Tössebageriet — Specialty Store in Östermalm, Stockholm

Tössebageriet is a classic bakery and café on Karlavägen in Östermalm, and the bakery itself sits behind the shop, so the trays you see at the counter come from the room next door. It is an old-fashioned kind of place, the sort of Stockholm café where fika is the point rather than an afterthought.

The semla is the thing to order first, and it comes two ways: the traditional form and a wrap version that holds up just as well. A kanelbulle here is soft and flavourful, and the tosca pastries are the kind of thing you order two of in one visit. The princess cake earns its place on the counter too, and everything saffron, from the buns onward, is worth taking home.

Savouries hold their own. Sandwiches, including a mozzarella one and a toasted cheese version, are made to order at the counter, and the shrimp salad comes with a straightforward recommendation. Coffee is rated good, and the hot chocolate is a rich, dark cup. You eat at small tables inside or outside on the pavement, where the outdoor seats are the better bet on a mild day.

Prices sit on the higher side for some things, and not every pastry is labelled, so ask before you commit. The indoor room is small and cramped.

Service at the counter is friendly and quick, which matters when the queue builds on a weekend morning. The bakery opens at 7 am on weekdays, so an early coffee and bun is possible before the city fills up, and it stays open until 6 pm. Sundays and Saturdays run 9 am to 5 pm.