In partnership with Malmö Tourism. This press trip was kindly sponsored by Malmö Tourism, who covered my flights, accommodation and expenses, thank you to Malmö!
99.9% of the photos taken on my recent trip to the coastal Swedish city of Malmö were of coffee shops, so naturally I thought it was a good idea to dedicate one post to the many caffeinated stops, cinnamon buns, sweet treats and cool cafes we happened upon. I’ll follow up with a broader travel guide of Sweden’s third largest city – my friend and fellow Scandinavian design enthusiast Hannah (of Copenhagen-based blog Hannah in the House) and I spent a lovely few days discovering everything the creative city has to offer – but for now the focus is firmly on fika!
Fika – that warm, much-loved Swedish tradition of coffee and a little something sweet in the afternoon. Much like the Danish word ‘hygge’, though, it encompasses so much more than a quick break and the need for a pick-me-up. It’s not really about what you eat or drink (although the tasty cinnamon buns certainly are very appealing!), but about taking time out of your day to slow down, sit with a friend or a colleague, share a moment and socialise. I think everyone could probably do with such a pause each day. In the winter, fika is often enjoyed by cosy candlelight, while in summer, Malmö’s cafes spilled outside to make the most of the unusually hot weather.
Hannah and I got very good at fika together (the Swedes also use the word as a verb), stopping every now and then to rest our weary legs, collect our thoughts, natter away, regain our energy (especially after pedalo-ing and cycling around) and of course, snap a few photos for Instagram. So, here I’ve listed 5 of my favourite places to enjoy Swedish fika in Malmö, from green-filled cafes and bucolic gardens to concept stores and intimate neighbourhood spots.
Atrium
Tucked away down a quiet street, slightly away from the central goings on of Malmö, but definitely not one to miss – Atrium is a light, airy, modern space with a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The spaces are vibrant with greenery and there’s even a gorgeous plant shop adjoining the cafe.
There’s lots of different places to sit and enjoy fika here – from people watching at the bar and cosy tables for two in the small interior rooms, to an awning-covered courtyard outside and cafe tables in the park next door. The coffee was excellent and the menu offers everything from croissants and cakes to healthy salads and eggs benedict, with several vegan options too. With the glorious sun shining, Atrium felt like it had the relaxed vibe of Melbourne, the effortlessly cool ambience of Copenhagen and the urban bustle of Amsterdam, all wrapped up into one lovely place.
Atrium, Skvadronsgatan 13, 21749 Malmö
Noir Kaffekultur
Located in the cobbled streets of the old town, Noir is a cosy spot with plenty of outdoor cafe seating for people watching. The terrace is perfect for enjoying the warmer weather, while the cafe would also make the ideal place to shelter in the winter. Inside, the space is typically Scandinavian, with square, white metro tiles, low mood lighting and sheepskin throws. The coffee was good and they had some excellent salads when we were there – watermelon, feta cheese, red onion and green olives being one example. Bonus style points for their Skagerak ‘Edge’ mugs.
Noir Kaffekultur, Engelbrektsgatan 6, 21133 Malmö
Slottsträdgårdens Kafé
A short walk from the centre is Malmö’s oldest park, the city’s green lung, carved out by the canal that weaves it’s way through and around the old town. Across from the castle you’ll find Slottsträdgårdens Kafé, a small garden cafe with a greenhouse to sit in and outdoor picnic benches. It’s self service, so grab a free spot outside and enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by nature – it felt a bit like we weren’t really in a city at all.
Slottsträdgårdens Kafé, Malmöhusvägen 8, 211 18 Malmö
AB Småland
AB Småland was another absolute favourite, sandwiched between the old town and the trendy area of St Knut. It’s both a cafe and a lifestyle concept store – the owner describes it as a place ‘where the unexpected meets the traditional’, somewhere where you’ll find natural vegan food, plants a plenty, vintage homewares and fashion made from organic or recycled material. We enjoyed a healthy lunch followed by delicious vegan cardamom buns and elderflower cordial. Once you’ve fuelled up, there’s two vast floors to explore and we could easily have spent hours here (and bought the whole shop, budget allowing…).
AB Småland, Södra Förstadsgatan 25-27, 211 43 Malmö
Jord – frukost, fik & butik
Jord is another place to go if you like your fika healthy, wholesome and vegan. We cooled down from the 30C temperatures with kombucha. The space is light and vibrant, with hanging plants and a mix of vintage and modern furniture. My eye was drawn to all the little details – the handwritten menu, the wifi code crocheted into a frame, the piles of magazines to read. They also have a little space selling handmade products from local artisans and manufacturers. A must visit.
Jord – frukost, fik & butik, Falsterbogatan 1, 211 58 Malmö
All images Cate St Hill
