Savor the moment with this Swedish tradition
If you find the fragrance of coffee comforting and invigorating, or if pausing for an afternoon coffee break appeals to you—especially one accompanied by a sweet pastry fragrant with cardamom and marzipan—you’re certain to enjoy fika.
This Swedish ritual, considered a national pastime and embedded in the country’s social norms, is perfect for winter afternoons, or anytime you want to slow down. Adding to its attraction, it’s a custom anyone can enjoy whether by themselves, shared with a friend or work colleague, anywhere—in the office, at the kitchen table, or even in the woods or at the beach. There’s not a single boundary for enjoying fika.
Where did the fika custom come from, and why does it suit Seattle so well?
In Sweden, some connect the concept to the introduction of coffee in the 1700s—or kaffi, the original Swedish spelling of coffee—to this far north country. Adding baked treats—originally called fikabröd, translated to “fika bread”—to the afternoon coffee break added a sweet note to the tradition. This pairing started in the 19th century when patisseries, French-style bakeries selling sweet pastries, first reached Sweden. Together with hot cups of black coffee—typically, but tea is also welcome—the coffee-and-cake tradition flourished and became bonded to Swedish culture. Both a noun and a verb—think “to take a fika”—fika is a perfect fit for Seattle’s dark and dreary winter days, although it’s avidly pursued year-round in Sweden.
Seattle has long-standing Nordic connections, not to mention its own coffee culture, which makes it a natural place to enjoy fika. Digging into our city’s history, one quickly discovers there were Scandinavians here beginning in the mid-1800s. They arrived in two waves: the 1919 census indicated 26 percent of Washington state’s population was first- or second-generation residents from Nordic countries.* Immigrants from the far north found a familiar landscape—the sea for fishing, land for farming, forests for lumber and shingle mills—and ample opportunities for berry and mushroom foraging, just like at home. With railroads completed and running cross-country and north from Portland, Oregon, moving to the Pacific Northwest was an easy choice. Upon arriving, community clubs, cafeterias, bakeries and boarding houses were welcoming social hubs for fellow immigrants to mingle and find familiar foods and coffee conversations. At one point, there were 11 Scandinavian bakeries operating in Seattle, and in the early 1900s, finding a two-cent cup of coffee and a square of weinerbrød, a flaky, buttery Danish almond-paste pastry, would have been easy.
Happily, when it comes to enjoying afternoon fika today in Seattle, there are several Scandinavian bakeries and cafés still operating and offering authentic traditional pastries, perfect for pairing with coffee. The difficult part is deciding which to visit, and whether to stop and sip coffee at the shop or to bring a flaky pastry home to enjoy in one’s own cozy surroundings. To help you choose, here are glimpses of my favorite Scandinavian bakeries and cafés in Seattle. Each should be celebrated for continuing Seattle’s scrumptious Nordic traditions.
FREYA CAFÉ AT THE NATIONAL NORDIC MUSEUM
2655 NW Market St., Seattle | 206-789-5707 ext. 7031 | nordicmuseum.org/cafe
After touring the latest exhibition at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard, heading to the Freya Café for coffee and a sweet pastry is practically required to absorb what you’ve seen and learned. The café, located in the front northwest corner of the modern building, offers a selection of coffee and espresso drinks, along with assorted teas and chai, to accompany sweet bites for a perfect afternoon fika pause. Independently operated since November 2023 by James and Gelsey Sherrill of Lovely Night Catering & Events, this lively, airy café bustles with energy and laughter. And if you wish to explore more Scandinavian dishes, a range of smørrebrød, seasonal Scandinavian-style soups and salads are also available.
NIELSEN’S PASTRIES
520 Second Ave. W, Ste. A | Seattle | 206-282-3004 | nielsenspastries.com
Fragrances of freshly baked, buttery Danish pastries greet you walking through the door of this cozy landmark bakery. With tantalizing cream cheese and fruit-filled Danishes, almond and raisin-filled kringle (both slices and whole), poppy seed and sesame twists, bear claws, seasonal cookies, a selection of savory pastries and traditional marzipan and chocolate desserts such as Napoleon’s Hats, Sarah Bernhardts and the dreamy custard-filled and marzipan-covered “Potatoes” dusted with cocoa, Nielsen’s has it all! A Seattle original, Nielsen’s was founded in 1965 by John Nielsen, who immigrated to the U.S. from Copenhagen.
Classicially trained as a pastry chef, he opened his namesake bakery downtown on Third Avenue, where it operated until Benaroya Hall replaced it and the shop moved to lower Queen Anne. Today’s owners, Holly and Chris Prairie, have joyfully used Nielsen’s original recipes since 2017, and are continuing Nielsen’s tradition of authentic handcrafted pastries; Holly, in fact, has worked at the bakery since 2009. A full range of hot beverages are available, ready to be enjoyed in this folksy cafe decorated with vintage Danish posters. Take home a signature Nielsen’s Bakery pink box filled with treats, or settle in.
LARSEN’S DANISH BAKERY
8000 24th Ave. NW, Seattle | 206-782-8285 | larsensbakery.com
Step inside this welcoming bakery in north Ballard and you’ll know immediately why it’s been a neighborhood cornerstone for 51 years. The inviting space framed by cases of baked goods holds a row of window-side tables shared by customers enjoying traditional Scandinavian baked goods with various pours of coffee. A bustle of shoppers come and go after collecting favorite treats to enjoy at home. The friendly staff is eager to serve and answer questions. Who wouldn’t want to stop here for a regular fika outing? From kringle to kransekake, smørekage, seasonal cookies, seeded dark rye bread and more, Larsen’s prides itself on its large selection of traditional Danish pastries, along with whimsically decorated specialty cakes and pastries. Its founder and owner, Poul Larsen, was trained as a baker from age 14. He arrived in Seattle directly from Copenhagen in 1974 and opened Larsen’s Danish Bakery the same year. With his wife Terri, he’s also expanded the bakery’s success to selling baked goods in local grocery chains. At Christmas especially, Larsen’s pretzel-shaped kringle in its distinctive red box is in high demand for fika and as a holiday treat.
BYEN BAKERI
15 Nickerson St., Seattle | 206-218-1000 | byenbakeri.com
A bright yellow doorway and sidewalk tables invite everyone craving Scandinavian-style baked goods to this popular, cozy spot in north Queen Anne. Inside this modern Nordic café you’ll find plenty of seating, plus a lineup of bakery cases packed with traditional pastries, cookies and cakes, all made on-site. The Scandinavian choices range from morning pastries, plus buttery Danish-style kringle, lefse and cardamom bread, to specialties such as kransekake—a cake made with almond pastry—and Princess Cake, a delightful sponge cake wrapped in lime-green marzipan enveloping layers of raspberry jam, vanilla custard. You’ll also discover staples such as Swedish rye bread in both limpa (soft) and rugbrød (dense and seeded) versions. Various brewed coffee and espresso beverages are available, along with tea. Orders may be placed online or by phone for in-store pick-up or delivery.
SCANDINAVIAN SPECIALTIES
6719 15th Ave. NW, Seattle | 206-784-7020 | scandinavianspecialties.com
Would you guess Seattle has its own Nordic grocery store? No surprise to find it in Ballard, of course. Traditional and sought-after grocery supplies, gifts, books, jewelry, Norwegian sweaters, T-shirts, glassware, holiday ornaments, calendars and more stock the shelves. This bustling shop, which has survived neighborhood changes and operated for 60-plus years (at different sites), is another neighborhood cornerstone, especially during the Christmas holiday season when it’s crowded with happy customers who have found (or pre-ordered) their favorite holiday foods. Now owned and operated by Bjorn Ruudw, who succeeded his savvy business-minded mother, this store with its friendly staff is a destination for everyone with Nordic connections. With its in-house kitchen, all baked goods and open sandwiches are made daily and ready to enjoy at sunny café tables.
THE SWEDISH CLUB
1920 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle | 206-283-1090 | swedishclubnw.org or swedishculturalcenter.com
It should be no surprise to discover the Swedish Club hosts a monthly “formal fika,” (its own description) on the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 2 p.m. Founded in 1892, the club is a cultural center—its formal name is The Swedish Cultural Center—for all things Swedish with events ranging from musical performances to Swedish language classes, monthly pancake breakfasts, Friday Happy Hours and more. Its location overlooking Lake Union makes it a prized Seattle landmark. Members and non-members join for the monthly fika gathering, sharing various home-baked cookies and biscuits, along with coffee and conversation upstairs in the club’s sunny Three Crowns Room.
FREYA BAKERY & CAFÉ
1426 Western Ave. Seattle | 206-402-5530 | freyabakery.com
Not to be confused with the Freya Café at the National Nordic Museum, this sizable bakery below Pike Place Market manages the pastry production for the Danish-inspired Café Hagen locations around Seattle, from lower Queen Anne to Bellevue and (soon) Kirkland. This small bakery shop invites take-home purchases of various pastries, cookies and breads. Coffee drinks are available to go, and if settling in amid baking fragrances appeals, a cozy corner awaits you.
IKEA
601 SW 41st St., Renton
It may seem odd, but mentioning this Swedish furniture and home-goods destination south of Seattle feels necessary. It was the first IKEA location established on the West Coast in 1995 and it has direct links with many Nordic traditions. The spacious upstairs cafeteria has lots of tables, and tall windows that give the place a light, airy feel. It offers both sweet and savory dishes for shoppers, or anyone stopping by. Some dishes reflect long-standing Swedish traditions—think meatballs or herring—along with free cups of coffee if you’re an IKEA “family member.” Touring the store requires perseverance, which makes settling in for a fika stop here at any time most welcome.
