The kanelbulle, or Swedish cinnamon bun, is more than just a pastry; it is a part of Swedish culture that the law protects. Since 2004, Sweden has had an official “Cinnamon Bun Day” (Kanelbullens dag) on October 4. This shows how much people in this country love this buttery, spiced treat. The Swedish kanelbulle is less sweet than the American cinnamon roll, which is tall and has cream cheese frosting on top. The dough is soft and yeasted and it’s heavily spiced with cardamom. It’s shaped into a lovely knot or swirl and topped with pearl sugar for a light crunch. People in Sweden argue a lot about which bakery to go to because the best time to eat these buns is during the ritual of fika, which is a special coffee and pastry break.
Most of the five bakeries listed below are in Stockholm, which is known as the kanelbulle capital of the country. They are the best examples of this craft in southern Sweden. Each place has its own twist on the classic, from patisseries that have been around since the 1920s to recent winners of “Best Cinnamon Bun in Stockholm” and regional championships in West Sweden. These places have the best Swedish fika, whether you want to see the water, eat a cardamom-forward treat, or have a vegan-friendly swirl.
Top 5 Swedish Cinnamon Bun Bakeries
- Skeppsbro Bageri
- Vete-Katten
- Brödfabriken
- Tössebageriet
- Haga Tårtcompani & Bageri
A Closer Look at the Top 5 Swedish Cinnamon Bun Bakeries
1. Skeppsbro Bageri
Skeppsbro Bageri is on the waterfront at Skeppsbron in Stockholm’s Old Town district, which is a wonderful place to be. They serve kanelbullar that is still warm from the oven and has a view of the water that few other places can match. The bakery has earned the title of Stockholm’s Best Cinnamon Bun 2024, which has made it even more famous with both locals and tourists. Utilizing organic ingredients and traditional baking techniques, Skeppsbro produces buns that judges have praised for their perfect balance of spice and sweetness.
Key Points
- Award-winning credentials: Won the title of Best Cinnamon Bun in Stockholm in 2024.
- The location is beautiful, right on the harbor with stunning views of the water.
- Organic commitment: Only uses the best organic ingredients and old-fashioned baking methods.
- Every day, we bake buns to make sure they are as soft and tasty as they can be.
Achievements
- In 2024, it won a citywide contest for the “Best Cinnamon Bun in Stockholm.”
- Many travel guides say that the establishment is one of the best places in Stockholm to have coffee and cake.
- Tourists and locals alike love it because the food is always good and the recipes are real Swedish ones.
Feedback
People who come to Skeppsbro always say their kanelbullar are the best Swedish buns because they are soft, buttery and just the right amount of spice and sweetness. People often say that the best parts are the friendly, warm atmosphere and the chance to enjoy your pastry while looking out at the harbor. There is a unique blue bread truck parked near Katarinahissen that belongs to the bakery. The setup makes it easy for people who are busy to get buns.
Contact
Website: https://www.skeppsbrobageri.com/
2. Vete-Katten
Vete-Katten is the oldest and biggest patisserie in Sweden. It opened in 1920 on Kungsgatan in central Stockholm. This historic place has been making traditional Swedish pastries for more than a hundred years and its kanelbullar are still some of the best in the country. Vete-Katten bakes its buns in muffin tins and wraps them in waxed paper, which is different from how most modern bakeries do it. One reviewer said it was “like opening a little present, just for you.” TasteAtlas and many Stockholm food guides have given the patisserie awards and praise.
Key Points
- For 100 years, people have kept the real Swedish baking tradition alive.
- Signature presentation: Buns baked in muffin tins and wrapped in waxed paper for each person.
- A wide range of pastries: They have kanelbullar and other Swedish sweets like kladdkaka and prinsesstårta.
- Central location: Kungsgatan in Norrmalm is close to Stockholm Central Station.
Achievements
- This is Sweden’s oldest and biggest patisserie.
- Food experts like TasteAtlas have always said that this establishment is one of the best places in Stockholm to get cinnamon buns.
- In official city rankings, it is known as “the High Class Bun” and “the place to feast on classic Swedish pastries.”
Feedback
Customers love the kanelbullar at Vete-Katten because they are “soft, gooey and cinnamon-y,” and the fact that they are served on waxed paper makes them even better. One reviewer said that putting the bun with hot chocolate “blew my mind. ” The patisserie’s old-fashioned decor and the fact that you can see bakers making rolls every day make it feel like you’re in early 20th-century Stockholm. The place can get busy, especially during the afternoon fika hours, but the quality is always excellent.
Contact
Website: https://www.vetekatten.se
3. Brödfabriken
Brödfabriken is an artisan bakery in Jonsered’s old factory district, about 15 kilometers east of Gothenburg along the Gotaleden hiking trail. In 2025, this lovely place won the title of West Sweden’s Best Cinnamon Bun. The regional tourism board held a public vote to choose the winner. The bakery is known for its sourdough bread, fresh sandwiches, sweet pastries and exceptional coffee. The historic factory building is still very much alive in the bakery’s decor.
Key Points
- 2025 champion: the person who won the 2025 West Sweden’s Best Cinnamon Bun contest.
- Great location: right along the Gotaleden hiking trail in Jonsered’s old factory area.
- Artisanal focus: focuses on sourdough baking and traditional craft techniques.
- Full café experience: They serve coffee, sandwiches and sweet pastries, in addition to their award-winning buns.
Achievements
- In 2025, the public voted for it as the “Best Cinnamon Bun in West Sweden.”
- They won the same title in 2023, which shows that they are always exceptional.
- Café Torgstallet (2024) and Café på Klostret (third place, 2025) are two of the past winners of the contest.
Feedback
People who live and work nearby love Brödfabriken’s kanelbulle because it has the perfect amount of spice and a texture that makes it stand out from other bakeries in the city center. The old factory district gives the area its personality and being close to the Gotaleden trail makes it a great place for hikers to stop and have a snack. It’s best to call ahead to make sure the bakery has what you want because it is only open for a few hours each day.
Contact
Facebook: Brodfabrikrn
4. Tössebageriet
Tössebageriet, which opened in 1920 on Karlavägen in Stockholm’s Östermalm district, is one of the city’s oldest and most popular bakeries. Tössebageriet has kept its good name for over a hundred years by sticking to traditional recipes that make Swedes feel nostalgic. Their kanelbullar are made using an old recipe that gives them a classic flavor that many locals say tastes like “home.”
Key Points
- Historic credentials: Founded in 1920, this bakery is one of the oldest still in business in Stockholm.
- Traditional recipe: Uses a recipe that hasn’t changed in decades.
- Location: On Karlavägen in Stockholm’s upscale Östermalm neighborhood.
- The warm atmosphere is described as a “place of worship for traditional Swedish baking.”
Achievements
- Has been serving Stockholm nonstop for more than 100 years.
- Many people say this is the best place to get real kanelbullar that taste “like home” to Swedes.
- It is known as a cultural institution in Stockholm’s bakery scene.
Feedback
Customers say that Tössebageriet’s kanelbullar taste real and comforting, giving them a taste of Swedish baking history that modern bakeries don’t often get right. People often say that the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the feeling of stepping into Stockholm’s pastry history are the best parts. The bakery is still popular with both older Stockholmers who remember it from when they were kids and younger visitors who want to have a real experience. Because it is on Karlavägen, it is a lovely place to stop for a traditional fika.
Contact
Website: https://tosse.se/
5. Haga Tårtcompani & Bageri
Haga Tårtcompani & Bageri is a modern, eco-friendly bakery at Torsgatan 75 in Stockholm that honors traditional Swedish recipes while also meeting the needs of modern diets. Haga is different from most traditional bakeries because it has both regular kanelbullar and a special vegan version. This makes it a delightful place for all pastry lovers. The bakery changes its menu with seasonal specials, so there are always new reasons to come back.
Key Points
- There is a vegan option: they have a special vegan cinnamon bun as well as the regular one.
- Commitment to sustainability: Supports high-quality, environmentally friendly baking.
- Seasonal menu: Each month, there are special dishes that use fresh, local ingredients.
- Modern atmosphere: A comfortable, modern space made for a relaxed fika.
Achievements
- Known as one of Stockholm’s best vegan-friendly bakeries.
- Locals love it for its dedication to quality without sacrificing traditional flavors.
- Seasonal innovations have gained many fans.
Feedback
Customers say that Haga’s kanelbullar are “perfectly spiced,” and they like that there is a high-quality vegan option that doesn’t lose taste or texture. Reviews often mention how warm and welcoming the bakery is and how well the staff pays attention. The rotating seasonal specials keep regulars coming back and the classic kanelbulle is always a hit.
Contact
Website: https://www.hagabageri.se/
FAQ
What is the difference between a Swedish kanelbulle and an American cinnamon roll?
Cardamom is used in the dough for Swedish kanelbullar, which gives them a unique spiced smell that American versions don’t have. They are less sweet overall and have pearl sugar (pärlsocker) on top instead of cream cheese or sugar glaze. They are usually eaten as part of fika, which is a coffee break, instead of for breakfast. The texture is softer and more like bread.
Do Swedish bakeries offer vegan cinnamon buns?
Yes. Haga Tårtcompani & Bageri has a vegan kanelbulle in addition to its regular one. Many other modern bakeries in bigger cities also offer plant-based options. However, traditional bakeries like Vete-Katten and Tössebageriet stick to classic recipes that use butter and milk.
When is Cinnamon Bun Day (Kanelbullens dag) and how is it celebrated?
People celebrate Cinnamon Bun Day every year on October 4. The day was set up in 1999 to celebrate Swedish baking traditions. Bakeries all over the country sell tens of thousands of buns, schools and offices have fika breaks and many Swedes make their own kanelbullar at home. During this celebration, the public chose Brödfabriken, the winner of the 2025 championship in West Sweden.
Which bakery has won recent “Best Cinnamon Bun” awards?
In 2024, Skeppsbro Bageri won the award for Stockholm’s Best Cinnamon Bun. Brödfabriken won the title in West Sweden in 2025. Café Torgstallet won it in 2024 and Brödfabriken won it again in 2023. These yearly contests are very popular events in Sweden’s culinary calendar.
What is the proper fika etiquette for eating a kanelbulle?
A traditional fika includes coffee or tea and one or more pastries. The kanelbulle is the most common choice. It is a social ritual that should be enjoyed, not rushed. Don’t eat a kanelbulle while walking. Instead, sit down, take your time and if you can, share the experience with someone else. It’s also common to add a glass of cold milk, especially for kids or people who don’t drink coffee.
Are these bakeries accessible by public transport?
Yes. All five bakeries are accessible by public transport. Skeppsbro Bageri, Vete-Katten and Tössebageriet are in central Stockholm within walking distance of T-Centralen or Östermalmstorg stations. Brödfabriken is located in Jonsered, approximately 15 kilometers east of Gothenburg and is accessible via commuter trains or regional buses. Haga Tårtcompani is located near Torsgatan in Stockholm, accessible via multiple bus routes.
What distinguishes Brödfabriken from Stockholm bakeries?
Brödfabriken is not in Stockholm; it’s in West Sweden, near Gothenburg. It won the “West Sweden’s Best Cinnamon Bun” contest in 2025 and shows how exceptional the baking is outside of the capital. If you’re hiking the Gotaleden trail or visiting the Gothenburg area, this bakery is the best place to get an award-winning bun.
Do any of these bakeries ship kanelbullar or offer online ordering?
Some bakeries, particularly larger establishments like Vete-Katten, offer online ordering for pickup. However, most artisanal bakeries (Skeppsbro, Tössebageriet) operate primarily as physical locations with limited or no national shipping. The ideal experience—eating a kanelbulle within an hour of baking—requires visiting in person.
