Both a noun and a verb fika (pronounced fee-ka) is an essential ritual and daily custom in Sweden. A fika can happen at any point in the day in almost any setting, during work, during school, and essentially anyone is welcome to join you. In fact, you really should be inviting people to fika with you, fikas are social events to take breaks from the mundane or chaotic lives we lead. Do you fika? Will never be a question you're asked in Sweden, it will just be assumed that you also like to drop everything you're doing and go inhale coffee.
As much as I wanted to invite someone to fika with me today, I had to fika all on my own as I ran some errands around Malmö. So saaaad, no one loves me! Just kidding, everyone just has 9-5 jobs except me (haha...oh I made myself sad). Anyway I tried out two places, Koco Coffee & Tea Atelier and Lilla Kafferosteriet. Both excellent for different reasons, with one uniting factor: fucking good coffee.
Let's start with Koco Coffee & Tea Atelier, it's relatively new in Malmö and already a go to spot for the young and trendy crowd. They've got a great selection of local coffee, organic & fair trade coffee, and special tea blends. If you're confused about anything, the staff is super helpful and really kind if you're not a coffee-aficionado. I'm feeling curious so I go with a kokostopp (30kr, coconut macaroon) and a chai latte (38kr), which the barista swears is delicious even though she only makes it with real chai tea and none of that powder bullshit. She's absolutely right, the chai latte is sweet, aromatic, & tasty. As for the kokostopp? It's crazy good, large coconut shavings, the right amount of sugar, and cooked just long enough to make it stick together but fall apart right on your tongue. With some nice jazz playing & big open windows to look out of, I wish I had more time here today - the atmosphere is perfect for a fika break. And if you find yourself at Koco make sure to also check out their new coffee & tea shop inside the KvCaroli shopping center TeMinisteriet.
If you prefer your fika in a classical but relaxed coffee house then maybe Lilla Kafferosteriet is more your jive. Right off of Malmö's main shopping street, Lilla Kafferosteriet is inside the cutest little building that was built sometime in the 1600s. Complete with slanted floors and ceilings it's straight out of a fairy tale. It's the coffee house your grandmother never opened but with coffee that rivals the newest and trendiest spots in town. Inside there's two bars: one to order coffee, pastries, & food - and another if you just want to buy freshly roasted coffee. After talking to the staff for a bit (who are super excited to speak English), the barista asks "Do you want the strong stuff?" - UH YES! Is that even a question? It's an Ethiopian Roast blend (35kr) which is ridiculous delicious and absolutely some of the strongest coffee I've had in a while. Before walking away the barista mentions "There's no charge on a refill" - now I'm grinning with excitement. I have to say though, my favorite part about this place is all the different rooms and areas of the cafe where you can sit down and enjoy your fika. There's small rooms, larger rooms, and the best is the outside garden. It really feels like a little oasis right in the middle of the city. It's worth noting that Lilla Kafferosteriet also hosts coffee tastings regularly, just check their site for more info.
So next time someone asks if you would like to fika, don't look confused, just smile, nod and take them to one of these places.
Koco Coffee & Tea Atelier is located on Östergatan 12 in Malmö
Prices range from 25-100 kr for drinks/food (3-11 euro)
Lilla Kafferosteriet is located on Baltzarsgatan 24 in Malmö
Prices range from 21-100 kr for drinks/food (3-11 euro)
As much as I wanted to invite someone to fika with me today, I had to fika all on my own as I ran some errands around Malmö. So saaaad, no one loves me! Just kidding, everyone just has 9-5 jobs except me (haha...oh I made myself sad). Anyway I tried out two places, Koco Coffee & Tea Atelier and Lilla Kafferosteriet. Both excellent for different reasons, with one uniting factor: fucking good coffee.
Let's start with Koco Coffee & Tea Atelier, it's relatively new in Malmö and already a go to spot for the young and trendy crowd. They've got a great selection of local coffee, organic & fair trade coffee, and special tea blends. If you're confused about anything, the staff is super helpful and really kind if you're not a coffee-aficionado. I'm feeling curious so I go with a kokostopp (30kr, coconut macaroon) and a chai latte (38kr), which the barista swears is delicious even though she only makes it with real chai tea and none of that powder bullshit. She's absolutely right, the chai latte is sweet, aromatic, & tasty. As for the kokostopp? It's crazy good, large coconut shavings, the right amount of sugar, and cooked just long enough to make it stick together but fall apart right on your tongue. With some nice jazz playing & big open windows to look out of, I wish I had more time here today - the atmosphere is perfect for a fika break. And if you find yourself at Koco make sure to also check out their new coffee & tea shop inside the KvCaroli shopping center TeMinisteriet.
If you prefer your fika in a classical but relaxed coffee house then maybe Lilla Kafferosteriet is more your jive. Right off of Malmö's main shopping street, Lilla Kafferosteriet is inside the cutest little building that was built sometime in the 1600s. Complete with slanted floors and ceilings it's straight out of a fairy tale. It's the coffee house your grandmother never opened but with coffee that rivals the newest and trendiest spots in town. Inside there's two bars: one to order coffee, pastries, & food - and another if you just want to buy freshly roasted coffee. After talking to the staff for a bit (who are super excited to speak English), the barista asks "Do you want the strong stuff?" - UH YES! Is that even a question? It's an Ethiopian Roast blend (35kr) which is ridiculous delicious and absolutely some of the strongest coffee I've had in a while. Before walking away the barista mentions "There's no charge on a refill" - now I'm grinning with excitement. I have to say though, my favorite part about this place is all the different rooms and areas of the cafe where you can sit down and enjoy your fika. There's small rooms, larger rooms, and the best is the outside garden. It really feels like a little oasis right in the middle of the city. It's worth noting that Lilla Kafferosteriet also hosts coffee tastings regularly, just check their site for more info.
So next time someone asks if you would like to fika, don't look confused, just smile, nod and take them to one of these places.
Koco Coffee & Tea Atelier is located on Östergatan 12 in Malmö
Prices range from 25-100 kr for drinks/food (3-11 euro)
Lilla Kafferosteriet is located on Baltzarsgatan 24 in Malmö
Prices range from 21-100 kr for drinks/food (3-11 euro)