My heart raced as I heard that we would have fika! A smile overtook my face, and a glint of happiness filled my eyes. This is a part of Swedish culture and is quite cherished by them and has turned into a bonding ritual. As someone who has found joy in the simple pleasures of life, Fika resonates deeply with my love for savoring moments of tranquility amidst life’s hustle. So, read on to learn more about the oh so famous, Fika.
What is Fika?
Fika is more than a coffee break; it’s a pause, a moment of shared serenity over a cup of coffee and a sweet treat. This is a great time to connect with co-workers, friends and family. Since it’s so ingrained in the Swedish culture, it’s common to have a fika after a meal with many. Another thing to know is that it’s a social ritual that has been woven into Swedish daily life.
When I walk into a café, the ambiance of the place is filled with joy. There are rich aromas of freshly brewed coffee, and the welcoming of laughter of people enjoying their drinks and tea in groups. A fika usually entails coffee or tea with delectable treats. This could be cakes, cookies, pies, or even a sandwich.
Origin and Evolution of Fika
The roots of Fika can be traced back to the 19th century, where it emerged as a response to the demanding industrial work culture. Today, Fika has evolved into an art, a time to unwind and connect. It’s not merely about the beverage; it’s about the bonds formed over shared moments. The word “fika” actually comes from “kaffi” and “fika” was a slang term for it that stuck around! Since Sweden is one of the top 3 coffee-consuming countries, it’s no wonder they hold fika so dear.
Banning Fika!?
At the beginning, when fika flourished in 1746, the king put a hefty tax on it, which the swedes refused to pay. He ended up banning coffee due to thinking it was unhealthy and that he didn’t like how popular it had become. So, in this timeframe, he conducted an experiment to back up his claim on how unhealthy coffee is. He used twins with one that had to drink 2 pots of tea daily while the other had to drink two pots of coffee daily.
They lived longer than the doctors had perceived, and the tea drinker died at 83 years old, and the coffee drinker lived a bit longer. As the experiment went on, the king had been assassinated and multiple bans persisted on fika. But none of them were a success. If you want to learn in more detail about the history, check out Vinepair.
Best Places for Fika
In the charming streets of Stockholm, where cobblestones echo history, you’ll find cafés like Vete-Katten, an iconic patisserie exuding old-world charm. For a modern twist, drop by Drop Coffee, an artisanal haven. Gothenburg boasts Da Matteo, a coffee institution known for its quality brews and warm atmosphere. And in Malmö, Condeco (only in Swedish) welcomes you with a cozy ambiance and delectable pastries.
My Personal Favorites
Some of the best spots that I enjoy give a cozy and welcoming feeling that makes me want to come back again and again. Fika is something that I hold dear because as I enjoy this, I get to connect with friends or even work on my computer while enjoying a little fika at a café. Below, I explain my favorite cafes and why they are on my list! A heads up, my suggestions of café spots are in Värmland county since this is where I live. So, I get to visit these frequently!
Laken Café
Once I walk into this place, the atmosphere is filled with a joy and a feeling of welcome. This hasn’t been open for very long, but I know that it’s going to do well and that’s not just because I’m biased. The owner is a dear friend. But I say that it’s going to do well since I know that he’s a hard worker and he’s been a chef for around 10 years. Plus, before they opened, he has been studying and practicing diligently on mastering his craft for this café. I know, I got to be one of his guinea pigs while he practiced making his treats! It was so yummy and exciting to see how much effort he was putting in and especially the help he would get from his lady during all of this!
So, if you’re around Sunne, I highly suggesting stopping by and checking it out! They are right outside of the town near Ski Sunne. Learn more about Laken Café (only in Swedish) and you won’t regret it!
Opening Hours:
Website: Laken Cafe (only in Swedish)
E-mail: hej@cafelaken.se
Mormor’s GlassCafé
Yet another one of my favorites and that’s due to their amazing ice creams! At Momor’s GlassCafé (it means, grandma’s ice cream café), you get to experience their one of a kind ice creams with tea or coffee. Plus, the view is breathtaking that overlooks the lake. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a good spot for the treats and for the little playground that they have! Now, if you plan on going on a road trip, then I suggest stopping by here. If you’re traveling by train, it might be a bit more difficult. However, it’s doable! This is in Lysvik, a small town that’s about a 30-minute drive from Sunne. Check out Mormor’s GlassCafé (only in Swedish) to learn more about their extravagant ice creams!
Opening Hours:
Visit Karlstad and Enjoy the Cafes
As you get to see, I spend a lot of time in Karlstad since I have many below that reside there. I’ve found many great cafes that call to me and sometimes it’s hard to choose which one is best for me at the time. However, what it offers and where it’s located plays huge roles to my visit in the city. So, below I break down my favorite cafes for fika that are all in Karlstad!
Zest
Now, if you love the more organic places and if you’re a vegetarian, then there’s no place better than Zest! The only downside to this place is the hours. So, check out their hours prior to stopping by. My favorite thing that they have is usually the different foods that they offer! They make my mouth water just thinking about it! Plus, they have yummy treats and a relaxing atmosphere for the spot.
However, it can get cramped since it’s such a small café. So, if you’re in Karlstad, the biggest city in Värmland, this is a place to visit! It’s just across the street from the library and diagonal from it is a fun playground along with two museums not too far away. Learn more about Zest and prepare yourself for a visit!
Opening Hours:
Monday- Friday: 09:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Website: Zest
Phone: 054-18 23 10
E-mail: info@zest-karlstad.se
Pepa Deli
Yet another great one, and Pepa Deli has been getting acknowledged for its uprising popularity. It’s not that old. But it’s been bringing in a great vibe to the Storatorget area. This area is known as the town center where many bars and restaurants are for a night out. The same goes for Pepa Deli. In the morning, it’s great for breakfast and in the evening, the atmosphere changes to a relax hangout spot. Besides being a great spot for fika, when the lights come on, the bar inside opens up.
So, you can enjoy this spot for just about any kind of experience! They’re food is delicious, and the drinks are amazing! I had an espresso alcoholic drink since I needed to wake up and it was delicious along with giving me life for the night out with the ladies! If any of this sounds good to you then check out Pepa Deli (has an English menu).
Opening Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Wednesday- Thursday: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Friday: 11:00am – 01:00am
Saturday: 10:00am – 01:00am
Sunday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Website: Pepa Deli (has an English Menu)
Phone: 054-15 01 54
E-mail: ADMIN@PEPADELI.SE
Artisan Bread
Now, Artisan Bread is a great small café and it’s become popular. However, where it’s located is a little out of the way. So, if you have a bicycle, or a car, you shouldn’t have an issue getting to it. If you take a bus from Karlstad bus station or from Storatorget (the main square), then it will only take about 6-10 minutes to get there.
As the name suggests, they have delectable breads, making it a perfect match with a tea or coffee. This is a warm and cozy little café for fika. However, since it’s so small, I suggest visiting when the weather is a lot nicer. At that time, they will have the outside seating open. So, while you sip on a warm brewed coffee, you get to enjoy the nice outdoors air. Learn more about Artisan Bread (only in Swedish) and enjoy a fika with friends and family!
Opening Hours:
Monday- Friday: 08:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 08:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 09:00am – 4:00pm
Website: Artisan Bread (only in Swedish)
Phone: 054-15 32 00
E-mail: info@artisanbread.se
Carli Choklad
If you’re a lover of chocolate like me, then this is the place for you! While enjoying a nice piping hot tea or coffee, try out their nicely made variety of chocolates. Each one will leave you wanting more with their different tastes. Some have caramel, while others have chili or salt. They have many to choose from making it a great place for a fika with other ones that have a sweet tooth.
Plus, you can get them for to-go and have them as a present for that special someone. This is located not too far from Karlstad central train station. Plus, it’s near Åhlen, a clothing store and Carli Choklad has a little café within Arvika’s city park as well! Check out Carli Choklad (only in Swedish) to learn more about this place.
Opening Hours:
Monday- Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Website: Carli Choklad (Only in Swedish)
Phone: 070-980 81 01
E-mail: info@carlicafe.se
Cultural Significance
Fika transcends the act of drinking coffee; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Since Swedes enjoy Fika, it’s because that it’s not just as a pause from work but as a way to nurture relationships. When it’s time for a fika, it’s a chance to share stories, discuss ideas, and foster a sense of community. When it’s time for a fika, that means that anyone can enjoy. My little 2.5-year-old even has fika with us! Of course, he’s not drinking coffee or caffeinated tea. But he gets to have the experience with the family and friends!
How Swedes Fika!
A typical Fika spread involves coffee, often strong and black, accompanied by an array of treats. Cinnamon buns (kanelbullar) are a Fika classic, and the skill of making them is passed down through generations. This is the most common thing to find at any café spot. Other favorites include cardamom buns, almond tarts, and ginger cookies. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity. When a swede has fika, it usually involves tea or coffee with something sweet! Now, many of the cafes have milk or milk alternatives making it more open to more people. Plus, many of the Swedish cafes have vegetarian options for food and some of them even have sugar free. However, that one is a little harder to find when it comes to fika spots.
Fika Anytime, Anywhere
What’s remarkable about Fika is its flexibility. This means that it can happen whenever and wherever, making it great when you have the time. I’ve noticed that many swedes will have fika after meals and many places offer coffee or tea for free. Now you can have fika for a morning pick-me-up, an afternoon interlude, or an evening wind-down. Fika works into any type of lifestyle making it fit into the rhythm of your life.
Have Fika as Part of your Trip!
So, for any of you wanting to experience a part of Swedish culture, then I highly suggest trying out fika with some friends or family. This is even a great experience if you’re solo. Then, you can people watch or just get the feeling of the atmosphere in some of these wonderful cafes. If you plan on visiting Sweden with its beautiful nature, don’t forget to take a fika break and live in the moment. Happy Fika-ing!
Adventures in Sweden
If you love exploring Sweden, then check out Adventures in Sweden page. There, you’ll get to find some of the great places to visit and one of a kind of experiences that you can have. For instance, meet moose in person! Or learn of some of the best outdoor adventures that you can have! Nature lovers will love Sweden and all the outdoor excursions that are offered! You can even learn more about Swedish culture in this article!
If you’re planning on visiting Karlstad, Sweden, then check out Experience the Ultimate Things to Do in Karlstad Sweden to learn about some of the great places to visit. Karlstad is a great spot for any that love the outdoors and it’s known as the sunny city! Or, if you’re like me, take on some of the hiking trails in and near Karlstad here.
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