Take a stroll down any New York City street and we guarantee you’ll lose track of how many coffeeshops you pass, but unbeknownst to many NYC is also home to many coffeeshops hidden off the beaten path where you can also grab a delicious cup of joe…that’s if you know where to look!
Though we New Yorkers typically know to avoid Midtown at all costs, this may just make you want to think twice about doing so–tucked away in the basement of the neighborhood’s Church of Sweden is an enchanting café where you can drink Swedish coffee, eat delicious pastries, and indulge in various Swedish sweets.
The History of the Church of Sweden
To clarify, the church itself as it currently stands doesn’t exactly date back to 1873, rather it was formerly known as the Swedish Seamen’s Church and has a long history that began with serving as a rest stop for Scandinavian sailors beginning in 1873. In 1921 the neo-Gothic building–where the church is currently housed–was constructed. The building was then sold to the Church of Sweden in 1978, during which time it was retrofitted to include a chapel, library, and coffee shop.
As of 2014 the church was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The NYC Church of Sweden Café
Today, the Church of Sweden Café pours perfectly steaming cups of joe and tea, but besides that it also serves delicious Swedish comfort food including open-faced smörgåsar sandwiches, pastries like cinnamon and cardamom buns baked fresh daily, and bottled beer. There’s also a selection of Swedish groceries to purchase.
Beyond the café the church’s library also offers visitors a cozy place to get some work done (there’s free WiFi), read a book, or maybe even teach yourself Swedish! The church largely caters to a Swedish clientele, though all are welcome. You can find out more about the NYC Church of Sweden Café on its website.
📍 5 East 48th Street
🗓 Saturday & Sunday
⏰ 12 to 4 pm