Fika

Fika is a cornerstone of Swedish life, the ritual of pausing to drink coffee and eat something sweet, ideally with company. More a state of mind than a meal, it is written into workplaces and friendships alike, and it comes with a cast of classic bakes: the cinnamon bun, the cardamom bun and the almond-and-cream treats of the cafe counter.

Highlights

• Coffee and a bun - the strong coffee and sweet bake at the heart of it.
• The seven sorts - the old tradition of offering seven kinds of cakes to guests.
• Cafe culture - the konditori pastry shops and modern cafes.
• The social ritual - fika as a daily pause with colleagues or friends.

When to go

Year-round; it is a daily ritual, morning and afternoon, and any cafe delivers. A warm bun is especially good in the cold and dark.

Before you go

It is a simple, everyday pleasure rather than a grand experience, so enjoy it as the social ritual it is. Swedes take the pause seriously, so it is about slowing down with company, not grabbing coffee to go. Any decent konditori delivers the real thing.

Nearby

Cafes everywhere serve it; the Ostermalm and Haga food areas are classic spots.