Elsa

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Wine Bar with Waterfront Character

Elsa Vin & Mat sits along Citadellskajen, one of Malmö's newer waterfront promenades, inside the Malmøboxen building on Citadellsvägen. The energy inside lands somewhere between a lively neighbourhood wine bar and a relaxed dining room – the kind of place where babies and puppies are equally welcome, and groups of friends linger over wine and shared plates until late. White Guide recognised this with a Fine level distinction in 2026, noting the warm family feeling and the slight vibe of a London neighbourhood wine bar.

Fifteen Years in the Making

Elsa is, in the restaurant's own words, "the result of a 15-year culinary adventure at some of the world's best restaurants." That experience shows in the precision of the cooking, even as the format stays deliberately approachable: small and large plates, designed for sharing if you like, with carefully chosen ingredients and a genuine commitment to sustainability. The kitchen works to minimise environmental impact, sourcing organic butter, olive oil and dairy as standard, and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with suppliers and producers.

What to Eat and Drink

The menu moves with the seasons, but a few dishes have drawn particular attention. White Guide's reviewer singled out a lemon-bright carpaccio on tender celery stalks, finished with a cloud of grated pecorino – light, structured, and precise. Scallops arrive with chimichurri that lifts rather than overwhelms the natural sweetness of the shellfish. Restaurateur Leon Boström's ravioli – filled with citrus-scented fresh cheese and a flowing egg yolk – is crowned with shaved truffle. For those with room, the Brooklyn-style blackout chocolate cake is the kind of thing worth splitting between two.

The à la carte spans chips and marconas almonds through to lamb chops with roasted cauliflower purée, grilled entrecôte for two, and cod with tapioca crackers flavoured with squid ink. The wine list is broad and genuinely considered – Chablis, Barolo, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château Musar – alongside a full cocktail menu and weekday oyster happy hours.

The Atmosphere

The room is lively without being loud. Middle-aged groups debate culture at one table; families settle in at another. Outdoor seating along the promenade adds to the appeal when the weather allows. It is the kind of place that takes its food seriously without taking itself too seriously – and the White Guide recognition confirms that the balance is working.