Café Rosenhill – a proper Swedish fika stop for motorcyclists

One of Stockholm’s most popular meeting spots for motorcyclists in search of a good fika.

It is a sunny Wednesday afternoon in Grödinge, Stockholm County. For many motorcyclists in the Stockholm area, that means heading out for a ride along the legendary Slingerbulten before stopping for a coffee or a bite to eat at Café Rosenhill.

The site where the café stands has strong local roots and has housed several different businesses over the years, including a petrol station with servicing facilities and a country store. A café has operated here since the 2000s, and in 2017 Helena and Christos were asked if they would like to take it over.

Both had many years of experience running their own businesses, with a strong focus on service and food. The couple had previously run three Wayne’s Coffee cafés in Stockholm, combining family life with entrepreneurship. But there was one thing they missed: freedom. They felt the franchise model was too restrictive and that it was time to move on and create something of their own, without so many rigid rules.

Naturally, they accepted the offer, and this year marks their tenth summer running Café Rosenhill.

Their son Vasilis is in charge of the kitchen, while their eldest daughter Melina, who has just graduated from upper secondary school, also works at the café. Alongside the family, a couple of other young women are part of the team as well.

“We feel at home here. The café has become our second home, and the children love it too.”

It is clear that the couple enjoy the freedom they have and the opportunity to keep developing the business. The previous owners of Café Rosenhill focused heavily on motorcyclists, but today the audience is much broader and includes all kinds of motoring enthusiasts. As the café is open all year round, it makes sense to appeal to as wide a range of visitors as possible. Alongside motor enthusiasts, you will also find tradespeople, travellers passing through, local residents, families with children and regulars. Everyone is welcome, although motorcyclists are still the largest group during the summer months.

In the future, they hope to gain access to more of the building they currently occupy. In particular, the rear of the property would give them more opportunities to continue developing the café.

The heart of Café Rosenhill

Vasilis is busy in the kitchen, and he has ambitions of his own. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue running the café. He also wants to develop and expand the kitchen so that he can work with as few limitations as possible.

For anyone in need of a refill, there is a broad selection of food, sandwiches, salads and classic Swedish fika. Among the sweet treats, their homemade buns, crumble pie and carrot cake are the most popular. The idea is to keep prices reasonable and portions generous, so that customers leave full and satisfied.

Some ingredients have become more expensive, but prices are still fair and there is something for everyone. Since VAT on takeaway food was reduced from 12 to 6 per cent in April, it has become slightly cheaper for customers, although Helena and Christos have not noticed any significant increase in the number of people choosing takeaway.

Motorcyclists also receive a permanent 10 per cent discount. You do not even need to ask for it.

Wednesdays at “Rosen”

Most motorcyclists in the Stockholm area have probably heard of the “Wednesday meets at Rosenhill”, but where did the tradition actually begin?

Originally, riders would meet at Skogskyrkogården in Stockholm, head out along Slingerbulten and then gather at Café Rosenhill. The tradition has continued, and motorcyclists still meet here on Wednesday evenings after work. These days it almost happens by itself, and the fact that the café sits beside one of Stockholm’s most popular and twistiest roads certainly helps.

For anyone approaching from the Trosa area, there is the option of taking the ferry across Skanssundet and winding your way up to the café. Many riders also make a longer loop of it, taking in stretches of both Sörmland and Slingerbulten. Plan the day well and there is time for both lunch and a fika on the way home.