Gothenburg's hottest restaurants

With 27 spectacular floors, Jacy'z is a proper "go-to-place" in Gothenburg. This playful resort is full of restaurants and bars in glamorous Art Deco style. Eat American classics from morning until evening at Archie's, stop by for lunch at Gaby's, or admire the view from the Asian rooftop bar Gogogaga on the 27th floor. 

Swedish-Australian couple Anna and Cameron Irving run the show at this ambitious restaurant. While Anna is in charge of drinks, Cameron takes care of the food and this set-up, along with top-notch service, has been so successful that they've been awarded a Michelin star. Every detail is carefully thought-through and their unique dishes are a whole process - their bread, for example, takes five days to bake.

Ma Cuisine may have been at the same address for more than 20 years, with a loyal group of regulars, but they still manage to remain relevant and draw in new guests. Swedish produce in season steers the menu, while the cooking is classic French. Whether you come by for a cocktail, lunch or evening out with dinner you can count on a complete experience with ambitious service and flavours. 

An unpretentious passion for food and high ambitions characterise Brasserie Lavette, where you can enjoy a French menu that includes whole grilled fish, spankingly fresh seafood and smash burgers. Come by this rustic yet modern brasserie for a drink, a slap-up dinner, or why not treat yourself to weekend brunch?

Forget you're in Gothenburg at Chicca Belloni – the team here would rather take you on a sensory journey to a sunny day by the Mediterranean. Here, simplicity is the watchword when it comes to both the menu and the atmosphere, so settle down with a glass of wine and some snacks, or go all-in with an Italian style family dinner.

If you're in the mood to sip cocktails and eat dinner up above the rooftops with views over the river, head to Above, Scandic Göteborg Central's rooftop bar. The fourteenth floor takes inspiration from Miami and the Caribbean and there's great music and a relaxed atmosphere. Sit indoors or out.

In Röda Rummet's former premises you'll now find Alba restaurant and its little sister restaurant, Röda Rummet. Head to Alba for dinner or, as they put it, “crazy good food, a proper Gothenburg view and a well-chosen bottle of wine”. The menu lists meat, fish and vegetarian options, in a classic starter-main course-dessert format.

Gothenburg institution Röda Rummet has been resurrected, but this time as Alba's little sister restaurant, and cheap draft beer is no longer the main event here. Instead, the bar has been combined with a patisserie and opening hours that extend from morning to evening, or from breakfast to cocktails. Much revolves around the bakery, where they bake pastries and bread.

Bang Matbar recently moved into larger premises on Oscarsgatan, right by the entrance to the harbour. Food is ambitious and based on seasonal ingredients and the chefs' personal favourites. As they put it, the restaurant serves "everything that's awesome".

Right next to buzzy Magasingatan, one of Gothenburg's most charming inner courtyards serves up wine in general and champagne in particular. In addition to drinking bubbles you can snack on charcuterie and cheese platters, as well as larger dishes with innovative flavour combinations. During the summer months there's often live music. 

“Tasty grub and great wines” – that's the name of the game at Epoque, which is run by the same people as Publik in Lysekil. They've created a second living room here where you can drop by for a glass of wine in the bar, a few snacks, a main course or a whole set menu made with top quality ingredients and accompanied by a wine package. Make yourself at home among white tiles, shelves full of wine bottles and personal art. 

This Michelin-starred restaurant serves up beautifully presented tasting menus at the end of Långenäs promontory, with views over Lake Landvetter. The kitchen follows the Nordic seasons and uses the very best ingredients Scandinavia has to offer - often fish and shellfish. 

At Bar Palavas, the concept is as simple as it's popular: small dishes made with ingredients from local producers and growers, carefully selected wines and beers from local microbreweries. Flavours are Swedish-French and the restaurant's run by co-owners Viktor, Hugo and Christian, who have known each other since their teens and who got the inspiration for the pub on a trip to Palavas-les-flots in the south of France.

The chefs at Levantine take guests on a flavour journey to Paris, with French favourites such as bouillabaisse and moules marinières on the menu. Food can be perfectly paired with selected French wines and you can also visit the bar for a fabulous cocktail. Or why not take your cocktail outside and enjoy it with a game of boules in the lilac arbor. 

Boulebar isn't just a popular summer hangout, it also draws in foodie guests with its French food and drinks. Eat rustic classics à la southern France, and enjoy brunch dishes and a dessert buffet at the weekend. Don't miss trying the classic boules drink, pastis, for a true southern French experience.  

A bright star in the restaurant sky shines in the heart of Majorna. Diket is run by three experienced chefs, and the menu is based around what they consider to be the most exciting produce around at the time. Wine is served on tap and by the bottle. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and casual; book in a major celebration and order the entire menu or drop by for a relaxed weekday dinner.

Drop by The Parlour on Avenyn for an unparalleled flavour experience. The kitchen conjures up exciting Japanese/Peruvian fusion dishes - a cuisine known as Nikkei - and you can choose from dishes such as ceviches, tacos, spring rolls, dumplings and raw food, ideal for sharing with your table. The cocktail lounge serves perfectly blended cocktails that reflect the place's cosmopolitan vibe.

Biljardpalatset's restaurant BP Brasserie has a menu filled with Mediterranean favourites. You'll find popular dishes such moules and bouillabaisse. If you appreciate fine wines you can pick and choose from 220 unique kinds from Biljardpalatset's wine cellar, and if you prefer beer there's a wide selection to choose from. Come by with friends, family or colleagues and enjoy a delightful dinner experience, along with an exciting game of billiards or shuffleboard.

This little wine bar in Vasa has become something of an institution among Gothenburg's gourmets. The team here are extremely knowledgeable about both food and wine and the wine selection includes unique wines that you won't find anywhere else. 

The small and much-lauded wine bar Bar La Lune has now gained a big sister restaurant right next door. With space for around 25 guests, Angeli welcomes anyone in the mood for exciting natural wines. Just as at La Lune, the food menu is short yet extremely high quality. The sommelier and owner Oscar Ahlvin has once again teamed up with chef Harry Wong, who he used to run Bar Centro with.

Asian flavours with a contemporary twist are the order of the day at popular OGBG. Velvet sofas and modern murals give the restaurant an international buzz. According to The Rooftop Guide the bar, TaKeT, with its panoramic views over the entrance to Gothenburg harbour, is the best roofbar in the world.

Kaifo serves up Asian ”happy fusion", a lively bar scene, live music from DJs and a menu packed with raw and grilled snacks and medium-sized dishes for sharing with the table. The spectacular two-floor restaurant has plenty of space for laid-back drinks at the bar or slap-up meals in the dining room. The cocktail bar mixes up a storm - how about one of their many gin & tonic combos, for example?

At Hasselssons, the concept is fast food from the sea, in the form of dishes like fish 'n' chips and fish burgers. Naturally, everything is made with fresh ingredients straight from the sea and the food is served faster than you can say "catch of the day".

"A very serious restaurant and future wine bar" - that's how Poppy describes herself, and at the moment the restaurant is fully committed to serving excellent lunches. The weekly menu is updated on Instagram, where they list one meat dish, one with fish and one veggie. If you want to splurge, you can add a starter or dessert, or opt for the three-course offer with any main course.

The common denominator here is Mexican: everything you eat is either inspired by the food the chefs' grandmothers once made, the street food they like eating in Mexico, Mexican party food, or just tasty, authentic Mexican food with influences from all over the country. Pair with complementary drinks and take in the atmosphere and pared-back decor. 

Götaplatsgruppen, who run several famous and successful restaurants in Gothenburg, are also behind this popular Italian on Magasingatan. Housed in a former artillery stable building, Tavolo's menu includes various pasta dishes, pizzas and classic starters such as burrata with tomato and buffalo mozzarella with ciabatta. As you enter the restaurant your gaze immediately falls on the 6800 kilo sculpture of a horse head, a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's Cavallo di Forcione.

The emphasis is on sustainability at this well-respected restaurant. The entire menu is traceable and made from locally-produced ingredients, while techniques are taken from Japanese cuisine. The menu includes sushi, sashimi and steak tartare made from organic ingredients from the West Coast. Luxurious, minimalist interiors mirror the culinary theme.

This creative restaurant in the Riverside Hotel boasts waterfront views over the Göta älv river. This slightly quirky hotel restaurant has been lauded for its rich, detailed design and it's a perennially popular watering hole for anyone looking for exciting flavour combinations. The menu mixes and matches flavours from all over the world in innovative dishes, using seasonal ingredients. Pair your food with one of Cuckoo's own cocktails. 

Bov Discobar is like a colourful bubble of fun with playful Seventies disco vibes. The gang behind BOV have been providing Gothenburg with artisan pizzas and natural wines for many years now and this new, funky sister restaurant does the same. The menu includes thin, Roman-style pizzas, a motley selection of wines and colourful disco-inspired cocktails.

The gang behind the old Peacock dinner club have opened a new dinner club with modern Asian influences in the heart of Avenyn. Cheri-Lee serves food and cocktails against a backdrop of flowery sofas, painting-packed walls and a great atmosphere. Gather your friends for a weekend brunch or stay on after dinner to party the night away.

Moreno is the result of a major investment by the Göteborgsfamiljen restaurant group in a listed former cinema building on Stigbergstorget. Moreno claim to be the world's largest pizzeria. In addition to serving pizzas which are baked in a 485 degree wood-fired oven with plenty of smoke, Moreno also boasts a beer garden on the rooftop.

New Nordic cooking is the order of the day at Human - ie. Nordic flavours and local ingredients in season. These are transformed into luxurious multi-course tasting menus, a slightly shorter version at lunchtime and a longer one at dinner. But despite the kitchen's lofty ambitions, this is far from being a stiff establishment with snooty rules – on the contrary, it's a relaxed and personal place to enjoy good food and drinks.

Södra Larm bistro, within the Hotel Flora, combines the best of French, international and Nordic cuisine. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner - come by any day of the week for any meal, or skip the food and take a pew by the bar for something delicious to drink. This international bistro welcomes all kinds of groups, large and small, to their relaxed, welcoming oasis with a lively atmosphere.

Bulot was supposed to have opened up on Norra Hamngatan, but a delayed renovation process forced the owners to find this temporary pop-up solution - and what a success it's been! They serve up extremely ambitious cooking inside Saluhallen food market. The menu consists of locally-grown and carefully selected ingredients, often prepared with classic and French influences. 

Head chef Stefan Stenbom, together with star chef Ulf Wagner, has created the menu at Gothenburg City Theatre's in-house restaurant, Tiljan. Classic dishes take centre stage here, such as posh fish pie and Toast Skagen. Come by for a simple supper or a full three-course meal, or why not combine your theatre visit with a meal before the performance.

Up on the fourth floor of the famous Hotel Pigalle is the hotel restaurant, Atelier. Velvet banquettes and chandeliers create a feeling of turn-of-the-last-century Parisian decadence. The cocktail list follows the same theme and the kitchen also takes its inspiration from France, although the ingredients they use come from local producers.

Oizo in Kålltorp go all-in on all the things they like the most - pizza, natural wine and locally-brewed beer. Don't miss Oizo's Detroit-style pan pizza either. Spontaneous visits are encouraged and drop-in is the name of the game here. When the weather allows, the sun-drenched alfresco dining area is the place to be.

Familjen's welcoming glow has made it a second living room for many regulars and it's an easy place to drop into whether you're after a drink, something simple to eat or a three-course gourmet meal. Simple is best, is the kitchen's motto. The Michelin Guide agrees, awarding Familjen their Bib Gourmand award for excellent food at reasonable prices. 

With no fewer than four outdoor dining area (one of which has a pool!), Skanshof is a popular hangout for sun-worshipping Gothenburgers, not least for post-work drinks, cocktails and cold beers. Food-wise, the emphasis is on fish and shellfish, but vegetarians and meat-lovers will also find something tasty to tuck into.  

Heurlins, inside the Clarion Hotel Draken, aims to combine the best of two worlds: food from the sea in a pure West Coast atmosphere, and pastries accompanied by bubbly. Dinner is often accompanied by live music – music is an important element at this cultural hotel.

Valentinas, which first opened in Lilla Bommen, can now also be found in equally elegant and comfortable surroundings in Kallebäck. Come by for a relaxed lunch or a post-work drink or glass of wine with French vibes.

Rollin Bistros Backyard serves up nice vibes, plenty of places to sit and varied cuisine in industrial surroundings. Choose from Asian food and drink in the Japanese beer hall, creative cocktails in the bar or streetfood dishes in the restaurant. A friendly hangout that works as well for lunch or dinner as a post-work drink.

If you fancy mingling with international visitors and admiring the view over the Göta Älv river, don't miss the restaurant at the Quality Hotel Waterfront. The building used to be a brewery and you can meet up these days over both food and a wide selection of porters and other beers.

Joe Farelli's is a classic watering hole on Avenyn which has maintained the same high standard for many years. Entering the restaurant is like stepping into a miniature version of Little Italy, with red-and-white checked tablecloths, pastel leather booths and black and white photographs on the walls. The menu is full of Italian-American favourites and the cocktail bar serves up drinks in a buzzy atmosphere. 

Restaurang V serves up nice, relaxed vibes on Västra Hamngatan based around something most of us like - pizza. It's made here in Genovese style and topped with both classic and innovative accompaniments with variations to suit everyone, both vegetarian and meat. But the most important thing is the warm, friendly atmosphere that transforms the restaurant into a living room where everyone is equally welcome. The cool paintings on the wall are by artist duo Pichiavo.  

Fire plays a starring role at Totale - all dishes are prepared here over an open fire or in a wood-fired oven. In terms of taste, Italy is the lodestar, but ingredients are local. With a wonderfully loud, buzzy atmosphere, the restaurant has become something of a living room where relaxed hanging out combines with gastronomic experiences.

Lola is as elegant as it is playful, with its neon signs and gold bar. The name comes from an old The Kinks belter, and there's as much gusto in the bar as there is in the song. Come by to drink celebratory cocktails in relaxed, buzzy surroundings, and when the hunger kicks in you can order some pizza or a few snacks. 

If this pizza and wine bar in Haga has escaped your attention, it won't be long until you dragged there by friends or family. Bar Minimal was founded by a team of passionate pizza enthusiasts who also love wine. The menu is updated regularly with whatever flavours take their fancy, and the same goes for the wine selection.

You'll find Noot Nordik Kitchen inside the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, serving traditional Scandinavian dishes with its own modern touch. The menu includes meatballs made from wild boar, among other things. The restaurant is elegantly decorated in Scandinavian minimalist style with blonde wood and green plants.

Chef Ulf Wagner is the man behind this bistro-influenced restaurant which opened in Kungsportshuset in autumn 2021. The ambition level is high both food and drinks-wise. The theme is classic, with both French and Nordic flavours on the plate. If you're a fan of fine wines there are plenty to choose from in the bar, don't hesitate to ask the staff if you want to try something new or get a pairing recommendation with your food.

A wide selection of wine by the glass and bottle, combined with medium-sized dishes with flavours from the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. Staff here are passionate and knowledgeable about food and wine, and you can upstairs after your meal for a spot of shopping at Vallgatan 12.

Cheese and charcuterie are the specialties at this warm, friendly deli, but the selection doesn't end there - far from it. Fresh ingredients combine with delicacies on the shelves and behind the counter – from olive oils, pasta and Italian pizza products to locally produced bread, fruit and vegetables, as well as confectionary and other treats. they also have takeaway ready meals made from Swedish and Scandinavian ingredients, which are ideal for a quick lunch or tasty dinner. 

If you're in the mood for jazz, Unity is the place to come. The jazz club, which used to be a travelling members' club, has now moved into Kale'i's former premises and opened up to anyone who wants to listen to some groovy jazz. Cheese fondue, whisky and jam nights are just a few of the delights on their events calendar.

Gothenburg's Hard Rock Cafe is spread over three floors in the middle of Avenyn. The iconic chain has been in Gothenburg since 2004 and houses a restaurant, bar, shuffleboard area and nightclub. The resaturant serves classic Hard Rock Cafe dishes such as steak burgers and decadent milkshakes, all against a background of rock souvenirs and memorabilia.

This fine-dining restaurant has created a unique gastronomic experience by cooking with local, sustainable and wild ingredients from nature. Tuck into their tasting menu or visit the wine bar where they serve à la carte dishes. Both menus reflect the distinct Nordic seasons - winter, spring, summer and autumn.