great addition to your cafes to visit in Stockholm.
Flickorna Helin Skånska Gruvan
Flickorna Helin Sknska Gruvan is a delightful café in a unique Stockholm location. It is situated in an old mine and provides a one-of-a-kind eating experience.
The Helin sisters, who are devoted to preserving the history and customs of Sweden’s Skåne area, manage the cafe. The former mine’s stone walls and high ceilings add a rustic mood to the vintage furnishings and antiques in the cafe.
Flickorna Helin Skånska Gruvan’s cuisine is influenced by the flavours and ingredients of Skåne, and it includes handcrafted cakes, pastries, and classic Swedish meals. The café has some amazing cinnamon buns!
You can also shop for some crafts, textiles, and other mementos. Some cultural events and performances are also held here.
I would recommend Flickorna Helin Skånska Gruvan to anybody searching for a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable eating experience in Stockholm.
Gilda’s Rum
Gilda’s Rum, located in Stockholm’s hip Södermalm neighbourhood, is a charming cafe. The cafe was named after the owner’s grandmother, Gilda. The place radiates bohemian vibe and has an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, low lighting, and vibrant wall art. There are a lot of options for fika as well as lighter lunch alternatives like sandwiches and salads.
Sustainability and eco-friendliness are hallmarks of Gilda’s rum. They are committed to sustainability, so they use recyclable materials for their packaging and operate with minimal waste. In addition, they source many of their materials from nearby businesses, which benefits the community and encourages a more environmentally friendly approach to food production.
It can get quite crowded and loud on peak hours, so do take note of that.
Fabrique
Fabrique is a prominent Stockholm bakery and café company noted for its wonderful handcrafted bread and pastries. The cafe was formed in 2008 with the intention of introducing traditional Swedish baking.
Fabrique cafés’ interiors are warm and inviting, with plenty of natural wood and soft lighting. They have a wide array of freshly made bread, pastries, and cakes, plus there are light lunch options too.
The cafe uses organic and locally grown products, and all of their packaging and bags are manufactured from eco-friendly materials. They place great value in sustainability.
Cafe Saturnus
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Cafe Saturnus is a popular cafe known as an all-day cafe restaurant. They are located in the heart of Stockholm, and their large kanelbullar (cinnamon buns) are quite popular!
The cafe has a sophisticated French touch to its interiors, and they have an expansive outdoor dining area that is perfect for warm summer days.
Since they are an all-day cafe restaurant, you can expect to have options for lunch too.
Kafé 44
Kafé 44 is a popular cafe and cultural centre located in the Södermalm neighbourhood of Stockholm. It was founded in 1981 and initially served as a left-wing meeting place and community centre. It’s also a spot for a variety of cultural events: concerts, film screenings, lectures, and political debates. It is popular for musicians, activists, and artists and has a strong reputation as a bastion of alternative culture in Stockholm.
Today, it remains a hub for progressive and alternative culture and is known for its vibrant atmosphere and welcoming community.
The interior of Kafé 44 is rustic and eclectic, with mismatched chairs and tables, colourful murals, and an array of political posters and flyers on the walls. The cafe has many light food options, and many dishes are vegetarian or vegan.
If you love music, cultural activities, and delicious vegetarian meals, this place is for you!
Johan & Nyström
Johan & Nyström was established in 2004 with the goal of building a better coffee world and making better coffee available to everyone. It is a coffee roaster as well as a prominent café business with multiple sites across Stockholm. The flagship shop is located in Södermalm. The café provides high-quality coffee as well as a cosy ambience, which are two essentials for a fantastic Swedish fika experience. They are also dedicated to environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing.
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Johan & Nyström Cafe’s décor is contemporary, with Scandinavian-style furnishings prominent. They buy coffee beans directly from growers all around the world, paying fair rates and establishing long-term connections to assure quality and sustainability. In addition, the café roasts its own beans, guaranteeing that each cup of coffee is fresh and fragrant.
The café demonstrates their dedication to sustainability and ethical standards. To reduce waste and carbon impact, the café employs biodegradable cups and cutlery and collaborates with environmentally minded businesses. Fun fact: They have one of Europe’s most modern roasteries for specialty coffee. It is located in Länna, south of Stockholm.
Final Thoughts
Cosy walks in Gamla Stan
For me, Stockholm is definitely one of the world’s most beautiful and lovely capitals. To have Swedish fika in a cosy cafe in Stockholm is not like any ordinary cafe experience; it gives you a taste of Swedish culture.
These are all personal recommendations and we are not affiliated with any of the restaurants and cafes mentioned. Please also take note that there might be changes in prices and operating hours so we highly encourage you to please double check should you decide to visit any of the places mentioned.
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