Cantin was born from the idea that Malmö deserves its own place where food, music, culture, and water come together
Background
The idea for Cantin has been around for many years. Many people who have visited Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or London have thought the same thing: “Why isn’t there something like this in Malmö?”
When the opportunity arose in Varvsstaden, that was the starting point. An outdoor park featuring container kitchens, food trucks, and mobile solutions, rather than a traditional indoor facility.
The project is led by Rodrigo Lopez of Matcoma, who has extensive experience in food, festivals, and events, such as the Malmö Festival, the European Street Food Awards, and the Malmö Food Truck Festival.
Matcoma is behind the concept and curation. The focus is on blending established favorites with new ideas, so that the selection always feels fresh. Visit the Matcoma page to learn more about what they do.
Vision
Cantin should embody what Malmö is at its best: diverse, curious, and a little rough around the edges. The vision is a place that is central yet relaxed, close to the water, with a clear local focus and participants from different parts of the city and different cultures.
It’s not just about bringing together restaurants in one space—it’s about creating a gathering place where people, ideas, and creative expression can thrive. Food, drinks, music, art, children’s activities, saunas, swimming, and pop-ups are all different parts of the same whole.
Cantin is being built in collaboration with long-term partners who believe in this location and in what we are creating in Malmö.
This is how we think about the place
A living stage, not a finished set
Cantin is designed to be adaptable. Some containers serve as permanent kitchens, while others are reserved for pop-up concepts—both commercial and non-commercial. Here, chefs, creators, record diggers, artists, and various organizations can set up shop for short periods of time.
This means the area will never be “finished.” The offerings should be able to change with the seasons, through collaborations, and based on new ideas—but the vibe should remain the same: open, friendly, and a little unexpected.
Food, Drink, and Expression
The food selection at Cantin reflects both Malmö and the world. Here, Japanese comfort food, Southeast Asian dishes, French-Breton crêpes, Sicilian gelato, and South American coffee come together—alongside local bars and beverage providers.
Our goal isn’t to offer “as many types of cuisine as possible,” but rather to curate a selection that feels personal, edgy, and authentic. Food you can enjoy quickly in the sunshine, share with friends, or build an entire evening around.
Sustainability and reuse
Together with Varvsstaden, Cantin has a clear sustainability goal: as much of the construction as possible should be done using recycled materials. The container park and infrastructure are primarily built using materials from Varvsstaden’s own material bank and other recycling depots in the city.
This applies not only to the construction itself—the same philosophy is applied to partnerships, suppliers, and catering wherever possible.
Cantin is part of Varvsstaden. A place where Malmö’s history comes to life through new experiences, food, culture, and social gatherings. Visit the Varvsstaden website to learn more about them.
Who we build for
Cantin is intended to be a place for Malmö residents and visitors of all ages—not an exclusive club. Children’s activities, live performances, pop-up spaces, and social areas are being planned to encourage people from all walks of life to feel welcome and comfortable here.
For companies and stakeholders, Cantin is about more than just sales. It’s an opportunity to test concepts, gain visibility in new contexts, reach new audiences, and build something together with others.
Would you like to help shape Cantin?
Cantin evolves over time alongside the people and organizations that move in, visit, collaborate, or organize events here. If you have a food or beverage concept, a cultural initiative, or an idea that you think would be a good fit here—get in touch.