When I studied abroad for a semester in the 1990s at the University of Stockholm, I made a sweet discovery that changed my life — the cardamom bun. Known as “kardemummabulle” in Swedish, this pastry is a buttery beauty that is like a cinnamon bun but with lots of cardamom flavor instead. When I pair it with a cup of strong coffee, I’m in heaven. And now I don’t have to go all the way to Scandinavia to find one.

Fabrique Bakery (a Swedish company) opened its first New York location in 2019, and the crowds have been lining up on 14th Street ever since. They use wood-fired ovens to give it that authentic taste just like back in Sweden. My tip is to get there early when even on weekends, you can still score a table. Before you leave, make sure you grab a dessert like a brownie or raspberry cake. Or even better, take home some bread. Their sourdough loaves are some of the best I’ve ever tasted — and some of the most expensive at $10 for a half loaf!