Weekend in Malmö: Experience the city in 48 hours

MJ's is a popular four-star hotel, located in Malmö's lively entertainment district just a stone's throw from Lilla Torg. The hotel's surrounded by picturesque cobbled streets and several of Malmö's best restaurants, shops and nightclubs are just around the corner. Perhaps best of all, the hotel bar also happens to be one of the city's buzziest pubs, where hotel guests mingle with Malmö locals thirsty for a cocktail in the evenings.

If you expect high standards of comfort and location, the Clarion Hotel & Congress at Malmö Live is a safe bet. The hotel's close to everything, with Malmö Central, Stortorget and the University area all within walking distance. The enormous building also houses the Malmö Live Concert Hall as well as an Italian restaurant, a bar and a roof terrace. There are magnificent views of the city from the 25th floor.

Do you want to stay at a truly quirky hotel, where you have to take a lift half a floor to get to the right level and the walls are adorned with pictures of rock stars who have previously stayed at the hotel? Then Mayfair is the hotel for you. Several rooms feature exposed ceiling beams and breakfast is served under medieval vaults.

In Malmö, everyone has a favourite falafel place that they claim serves the best falafels in town. According to many, Badran's Superfalafel is the place to go as a beginner in search of an authentic Malmö falafel. They serve a good budget lunch consisting of fresh vegetables, freshly fried chickpea balls and a generous mix of sauces. Because in Malmö you order your falafel with "all vegetables, mixed sauce" if you don't want stand out from the crowd waiting in line behind you.

If you want to kickstart your afternoon with an exciting beer or cocktail, this is the place to go. The hip bar's motto is ironically “No jazz”, and they're passionate about music, food, and beer. Food-wise, American and Mexican cuisine takes centre stage, with a menu featuring tasty comfort food like ribs and tacos. In the summer, you can sit outside in the shade under the large parasols to enjoy food and drinks.

"Fast slow food" is the concept at Bōru Bowl Bar, which creates Asian bowls with exciting ingredients and techniques. Days of preparation go into each bowl, but once you've placed your order, they're served fast. Many of their bowls are made with fish, but several of them can be made vegan. Fresh, flavourful, and fast are the keywords here.

Saltimporten Canteen, in an old warehouse in the city's northern harbour area, serves affordable lunches made with fresh ingredients. The focus is primarily on modern takes on classic Swedish home cooking, with international elements.

Noir is one of Malmö's best coffee bars, so any coffee geeks are advised to seek it out. Their breakfast menu is pared back but includes fresh options such as poached egg and avocado sandwiches, baguettes and delicious juices. The outdoor seating area is Continental-style with chairs and tables facing the street, which makes it particularly suitable for spotting stylish Malmöites.

Kungsgatans Café is so popular that the windows often get fogged up during their weekend breakfasts. They serve a simple but classic weekend breakfast with yoghurt, eggs, fresh rolls and various types of toppings. However, the real reason people return weekend after weekend is the waffles and the wonderful aroma they spread throughout the café. A bright, warm and open setting with large windows to look out on on a chilly autumn day.

Nostra is the minimalist sibling of Noir Vin & Kaffekultur and equally popular with Malmöites. They serve pastries and dishes that work just as well for breakfast as for a coffee break in a pared-back corner locale with beautifully arched windows and minimalist design. Cold-pressed juices, oatmeal porridge, sandwiches and French toast, all made from scratch, are just a few examples of Nostra's offering. 

If you're looking for a café with a fun twist, steer a course for Café Jesusbaren. The decor here is completely unique, with mismatched furniture and walls completely covered in paintings and knick-knacks. Inspiration comes from Latin American baroque literature and they occasionally organise events such as flea markets, poetry nights and concerts.

Bise consists of both a restaurant and a bar, so you can enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine before heading to the restaurant for dinner. The menu is short but well-balanced, featuring dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, with a special emphasis on Southern European dishes.

In the evenings, this wine bar serves Southern European dishes perfect for sharing around the table, a concept that draws in guests to their industrial premises on Drottningtorget. Seasonal ingredients are transformed into delicious dishes for sharing, from snacks to substantial steaks. In 2023, Marie Antoinette was awarded Restaurant of the Year by the City of Malmö.

Far i hatten manages to achieve the perfect balance of restaurant feel and relaxed street food joint. The restaurant, housed in a cosy wooden cottage in Folkets Park, serves really crispy pizzas and delicious natural wines.

Köket Lu aims to recreate the feeling of a Chinese family gathering, with a relaxed and lively atmosphere, and a steaming (and slightly chaotic) kitchen. They serve up street food from Hong Kong, spicy dishes with Cantonese flavours, such as wontons, meat, fish, and seafood, eaten with rice and washed down with appropriate drinks.

What would a weekend be without a hearty hamburger? Some claim that Casual Street Food is as good as the best burger joints in Brooklyn. We'll leave that for you to decide, but there's no doubt they serve delicious hamburgers in nice surroundings. It's also just a short distance to Möllan from here if the night is still young. Casual Street Food doesn't take reservations, so just pop by and wait for a free table.

Malmö's historic open-air bathhouse - called "Kallis" among Malmöites - is the ideal destination when you need a little perking up. At the end of a long jetty that leads you out into the waters of the Öresund, lies this mighty wooden building where you can sauna and take cold dips in the classic Scandi way all year round. If you get peckish after your dip, head to the bathhouse's excellent restaurant for a prawn sandwich and a cold beer.

Malmö has a rich cultural scene including exhibitions, museums, concerts, and theatre. We've have compiled some tips on places to check out if you want to immerse yourself in the city's culture during your stay.

Most would probably agree that Malmö, both geographically and in terms of character, is the closest Sweden gets to the Continent. To enhance this feeling, we recommend a few games of boules at Boulebaren, whose French-inspired premises are perfect for a slightly larger group of friends. And don't forget the most important thing: The winner buys pastis for everyone.

Bermuda was the first place not just in Malmö, but in the whole of Sweden, to offer deck shuffleboard - a fun activity best described as a larger version of shuffleboard. No prior knowledge is required, so take the opportunity to play a game or two, and perhaps finish off with a meal in the restaurant.

Malmö may not be Venice, but it does boast a canal that surrounds the old parts of the city. At BookaBoat you can easily book an electric boat for you and your party. You can steer it by yourself, and you're free to bring your own food and drink on board.