Öner of Kulbay Coffee and the guys at Kura invited me to Stockholm for a short weekend trip. The main event, the reason why I was invited, was an amazing cupping session at Kura (an independent post coming up). I also had some time to visit coffee places that I had missed in the summer and added them to the Stockholm Coffee Map. Here’s a little summary of these great coffee spots which all happen to be on the same street. Vasastaden is becoming the new coffee mecca of Stockholm.
Disclaimer: In contradiction to other coffee places I’ve visited these ones only once. I can’t guarantee that you would get as good as I got but I certainly hope so!
Visit or regret afterwards - usually very good coffee, definitely a must for any coffee aficionado (Red pin on the map)
Cupcake STHLM (Sankt Eriksgatan 83, Stockholm)
Though Cupcake STHLM mainly focuses in, well, cupcakes, their coffee is also great. Roasted by Peter Frennhoff and Daniel Remheden (WBC finalist) of Love Coffee in Lund , Cupcake serves their Kenya Makwa AA and Ethiopia Kebado Dara as filter. Guys at Cupcake decided to go with filter as they felt that espresso might be too difficult – an excellent choice in my opinion. Great, crisp and sweet filter coffee and the only places to use Love in Stockholm (to my knowledge), pop in for a few nice cupcakes and a cup of goodness.
Flipping a coin – sometimes really good coffee, sometimes I refuse to pay. Depends a lot on barista, not very consistent but still worth trying. (Yellow pin on the map)
Kaffeverket (Sankt Eriksgatan 88, Stockholm)
Coffee by daMatteo, La Marzocco Linea & Mazzer Robur and stylish interior – Kaffeverket has it all. The reason why it fell to this category is that when I dropped in there was Johan, daMatteo’s guy in Stockholm, as a guest barista pulling the shots. Although he pulled very tasty shots I doubt that all the other baristas could achieve that. In other words, inconsistency is my fear. (This is only a doubt, I certainly hope they can prove it false!)
Cocovaja (Sankt Eriksgatan 109, Stockholm)
It is difficult to really describe Cocovaja – a concotion of cafe, deli and restaurant with bright interior, friendly staff and fresh roasted coffee by Haugaard. The espresso was still slightly too fresh but otherwise alright, maybe a hint of excessive bitterness.
Ristretto Barista Fight
Inspired by London’s Ultimate Barista Fighter. Aiming to create and deepen the coffee community, while using pod coffee machines. Having fun while competing against those annoyingly skillful barista from your rival cafe. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Ristretto Barista Fight!
(All the photos by Annika Welling-Nyberg)
The very first RBF was hosted at Kaffa two weeks ago. In order to make the event as accessible to everyone, from pro baristas to enthusiasts, we decided to pour some lattes with two separete categories: home baristas and “the ones who’ve worked at least one shift”.
Joona pulling the shots for the home barista competition
The event had over 20 participants which I consider a very nice amount compared to the size of Finnish coffee scene. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, drink some nice coffee and pour beautiful tulips and a few rosettas, too.
Thanks for all the participants and I’ll see you at the next RBF very soon! We already got a suggestion: a Versalab-themed joke competition…