West Sweden has everything from seafood restaurants right by the sea to manor houses with food prepared with local ingredients. Here are five favourite restaurants from A Taste of West Sweden.
A Taste of West Sweden is an accreditation awarded to select eateries, local food producers and farm shops in West Sweden. These food producers, farm shops and restaurants are part of a network dedicated to harvesting the best produce from the region's sea, lakes, forests and farmland in a sustainable and ecological way.
Tucked away in the tranquil forests of Dalsland, Ragnerud Kök is one of West Sweden’s most quietly remarkable culinary destinations.
Set beside Lake Ragnerud, the restaurant embraces a distinctly Nordic philosophy: seasonal, local, and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. Ingredients are foraged, fished, or sourced from nearby producers, creating dishes that feel both rustic and refined. Expect flavours shaped by the forest - wild herbs, berries, mushrooms - alongside fresh fish and thoughtfully prepared meats. With its warm, understated interiors and panoramic views of the lake and woodland, Ragnerud Kök offers a sense of calm that’s hard to come by.
Looking for a gourmet dinner in a historical setting? Head to Villa Sjötorp – a beautiful turn-of-the-century villa from 1901 which is now an ecological restaurant and hotel.
Villa Sjötorp was awarded the European Historic Hotels Gourmet Award in 2017. And even though the restaurant does serve gourmet meals, the chefs prefer to call it ‘good food’ because the starting point is always the high-quality produce. Virtually all ingredients are locally sourced and ecological – fully utilising West Sweden's gastronomical conditions. The seafood is collected from fish auctions in the surrounding area, meats are provided by nearby farms and many herbs and berries are picked straight from the garden.
Skäret is located at the start of Smögenbryggan, a kilometre-long boardwalk full of restaurants, bars and shops in the picturesque town of Smögen on the Bohuslän coast. The house where Skäret resides has been a café since 1931 and this is where the Swedish shrimp sandwich was born the same year.
Skärets Krog serves delicious West Swedish meals with a modern twist. The menu varies with the seasons, but the food is always created from scratch with the best local produce available. Make sure to visit the popular piano bar too, where you can sip cocktails and enjoy the stunning views of Smögen harbour as you listen to Sweden’s pianist elite.
On Sydkoster, in the heart of Kosterhavet National Park, Kläpphagen Koster is a place shaped by nature, seasons and fire. The journey here sets the tone. A ferry from Strömstad takes you across the Koster Sea, leaving cars and everyday noise behind. While on the island you can by foot or bicycle.
Kläpphagen Koster blends quietly into its surroundings and food is central to the experience. Dishes are prepared over open fire using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients – from fresh seafood to vegetables grown nearby. The flavours are rooted in the landscape. Spend your days here cycling, swimming or exploring Kosterhavet National Park.
At Mellbygatans Restaurant in Lidköping, you can enjoy a culinary experience where classic Swedish comfort food meets innovative dishes inspired by both European and Asian cuisine. The kitchen is all about using local and sustainably produced ingredients and showcasing seasonal flavours.
Enjoy the à la carte menu, with its specialty, beef tartare, or lunch service with soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Don't miss the desserts here. How about a deep-fried cinnamon bun with ice cream, rhubarb dessert or plum compote - often made with ingredients from their own garden?
