FIKA

They don’t know what they are doing. They were slow and rude. The latte was too expensive for the quality. The bathroom was really dirty. Never gonna go back there.

Arrived at 5pm Sunday and was told they were «closing soon» and couldn’t make a coffee drink. Business closes at 6…

I think you really start to understand a place once you have the full experience: including sitting down and eating… instead of the grab and go.
I have been here many a times and I don’t think I would’ve bothered to review this place until I had my first bad experience… which was pretty recently 2 weeks ago.
Usually I just grab a coffee and a little dessert or pastry and I am on my way… but if a coffeeshop decides to offer soups and sandwiches and salads. I think its my opinion that they should serve it correctly…
I didn’t expect much. but if you even ruin my basic expectations I think that is in need of reprimanding. I ordered the tomato soup that was supposed to have herb chicken and vegetable medley and whatnot.sure. They served it without chicken… what???
I asked the server and he proceeded to bring a little bowl of herb chicken that i guess they. forgot to add in? This was just mind boggling. Did they serve everyone that day without chicken unless people asked for it? To me, that is one of the fundamental aspects of serving food (you deliver what you say you will provide right?)
This was extremely disappointing to me as I have been to many a coffee shops where I have never experienced this. I understand that their focus is not on food. but there was also a lunch crowd so they probably be more careful about listing menu items going forwards…
The only reason why I added a star was because I am a pretty big fan of their chocolate and I’ve spoken to a couple of very nice baristas so I would say service is a strong suit… I think I will skip on having lunch here going forwards, however…

What I like about this FIKA location is that in the hustle and bustle of Midtown East during regular work hours, it’s large enough that there is actually room to sit down at noon unlike every other Starbucks in the area. Sure the prices are pretty high, but the ambiance and service are both great. They have everything from fancypants coffee drinks, to teas, to energy bars, to lunch foods, to chocolates and pastries, truly catering to whatever your craving is.

Unlike other coffee shops in the area, I have luckily never waited in a long line here. This location rarely becomes overwhelmed with customers. Good for a short coffee break.
Must tries: the Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate. It’s really delicious, a nice twist to the traditional plain. What you get is a thick chocolate drink with a small kick of spiciness. They use good quality chocolate, so it is NOT like an overly sugary drink with whipped cream, marshmallows, or what-​not. It is very rich (You can stretch one cup into 3 after adding in extra heated milk)! Unfortunately, I’ve been to other FIKAs and it seems certain locations make a much weaker Hot Chocolate. Luckily, this location doesn’t!
Their Swedish meatball platter is also pretty good. It comes with a side of salad and mashed potatoes. Even though they’re «side» items, the salad and mashed potatoes are quite tasty! The salad is coated in a tangy dressing. The meatballs smell… amazing, like that comforting smell of meatloaf! They are large and dense. Personally, I wish there are more of the sides and less meatballs, just so I’m not eating so much meat. (I’m the kind of person that prefers a slider over a full size burger.) The platter is a bit of a splurge for lunch, but if I’m ever in need of some meatball comfort food, I’d get it from here.

It was ok. My husband and I stopped in for a refreshment on Sunday afternoon. The cold brew was good. We shared a cookie together and my husband had hot tea. Its very minimalistic but its to be expected.

Really cool place and a fair representation of a taste of Sweden. Growing up in Sweden, I lived on all the goodies they sell here, with the chocolate balls and the princess cake being the most popular. This place embraces the Swedish ambiance and décor to the T; simple, elegant, and straight forward!
The baked goods were fresh and very authentic. Rich in taste without being too sweet. Prices fair for the good quality and better compared to the run of he mills coffee shops popping up everywhere.
If you can’t make it to Sweden anytime soon, try to make it to Fika!

I like FIKA… It’s a nice change of pace from the other cafés I frequent, and it has a Scandinavian feel in terms of the décor (as it should, it is Swedish after all), and certainly makes me feel like I’m back in Europe again. I also like the fact that none of the locations that I’ve been to thus far are overly crowded, so I can sit back and have a macchiato and a pastry in peace in a nice quiet space. So far I’ve been to three locations and have been pleased. I’ve only done coffee and pastries at all of the FIKAs, including this one, but I’ll definitely be trying other things in the near future.
My only gripe is that I’d like them to be more transparent about their «locally sourced» claim. It all sounds good from a marketing standpoint, but at the price point that they’re hitting, I’m curious about whether or not they’re using organic ingredients or at least attempting to source as much organic products as possible, because as others have said, their prices are high. I’m willing to pay so long as I’m getting quality, but I don’t care for places that use GMOs or have food and drinks loaded with preservatives, etc. I’d also like them to be more environmentally friendly. It’s great that the packaging is all «Made in USA», but they can go even further and source more biodegradable packaging. I know because I frequent other places that do so at a similar price point, and I want to support more businesses that are environmentally responsible. We as a society produce enough waste as it is.

Located in front of the E, M line subway station, Fika is a wonderful alternative to «other» coffee shops.
Quality of coffee is excellent, soup and sandwich lunch special a winner. Chai green tea is supreme.
Chocolates are beautifully looking although quite expensive compare to the coffee and food options. Don’t expect traditional coffeeshop sandwiches.
Free wifi and clean bathroom available (not-​so-​easy to find in downtown Manhattan).

Most elegant coffee place in the city. The coffee is outstanding and my friend comes in regularly for lunch as well. The sandwiches are not your typical coffeehouse fare. The ceilings are high and the seating is abundant. And it’s quiet. If you take the 4÷5÷6 or E from 54^th (the Atrium stop with Infinity Shoe Repair – a cheap, great, and fast shoe repair), you have to go in.
The chocolates looks scrumptious. Pricey I think, but I am not really a buyer of chocolate and the prices are in line with gourmet chocolatiers generally I think.
So hope this Swedish chain makes it. The rent must be astronomical on a space like this but with all the offices close by, one hopes that it will.

I was super excited to see this rapidly expanding chain open next to my office. I went for a late lunch when most sandwiches were sold out already. I ordered the soup and half sandwich to go (seems like the soup is larger portion if you stay) for $ 10. The soup of the day was potato leek and I had the smoked salmon wrap. The soup was delicious. It was thick and very creamy. I compared it to almost like a fondue. The smoked salmon wrap however was a disappointment. There was minimal salmon and the wrap was overwhelmed by the mass quantities of bitter arugula. There were some parts of the salmon that tasted fishy like it had been sitting there too long. And you should never mess with uncooked salmon…
Also I don’t understand why on an off lunch time period when there was no one on line in front of me, why it took ten minutes to get my order to go. The wrap was pulled, cold, from the display case and the soup was simply put into a cup. Surely you don’t need ten minutes to do that? Someone behind the country is slacking!!!

Beautiful interior, but that’s about it. It has a corporate feel to the place.
I take my coffee black, no sugar. The fika here… well, first time trying fika, but was not impressed. It wasn’t strong and had some off taste to it. I was hoping some of the baked goods would be good to try, but the presentation looked plain and boring.
Price did not justify the experience. Would not come back unless someone wanted to come here.

It’s been 10 mins, I’m still waiting for my iced matcha latte. 2 cashiers, 1 person standing behind the counter looking at them, 1 person making the drinks. Over 20 people here waiting for their drinks. What’s the logic behind this management? I don’t know.
Now updating the review. After 17 minutes wait for this magical handmade iced green tea latte, I taste water beverage with green tea COLORING. I would not pay $.50 for this. Just take this drink off the menu, it’s ridiculous!

Their hot chocolate is worth stopping by and their chocolates as well. I’ve had their croissants — a little on the bready side.
I like their chairs — either stools or couches with a coffee table or regular chair and table.
It’s a good spot to get some coffee, hot chocolate, light breakfast or afternoon tea.

This place is big, definitely enough spot if you not only plan to grab a cup, but also interested in sitting down. They also have fabulous chocoate with or without alcohol. Latte was always a good choice, strict strawberry ice tea was cute as well. The best part is it is so close to where I work so it is farely easy to sneak out and have a refresh!

Let me start by professing my love of FIKA. I’ve been to multiple locations and each has it’s own style that to me fits the neighborhood it is in. Not cookie cutter like major chains. The coffee is strong as I like it but full of flavor as well. They have tons of impulse purchase goodies from jams to chocolates. They even have lunch sandwiches. I’ve had the egg sald many times and found it yummy and satisfying. This location has a very inviting atmosphere and the people working there have in my experience been excellent. Try FIKA you won’t be sad that you did.

I’m a coffee snob. I like my coffee well made. But the experience at FIKA on Lex Ave was just sad. I walked in, ordered a Cortado, took one sip, put the coffee down and walked away.
They were not even busy to justify that shame that they dare to call coffee.
I was happy when FIKA was finally expending but it just turned out to be another place that gives coffee a bad rep.
You wouldn’t put a person that doesn’t know how to cook as a chef in your the kitchen, so why would you put a person that doesn’t know how to make coffee as your Barista?
Btw, this was written AFTER I had my coffee so there’s no emotions involved (:

(Review for Coffee and Chocolates only)
Awesome new (opened Summer 2014) coffee catch up spot.
Love the bright white interior, minimalist design and nice escape from hectic Midtown when you walk in since it’s not congested
Get the chocolates! Great gift idea. Custom made boxes with at least 20 options of truffles and pralines. 12 for $ 24 or 24 for $ 45
Pleasantly surprised with a complimentary cup of coffee after purchase.
Heard from colleagues food is pricy and not really worth it. Tough competition with Pret next door and Au Bön Pain across the street.

Nice cozy surrounding, ample seating and the employees are nice and friendly now on the coffee department in my opinion just a little better than treehaus and others that are nearby.
So wether you are on a break or a business date. stop by and enjoy some good coffee but it still can’t touch stumptown! oh how I miss you:(

I don’t know what manager decided that this place was ready to open. There’s no wifi, it’s cash-​only, and they’re seriously understaffed. To their credit, everyone is holding it together while writing orders on slips of paper.
The coffee was quite bitter. I don’t know if crowds will avoid the neighbors (Pret, Au Bön Pain, and Paris Baguette) to line up for it here. And if this brew is your thing, sorry, but the servings are extra-​small.
Two positives: the design is absolutely beautiful, and it’s mostly empty.