Top 7: Fika Spots in LondonBy Felicity Spector
Scones and jam are all very well, but it seems London can’t get enough of Fika: the Nordic version of afternoon tea. We’ve scouted out the best new openings in town, where you can lose yourself in a world of marzipan, buttery pastry, and pickled herring for the win. Because coffee and cake is always a winner in our books.
1. For the Full Works: Aster Victoria
Order: Cardamom knot
What: The brand new Aster Victoria has a dedicated afternoon tea menu as well as a deli selling all manner of buns and baked goods. On the menu for tea – sherry herring on rye with egg butter and Cake Runeberg with blood orange jam. We’re forming an orderly queue.
Where: Cardinal Place, 150 Victoria St, London SW1E 5LB
2. For Danish Delights: Ole and Steen
Order: Rhubarb crescent
What: Ole and Steen, already a popular Danish chain, has just opened its first UK branch on Regent’s Street, open from breakfast to late evening. As well as a range of salads and open sandwiches, there are sourdough and rye breads baked on site, all the morning buns you could want, and marzipan filled, creamy, chocolatey cakes. From Rabarberhorn to Julleboller; they’ve got the lot.
Where: 2, St. James’s Market, 56 Haymarket, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4RP
3. For Afternoon Tea: The Harcourt
Order: Cinnamon bun
What: The Harcourt, housed in a grade II townhouse in Marylebone, has a full afternoon tea on offer, complete with their trademark reindeer Scotch egg, and pickled hering on rye. For afters, there’s dark chocolate mousse with liquorice and salted caramel, plus cinnamon buns, danish pastries, and a range of Scandi cocktails.
Where: 32 Harcourt Street, London W1H 4HX
4. For Bread and Sweet Bakes: Fabrique
Order: Cinnamon roll
What: Fabrique has now expanded to four London branches, after opening the original in an archway beside Hoxton station. Their cinnamon, cardamon and vanilla buns get all the Insta love and are undoubtedly the best in town – but save room for brownies, raspberry jam filled almond shortbread, and at lunchtime, some excellent sandwiches.
Where: Locations here
5. For Sweet Bites: The Bread Station
Order: Chocolate croissant
What: Bread Station’s Christopher Hrusovka has gone from Michelin star chef to master baker, turning out exemplary Danish pastries and organic breads, like the London Fields seeded and Hackney whole grain. Go in the afternoon for the Kringle – and the splendidly named hindbaersnitter – short crust pastry stuffed with raspberries.
Where: 373 Helmsley Pl, London E8 3SB
Order: Schwarzwald cake
What: Covent Garden’s Bageriet is a minefield of Scandi treats. Think ranks of treacle biscuits, cookies and desserts like Princess cake, filled with custard, marzipan and cream.
Where: 24 Rose St, London WC2E 9EA
Order: Almond twist
What: The Nordic Bakery, now with 4 branches across central London, has breakfast, lunch and teatime covered: we recommed the Tosca cake covered with crunchy caramelised almonds, and the skoleboller, or custard bun. Yes, a custard bun.
Where: Locations here
One for luck…
8. For All the Cinnamon Buns: Scandi Kitchen
Order: Scandi Semla bun
What: Long time Fika favourite, the Scandi Kitchen stocks everything; from Semla to Danish dream cake, and open sandwiches galore. Plus you can stock up on all sorts of Scandi goods to take home.
Where: 61 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7PP
