Bröd & Salt — Specialty Store in Gamla Stan, Stockholm

This is one branch of the Bröd & Salt chain, set on Skeppsbron in Gamla Stan with the harbour directly in front of it. What you notice first is the outdoor seating looking out over the water and the boats; inside it is self-service, with plywood surfaces and a casual, busy feel.

The almond bun is the thing to order: a sweet bun that holds up alongside coffee and is the item most worth carrying to a table by the water. The kanelbulle is the classic Swedish order, good when fresh. From the cold counter you fill a bowl yourself, with pasta, rice or couscous and a wide spread of vegetables, then pay by weight; the salad selection is the strongest part of the food here. Thin pizzas, including a mozzarella version, come out of the same counter, and there is espresso, iced coffee and an Americano that sits well with a fika.

The format is self-service throughout: you queue, order and carry your own tray, with free water available as in many Swedish places. Staff at the counter are friendly and helpful, and the terrace has both sun and shade, though the parasols go up late in peak hours and shaded spots run short.

Prices are the sticking point. A pastry and a coffee together run to around 109 kr, and a salad bowl filled by weight can reach 220 kr, which is a lot for what lands on the plate. There is an outdoor area with tables.

Come for the view and the almond bun rather than a full meal, and treat the buffet as a light lunch where you control how much you pile on.