IKEA has long been known and loved for its food offering, with its Swedish meatballs one of the major highlights of a trip to the store for many people. But throughout May it's about to get even better, as the furniture store is offering customers afternoon tea – or Swedish Fika – and it only costs £5 per person!
What does Swedish Fika mean? Fika is considered a social institution in Sweden; it means having a break, most often a coffee break, with either your colleagues, your friends, a date or with family. The menu includes everything from the famous meatballs to cinnamon buns and Daim cake, providing the perfect fuel for your furniture shopping. There are also vegetarian options available, but other dietary requirements can't be catered for at this time.
IKEA is launching Swedish Fika in its stores throughout May
IKEA's team will talk you through each section of Fika, and how it came to be a Swedish tradition. You'll also get the chance to make your own canapes and receive a free cookbook at the end of your meal.
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Tempted? You'll have to be quick and book a slot to be able to try the Fika for yourself. The event is only available throughout May and is bound to sell out quickly. Each booking is limited to two people for a 45-minute slot, with the £5 payable on the day.
The full menu includes…
- Prawn & egg canape / Seaweed pearl & egg canape (v)
- Meatball open sandwich / Cheese open sandwich (v)
- Krustader with herring / Krustader with cheese & gherkin (v)
- Daim cake (v)
- Cinnamon bun (v)
- Kafferprep pastries & biscuits
IKEA is considering opening stand-alone restaurants
IKEA's food has become increasingly popular with shoppers, so much so that the retailer is now considering opening stand-alone restaurants. Research has found that 30 per cent of IKEA customers visit the store with no intention to buy furniture but simply to eat, prompting IKEA Food's managing director Michael La Cour to speculate about how the range could expand.
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"I firmly believe there is potential. I hope in a few years our customers will be saying, 'IKEA is a great place to eat and, by the way, they also sell some furniture,'" he told Fast Company.