Semla in Stockholm

I figured that semla would be good so I went all in this season and after the weekend’s run I ended up with a semla for lunch. A good tradition I must say. I like to test things and that’s why I have chosen different semlas for my tests. Semla is something I often mention to foreign acquaintances as a classic Swedish fika that must be tried. But the season is limited. From just after Christmas to eastern you can find it. Nowadays coffee shops have started to develop own creative versions of the master piece. Do you like semla? Do you have a favorite? Here are the results of my test.

Thelins konditori

The bun was really juicy and the almond paste was perfect and lots of it. I love almond paste. However, the cream was quite tasteless and the lid was dry. In terms of appearance, this cream bun was classic. I get a 3a rating. No wow experience right away. Thelins is available everywhere in Stockholm but I bought my semla in Älvsjö.

Pom & Flora

Semla porridge served during the Semla season at my favorite brunch place in Stockholm was wonderful and more than filling. Not sweet but rich and fantastically tasty. Plenty of toppings too. This gets a four out of five Semla ratings. You can find the porridge during the Semla season at Pom & Flora on Odengatan. In 2025 they also serve banana bread semla version but I have not tried it. Anyone else who did?

Tösse bageriet

The semel wrap was very hyped when it came out a about ten years ago (2015?) but I haven’t tried it until now. But oh how good it was. Especially after running 20 miles it was a hit. Just enough bread for my taste because that’s the filling you want anyway, or what do you say? Five out of five semelas gets this creation for sure. You can find the Tösse bakery on Östermalm. 

Konditori Ritorno

Konditori Ritornoon Odengatan is a long-standing haunt and after living in the city for almost 9(!) years I stopped by and bought myself a semla after a run. It did not disappoint me. Or at first a little actually. The lid was not much to hang on the Christmas tree but the cream was just the right amount, then the almond paste. In 2025 they also pimped up their version with real pieces of almond with a touch of sea salt. How delicious? It was truly a dream with real almond pieces on the bottom. The bun was also absolutely perfect. As close to a 5 a semla can get, I say. Top 3 in the big semla test of 2025.

Brunkebergs konditori

Last Saturday after my run I was going to treat myself to a semla after breakfast coffee. I had heard that Lillebrors Konditori at St Eriksplan would deliver and stopped my run there after 10K. They probably delivered but the queue was probably 30 meters long and it was only 10 o’clock. Not something I wanted to stand in so after my visit to ICA I went into Brunkebergs bageri and bought a cream bun for my test. The taste is like the pastry but the cream was not great. However, I liked the bun and the almond paste so I give this creation a four on the points scale because of the strong cardamom flavor and a good bit of doughy consistency.

Anyone else who is up for a semla today?

/ Pernilla that wishes everyone happy semla day