Food Capital of Sweden 2012

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Gothenburg has been appointed the Food Capital of Sweden 2012. The coastal location means easy access to top quality fish and shellfish and there are no less than four restaurants with Guide Michelin stars: 28+, Fond, Kock & Vin and Thörnströms Kök.

The finest ingredients and inventive, open-minded chefs with a good feel for current Swedish tastes. These are some of the reasons why Gothenburg has become something of a culinary hotbed. Its coastal location means easy access to fish and shellfish of the best quality and flavour. The colder waters of the North Sea lead to slower growth and a fuller flavour. There is a strong movement today among Swedish chefs to work with local, preferably organic, produce and seasonal food. Apart from fish and shellfish, the local region provides game, berries, mushrooms and high-quality dairy products. The chefs’ modern approach to cuisine is based on Swedish traditions combined with new tastes and ideas from all over the world.

Best restaurateur and best restaurant of the year 2011 was appointed to Håkan Thörnström, owner of Thörnströms Kök. Another annual gastronomic award won by chefs in Gothenburg is the prestigious Swedish Chef of the Year. Recipients include Gustav Trägårdh at Sjömagasinet, Stefan Karlsson at Fond and Magnus Lindström at Swedish Taste.

Fine Dining

• 28+ *, Götabergsgatan 28. Culinary art for lovers of French food who expect the best in terms of both food and wine.
• Fiskekrogen, Lilla Torget 1. First class fish and seafood gastronomy.
• Fond *, Götaplatsen. Exquisite raw ingredients from West Sweden served with love and finesse.
• Kock & Vin *, Viktoriagatan 12. Swedish gastronomy. Exciting and creative west Swedish cooking at its best.
• Sjömagasinet ,Klippan Kulturreservat. Classic fish and shellfish temple that wish to take back their star. (Lost due to new owner).
• Swedish Taste,S:t Eriksgatan 6. Masterclass in the kitchen which honours well-known, seasonal tastes.
• Thörnströms Kök*,Teknloggatan 3. A masterful kitchen which gets the food to sing! New star in Guide Michelin from 2011.
• Wasa Allé, Vasagatan 24. Elegant dining with piquant organic twist.
• Linnéa Art Restaurant,Södra vägen 32. The food, service and atmosphere are worth a loooong trip. Swedish glass art is all around the restaurant, including the plates.

Casual Gourmet Bistros

• Familjen, Arkivgatan 7. BiB Gourmand awarded bar and restaurant. Focus on local produce with a modern twist, reasonably priced set menus.
• Hos Pelle, Djupedalsgatan 2. Rustic cuisine prepared with finesse, the chef makes the choice, you eat and enjoy.
• Kometen, Vasagatan 58, Classic Swedish dishes of the finest raw ingredients; simply to die for!
• Magnus & Magnus, Magasinsgatan 8, Perfect service with really good food.
• Stearin, Tredje Långgatan 8, Modern Swedish food in a charming environment.

(Source: Göteborgs-Posten)

Restaurant Districts

The quality of the food on offer in Gothenburg is consistently high. Good restaurant districts include the main boulevard Avenyn (Kungsportsavenyn) with its intensive nightlife, Magasinsgatan Victoriagatan, Linnégatan with its mix of bars, smart pubs and local restaurants, and Långgatorna, with cuisine from all corners of the world.

Cafés and Coffee Tradition

The tradition of `fika´, i.e. having a coffee and a cinnamon bun, goes way back, but more popular than ever. You can tell this from the number of cafés in the city centre featuring everything from small, cosy bakeries and cafés to trendy coffee shops.

Every district makes its mark on the cafés. Vasastan is the students’ quarter, and this can be seen by the number of cafés along Vasagatan. The cafes in Haga are more jovial than trendy – often furnished with unusual, second hand furniture. The Linné area also offers coffee lovers a wide range. Within the old moat Vallgraven there are many cafés of all styles, ranging from cut-glass chandeliers to modern and stripped, or simply a “hole in the wall”. Infrared heating and rugs extend the season in the many popular outdoor cafés.

Culinary Sights

The main culinary sights of Gothenburg are Feskekörka fish market hall, Saluhallen market hall and the early morning fish auction. Designer boutiques and the Röhsska Museum also offer their interpretation of Sweden’s gastronomic culture.

In addition there are many exciting food-related activities on offer in the surrounding area, such as lobster safaris, oyster picking and fishing along the coast north of Gothenburg.