Originally posted February 15, 2021

AHH, FIKA…

…A sacred Swedish ritual… and a noun/verb with no direct English translation.

Basically, fika, (or to fika), means to take a coffee break… but this daily break is about much more than just getting your caffeine fix. For Swedes, fika is all about taking time to socialise and unwind. Best paired with something sweet and good company, it is one of many Swedish customs I can definitely get behind.

What should I order?

If you’ve found your way to this article, you may find yourself asking this very important question. Swedish coffee shops have display cases FILLED with sweet treats, so you’ll be spoiled for choice… but if you’re a fika first timer you may find the experience to be a tad overwhelming. Worry not — I’m here to help!

Fika in Sweden is significantly different than tea time in other parts of the world. Whereas Brits have a huge assortment of cakes and sweets, Swedes typically just order one small sweet treat to go with their coffee or tea. You can't go wrong with a simple kaffe or latte paired with the classic Swedish Chokladbollar (chocolate balls). This was my go to for ages (mostly because I wasn't sure what anything else was).

If you feel like branching out and trying something new, here are a few of new my favorite sweet fika treats.

Kanelbulle or Kardemummabulle: These are easily the most popular, and for good reason. They're a bit like Cinnamon buns... except without all the icing and not quite as sweet.
Kladdkaka: Chocolate cake but with the consistency of brownies.
Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake): This sponge cake is made with a layer of jam, cream, and covered with a bright green marzipan shell. It's a really popular birthday treat.
Semla bun: These small, wheat floured buns are flavoured with cardamom and filled with almond paste and whipped cream. They're extremely common in bakery windows in February as Swedes typically eat them between Fat Tuesday and Easter.

To order in Swedish say “Jag vill har en *insert name of sweet treat* (och en kaffe — if you also want a coffee).”

Make sure to be polite and say “Tack” or "tack så mycket” to thank your barista!

Now that you know how to order like a local, let’s get on to the good stuff…

Where can I find great fika in Malmö?

…Well, I’m glad you asked.

Thanks to fika’s popularity (and Swede’s near addiction to coffee), there is no shortage of cute and cozy cafes to choose from around the country.

Here are some of my favorite spots for fika in Malmö:

AB Småland

Have you ever been into a shop that is filled with so many swoon worthy things and tasteful decorations that you find yourself thinking a combination of “I’ll have one of each!” or maybe “When can I move in?”

Well, this is that place for me.

The earthy tones and interior decor of this cafe/concept shop are right up my alley… and the food isn’t half bad either.

“Our ambition is to offer an inspiring meeting place with a creative atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.”

— AB Småland

Located near the head of Malmo’s most popular shopping street, AB Småland is a great place to grab a cup of coffee, a bite to eat, something cute for your apartment, or even a new plant baby. Their window seats are also the perfect spot for people watching.

ADDRESS

Södra Förstadsgatan 25-27, 211 43 Malmö

Agge & Bönan

When I first heard about this spot, it was referred to as “The Pink Cafe.”

My initial thought was “Ew - Cringe!” …BUT, turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The pink interior, vintage photos, and retro accents compliment each other perfectly to create an extremely warm, cozy aesthetic - inside and out. The homemade cakes and other tasty baked goods aren’t so bad either. Sink into one of their comfy chairs with a good book or conversation.

ADDRESS

Kärleksgatan 3A, 211 45 Malmö

Atrium Kaffebar

Atrium was the first fika spots I ever visited when I first came to visit Malmö in the summer of 2018.

To this day, it remains one of my favorites, both because of the bright and airy decor, neutral tones, and cosy atmosphere. They also have amazing menu offering AND a selection of plants available for purchase. (If you’re new around here, you will soon notice a theme… your girl LOVES plants).

Atrium’s menu varies depending on the season, but always consists of hearty brunch dishes and a solid selection of home-baked goods and sandwiches. They offer both vegetarian and vegan friendly options and have a beautiful outdoor patio space. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor fika in the warm summer months.

ADDRESS

Skvadronsgatan 13, 217 49 Malmö

Cafe No. 6

Cafe No. 6 is one of many cozy hole in the wall cafes in the St. Knut neighborhood near Folkets Park.

Located on Mäster Henriksgatan, this is a great spot to grab a coffee or one of their delicious freshly baked sweet treats. They also have a tasty and affordable breakfast combo for just 85kr that includes bryggkaffe plus your choice of a frukostbulle or croissant and juice or a smoothie.

There isn’t so much seating space inside, but if the weather is nice you can also enjoy your fika on the bench right outside or (in the warmer months) in the garden area just across the street.

ADDRESS

Mäster Henriksgatan 6, 211 58 Malmö

Djäkne Kaffebar & Co-working

It’s safe to say that I have had some of my most productive work days at Djäkne. There’s just something about being in an atmosphere where you’re surrounded by other working, productive people.

If you’re a freelancer or just tired of working from home and need a change of scenery, I’d definitely recommend checking out this coffee shop and co-working space.

You have to pay a membership fee to use the “co-working” area (monthly cost), but there is still plenty of space in the actual cafe (more so than in other coffee shops) so if you get here early, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a seat.

Don’t have any work to do? Well, LUCKY YOU! This is also a great spot to enjoy a fika sans laptop.

ADDRESS

Djäknegatan 9, 211 35 Malmö

Farm2Table

Breakfast lovers — if you need a break from the traditional fika foods, this is the spot for you!

Farm2Table is fairly new on the cafe scene, but they have quickly become wildly popular for their all day brunch. Their menu is 100% vegan and a number of items on the menu are also gluten-free.

Like many cafes in the city, Farm2Table uses all healthy and seasonally ingredients and sources much of their produce locally.

I’m a big fan of their avocado toast, but the waffles are also AMAZINGGG.

Stop by in the fall to quench your pumpkin spice cravings. They also have indoor and outdoor seating making it a great space for a fika or brunch!

ADDRESS

Davidshallsgatan 19, 211 45 Malmö

Jord

If Farm2Table is full, head over to Jord to get your fill of vegan breakfast favorites instead (though the original all day breakfast spot is equally as popular and often just as busy).

According to owners Elin and Hannah, when they started Jord it was actually a quite spontaneous decision… and I know most Malmö locals would agree that we’re glad they did.

“It took us less than five minutes to decide that we wanted to serve breakfast all day and that everything would be plant-based! After that, it was a hectic journey with only 2 months until opening, but we also had a lot of fun and learned so much along the way! We want to show that plant-based food can both be seed crackers, leafy greens and raw food balls, but it can also mean chocolate cake with whipped cream, filling toasts and creamy tofu scramble”

— Elin & Hannah, Jord Owners

The menu offerings were are made from local ingredients, so the menu changes seasonally, but they always have a few different porridges to choose from, both savoury and sweet toasts, scrambled tofu and a filling hummus bowl with seasonal vegetables.

They of course also have several traditional fika favorites to choose from, as well as some raw food treats and delicious coffee from a local roastery here in Malmö, Solde.

ADDRESS

Falsterbogatan 1, 211 58 Malmö

Kaffebaren på Möllan

Boldly named “Coffee Bar,” this is one of my favorite neighborhood spots.

Since it is located directly across from the square at Möllevångstorget, I like to pair a morning coffee here with a trip to the local farmers market which takes place every morning from Monday-Saturday.

It’s a bit small, so I wouldn’t recommend coming here to work, but it is a great place for fika and chats. The bar style seating and benches outside are the perfect place to enjoy a morning fika and people watching on a sunny day.

ADDRESS

Ystadsgatan 9, 214 24 Malmö

Kärleksgatan 3

I’m a sucker for cute floors - and the pastel tiled floor at Kärleksgatan 3 is no exception.

Located just past Agge & Bonan, this is another lovely spot to grab a coffee on my favorite Malmö street. Kärlek (shar-lek) is the Swedish for ‘love’ and this cafe takes the name of its street – which translates as Love Street in English

Stop in for a classic fika break OR spice things up with one of their signature dishes - ravioli!

Their organic pastas are homemade with locally grown, organic, and plant-based seasonal ingredients. They usually have two different options to choose from so Andrew and I always get one of each. My personal favorite so far is the pumpkin ravioli in the fall!

This space can also be rented for private gatherings, and it always looks SO cozy when it is.

As soon as we can gather in large groups again, I’d love to host an evening dinner with friends here.

ADDRESS

Kärleksgatan 3C, 211 45 Malmö

Konditori Hollandia

In the center of town on Södra Förstadsgatan you’ll find Konditori Hollandia — the oldest café in the city and a true Malmö classic.

They first opened their doors in 1903 and have been serving up home baked goodies ever since. It’s safe to say they know EXACTLY what they’re doing when it comes to the perfect fika treats.

Truthfully, I can’t recommend anything specific for you to order here because I have loved absolutely everything I have tried. I typically go for a latte or chai tea and point at whichever one of the tasty treats behind the glass calls to me most… (And there are typically a few… so the decision is always tough).

Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong with a fika break at this cozy, chandelier lit cafe… and, when the weather is nice, their outdoor patio space is arguably the best people watching spot in town.

ADDRESS

Södra Förstadsgatan 8, 211 43 Malmö

Lilla Kafferosteriet

You can’t miss this iconic yellow coffee shop during your stay in Malmö… literally.

It’s right smack dab in the city center.

There is loads of space here both indoors and out making it a great space to gather for a fika with friends or to get some work done. (I always feel a bit awkward bringing along my laptop to work in the teeny tiny cafes, but the big space here is perfect).

They have a wide selection of fresh pasteries and savory dishes to choose from, but my go-to is usually a classic bulle. Both the kanelbullar and kardemmbullar here are delicious.

Feeling like a boozy fika? They also serve alcoholic beverages here.

ADDRESS

Baltzarsgatan 24, 211 36 Malmö

Nostra Cafe

Located just past Triangeln at the corner of Rådmansgatan and Klostergatan you’ll find Nostra — a cozy little spot that is fairly new on the city’s cafe scene. I suppose it isn’t TOO new anymore. Nostra opened a couple of years ago in 2019.

This is a great space to work because there is loads of room, but it can also be a bit noisy between the sounds of conversation, passing traffic, and the occasional blending of hummus.

Either way, a nice spot for a fika break. The avo toast here is amazing!

ADDRESS

Rådmansgatan 3, 211 46 Malmö

Ribersborgs Kallbadhus

I know what you’re thinking… “Kirst… this is a sauna? Isn’t this supposed to be a fika guide!?”

Well, my friend — just like Sweden is home of the year round kallbad it’s also the home of anytime, anywhere (everywhere) fika break. There’s never a wrong time or place for fika… even pre/post sauna.

I love coming here around sundown as it has arguably the best cafe view in all of Malmö town.

Have a coffee or wine and one of their delicious menu offerings or classic fika desserts.

ADDRESS

Limhamnsvägen, Brygga 1, 217 59 Malmö

Slottsträdgårdens Kafé

This cafe in the middle of a garden… beside a windmill… with greenhouse seating space is quite honestly the plant + coffee lover’s dream come true.

In addition to several delicious fika options (like their pie of the day - my favorite) this is also a popular spot for lunch in the summer… (and afterwork wines on sunny days).

I’ve only ever had their desserts but everything else that comes out of the kitchen looks (and smells) amazing. They even use ingredients from the nearby garden — talk about locally sourced produce!

ADDRESS

Malmöhusvägen 8, 211 18 Malmö

Solde Kaffebar & Rosteri

My favorite thing about this cozy cafe (other than the quirky photographs on the wall… and out of this world coffee) is their early weekday opening hours.

Most other coffee shops don’t open until 9am or even later, which makes this a really popular spot to grab a quick breakfast fika before starting the work day.

At Solde, they serve coffee beans that are exclusively traceable to the farmer, the farm or the washing station. This makes their coffees a bit more expensive, but a whole lot more sustainable.

You can even buy some of their signature roasted beans to take home with you!

ADDRESS

Regementsgatan 2, 211 42 Malmö

Uggla Kaffebar

Last but not least is yet another one of Malmo’s cute little hole in the wall cafes — Uggla Kaffebar.

Uggla means owl in English (hence all of the owls filling this little space).

For disco vibes, check out their basement seating area… or keep it casual with some people watching by the window upstairs.

I love coming here on sunny weekend mornings for brunch because they have loads of tables set up in the square across the street (and great breakfast combo deals)!

ADDRESS

Sankt Knuts väg 16, 211 57 Malmö

If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading along!

I hope you discovered a new favorite to add to your cafe bucketlist the next time you’re in Malmö. As you can see, there’s definitely no shortage of fika spots to choose from. Great cafes are quite literally all over the city, and, as soon as I think I’ve found my favorite, a new one pops up on the radar.

A few that are on the list for my next fika are Noir (where I have been but just for a croissant… and I was too hungry to snap any photos of it), Konditori Katarina, St. Jakobs Stenugnsbageri, and Pâtisserie David. I’m sure I’ll see another in the coming weeks and months, so expect steady updates on this post with even more new “Must Fika” spots!