Gothenburg chefs have won the Swedish ‘Chef of the Year’ award a total of seven times in the past ten years, a reflection of the city’s ambitious restaurant scene. Follow the locals to trendy Linnéstaden for traditional fare in the cosy wine bar Hos Pelle (Djupedalsgatan 2, 121031, www.hospelle.com), or authentic Greek at Den Lilla Tavernan (Olivedalsgatan 17, 128805, www.lillatavernan.se). There are excellent ethnic restaurants on Andra Långgatan around the corner.

By the water, traditional Sjömagasinet (Klippans Kulturreservat, Adolf Edelsvärdsgata 5, 775 5920, www.sjomagasinet.se) specialises in fish and shellfish; Fond (Götaplatsen, 812580, www.fondrestaurang.com) serves new Swedish cuisine with great views of the city; and 28+ (Götabergsgatan 28, 202161) is a gourmet restaurant and a well-stocked cheese shop in one. All three have one Michelin star and offer cheaper lunchtime deals.

Local celebrities adore the Mediterranean cuisine at Caleo (Engelbrektsgatan 39B, 708 9340, www.caleo.se) and, during the warm months, its see-and-be-seen patio. Wasa Allé (Vasagatan 24, 131370, www.wasaalle.se) opened in 2005 and was an instant hit with restaurant critics and Gothenburg gourmands. It has a truly international menu, mixing traditional Swedish fare with Asian and Italian flavours.

For a restaurant with a difference, try Räkan (Lorensbergsgatan 16, 169839, www.rakan.se); you serve yourself seafood with a radio-controlled mini fishing boat, navigating past sharks swimming in the water.

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