Most of my eating experiences in Malmö restaurants have been Mints (great) and I’ve only had a few lemons… well more ‘meh’ than completely sucky.
Debunking a few myths
#1 Sweden is expensive
Sweden is often perceived as expensive. However, having moved here from Doha and knowing British prices, Malmö seems quite good value for money – particularly lunch or ‘Dagen’s meal’ which is normal the special for lunch. You can get good quality, fresh food from around 90 – 149 KR (30 – 50 QAR) and this meal will include bread, tap water (that’s free everywhere) and tea or coffee.
You can also pick up simple street food – shawarma, falafel wraps, and pizza pretty cheaply (but not as cheaply as in Qatar).
And you can pick up freshly made buns and pastries from around 30 KR (10 QAR). The cardamon bun by St. Jakobs is my new obsession.
#2 It’s not very international
Hani was a little worried that Malmö’s food scene wouldn’t be as international at Doha.
But we can safely say it’s not all pickled fish, smorrebord (open sandwiches), and meatballs.
He joined me for my first week here and we tried Asian food, Italian (Swedish style), Arabic (a falafel wrap and shawarma), salads, BBQ’d brisket, breads and bakery items.
Do you have any preconceived thoughts about Swedish food? I’d love to hear them.
My Arnie list (I’ll be back)
- Malmö Saluhall – this is a little market filled with interesting restaurants and delis. So far, I’ve tried out Ramen to Biru (always a good idea), Söderholmens fisk, a fantastic fish restaurant and deli, and POMS a great sandwich bar that offers a mean pastrami sandwich. Actually a mean anything sandwich. And get a side of their smashed potatoes while you’re at it (and thank me as you eat them).
- Five Flower Noodle Bar (in Lund) – on a side street near the cathedral, this could be easily missed. But I’m so glad my eyes admired their modern logo (that’s what 20 years in advertising does to you). This small noodle bar offered around 8 dishes (meat, veggie, vegan and chicken). The hand-made noodles were perfect. Meat tender. And there’s a fresh chilli pickle to crank up the heat. Yeeee haaaaaaw.
- SMAK – OMG I love their lunch buffet. The quality of food reminds me of ‘Jiwan’ the restaurant at the National Museum of Qatar. They offer 4-5 daily dishes of well executed seasonal food. You can top up the meals the salad and bread buffet table. The other day they offered roasted new potatoes (Hani would have returned to that table at least 5 times).
- St. Jakobs for coffee and cardamon buns (I actually prefer them to the cinnamon bun). They also do a very good semlor bun (please make trying one your main aim in life).
- Mitt Molan – the food hall offers lots of international restaurants. We like the Jerk’d Chicken and the Naan Wrapsters.
- Spoonery – fresh and a plentiful bowl of food. Hearty stuff!
- Mikkeller Pop up at Folkets Park – this sadly disappears early September but should reappear next summer.
- Opopoppa – an ace bar and pizza by the slice 🍕restaurant which always offers up some seasonal toppings. They also offer natural wines (if that’s your thing) and cocktails, which I definitely need to sample.
Here a few photos of what I’ve been eating.