Lakis Psomas: My 5 best coffee experiences in Stockholm

Lakis Psomas has run several cafés and coffee bars, including Tro Hopp och Kaffe x Salong Betong at Arlanda Airport and Fikabaren in Södermalm. Today, he works as marketing and innovation manager at Beans in Cup.

But that doesn't mean he's stopped brewing coffee on a daily basis. Since 2023, he has been a four-time Swedish champion in the Barista and Brewers Cup, and has represented Sweden in the World Coffee Championships, where he also reached the final.

We asked Lakis for his top 5 tips for good coffee in Stockholm:

Svedjan Bageri

"Known for their highly acclaimed cinnamon buns, but also for their deep understanding of coffee. What really sets Svedjan Bageri apart is how it manages to combine baking and coffee craftsmanship in a organic and thoughtful way. Here, the coffee is treated with the same respect as the bread – with a focus on raw ingredients, craftsmanship, and balanced flavor. The result is an experience where coffee and pastries complement each other rather than compete. In many ways, Svedjan is a perfect representation of modern Swedish fika culture, where quality, craftsmanship, and taste take center stage."

Gast

"Impresses not only with its modern and relaxed atmosphere, but also with its well-thought-out coffee menu. What I particularly appreciate is their varied range of brewed coffee, where different origins and beans are highlighted and given space. This makes each visit a little different and reminds us that coffee is never just coffee – it is an expression of terroir, process, and craftsmanship. Gast is a place where you can grab a quick espresso at the bar or stay a while and explore how the different origins actually taste in the cup."

Pascal Café & Roastery

"Pascal has long been an important part of Stockholm's specialty coffee scene, and their roastery in Hagastaden adds another dimension to the experience. Here, you have the opportunity to get closer to the origins of the coffee and the entire process behind the cup. The coffee served is roasted on site, which makes the connection between roasting and brewing very clear. What I appreciate about Pascal is their consistent focus on quality – from the selection of beans to how the coffee is roasted and brewed. For those who are curious about how different origins and roasting profiles actually affect the taste in the cup, this is an obvious stop in Stockholm."

Nordic Brew Lab

"Nordic Brew Lab is one of the most nerdy coffee shops in Stockholm – in the best possible way. Here, the focus is entirely on coffee and how far you can actually take a cup. The menu often consists of carefully selected beans from some of the world's most respected roasters, and each kind of coffee is brewed in the way that best highlights its origin and process. What makes Nordic Brew Lab particularly interesting is their experimental approach to brewing. Water recipes, advanced brewing methods, and precision in every detail are a natural part of the experience. For those who really want to understand how far coffee can develop in the cup, this is an obvious stop."

Kersh Kaffebar

"Kersh Kaffebar in Södermalm is a place where the focus is simply on coffee. A small and personal coffee bar where the craftsmanship behind each cup takes center stage. What makes Kersh particularly interesting is their careful selection of beans and how they work with both espresso and filters to bring out the different expressions of the coffee. There is a clear respect for the raw ingredient here, and the barista behind the counter is often just as interested in talking about coffee as brewing it."