Once a harsh, industrial center, the Swedish city of Malmö has undergone a transformation. After the shipyard closed in the 1980s, artists moved into the city, paving the way for a modern boom in urban planning and sustainable development. The next stage of the city’s renaissance took place in 2000, when the Öresund Bridge was opened, connecting Malmö with Copenhagen. Almost overnight, it became an adopted suburb of the Danish capital, enabling residents to commute to work every day.
The Swedish theme of ‘fika’ (the act of eating a little something, drinking coffee and socializing) is something locals can’t live without, and most cafes here serve snacks alongside their coffee. Multiculturalism only adds to Malmö’s charm, as this southern city is home to over 180 nationalities. This melting pot influences every aspect of the environment, creating a fascinating mix of cultures and the delicious buzz of different languages on the street.
This is also evident in the coffee scene, where cafes stand out for their experimentation, individuality and heritage. Jumping from cafes with Milan-themed interiors, to experimental roasteries selling second-hand clothes, cozy gardens where you can sip and snack, and bakeries combining Eastern European delicacies with Swedish delicacies. Malmö truly has a café culture for you, no matter where you come from.
All of the shops featured in this guide are located in the Venerable Town or adjacent to Möllan, the artsy part of town, a ten-minute walk from the train station – perfect for day-trippers from Copenhagen.
Nordic brewing laboratory
Nordic brewing laboratory opened in April in the ancient Djäkne location (coworking cafe). From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that they take coffee seriously. The walls are decorated with high-end coffee equipment and bags of specialty beans. Guests are encouraged to sit at a long wooden counter and given a menu. They offer a wide range of espresso drinks at moderate prices, a carefully selected list from renowned roasters, and the final page “uncommon and exclusive” is intended only for earnest aficionados. If you want to spend the equivalent of a bottle of fine champagne on a frozen vial of award-winning coffee, this is your site.
Tinctures are prepared on the counter and lightly brewed. The store’s airy design reflects the excitement of the staff. They really make the guest feel welcome and engage in conversations about modern roasteries they have discovered or brewing methods. For those with an experiential edge, they offer the option of adding drops Apex Lab mineral solutions for coffee. This is a relatively modern concept in the specialty coffee community, as different bottles contain mineral compositions that emphasize acidity, sweetness or floral depending on the bean.
This is a coffee shop for those who are already far down the rabbit hole, and the barista’s passion for coffee makes a guest feel like a friend within minutes.
Cafe No. 6
This cozy cafe near Folkets Park, it serves one of the best filter coffees in the city. Locals treat it almost like an extension of their living room, so don’t be surprised if someone drops in in their pajamas. Visitors can choose from a variety of smoking lounges, and if the sun is shining, head to the charming garden café. When your coffee is ready, the barista will bring it to you.
During our visit, they presented coffees from a Polish roastery HYBand drank a wonderful washed pink Bourbon from Italian roasters, Keep them. Prepared using an Origami dripper, it was wonderfully floral, sweet and airy. Having a vast garden opposite makes this one of the most pet-friendly cafes in the city and a great opportunity for fika. They have a compact menu that includes vegan and gluten-free items.
Flax
Every city needs such a neighborhood community Flax. Modest, cozy, lively and amiable. Situated beneath a long row of residential buildings, they are the perfect place to sit outdoors on clear mornings. Brewing only beans from Shed (a legendary Swedish roastery), you can rest simple knowing that your coffee will be delicious.
Len is connected to the city’s organic farm and sells a whole range of products from there. They offer a vast food menu and a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. All food is plant-based and locally sourced. Inside, you’ll find constrained seating in a window cabin where you can enjoy experimental jazz music.
It’s no wonder they received the ‘Best Cafe in Malmö’ award in 2021; If we lived here, it would definitely be on our weekly radar.
Cafe in Möllan
Möllan is an artsy neighborhood filled with quirky second-hand shops, cafes, and farmers markets. He’s sitting on the corner Cafe in Möllanthe Swedish equivalent of a northern Italian café. Serving mostly slightly darker, roasted espresso-based drinks, this is the place to come if you miss ordering “Un caffè, per favore” at the counter, sip it and go on your merry way.
Weekends can be raucous, mainly with locals in the area. This creates a steadfast following, and it can be fun to watch. When asked if they offer V60 or filter coffees, the answer was no. When pressed, they explained that it was so busy on weekends that if they were to produce the V60, the line would be around the block.
Perfect for a quick stop, Kaffebaren på Möllan is a typical stop on Malmö’s coffee wanderings.
Pay
Pay is smoking coffee behind the central station and while looking through this guide, I could have ended up there by accident. Fortunately for customers who can read directions, their café is located near the river where Swedes row their boats on clear days. The cafe is considered one of the originators of specialty coffee in these parts, and Solde has a long history of roasting medium and medium roast coffee and selling huge quantities online. If it’s too slow to grab one of the few outdoor seating areas and you don’t feel like sitting inside, being close to the grassy riverbank will be an attractive option. This is primarily a takeaway place.
Known for their quirky packaging, their coffee is a mix of blends and single origin. Batch brew tends to rotate, but a airy roast Ethiopian is almost always on offer. This is pretty good.
1998
Thrift shop hunters with a penchant for caffeine and vivid lights flock to them 1998. This quirky shop/cafe roasts its own beans and sells used clothes and random oddities. The center of this operation, located a few minutes’ walk from Triangeln, is overseen by co-founders Carl Treberg and Mario Vezic. The 1998 coffee profile leans more toward anaerobic, funky coffees, but there are usually one or two wash options available for purists.
The bench at the front allows for great people watching and the atmosphere is very teenage and lively. The Brazilian house coffee we ordered had a chocolatey, sweet flavor profile with a neat finish. If you’re craving a liqueur, they have a well-prepared menu. They also supply beans to nearby businesses, showing that Malmö has welcomed them with open arms.
Bullarbyn Bakery
Polish baking techniques meet established Swedish fika at this colorful, organic bakery. As we have recently started brewing coffee dating back to 1998, visitors can expect their fruity flavors to be enhanced by lively cups. If you prefer non-coffee drinks, they have a selection of uncommon teas and hand-brewed artisan cocoa. The baked goods offer, headed by owner Marta Kubacka, includes established cinnamon rolls, sourdough bread and a wide range of Polish specialties.
Inside, it has a very “accidentally Wes Anderson” vibe, but it’s cozy. Their products for sale are designed and carried with an artisanal, carefully selected theme. Mali chocolate, cascara hazelnut cream and tins of special edition jasmine tea are just some of the temptations. There is a great selection of food and the room is vast enough to encourage conversation.
The sign outside reads, “The Roll is Coming,” and they’re not wrong.
