Gothenburg is Sweden’s second largest city and is known for its seafood and world class micro craft beer. As you’d expect, there are so many wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants in Gothenburg - you’ll be spoilt for choice! With so much on offer we have tried to select the best places for food and drink that only Gothenburg has to offer.
ICS Top Foodie Tips:
Shrimp sandwich - You must try the local shrimp sandwich, Gothenburg is known for it! Gothenburg's most famous food hall is Feskekörka which translates literally to 'fish church' due to the building's resemblance to a Gothic church. Here you can sample some of the West Coast’s freshest seafood or book a table at one of the restaurants for a feast of fresh crayfish, lobster and prawns.
Gothenburg Hotdog - Don’t order a plain hotdog, order a Halv Special – it’s a hotdog covered in mashed potatoes. If you’re really hungry order a Hel Special - as above but with double the amount of sausages!
Pickled Herring – Gothenburg is known for Herring, so don’t be surprised to see it on the menu. Everyone’s granny has their own family recipe that’s been handed down from their mother to daughter. Try stekt strömming (fried herring) and inlagd sill (pickled herring). Both dishes can be found as main courses in Michelin starred restaurants or, alternatively, from the popular street food vans in the city.
Smörgåsbord- translates literally to English as an open-faced sandwich. The usual components are crispbread, butter and cheese with fish additions such as inlagd sill (pickled herring) and gravad lax (cured salmon) or meat in the form of köttbullar (meatballs) and prinskorvar (mini sausages). Two other local favourites include potatoes and eggs.
Fika – a Swedish tradition meaning to take a break, sit down with a friend for a cup of coffee and some baked goods. That sounds perfect to us! Fika is so sacred to Swedes that it is even built into many employee contracts. You’ll be spoilt for choice on cafes to enjoy your own Fika with colleagues and friends. Da Matteo seems to be the local’s Fika choice for great coffee and there are three different branches in Gothenburg. Or head to Brogyllen, a Gothenburg classic café known for their excellent baked goods.
Cinnamon rolls – often eaten during Fika but can be enjoyed anytime of the day. The cinnamon bun is so popular that, in 1999, Sweden’s Home Baking Council announced that October 4th would henceforth be Cinnamon Bun Day (Kanelbullens dag). Everywhere you go in Gothenburg you’ll find cinnamon rolls. They are the ultimate symbol of Swedish home cooking and, as any Swede will tell you, the smell of newly baked cinnamon rolls is the best smell in the world. We couldn’t agree more!
Gustavus Adolphus Pastry – The Gustavus Adolphus Pastry is named after King Gustavus Adolphus the Great. To commemorate his passing on 6th November, Sweden hosts a number of celebrations, including eating this pastry named in his honour. The event is especially popular in the town he founded, Gothenburg.
Craft Beer - If you love beer then you won't be disappointed. Gothenburg is one of Europe’s hottest places for craft beer. Several of the city’s micro-breweries are among the best in the world. Head over to Brewers Beer Bar for a fantastic selection of what Gothenburg's brewers have to offer.
Bars - Gothenburg has a fantastic range of bars depending upon your preference and budget. But if the weather is nice, head over to Hotell Bellora's Cielo Rooftop Bar and enjoy a drink and drink in their amazing view of the city. Hotels.com named the Cielo Rooftop Bar among the top five rooftop bars in the world!
Michelin restaurants - If you love fine dinning then Gothenburg has you covered. There are six restaurants with one star each in the Michelin Guide. All focusing of the best local produce.
Additional Information
Eat and drink like a local in Gothenburg