For high-quality meals and traditional Swedish delights, this upscale museum cafe is a destination all in itself.

Across the Atlantic, in Sweden, the word "fika" refers to a daily break they take to enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat. It's a time when families and friends gather together to take a moment together.

I can't say enough about Fika. This place is just wonderful. Fika is located just inside the beautiful American Swedish Institute, an iconic feature of Minneapolis. Sitting in South Minneapolis, it's much easier to get to than, say, a downtown location. Plus, parking is totally free and being that there's a huge designated lot, you don't have to worry about parallel parking...bonus!

What you'll find at Fika is incredible dishes, bakery items, and coffees, in a family-friendly setting. It's hard to describe the feeling, but the American Swedish Institute, where Fika is located, has always just given me a wonderful, warm, welcoming family vibe. Even though it's sort of an upscale place, I have never felt out of place there, even in yoga pants or pandemic sweats. This is a place where they treat you like family. And, as we all know, when you're traveling or exploring with your family, you'll find out pretty quickly that unfortunately, not all places are terribly family-friendly. And, I've been there!

Fika has very creative, beautiful dishes, but also more traditional fare. They also offer some very special seasonal surprises, such as Pepparkakor (Gingerbread cookies) during the holidays, traditional Swedish Semlor (cream-filled pastries) during Lent, beautiful waffles for Vaffeldagen/Waffle Day, Kanelbullens Dag for Cinnamon Bun Day, Lussekatter, saffron buns for St. Lucia Day. Stopping by for any of these special seasonal treats would be a wonderful cultural experience for the whole family. We enjoyed the Semlor last year during Lent and they were both beautiful, as well as tasty! I love the scones at Fika, and I will say they are the best scones I've ever had in the Twin Cities, by far.

In the warmer months, you may enjoy your meal or treat in the beautiful courtyard. Additionally, they also bring out a play cart for the kids during the summer which offers many different fun toys to play with in the courtyard. It's wonderful!

I can't recommend Fika highly enough and think it's a lovely place for the whole family to enjoy. After enjoying a bite at Fika, I recommend paying the nominal entrance fee and enjoying the lovely American Swedish Institute. Housed in a gorgeous turn-of-the-century mansion next door, it's a must-see in the Twin Cities.