Fabrique Stenugnsbageri — Specialty Store in Mariatorget, Stockholm

This is one branch of Fabrique, the Stockholm bakery chain, and it sits on Rosenlundsgatan in Mariatorget, a short walk from Mariatorget station. What you notice first is the fika setup: a counter of buns and pastries, coffee, and a room where you can sit down rather than carry everything out.

The cardamom buns are the thing to order. The cardamom comes through clearly, and they are what this shop does best. Cinnamon rolls are soft, moist and fragrant, and they hold up well if you buy a bag to take home. At the bread counter, sourdough loaves are fresh and tasty. If you want one sweet only, the saffron cookie is a good single choice, and a slice of carrot cake with coffee makes a proper sit-down break.

The service is friendly and the staff speak English, which makes ordering easy if you are new to Swedish bakery names. There is seating inside, and in winter the room is the only option since there is nowhere to sit outside.

Prices run high for what you get: a brewed coffee and a bun together come to around 90 kr, and the coffee alone can be 45 kr. It is worth knowing before you order a round for a group. The room is cozy.

Come for the cardamom bun and a coffee, and treat the rest of the counter as a bonus. It suits anyone staying in or passing through Mariatorget who wants a proper sit-down fika rather than a quick takeaway.