Fika and fine coffee from Gringo Nordic, Gothenburg.

What could be better on a visit to Gothenburg to indulge in the nation’s pastime of fika – a rite-of-passage in every self-respecting Swede’s day, which involves carving time everyday for ‘coffee and cake’. However, this is merely a rough translation, as fika encompasses much more than this. It’s become a lifestyle choice, where taking a break from work to savour something delicious is seen as good for the soul.

Gothenburg is a laid-back, slow-pace kind of city, home to playful fashionista den Hotel Flora. It’s also the birthplace of one of our favourite roasteries – Gringo Nordic, one of the vital components of fika. Founded by three self-confessed coffee addicts, Gringo Nordic are serious about its sourcing, production and roasting. Their speciality coffee beans come from small farms and cooperatives, to support farmers that focus on quality, from as far and as wide as Rwanda, Brazil and Sumatra. In Colombia, Gringo Nordic own a coffee farm, showing their commitment to the intricacies of the growing process.

Roasting is done in-house, in small productions using energy -efficient air roasting. Each batch is tweaked accordingly to the type of bean, creating a truly bespoke system. This attention to detail and meticulous consciousness to the whole process means a thoughtfully produced brew, created with passion and care. With a large range of organic single origin, smooth blends and Italian-style expresso, Gringo Nordic will find a coffee to match every discerning palette.

And talking matches made in heaven, Gringo Nordic supply the coffee to Hotel Flora’s buffet breakfast – so the honestly sourced and roasted taste can be enjoyed as your first ritual of the day, alongside cinnamon buns, creamy yoghurt and loganberry jam. Why wait until fika?

Where to Stay

When you hit Gothenburg, you need to stay where the youthful fashionista hangs out - tune your style buds to funky, gelato tones paired with chic urban styling.

Hotel Flora is a modern creative den of coolness and is the creative hotbed of town - hook up with the fashionista, local hipster and next model.