Esctoday.com, in collaboration with Malmö Turism, invites you to discover Malmö and experience the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. Today we we will have a look at the gastronomy and cuisine in Malmö. Where to dine and wine  in the 2013 Eurovision host city?

Malmö is an exuberant, fast growing, multicultural city famous for its gastronomic diversity. The city’s inhabitants represent 175 different nationalities, which creates a cuisine with tastes from all over the world.

Diverse, relaxed and sustainable

Eating in Malmö will whet any appetite, whether you are looking for traditional Swedish food, ethnic fare, more trendy cuisine, eco-friendly restaurants or a quick falafel on a street corner. For its size, the city offers an impressive number of eateries.

– The dining scene of this sprawling city reflects its diverse population. Malmö offers food from almost every culture, says popular TV chef and restaurateur Tareq Taylor from Malmö.

He will debut his own TV programme “Nordic Cookery” on BBC Worldwide Channels in June, and one episode will be completely devoted to Malmö.

Tareq Taylor characterises Malmö’s culturally diverse food scene as having an amiable and relaxed atmosphere with a particular emphasis on sustainable food options. A large number of restaurants are offering dishes made with local and organic produce and ingredients.

Mollan(Photo malmotown.se)

Culinary highlights
One of the most talked-about restaurants right now is Bastard just behind Lilla torg (Little square). It was chosen as one of the best restaurants in Sweden in 2012, featured in White Guide, and offers European homestyle cooking with a twist. At Bastard, they know their meat and use every part of the animal – always from local producers. Kidney, tripe, pig’s feet, oxtail and beef tongue can be found on the somewhat odd menu. “Bastardplanka” – a wooden board with paté, rillettes, sausages and sourdough bread is one of their most popular signature dishes.

Another innovative, and also world-renowned, eatery is the sushi restaurant Saiko at S:t Knuts väg 7. In March 2013, Saiko was named the world’s Most Outstanding Sushi Restaurant in the World Sushi Cup in Japan. Chef Pontus Johansson not only makes sushi with Scandinavian flavours but also serves japas, Japanese tapas, based on horse, beef and pork.

Eco dining is another one of Malmö’s specialties. Stylish restaurant Salt & Brygga in the Western Harbour area was a pioneer when it opened 12 years ago, serving only organic, Mediterranean-inspired dishes made of locally produced meat, fish and vegetables. It is considered one of the best restaurants in Sweden for serving sustainable seasonal cuisine. Raw Food House on Friisgatan, Slottsträdgården Café in Slottsparken and Café Green Queen at Nobelvägen are other fantastic choices for those who want to enjoy farm-to-table dining.

Salt & Brygga-(Photo malmotown.com)

Falafel City

Falafel has become one of Malmö’s trademarks and is a popular and cheap fast food that can be found on every other street. The leading chain is called Falafel No 1. Owned by the Iskandarani family from Lebanon, who introduced falafel to Malmö twenty years ago and made way for Malmö to become known in Sweden as “Falafel City”. Their very first stand in the district Rosengård is still said to be the best one in town.

Falafel No1 (Photograph falafelnr1.se)

The streets in the lively and colourful neighbourhood around Möllevångstorget, or “Möllan” as the area is called, are full of small ethnic food shops, restaurants and pubs. Enjoy Chinese dumplings at Kin Long, homemade sauerkraut at Jetzt or Jamaican Jerk at Karib Creol – the possibilities are endless!

Karib Creol- (Photo malmotown.com)

Food facts:
Malmö offers
– 493 restaurants
– 221 cafés
– 150 food kiosks and food stands
– 103 pizzerias
– 21 sushi places

Cover Photo: Oskar Falck- Malmo Turism