Café culture is alive and well in Stockholm. Rooted in the tradition of fika (which is a word without equal in English, meaning, roughly, to take time out for coffee, to gather, to eat cake), it’s unsurprising that the Swedish capital would be awash with intimate coffeehouses and cafés. One such, with an enviable position on Stockholm’s waterfront, is le Café from hospitality group, Stureplansgruppen.

Decorated with style and flair in muted shades of dusky red and slate grey, it’s a welcoming port in the storm when the weather turns blustery. The huge windows, on the other hand, let the light flood in during the summertime. But whatever the season, the coffee is hot and well-crafted and the food menu is sure to tempt. le Café offers meals and light bites from breakfast through to early dinner, with plenty of cakes and other sweet treats in between. There are hefty sandwiches, healthy – yet tasty – salads, yoghurt with fresh fruit, and plenty of crisp, flaky pastries to accompany your strong cup of joe.

Open during the workweek, it attracts a mix of business types and waterfront-wanderers. It’s also a stone’s throw from the Stockholm Central Station, making it a great pitstop either before or after a journey.