Pairing Smörgåsbord correctly — a note on aquavit

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Smörgåsbord. I ordered it with aquavit and the herbal with dill elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. gravlax cured salmon in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Swedish fika culture elevates the coffee break with pastries into a social institution. The a cosy fika café is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Smörgåsbord with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.