Where to eat in Gothenburg

There is nothing to beat the mackerel, cod, turbot, hake and whiting caught here and skilfully prepared by some of the best fish restaurants in Sweden. Shrimp from Smögen is a true delicacy (especially in winter) as is the langoustine and the world-renowned oysters from Grebbestad. And when the autumn’s lobster premiere comes around, enthusiasts crowd the fishing boats on lobster ‘safaris’ around the islands and islets. 

Going inland, the food-inspired West Sweden region has fine examples of small-scale food producers such as Påverås’ award-winning cheeses, or Sivans, who sell their cheeses on the square in Vara, Mowitz chicken from Hjärtum, or Bitterna Lamb.

Guide Michelin restaurants 1 star

There are five fine dining establishments with star credentials in Gothenburg.  

1. Bhoga
2. Restaurant 28+
3. Koka
4. SK Mat & Människor
5. Project

Guide Michelin Bib Gourmand

The Bib award is for establishments noted for excellent, affordable dining. Gothenburg has two Bib Gourmand restaurants: Familjen and Somm.

Hip hangouts

Head to Zamenhof and experience three concepts in one. This cool restaurant offers all-day-dining, wine on tap and one of the sunniest spots in the city. Don’t miss Brewers Beer Bar, where the beers on tap change frequently and make sure to order one of the many artisanal sourdough pizzas. The Hagabion Cafe is one of the most ambitious and popular vegetarian restaurants in Gothenburg, and its associated Bar Kino is where Gothenburg’s music and culture-loving crowd gathers. 

For a restaurant with an interior design out of the ordinary try Puta Madre at Magasinsgatan 3. Puta Madre describes their restaurant as "A tribute to the Mexican brothel mother from 1918" and does great Mexican food and margaritas.

Location, location, location

Heaven 23 sums up ‘location, location, location’; sky bar setting, with clean, balanced and seasonal Nordic flavours.  In the old slaughterhouse are you find Scandinavia’s first urban winery, Wine Mechanics, which also has a restaurant serving local produce and an oyster bar. Sjömagasinet is a flagship for Swedish gastronomy. The restaurant building dates back to 1775 and was previously used as a warehouse for the East India Company.

West Sweden food experiences

Thanks to the cold, clean water, few places in the world compare to West Sweden when it comes to the quality of the region’s seafood. In West Sweden you can take part in “seafood safaris” where you can catch crayfish, lobster, oysters or visit mussel farms. On these excursions, you also get to eat your catch. Find out more about West Sweden's shellfish experiences