The guide to the best restaurants in Gothenburg city centre

You'll find one of Gothenburg's most charming restaurants in the heart of the city. The atmosphere at Totale is warm and welcoming and the food is cooked over an open fire. The menu is based on medium-sized dishes ideal for sharing, as well as pizza with both classic and Scandinavian flavours. Whether you prefer meat, fish or vegetarian you'll find something here to suit. 

Modern Nordic gastronomy meets the techniques and traditions of Japanese cuisine at VRÅ. Exclusive sashimi and sushi and small dishes are made from top-quality West Coast ingredients. A unique Japanese world in the middle of Gothenburg.

On Teatergatan, a stone's throw from Avenyn, three childhood friends have created a French oasis where guests can gather to enjoy delicious French food and drinks with a Swedish touch. The team was inspired by holidays together in Palavas-les-flots. Combine with a glass of carefully selected wine and be transported to the Riviera.

Food and wine co-exist in harmony at this ambitious neighbourhood restaurant, whose owner also runs Publik in Lysekil. At Epoque, they've created a feeling of stepping into someone's living room, with tiles, shelves full of wine and art. Take a seat for a glass of wine at the bar, some oysters and champagne, a main course or a whole three-course dinner. 

At this down-to-earth restaurant in the otherwise swanky district of Lorensberg, you can drop by for a tasting dinner or a glass of natural wine and some snacks. The restaurant is decorated in nature-inspired colours and with wooden furniture, which creates a warm and welcoming impression.

Before chef Gustav Trägårdhs opened Gurras, he worked at fine-dining restaurants where expensive, luxurious ingredients and drinks were the rule rather than the exception. When he decided to open his own establishment, he wanted to do something a bit different and the result is a more relaxed restaurant with a focus on modern street food.

At Gumman Elvira they believe every day is worth celebrating. They invite you to a convivial hangout in a lively atmosphere, where you can enjoy tasty snacks and flatbread pizzas combined with something delicious to drink. As well as classic cocktails, the drinks menu lists lots of innovative variants.

You'll find this buzzy jazz and wine bar on Kyrkogatan 13. If you want to eat right in the centre of things you can book a table in the room where the band's playing, or sit closer to the bar if you want to enjoy the music from a distance. The menu includes shellfish, plant-based and meat dishes, as well as Unity Jazz's signature cheese fondue.

Inspired by the food culture of the American southern states, Brisket & Friends focuses on BBQ meat, which is ordered by weight. Add sides such as mac and cheese or creamed corn for a complete Texan-style meal. The bar boasts a wide selection of beers on tap, mainly from local breweries but also the US.

Just like at an authentic French bistro, Södra Larm serves food and drink from morning until evening. This hidden gem is ideal for both friendly and romantic rendezvous, with a classic menu consisting of everything from shellfish to steak tartare, champagne and iconic cocktails.

You'll find this Vietnamese gem of a restaurant at one of Gothenburg's most central moorings, close to Kungsportsplatsen. With views over the leafy parks nearby, they serve Saigonese streetfood with authentic smells and flavours. Tuck into crispy, flavourful dishes such as baguettes, noodles and salads accompanied by a glass of wine and round off your meal with a Vietnamese dessert.

Ma Cuisine has been at the same address for more than 20 years and has managed both to retain their regulars over the years and draw in new guests. You'll find inspiration and ingredients from all over Sweden, taken to new heights with classic French cooking techniques. The menu is updated regularly to make the most of seasonal produce and there's an extensive wine list to choose from.

The steampunk aesthetic permeates everything from the decor to the staff's uniforms at this unique bar. In addition to a unique experience, Steampunk serves up a menu inspired by the restaurant's proximity to the sea, as well as game and vegetarian options. They also stock one of Gothenburg's largest selections of craft beers.

Despite its location in the centre of the city, it can be easy to loose your bearings inside the Dorsia. The numerous artworks, rich colours and draped textiles can make you feel as though you've been transported to the home of am eccentric art collector around a hundred years ago. The menu follows the same extravagant style as the decor and though dishes are partly decided by the seasons, you can always order decadent favourites such as oysters and caviar.

If you're in the mood for French favourites and possibly a little game of billiards, head for BP Brasserie inside Biljardpalatset. The menu consists of classic dishes and there's a wide selection of wines from the wine cellar to choose from. Bring your friends, family or a romantic date.

American street food, natural wine and cocktails take centre stage at this lively neighbourhood joint - all against a backdrop of rock 'n' roll. Drop by MG5 for a tasty burger lunch or a fancy dinner, or just to hang out at the bar and enjoy the atmosphere. The menu revolves mainly around meat and poultry, but if you prefer to eat green, the kitchen will prepare something plant-based.

Head south and pay a quick visit to Italy. At Sorellina you can enjoy a atmosphere that feels warm, welcoming and relaxed - whether you want to enjoy a glass of wine or a meal. The menu consists of well-loved classics and there are dishes to suit all tastes. Antipasti, pasta, fish, meat, vegetarian and delicious desserts, as well as a wide selection of wine.

This French-influenced restaurant is right at the top of the design hotel, Pigalle. International food is cooked in the open kitchen and served in the form of both á la carte and larger tasting menus. During the summer months, Atelier's roof terrace is a popular meeting spot.

Bohuslän's shellfish is said to be among the best in the world and Gothenburgers are rightly proud of this delicacy. Fiskekrogen has specialised in marine delicacies for more than 20 years. The menu is dictated by the catch of the day, their tasting menu serves up the kitchen's favourite dishes and at the end of the week they lay out a shellfish buffet.

You may have heard of the Gothenburg-based brewery Poppels, which is the world's largest oak barrel-based pilsner brewery. They also have a restaurant, Poppels Citybryggeri, where they dedicate themselves to sustainable cooking and local ingredients. Naturally, their food tastes best paired with a beer.

Classic cooking is at the heart of what Bikt does but they're also not afraid to draw inspiration and flavours from all around the world. You can watch the chefs prepare everything in the open kitchen, which you can enjoy either around the white-tiled bar or at the table. During the summer months you can hang out on the outdoor dining area or in the backyard .

“Bastardised Asian food” is the concept at Jinx, which started out as a food truck and now has a fixed address. Sandwiches, noodles, fries, baos; they serve tasty and colourful street food with influences from Asia. The premises is intimate and pared-back. 

Numerous foodie businesses offering everything from Vietnamese to natural wines and street food gather under the high ceilings of the Saluhallen indoor food hall. When the market opened at the end of the 19th century, foodstuffs such as meat, pork, flour, oats, butter, cheese and other "necessities and peasant goods" were sold here, but nowadays you can also sit down and enjoy a meal here.

Sassi Enoteca is fully stocked with (Italian) wines; there are always around 200 varieties on the shelves, both red and white. But you don't drink wine on an empty stomach so they also offer a wine-friendly menu with small and larger dishes with Italian flavours. The menu isn't the only thing that feels authentically Italian; the interior is an elegant nod to the wine bars in the south of Italy.

Authentic Vietnamese flavours are the order of the day at Vi Viet, which has an intimate restaurant on Erik Dahlbergsgatan. They serve noodles, curries, soups, bao and banh mi, made from recipes that are constantly refined and developed to bring out the very best flavours.

It's no accident that this restaurant is called Grano - it's the word you're left with if you remove the dots from Granö, the island in Norrland on which brothers and restaurateurs Christoffer and Thomas Sjögren grew up. It also means wheat in Italian. They've created a charming local restaurant here with Italian wines, cocktails and nibbles such as cheeses, olives and charcuterie. 

As the name suggests, inspiration here comes from Italy's trattorias, filled with wines, good food, snacks and a cheerful, relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant is decorated in a warm, homely way with carpets, paintings and wooden tables, and there's outdoor seating during the warmer months. The menu changes almost daily, but if you want to get an idea of what they, take a look at their social media. When it comes to wine, natural and biodynamic are the watchwords.

Michelin-starred restaurant Koka distinguishes itself with its excellent food, which they describe as "modern West Swedish gastronomy", made primarily from locally produced ingredients with plenty of fish and shellfish. But the interiors also attract plenty of attention, with an ornate 19th-century glass ceiling, wood paneling and specially designed furniture.

You'll find boutique hotel Elite Plaza Hotel in an almost palace-like building on Västra Hamngatan, along with its restaurant Swea Wine & Dine. The building's original details have been beautifully preserved, such as stucco ceilings and mosaic floors, and harmonise with modern art and design. The kitchen uses seasonal ingredients to create Swedish dishes with some southern European elements.

Come to this neighbourhood restaurant for a delicious lunch. The French menu includes their signature dish, tarte flambée, along with other fish and meat dishes, and there's also a set business lunch. Valentinas oozes warm, welcoming vibes, making for a long, relaxed lunch.

Fresh, crisp and healthy lunch salads are the order of the day at Beet. They call themselves “fast casual”, which means slightly higher quality fast food served in a relaxed environment. They aim to make creative salads made with top-notch ingredients and plenty of flavour. Enjoy on site in the pared-back premises or take away.

This colourful gem of an Asian dinner club focuses on the whole experience, from the decor and art to the food and drink. Japanese dishes such as sushi, dumplings and Japanese barbecue dishes are interspersed with delicious Asian-style cocktails. Spend an entire evening here, or come by for a tasty weekend brunch instead.

Pan-Asian, a flirtation with Asia, an interpretation of Asian cuisines – Toso can be described in many ways, but the fact is that they make timeless food based partly on ingredients and spices from Asia. They aim to create a timeless yet modern dining experience, with dishes such as Asian steak tartare, gyoza and sashimi. Choose between a sharing meal or picking and choosing a tableful of tasty dishes yourself. The fabulous surroundings add to the experience, with buddhas overseeing every bite.

As the name suggests, rock takes centre stage at this welcoming restaurant and bar on Avenyn. In addition to live performances and theme evenings, they serve up a dinner menu with classic American dishes such as burgers, ribs and fried snacks. 

Restaurang Tiljan is on the ground floor of Stadsteatern, Gothenburg's city theatre. Tuck into anything from a main course to a three-course meal or just enjoy a glass of wine in the bar. The menu, created by Tiljan's head chef Stefan Stenbom together with celebrity chef Ulf Wagner, serves modern interpretations of classic flavours. Dishes are international with meat, fish and vegetarian options as well as desserts and the ice cream of the day. If you're in the mood for an evening out with dinner and a show, book a theatre dinner that's served before the performance.

If you want to enjoy a traditional Italian meal in cosy surroundings, head to Olivia on Avenyn. They serve classic favourites from all different regions of Italy, with an emphasis on pasta and pizza, along with other Italian dishes. The restaurant has rustic interiors and welcomes guests for all kinds of occasions.

Le Comptoir on Avenyn in Gothenburg is a cheese shop and delicatessen combined with a bistro. Comptoir means bar or shop counter in French and is a place where you eat, drink, maybe buy something to take home, chat with the staff, read the newspaper, drink a cup of coffee - quite simply, a nice place to spend time. Enjoy a piece of farm-produced cheese and other French delicacies, all produced with passion and craftsmanship. As well as small plates and snacks, they also serve French main courses and wines here.

Good food takes centre stage at this lively Spanish joint. Order a selection of Basque dishes in various sizes while the wine flows and the volume rises. The restaurant is divided into two parts; a part called Restaurangen, which is more of traditional restaurant, and Torget, where things are a little more spontaneous.

Bold and without boundaries - that's how Nou describes its menu. They offer several different concepts with different menus all under one roof: the meat restaurant Char with its South American and Spanish influences, Lanes with shuffleboard, pizza, burgers and beer, and then the rooftop terrace and cocktail bar Havana Lounge. All you need to do is pick and choose what you fancy.

La Gondola, one of the city's oldest Italian restaurants, has been around since the early 70s. Since then, the concept has changed with the times, and today it's equal parts classic and modern. Enjoy meat dishes, pasta, salads, snacks and Italian wines in the rustic environment. 

For Mr P, the most important thing is that all their guests feel right at home. Come in for a drink, or with friends for a slap-up meal - it's up to you. The menu includes small and medium dishes with flavours from all over the world, served in a light, airy room with high ceilings and art on the walls

Come to this fast-paced sports bar in the middle of Avenyn to watch your favourite team play or to play a game of mini golf or darts. Naturally, you can also replenish your energy levels with modern pub grub and cocktails of all kinds and colours. Inspiration comes from the USA and Italy.

At Tvåkanten, modern, Swedish cooking is the order of the day, in the form of a classic three-course menu where many of the ingredients come from small producers in Sweden. The restaurant consists of several dining rooms decorated with original bricks and warm colours, a large, chatty bar and two outdoor terraces that are popular in the summer.

In 2023, legendary Gothenburg venue Junggren's got a new concept, and is now more of a classic bistro experience than a café. The murals by artist Lars Gillis, painted in 1969, remain. They set the tone for the historic venue, depicting famous guests such as Benkt-Åke Benktsson, Hjördis Petterson and Karin Kavli. During the renovation the mural was added to with several new faces, such as Håkan Hellström and Karin Boye. The menu consists of Swedish home cooking.

The Parlour is Gothenburg's only Nikkei restaurant, which combines flavours from Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. They serve tasty dishes such as ceviches, tacos, spring rolls, dumplings and raw food in the stylish dining room with glass walls, colourful furniture and art on the walls. Dishes can be shared around the table or kept all to yourself.

If you want to eat top quality, freshly grilled meat, then Prime Grill is for you. Thanks to the open kitchen, you can see the food being prepared over an open fire and in the rôtisserie, before it's served piping hot and with tasty side dishes, sauces and vegetables. An international steakhouse with a great atmosphere and cocktails. They also serve kobe meat.

This brewery has many strings to its bow, with opening hours that stretch from lunch to dinner and into the wee hours. Since opening in 1993, guests have been able to come here for a bite to eat and something good to drink, a few dance moves on the weekend or to follow their favourite team on the big screen. Food-wise, they use a lot of organic and locally produced ingredients, transformed into classic international dishes such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, meat, pizza and pasta.

Inside the Hotel Bellora you'll find an Italian restaurant which also goes by the name Bellora. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here, highlighting the best flavours from different parts of Italy. In the summer, you can make your way up to the rooftop bar, Cielo.

Swedish flavours on the plate and in the glass are the order of the day at Ölstugan Tullen, which has branches at several spots around town. They have a penchant for beer, Swedish of course, but the bar is well stocked and has drinks to suit all tastes. Food-wise, they serve classics such as meatballs and pickled herring plates, which you can enjoy in the rustic setting either at long tables or in booths.

Joe Farelli's in the centre of Gothenburg takes their inspiration from Little Italy in New York. They've been serving Italian-American classics here for decades, such as carpaccio, wood-fired pizzas, milkshakes and crinkly fries. Red chequered tablecloths, green leather booths and black and white photographs on the walls, depicting sports stars, actors and artists, set the tone.