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Author:Richard Webber

Head to Sweden for a taste of outdoor coffee and cake, vintage shops and tours and stunning sea views. Richard Webber examines the nautical city’s vegan credentials in this vegan guide to Gothenburg…

Situated on Sweden’s west coast, Gothenburg is the country’s second city and largest seaport.

Designed by the Dutch in 1621, this compact city is easily explored on foot and boasts ornate bridges crossing canals, wide boulevards, splendid architecture, acres of parkland and myriad restaurants and cafés.

In fact, Gothenburgers indulge their passion for coffee and cake so much, they’ve even invented a word for it – “fika”.

People take it so seriously that during cold snaps blankets are dished out at open-air cafés. Follow this vegan guide to Gothenburg to make the most of the wonderful places this city has to offer.

Where to eat vegan food in Gothenburg

Like elsewhere around the globe, veganism is booming in Gothenburg with an increasing number of exclusively vegan restaurants and cafés – while many others offer exciting vegan options.

Here are some of my favourites, all sampled during a recent trip to the city.

MIM (More Is More)

Run by husband and wife Ida and Staffan Wittrock since 2017, MIM is a cosy, kitsch restaurant tucked away in the Brämaregården district on Hisingen, Sweden’s fifth-largest island.

With its marble tables, decorative lamps and local artists’ paintings adorning the walls, it’s a must for anyone seeking delicious street food-style vegan fayre.

The menu offers, among other items, hot dogs, burgers, French-style pizzas plus mac and cheese. Here, it’s about comfort food with big flavours.

Try the delicious New Yorker Hot Dog (Housemade seitan bratwurst, bourbon mustard, Chipotle ketchup, caramelized onion, pickled cucumber) – It’s delicious!

Open: Wed-Thurs 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun 4pm-9pm. Herkulesgatan 40,mimgbg.com

Kafé Frilagret

I highly recommend this café which opened in 2012. Situated within a culture centre a stone’s throw from Järntorget Square, this alcohol-free venue has a relaxed vibe, providing the perfect meeting place for locals and tourists.

Everything baked within the café (90% of the menu) is vegan and, largely, nut-free. Oumph!, a soya protein meat substitute made by a Swedish company, is frequently used.

Try an Oumph! Wrap with vegan mayo followed by berry crumble with vegan cream.

The menu changes, but when I visited, dishes included BBQ wrap with pulled vegan “pork”, carrot, cucumber, red cabbage, rocket and vegan mayo plus toast with vegan cheese, spinach and roasted paprika mayo.

Open: Tues & Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs & Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 12 noon-5pm. Heurlins Plats 1,frilagret.se

Blackbird Vegankok & Bar

The result of a crowdfunding project, this bar-cum-restaurant exudes a bohemian, punk style with its second-hand furniture, photo-adorned walls and décor.

Run by vegans, Blackbird offers fresh, well-prepared dishes boasting international and Swedish flavours.

Cooked from scratch, dishes (and drinks) are 100% vegan using ingredients such as seitan, tofu and tempeh.

I’d recommend the Kahlo Bowl, hot & spicy jackfruit, sour rice salad with basmati rice followed by Churros ice cream pastry.

Open: Tues-Thurs 5pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 5pm-11pm. Stigbergsliden 3,blackbirdvegan.se

St Agnes Kafé

At this family-owned café near Avenyn, Gothenburg’s main boulevard, 98% of products are vegan; you’ll find everything from sweet cinnamon buns and cheesecakes to grilled sandwiches and lentil soup.

Many cakes and pastries are supplied by pastry chef Lisa Forsberg’s popular Doux Pastry company. Try the scrumptious carrot cake or princess cake, a traditional Swedish layer cake made vegan style.

Open: Tues-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat & Sun 11am-4pm. Teatergatan 30-32

Kafé Magasinet

Gothenburg’s old harbour neighbourhood has become a trendy hub for restaurants and bars, and that’s where you’ll find Kafé Magasinet.

Although not a vegan restaurant, there is a delicious salad on the menu, comprising the likes of deep-fried tofu, roasted nuts, broccoli, sprouts and soya dressing.

With generous opening hours, serving everything from breakfast to dinner, it’s popular with Gothenburgs.

Open: Mon-Thurs 9am-midnight, Fri & Sat 9am-2am, Sun 9am-midnight. Tredje Långgatan 9kafemagasinet.se

Brewers Beer Bar

If you love sourdough pizzas, head for Brewers Beer Bar where you’ll find a wide selection of artisanal offerings. The bustling bar gets busy very quickly so it’s advisable to book.

Although meat toppings are available, there are vegan pizzas on offer, including Vegan Kebab Pizza (tomato sauce, vegan cheese, kebab (seitan), mixed salad, grilled pepper, fresh tomatoes.

Red onion, parsley and vegan kebab sauce.). With 14 beers on tap, there are plenty of drinks to choose from, too.

Open: Mon 4pm-11pm, Tues-Thurs 4pm-midnight, Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 1pm-1am, Sun 1pm-11pm. Tredje Långgatan 8,brewersbeerbar.se

Goteburgare Vegan

The Iranian owner has two restaurants in the street, including this vegan-only eatery, specialising in burgers and oat or soya milkshakes. And every month, a new burger is introduced.

Open: Monday-Sunday 11am until late. Andra Långgatan 11,goteburgare.com

Planet Vega

As well as this wood-panelled restaurant at Mariagatan, the owners run a successful vegan food truck, selling burgers, rice and other snacks.

Located behind the city’s famous market hall in Kungstorget Square, season-based dishes are snapped up. At the restaurant, pizzas, burgers and other vegan food are available.

Open: Food truck spring and summer, restaurant at Mariagatan, Fri and Sat 11.30-7pm. Mariagatan 27,planetvega.se

Syster Marmelad

Located in the neighbourhood of Majorna, this is the sister restaurant of popular Kafé Marmelad across the street.

If you visit in clement conditions, grab a table on the outdoor terrace and enjoy a glass of organic wine before sampling the food.

The only non-vegan dish on the menu, which changes periodically, is a cheese plate. I’d recommend the Spring Beets main course, comprising baked yellow beets, bread, smoked mayo, pistachio nuts and crisps. Don’t miss the vegan Sunday brunch, either!

Open: Thurs-Sat 5pm until late. Mariagatan 16,systermarmelad.se

Top five places to visit in Gothenburg

1.Haga District

A mix of second-hand, antique, fashion and art shops line the cobbled streets of Haga, the city’s oldest quarter – and there are plenty of cafés, too.

The pedestrianised street Haga Nygata is a must because several intriguing shops are found within well-preserved houses, many in the characteristic Gothenburg style with one floor in brick, the rest wood.

Conveniently located within walking distance of the city centre, there is a shop for everyone.

2.Classic Volvo Tour

Gothenburg has been home to Volvo since the 1920s, so what better way to see the city’s sights than in a finely-polished 1950s model? Hans provides historic 90-minute sightseeing tours with a difference.

You can get behind the wheel of the vintage vehicle yourself or opt to be chauffeured around. As well as passing more frequented landmarks, Hans’ tour covers locations dating from the period of his classic Volvos. 

3.Konstmuseum (Gothenburg Museum of Art)

One of many museums in Gothenburg, this one houses, among other treasures, arguably the world’s finest Nordic art collection. Works from the Renaissance to present-day cover six floors.

Art lovers are spoilt for choice with countless galleries to admire, with contemporary being the main focus.goteborgskonstmuseum.se

4.Botanical Garden

The city’s botanical garden is among Europe’s finest, offering a world of discovery and biodiversity within the gardens and greenhouses.

Sited on the quiet banks of Rosenlund Canal, it showcases over 20,000 species of plants, flowers and trees amid sweeps of forest, protected glades and extensive lawns.botaniska.se

• The garden is openevery day, 24 hours a day, all year round.
• Greenhouses openMay – August 10am – 5pm every day, other times 10am – 4pm every day. Closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
• The store openApril – September 10am -7pm every day. October – March  weekdays 11am – 5pm, Sat – Sun at 12 noon – 4pm Christmas Eve and New Years Eve

5.Head for the islands

You can’t visit Gothenburg without being seduced by its nautical attractions. Jump on a tram and head for the nearby port of Saltholmen.

Board a ferry and explore the southern archipelago, an array of rocky car-free islets sprinkled along the coast.

Explore several islands, including Styrsö with its coves, meadows, woods and small beaches. Once a hotspot for Gothenburg’s socialites, it’s now a quiet stress-free haven.

Where to stay in Gothenburg

Hotel Waterfront

The waterfront is where the city meets the sea, a charming corner of Gothenburg combining old and new.

At the heart of this region stands the former Carnegie Porter brewery, which has been transformed into a characterful 4-star hotel. The hotel has good transport links to the city centre via trams, which stop nearby.

Adolf Edelsvärds Gata 10,hotelwaterfront.se

Gothia Towers Hotel

This 4-star hotel dwarfs any other in the city – or in Scandinavia, for that matter – and stands alongside Liseberg Amusement Park, which has been operating since 1923 and attracts over three million visitors a year.

Its location is ideal for visiting the city centre, including Avenyn.

Its three towers contain five bars and restaurants plus 1,200 tastefully decorated rooms and suites with fab views over the city. Make sure you sample the exclusive spa extending over three floors with its glass-bottomed outer pool.

Mässans Gata 24,gothiatowers.com

Hotel Royal

Dating back to 1852, this family-run hotel is reputedly Gothenburg’s oldest.

Located just five minutes from the city’s central station, it offers 76 rooms, a peaceful courtyard, freshly-brewed coffee and homemade cakes upon check-in plus a fine interior boasting a handpainted glass ceiling, intricately patterned stone floor and Art Nouveau staircase.

Drottninggatan 67,hotel-royal.com

Travelling to Gothenburg

Several airlines fly direct from the UK to Gothenburg’s Landvetter Airport, situated around 14 miles southeast of the city, including SAS (flysas.com), British Airways (ba.com) and Norwegian (norwegian.com). It’s easy to get to and from the airport.

Taxis and hire cars are available and the Flybus takes around 30 minutes. For further information, go togoteborg.com orvisitsweden.com.

Did you find this vegan guide to Gothenburg helpful? Find our other vegan city guideshere.