On 4th October, Sweden’s most beloved pastry takes centre stage: the cinnamon bun. Known in Swedish as the kanelbulle, this golden swirl of butter, sugar, and cinnamon has achieved near-mythical status. So much so that since 1999, the country has marked Kanelbullens dag — Cinnamon Bun Day — with buns baked by the million.
A Sweet Slice of Swedish Life
The cinnamon bun might look simple, but it carries huge cultural weight. The average Swede consumes cakes and pastries equal to around 316 cinnamon buns each year, proof of a national obsession. The bun’s origins date back to the 1920s, though the recipe only became widely accessible in the 1950s once ingredients such as flour, butter, eggs, and cardamom were easier to find. Today, the smell of freshly baked cinnamon buns drifting from cafés is as quintessentially Swedish as a red wooden cottage or a snowy forest.
Central to this ritual is fika, the daily practice of slowing down with coffee and cake. It’s more than a coffee break: fika is about connection, conversation, and carving out time in the day to recharge. Many Swedish workplaces unofficially schedule two fika breaks, and many visitors soon discover that some of the best ideas and memories emerge over a steaming mug and a sticky bun.
Where to Experience Fika in Sweden
If you’re planning to celebrate Cinnamon Bun Day (or any day, really) in Sweden, here are some of the top spots to enjoy fika like a local:
- Café Saturnus, Stockholm
Tucked away in the Östermalm district, Café Saturnus is famous for serving some of the biggest cinnamon buns in the country — giant, plate-sized spirals that are as much a photo opportunity as they are a snack. Despite their size, they’re wonderfully light and fragrant. - Vettekatten, Stockholm
Founded in 1928, this elegant patisserie is a step back in time. Its wood-panelled rooms and chandelier lighting create the perfect atmosphere for a leisurely fika. The buns here are beautifully traditional, with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. - Haga, Gothenburg
Head to Gothenburg’s charming Haga district, where cafés spill out onto cobbled streets lined with wooden houses. Café Husaren is the star of the show, renowned for its enormous Hagabullen — a cinnamon bun so large you’ll probably want to share it (though no one will judge you if you don’t). - Flickorna Lundgren, Skåne
Down in southern Sweden, this historic garden café has been run by generations of the Lundgren family. The cinnamon buns are freshly baked and often enjoyed al fresco in the summer months, surrounded by flowers and buzzing bees. - Chokladkoppen, Gamla Stan
Nestled in Stockholm’s Old Town, Chokladkoppen is cosy, colourful, and packed with atmosphere. It’s a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike, where buns arrive warm from the oven and coffee is served in generous mugs.
A Bun Worth Travelling For
To truly understand Sweden’s love affair with cinnamon buns, there’s nothing better than sitting in a café, watching the world go by with a bun in one hand and coffee in the other. Cinnamon Bun Day on 4th October is the perfect excuse to plan a fika-filled escape, but in truth, every day in Sweden can be Cinnamon Bun Day if you know where to look.
So whether you find yourself in a stylish Stockholm café or a rustic countryside bakery, make sure to order a kanelbulle. It’s more than a pastry, it’s a delicious way to experience Sweden’s heart and soul.
