When it comes to a culinary adventure, it can be difficult to tell whether or not a feeling of…read morefamiliarity is a good sign. At times it suggests that a concept is overdone or unoriginal, and at other times that familiarity strikes us at a more profound level -- as if we've been there before in a past life, or as if there's something there that feels like home. I was lucky to find this feeling at a stunning café nestled into the greenery of Djurgården in southern Stockholm, a beacon of warmth and light amidst the afternoon chill. My traveling companion and I had spent the morning perusing the vast collections at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, finding ourselves enchanted by the glorious staterooms and the expertly curated painting exhibitions. It's a known fact that museums always tend to make me hungry, and so after exploring the grounds I was just about ready for something to nibble on. By this point in my Swedish adventure, fika had become the most cherished hour (or several) of the day. From cardamom buns to princess cake, I had become fully absorbed in this tradition and was fully committed to incorporating it into my life back in the States. While the simplest translation is "a coffee break," for my traveling companion and I had had become so much more -- an invitation to unwind, to take refuge from the Swedish cold, and perhaps most importantly, to indulge a little. This stunning spot came at a recommendation of a friend of mine who had studied in Copenhagen for a semester and ended up here on a class trip. Luckily, this friend has impeccable taste. Rooted in (pun intended) community, Rosendals Trädgård is a veritable jack-of-all trades. From producing many of their own ingredients on site to serving treats and hearty fare alike, there is so much that this place gets right. To get to the café you walk past a series of plots alive in the soil, wondering what grows there and who planted it. When you reach the café you find that it's a real greenhouse, steeped in sunlight and awash in a rich sea of blues. It's beautiful on the outside, and even more gorgeous on the inside. Something about the self-serve style setup made me feel like I was at a friend's house for tea, contributing to the delightfully homey feel that had seeped into every corner of the abode. I sampled a couple of cookies from the buffet, and my dining companion did the same. When we took our seats, we found that each bite left us feeling warm and comforted despite the nip of Swedish spring beyond the walls of the greenhouse. It was a simple meal, an afternoon pick-me-up, yet it seemed to fill us up in spirit the same way a four-course meal would have filled our bellies. For a plate full of something that feels like home even if you're thousands of miles away from your own, Rosendals Trädgård is an immaculate refuge. Just like the plants that grow on its grounds, you'll find yourself feeling cherished and tended to. What more can we ask of a meal? Read more reviews at letsgetdinner8.wordpress.com.

This place is a short walk from the tram and it's worth the trek after visiting Vasa museum or…read moreSkansen. The walk is absolutely gorgeous and it makes you feel as if you're stepping into an oasis away from Stockholm. They had some Christmas decorations up and a tree, so it felt very festive, even if most of the trees were bare for winter. I loved the meal setup -- there were some quick bites available to grab, as well as pastries, and there were dishes you could order. I got an Asian slaw sandwich and a saffransbulle (LOVE these). I also opted for one of their flavored hot teas, because it was cold in Stockholm in November! The food was great in the cafe, but even better was the plant shop next door! They had Christmas ornaments for sale, as well as lots of handcrafted items and lots of plants. Definitely worth a visit!

Really nice staff. Fresh sandwiches in the morning. Used to go by on the way to work and make a…read morespecial order, they always made it really fast even during the morning rush and for good prices. I've mostly tried their sandwiches but have heard that their salads are good too. Recommended!

Experience real fika as a Swede at this bakery…read more I've been living in Lidingö for almost 5 months, today I finally got a kardemummabulle (cardamom roll) and a cup of warm cappuccino here. Bulle was perfect : soft and warm and sweet. Cappuccino was really Swedish: bitter. They're going together so well as you eat them. Will try their grilled sandwich on my next visit. Recommended.

This should be a short review. : They have a filled…read morecroissant muffin wth Nutella. That should be enough to make you take the red train to ropsten then 221 bus to lidingo centrum (get off stop before). With their awesome fresh bread and good coffee it's a great place. I've tried 3 different flavor a of the croissant-muffins and they are dangerous! Highly recommend for a "mysigt" fika on Lidingo!

Came by after a run on a weekday late morning, got an almond croissant and a kenelbullar. I was…read moredebating between the kardemummabullar and the kenelbullar so I asked the cashier who said she likes the kenelbullar. Another person who was putting fresh ones into the casing said she likes the cardamom ones, so I went with the kenelbullar since they were just getting placed into the casing. Almond croissant was so-so, the edges were a bit hard and dry although the middle was good. The kanelbullar was really soft and tasty, very fresh. Pricey at around 80 SEK, but I guess that's Stockholm and Sweden for ya!

I love baking and live in a great bread/baking region (SF Bay Area) so I needed to check out the…read morebest bakeries while traveling in Sweden. We stopped in at Valhallabageriet to try their famous bullar - one cardamom and one cinnamon. Both were good, but I think the cardamom bun was the standout (I may be biased - I prefer cardamom buns in general). Definitely worth popping into this small bakery while in Stockholm!

This is a really adorable little coffee shop in Gamla Stan. Its a very small one room coffee shop…read morethat feels cozy and comfortable immediately upon entering. There are a few little tables and chairs and a nice window seat with comfy pillows and a view of the cobblestone street outside. There is beautiful art hanging on the wall from the owner. They have a lot of gluten free options on their menu including gf breakfast items. They make coffees and teas, baked dessert items, and some lunch/breakfast choices. We stopped in for a tea and a gf brownie which was really good. The individual checking us out was very helpful and friendly. Even though we just stopped in, it is an adorable little place and has a good variety of gluten free and vegan options for anyone searching out these dining preferences. We enjoyed our snacks and the friendly service.

A great place to stop and relax. Two stayed open a few minutes late so I could get a late Fika…read morebefore staying out all night to take pictures in Gamla Stan. The Dream Cookies are famous at this place and the coffee is outstanding. I highly recommend coming to Sara's Art and Coffee while you are in town.