Fabrique — Specialty Store in Vasastan, Stockholm

This is a branch of Fabrique, the Stockholm bakery chain, on Odengatan in Vasastan, and the stone oven behind the counter is the reason to come in. Pastries come out of it through the day, and the room is small enough that you see the counter and the seating in one look.

Start with the cardamom bun, which is the pastry worth the walk from Odenplan station. The cinnamon bun holds its own beside it, and the bread loaves from the stone oven are the other thing to carry out.

Seating is tight and warm indoors, with a narrow, rusty staircase up to a gallery where the tables are small. Outside seating appears when the weather permits. The coffee spot is self-service.

Prices sit at a normal Stockholm level for a café, and the buns are the better value against the drinks. Come early on a weekday if you want the counter before the morning rush, and keep the weekend hours in mind, since the doors shut at 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

What you get is a proper Swedish bakery counter in a small, cosy room, with tight seating. It suits a quiet sit alone or a small group, and it suits anyone who wants a cardamom bun and a loaf to take away more than a full café meal.