The best cafés in Gothenburg for fika.
Swedish culture fascinated me during my first visit to Gothenburg.
It felt so different to the rest of Europe.
Fika time was my favourite aspect of the Swedish way of life, and here are the best cafes in Gothenburg to enjoy the chilled out tradition.
I spent a lot of time in the Haga District, as it is one of the oldest parts of the city, furthermore, the epicentre of quirky cafes, where locals and tourists mingle over a sweet treat, or two, or three!
I took some photos of the delightful local delicacies so we can all enjoy them together!
I found each cafe to have its own vibe and quirks, so I recommend visiting all four of the places below, with them all being within walking distance of each other.
The cafes are in no particular order.
Let’s start with Jacob’s Cafe!
Locals enjoying fika time.
Jacob’s Cafe.
This option is only a short walk from the other cafes on the list, and it is the biggest establishment, so if you visit in prime times, such as Saturday lunchtimes, this could be a good option for you.
It definitely felt more spacious, and less crowded.
There is the option to sit inside or outside, but because I visited in winter, it wasn’t the right weather to sit outside.
It would be awesome to experience fika here on a summer’s day, and just watch the world go by!
There is seating outside of Jacob’s Cafe.
A great option for lunch.
With a variety of different food dishes on offer, this option can be enjoyed for lunch aswell as, or instead of fika time.
When I visited they offered jacket potatoes, burgers, pasta, and a large selection of sandwiches.
Plenty of local option in this cafe.
Dog friendly and gluten free options.
This Cafe makes a point of being dog friendly and caters for customers with different conditions.
The staff are also very helpful and taught me a few local sayings, along with recommending a nice restaurant for the evening time.
One of the larger seating areas.
Some Swedish cookies to die for.
My favourite treat in Jacobs were the different Swedish style cookies.
Brysselkex.
I loved these pink buttery biscuits, especially the sugar-coated edges, which they are characterised by.
I was speaking to the lovely staff member while deciding on what to try, and she said that the pink colour can change sometimes, to other bright options.
I felt this one tasted very similar to shortbread in the UK.
Schackruta.
These distinct fun looking cookies caught my attention straight away, and I found out that they are classic Swedish cookies known as "checkerboard cookies" due to their two-toned, chequered pattern.
They tasted of vanilla and chocolate.
I loved the Brysselkex.
Jacob’s Cafe location.
Jacob’s Cafe opening times - 10am - 7pm daily.
Find out more information on their Instagram page.
Café Husaren.
Café Husaren was the first place I visited during my time in Gothenburg, and it was an awesome introduction into Haga and the local culture.
The café is a great spot for anyone wanting an authentic Swedish fika experience.
There is no doubt that the popular café is a tourist magnet, and I found it to be full when I arrived, however, there was not a big queue and I found a seat quite quickly.
I found the atmosphere inside the cafe to be really cosy, with old style bakery vibes, and its ambience is matched perfectly by the beautiful decor inside the premises.
My first stop in Haga.
Home of Hagabullen.
Café Husaren is famous for its Hagabulle, and they are widely known as the largest cinnamon buns in town.
I would recommend one to share, as even the locals were struggling with the size of them when I was inside the Café.
The Hagabulle have been baked in Haga style within the premises for over 4 decades, and in that time they have gained global recognition, and have been exported to many countries across Europe.
The iconic buns do attract crowds, therefore, If you prefer a quieter experience, I’d recommend opting for their take-away option.
My choice.
I couldn’t resist trying the Nutella flavoured Semla Med, which are traditional Swedish cream buns, with hollow centres to add tasty flavours.
As you can probably gather in the photo above, they are very sickly, but absolutely amazing!
Other notable sweet treats here included giant cookies, freshly baked cakes, and Amaretto Limone, which is common as a dessert option in Sweden, where amaretto and lemon are combined to create a rich flavour.
Café Husaren location.
Café Husaren opening times - 8am - 7.30pm weekdays, and 7pm on weekends.
Find out more information on their Instagram page.
Too much choice!
Café Hebbe Lelle.
Even though Café Hebbe Lelle isn’t the most famous spot in Gothenburg for Hagabullen, it was my favourite place to try them.
They were so sweet and addictive!
When I visited, there was an abundance of special coffees available, including Latte Macchiato, Gingerbread Latte, and Toffee Nut Latte.
The hot chocolate also has a great reputation and goes perfectly with the Belgian waffles on site, according to the friendly staff members when I was in!
Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to try them, but they smelt delicious.
By this point you will realise that this trip to Sweden was fully enjoyed on the indulgence front!
The famous Cinnamon buns.
For those looking to discover the best cafes in Gothenburg for fika, Café Hebbe Lelle is an absolute must-visit.
I found that tt combines the perfect balance of delicious offerings, friendly service, and a cosy setting that truly embodies the Swedish tradition of fika
Café Hebbe Lelle location.
Café Hebbe Lelle - 8am - 6pm daily (5pm on Sundays).
Find out more information on the Café Facebook page.
An orange flavoured treat.
Café Kringlan.
It didn’t take much to be lured inside Café Kringlan, with its aesthetic exterior and endearing scents from the freshly baked treat cart.
This is an awesome café, and all of the food is homemade, which is apparent as soon as you enter inside, with the smell of the beautiful food.
When I entered, the first thing I saw was a large selection of homemade pies, sandwiches, and wraps, alongside the baked goods.
There was also a vast array of hot drink options.
A very popular option for locals.
A quirky cart with many delights.
Outside of Café Kringlan there is a cart filled with typical Swedish delicacies, and traditional Swedish pastries, particularly cinnamon buns.
The girl behind the counter told me that these items may vary based on the season and availability, as the cart often provides a quick takeaway option for those wanting a taste of Swedish fika.
I enjoyed my time sitting in and enjoying a nice coffee with my treats, however, if you are short on time, you should choose something nice as a takeaway option!
So much choice!
Café Kringlan has a rustic and bohemian style which you can see in the photo below.
The interior seating area did remind me very much of a coastal town’s decor, with old sailor vibes.
I visited this café on a Sunday morning and it was very quiet and peaceful, however, it was in February, so it is unlikely you will benefit from this peace on weekends during the summer.
Café Kringlan location.
Café Kringlan opening times - 8am - 8pm weekdays, and 7pm on weekends.
Find out more information on their Instagram page.
Another unique interior.
Fika time explained.
Before heading over to Sweden I learned about the fika tradition, which dates back over a century, and is now a social norm throughout the country.
In Gothenburg, fika is more than just a coffee break; it's a cherished social tradition, and one of the bedrocks of the Haga District.
Although the cafés were full at different times throughout the day, the Swedish tradition is typically enjoyed in the afternoon, and it involves having coffee or tea, along with pastries, such as cinnamon buns or cakes.
It's a time to relax, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy a moment of peace.
I found it fascinating that people take a break from work or daily activities to indulge in this ritual, making it an integral part of life in the city.
It is clearly benefiting Swedish society as well, with Gothenburg seamlessly functioning in a laid back, but efficient way.
Fika is an aewsome tradition.
What is the Haga District of Gothenburg?
If you are looking for a quirky area of Gothenburg, with local eateries, boutique shops, and some colourful street art, then the Haga District is the place to be.
I found the charming area of the city to be where I spent a lot of time on my shorter visit to the city.
Haga dates back to the 1830’s and is characterised by its quirky wooden houses and cobbled streets, which to this day are still the prominent feature of the district.
The colourful wooden architecture was the first thing I noticed as I wandered into picturesque Haga.
Haga is located just northwest of the city centre of Gothenburg, Sweden. It's easily accessible and is bordered by the area known as Vasastaden.
I found that taking the tram was an easy way to access the area.
Gothenburg’s tram system is efficient and convenient, with several lines that stop near the area.
You can get off at the "Haga" or "Vasaplatsen" stops, both of which are just a short walk away from the heart of Haga.
Haga also features beautiful parks and green spaces, providing a pleasant environment for leisurely walks and relaxation.
The nearby Slottskogen Park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
The historic Skansen Kronan fortress also overlooks the whole Haga district, so if you want beautiful birds eye views of the area, along with the port, then you should take the short walk over to the foot of the fortress, and climb up to the top.
One of the entrance points to the famous Haga District.
Enjoy the culture in Scandinavia. How about Oslo?
If you really enjoy your time in Sweden, then I recommend Oslo next.
The Norwegian capital is like a utopia, with such clean, modern streets, and a very quiet way of life.
The city is futuristic with modern buildings, beautiful minimalist architecture, and green social spaces.
The artistic side of the city was my favourite, and in particular, the Munch Museum, which is 13 floors of art dedicated to Edvard Munch.
If you want to add some history to the modern and artistic side of the city, then Akershus Fortress, and the Fram Museum are my recommendations.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.