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The Nordic Nomad

Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg’s 14 best restaurants (and must-try dishes)

The Nordics • Eat & drink • Gothenburg’s 14 best restaurants (and must-try dishes)

The guide to Gothenburg’s top restaurants

Looking for the best eats in Gothenburg? Look no further – we’ve done the hard work for you (i.e. the eating) and have compiled a list of the ten essential restaurants in the city. From classic Swedish dishes such as pickled herring and meatballs to innovative vegetarian dishes, these restaurants have got something for every palate. And don’t worry, we’ve tried a lot of the menu items so you don’t have to – just sit back and enjoy our picks for the must-try dishes at each spot. So grab a fork and let us guide you through Gothenburg’s culinary scene. Smaklig måltid!

Vrå

Located in Clarion Hotel Post, Vrå delivers an exquisite fusion of Nordic and Japanese culinary traditions under the helm of its skilled chef. The restaurant occupies a section of the imposing 1920s city post office, where preserved cashier booths from the era enhance its cinematic charm. The chef’s mastery is evident in the repertoire of dishes prepared in the open kitchen, from a subtly acidic potato cream appetizer to sashimi of farmed hiramasa. Vrå’s commitment to sustainability is woven subtly into their practice, offering a high-level gastronomic spectacle that harmoniously blends local and global, Nordic and Japanese influences.

Vrå
Drottningtorget 10
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Vrå

Hoze

Hoze is a haven for sushi lovers where José Cerdá, alongside his father and Japanese Akita dog, demonstrates meticulous craftsmanship in the art of sushi. Adhering to traditional Edomae sushi, Hoze strictly uses seafood from northern Scandinavian waters. The Omakase tasting menu showcases an array of appetizers, sushi, soup, and gyoku tamago, a baked custard egg with seafood. The sushi rice is a product of in-house polishing, utilizing premium koshihikari from Shika, Ishikawa. Cerdá’s masterful technique and dedication to using locally sourced seafood and fine ingredients results in a unique gastronomic experience. The intimate setting, with only six seats, emphasizes the focus on food and craftsmanship, offering guests a front-row seat to a gastronomic theatre.

Hoze
Stigbergsliden 17
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Hoze

Koka

Koka, a one Michelin-starred restaurant, is renowned for its exquisite Nordic cuisine. The elegant interior features a 19th-century glass ceiling, wood panelling and custom-made furniture. With a choice of three, five or seven courses from the daily set menu, guests can savour innovative dishes such as a mushroom broth with dill oil, a lingonberry-dusted fried carrot and onion parcel on caramelized yoghurt, and a unique “beef and bearnaise” interpretation featuring a grilled portobello mushroom filled with celeriac and tarragon vinegar sauce. Wine pairings are expertly chosen to enhance each dish, making the wine package an essential part of the Koka experience. The warm ambience and seamless service complete the picture for a delightful dining adventure.

Koka
Viktoriagatan 12
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Koka

28+

A revered institution for over three decades, 28+ embodies a unique fusion of French and Swedish influences. Within its atmospheric, candlelit basement, meticulously prepared dishes, blending bold flavours and prime seasonal ingredients, come to life. Chef-proprietor Ulf Johansson’s passionate devotion to exquisite fare is evident in the outstanding cheese selection and exceptional wine list. A key highlight is Gothenburg’s best mashed potatoes, an indulgent blend of Swedish peanut fingerling potatoes and Bordier butter. Dining here is a celebration of classics, elevated with a modern touch, like their mandarin cream-encased Baba, a leader in freshness and indulgence.

28+
Götabergsgatan 28
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of 28+

SK Mat & Människor

Near Götaplatsen, you’ll find SK Mat & Människor, a Michelin-starred establishment that seamlessly combines modern style with an intimate, cosy vibe. Here, not only can you enjoy a customisable dining experience with different-sized tasting menus and à la carte options, but the chefs themselves also deliver and present your dishes at the table. The culinary delights vary from traditional fare like braised lobster in a frothy lobster emulsion, to contemporary dishes like a root celery and mushroom creation brightened by fresh coriander. The staff is highly knowledgeable, particularly about the wine selection which offers both traditional and unexpected choices.

SK Mat & Människor
Johannebergsgatan 24
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of SK Mat & Människor

Tavolo

Tavolo, situated in Gothenburg’s historic Artilleristallarna building, offers a genuine Italian dining experience with a New York twist. The stone horse head centrepiece and diverse clientele add to the unique ambience. The extensive menu features direct-import ingredients, encouraging communal dining with shareable dishes like antipasto, pizza, and pasta. Noteworthy are the flavour-packed spinaci arancini with spicy Calabrian sausage and classic pastas like cacio e pepe. For dessert, the tiramisu or refreshing Limoncello sorbet are excellent choices.

Tavolo
Magasinsgatan 19
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Tavolo

Bar La Lune

Having transitioned from a wine bar to a full-scale restaurant, Bar La Lune retains its original charm with its intimate, bustling atmosphere. The ever-changing menu is studded with imaginative small dishes like nettle with silver onion and lumpfish roe or raw Hiramasa with clementine and shrimp oil. Larger courses and delightful desserts allow for an array of dining experiences, from sharing feasts to classic three-course meals. The wine selection remains as carefully curated as ever, ensuring that each visit brings a new favourite vintage to discover.

Bar La Lune
Vasa kyrkogata 1
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Bar La Lune

Human

Located on a residential street in Sweden, Human is a Nordic restaurant that has undergone a stylish transformation from its former life as a sports bar. Olsson Lyckefors has masterfully redesigned the interior with neutral tones and a striking signature blue. The restaurant is the first solo venture of Martin Moses, winner of Sweden’s 2020 “Chef of the Year” award. Renowned for dishes like halibut wrapped in thin celeriac slices and a unique rhubarb sorbet dessert, Moses demonstrates a mastery of new Nordic cooking.

Human
Risåsgatan 8
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Human

Project

In a serene setting near Götaplatsen, Project is a cosy Michelin-starred restaurant run by a husband and wife team. Their attention to detail and dedication to quality ingredients is evident. With constant innovation in the kitchen, they offer a balanced, seasonal tasting menu featuring seafood, local game and beautifully presented dishes. Each course is skillfully paired with wines selected as their personal favourites. Highlights include imaginative snacks, such as a thin kohlrabi slice and a smoked carrot cream with star anise, and a flavorful fallow deer dish with lapsang tea.

Project
Södra Vägen 45
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Project

Bhoga

A Michelin-starred gem hidden behind an unassuming facade, Bhoga presents a high standard of gastronomy in a remarkably laid-back setting. The dishes, while crafted from simple ingredients like scallops or rhubarb, are transformed through expert handling and creativity. A juicy scallop luxuriating in an algae-rich mussel sauce is paired with a biodynamic Grüner Veltliner, their tart fruitiness dancing with the dish’s delicate, freshly harvested garden sorrel. With an impressive dedication to seasonal and organic produce, and a drinks menu boasting a thoughtfully selected range of small-scale wines and craft beers, Bhoga is a celebration of relaxed luxury and culinary brilliance.

Bhoga
Norra Hamngatan 10
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Bhoga

Moreno

Situated in an old cinema at Stigbergstorget, Moreno claims to be the world’s largest pizzeria, hosting up to 1,650 guests. Its culinary foundation is built on pizza, pasta and beer. Moreno offers affordably priced dishes and drinks, including a variety of pizzas and pastas. While the pasta may need some improvements, the pizza earns high marks for its flavorful dough and well-balanced tomato sauce. It is also famous for its classic tiramisu and a stunning rooftop view of the Sjöfartsmuseet and harbour.

Moreno
Stigbergstorget 10
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Moreno

Carbon

A smart, modern bistro deluxe, Carbon takes you on an eclectic culinary journey with its choice of a three or five-course seasonal menu. From sea ceviche to wagyu beef and carrot cake, the menu is adventurous, yet it also offers the freedom to choose from a vegetarian, seafood or meat option for each course. The execution is brilliant, with standout dishes like garlicky pork sausage with mustard-marinated turnip and a version of coq au vin that manages to be both concentrated and light. The wine list is extensive, offering a mini crash course in the world of wine from Bordeaux to Tawny Port. The venue is simultaneously proper and cosy, and the service is world-class.

Carbon
Barnhusgatan 2
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Carbon

Bord 27

Bord 27, a quaint restaurant with only 27 seats, is located in the Linne district of Göteborg, Sweden. With its restaurant manager Fredrik Olsson, Bord 27 offers high-quality service and a relaxed atmosphere. The menu is a mix of influences, including Asian, Swedish, French and Spanish, all harmoniously combined with creativity and simplicity. Guests are greeted warmly by name and can enjoy a variety of dishes like the crispy fried scallop with corn cream, miso and truffle, which showcases the restaurant’s unique style. The wine list is presented by knowledgeable staff and the bottles are displayed along the walls.

Bord 27
Haga kyrkogata 14
Gothenburg
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Bord 27

Wine Mechanics

Wine Mechanics in Gamlestaden, run by Kenneth Gustafsson and winemaker Erik Jonsson, is a unique Swedish urban winery with a daring restaurant. In the rustic environment of a former pigsty, organic European grapes are turned into wines such as “Bit i kudden Spätburgunder” and “Single Moms Pét-Nat Rosé”. Despite a wine list that vastly outnumbers the food menu, the culinary offerings are innovative and bold, featuring zucchini spaghetti with sweet grilled tomato ragu and white beans, among others.