Lunch in Shoreditch: Fika

As far as food is concerned, the area of Shoredtich offer to people who came here an amazing variety of choices. Doesn’t matter what you like, in Shoreditch you will probably find it. Going for a salt beef and cream cheese beigel after a night out in the area, I’ve always noticed a smal, wooden place, right close to the beigel shop, the Fika.

I have tasted lot of different food both in the city and in the area of Shoreditch, but I’ve never tried the Swedish cousine, what Fika is actually offering. The right place to enjoy the lunch in my day off with some friends.

The English translation of Fika is coffè break and getting inside the restaurant immediately make you feel at ease. The forniture and the soft lights in the place make the atmosphere inside the restaurant very relaxing, as every daily break should be. The small roof garden upstairs makes the Fika a special place to visit also because it makes you feel far from the crowded city just outside the restaurant.

The menu is changing throughout the seasons but all the food menu is completely Swedish, as well as a selection of beers and cocktails. Even if I’ve never tried Swedish plates before, chosing my meal hasn’t been that difficult as the staff is very friendly and every plate is nicely described in the menu, so you won’t get lost. I advice the plate that I went for. The amusing pork belly served with potatoes, carrots and broccoli (£ 12). Very tasty and very good with a glass of red wine (one of the few non-Swedish thing in the menu. I went for a Genache- France 2010).

Fika is not just about having lunch or dinner, but the selection of cocktails (all £ 7) make it a perfect place to join before to begin the night in the busy Shoreditch as well as to relax with a glass of Prosecco after coming back from work.

The aim of the Fika is explained on its website (www.fikalondon.com) : “relaxed socializing, taking a break from our hectic lives to catch up with friends over simple, fresh food and drinks in a comfortable and friendly environment”. Exactly what you feel like getting there.

By : Lorenzo Bettoni