A Swedish fika refers to a break from an activity, such as work. It is used to relax with friends, acquaintances or alone – for example with a cup of coffee or cake. And that’s exactly what awaits you when you enter Café Fika in the Westend. The guests obviously feel at home there. They sit on armchairs, sofas and simple wooden chairs, read, talk to their acquaintances or play with their baby, some look at their laptops. You can also sip some coffee or tea. Large windows let a lot of light into the small rooms. It is furnished in Scandinavian style – lots of wood, simple and yet cozy. However, the “Ikea vibe” cannot be completely avoided.
The café has been in Westend since May last year, having previously been located on Nymphenburger Straße for two years. The special thing about the Fika: If you like the furnishings or the decoration, you can buy them here. Price tags are dangling from some table and chair legs. For example, the wooden table in front of the large sofa costs 250 euros. The furniture is mostly used and refurbished, says the managing director Claudia Lenhart.
The shop café was inspired by trips to Sweden and their garage flea markets, the so-called Loppis. Decoration and furniture can be taken away immediately after purchase, she says, but it only takes a few days for the sofas, as they first have to be delivered from the warehouse. After all, new guests must be able to sit.
The service is friendly and reserved. You don’t get the feeling that you should leave after drinking your coffee here. Instead, the home-baked cake in the display case is tempting, while “Kiss me” blares out of the loudspeakers – and whoosh two hours are over.
Claudia Lenhart is the manager of the café.
(Photo: Mark Siaulys Pfeiffer)
A sign says how much each piece of furniture costs. Most of the furniture can be taken away immediately after purchase.
(Photo: Mark Siaulys Pfeiffer)
A certain “Ikea vibe” cannot be denied.
(Photo: Mark Siaulys Pfeiffer)
There is a small but fine selection of drinks and snacks to quench thirst and hunger. The sandwiches (8.20 euros) are called Lotta, Lasse, Finn, Kalle or Astrid. The combination of blueberries and camembert, hummus and grilled mushrooms or sauerkraut and pastrami is surprising and delicious. A wonderful snack with the crispy toasted bread. Alternatively, there is homemade crunchy muesli with yoghurt (5.40 euros), a croissant with jam or pistachio cream (2.60/3.20 euros) or Swedish cardamom buns (3.20 euros).
If you are really hungry, there are dishes from the lunch menu Monday to Saturday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Brunch is also available all day on Saturdays. In addition, coffee classics, lemonade, iced tea or “Dirty Chai” (4.20 euros) can be ordered. “Dirty Chai” combines the spicy yet gentle taste of chai tea with espresso. It is served with a head of foam and “Chai Latte Art” in leaf form.
Fika Ladencafé, Westendstraße 87, 80339, Munich, telephone: 089/89745901, opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.