Top things to do, see and eat in Gothenburg

There's no doubt that the sandwich has had a major culinary glow-up. But it took a long time before it really caught on. In modern times, the first steps came with Mack-SM, an industry event that has crowned Sweden's tastiest and most innovative sandwich every year since 2002. As far back as ten years ago, people predicted that the American sandwich trend would arrive in Sweden, but things moved slowly. It's only in recent years that hearty sandwiches have become a regular feature on restaurant menus in the country's biggest cities. Today, it's all about substantial sandwiches that are complete meals rather than just a quick snack. The bread is often sourdough, levain or bagel, while the filling is a carefully considered combination of ingredients that both contrast and complement each other. The filling should be the star of the show. There are plenty of restaurants in Gothenburg with one or two sandwiches on the menu, but however good they may be, they don't qualify as dedicated sandwich spots. Asian buns and Mexican tacos also don't make the cut for this list. Dig in: Here are Gothenburg's five very best sandwich spots!Also recommended:  Here are Gothenburg’s 15 best bars 15 best things to do in Gothenburg

Sometimes it’s an advantage not to be a metropolis. Gothenburg may be Sweden’s second-largest city, but it has more of a small-town character – just the right size, down-to-earth and friendly, with bars all within comfortable walking distance of each other. And there are plenty to explore: from hidden gems and beer joints to cosy living-room spots and eye-catching hotel bars. But however different and atmospheric they may be, it’s the drinks that take centre stage – high-quality cocktails, wines, beers and ciders. The only thing left to do is pick and choose. Time Out guides you to the best watering holes on Gothenburg’s dense bar map.

When summer takes hold of the city, an ice cream break becomes a natural part of the day – a chance to slow down, sit in the sun and recharge with a refreshing scoop of artisan ice cream. In Gothenburg, you’ll find everything from classic ice cream bars serving scoops to small gelaterias where flavours shift with the seasons and inspiration. Some places even make their waffles on site, which elevates the whole experience. The city’s selection includes several cafés that focus on ice cream without unnecessary additives – something that’s clear in both taste and texture. It’s hard to walk more than a few blocks without being tempted by a sign, a queue or a flavour you didn’t know you were craving. Here are some of Gothenburg’s best ice cream spots right now.

A major Stockholm-based newspaper once wrote in a review: ‘Sometimes all of Gothenburg feels like one big French bistro.’ I remember feeling deeply offended. I kept wondering whether there was any truth to it. And, to be fair, there is. The city certainly has a soft spot for French bistros and cosy wine bars. But that's only a tiny part of what Gothenburg actually has to offer. If you haven't found the rest, you simply haven't looked hard enough. Or perhaps you just didn't have the right guide. This one didn't exist back then. Gothenburg is a creative, fun and vibrant city. At the same time, Gothenburgers are experts at being sceptical of change and fiercely protective of tradition. That combination creates an incredible environment for the city's restaurants, where diversity and quality are given room to flourish at every level. Time Out's favourite restaurants in Gothenburg are a wonderfully varied mix of neighbourhood gems, fine dining destinations and street food spots. You'll find Mexican, Georgian and Nordic cuisine, tasting menus assembled with tweezers alongside Turkish charcoal grills and taco kiosks. Prices vary, but the most important factor in our reviews is whether the bill feels worth paying when the meal is over. As always, we've also awarded every restaurant a star rating. This guide includes places with three, four and five stars, where three means good, four means very good and five means extraordinary – the kind of places you'll be recommending to everyone who'll listen long after you've left. That said, don't overlook the three-star restaurants. Some places are at their very best when they're allowed to keep things relaxed, and that's often exactly why we find ourselves returning again and again. Whichever restaurants you choose to visit, we hope you'll discover a new favourite. Now it's time to introduce ours. At a glance Vrå – Japanese-inspired cuisine with sustainability at its heart Diket – Majorna's best neighbourhood restaurant Gurras – A street food-inspired tasting menu Epoque – Gothenburg's best fish and seafood stew Bhoga – A nine-course tasting menu in Inom Vallgraven Bistro Odette – Modern French comfort food KaiFo – Gothenburg's best Asian fusion Carbon – Brazilian-inspired fine dining Tizne – A Mexican tasting menu Bar La Lune – Gothenburg's best tarte tatin Tien Tsin – Gothenburg's best Chinese restaurant  Manfreds Brasserie – Gothenburg's best Wiener schnitzel Lilla Istanbul – Gothenburg's best charcoal-grilled mixed platter Stumari – Georgian sharing plates in Olskroken Hermanos Tacokiosk – Gothenburg's best tacos Recommended reads: 15 best things to do in Gothenburg Gothenburg’s best hotels – 9 favourites to check into The best sandwich spots in Gothenburg: 5 places you need to try