ROSE & IVY Exploring Gothenburg, Sweden | Where To Eat & What To Do

Photography & Words by Alison Engstrom

Located on the western side of Sweden surrounded by archipelago, Gothenburg is a city that appeals to all of the senses. Not only is the design, food, architecture and cultural scene noteworthy, this coastal town is putting sustainable practices at the forefront. According to the Global Destination Sustainability Index, it’s been deemed the world’ most sustainable city from 2016 to 2019 based on a number of factors. The second largest city in Sweden adopts a holistic approach, by looking at the ecological, social and economic factors and focusing on solutions in education, urban planning, energy, transports and consumption. Further, nearly all of the hotels have environmental diplomas and 65% of public transportation runs on renewable energy. We explored the best of this Scandinavian destination with a shortlist of where to eat, shop and explore.

The Sauna in Frihamnen, a favorite past time in Scandinavia.

The Best of Haga

Cobblestone streets lined with intricate wooden homes, cafés and shops are just a few of the charming factors that make one of the oldest quarters in Gothenburg a must for any visitor. After exploring the neighborhood, be sure to climb the stairs to the Skansen Kronan, a stone fortress built in 1700 that provides a wonderful vantage point over the city.

Rum för Inspiration

This boutique, which translates to ‘room for inspiration’, is the ideal location to discover indie beauty brands, handmade pottery, a variety of paper products, like botanical posters and design-forward spiral notebooks, which all make great gifts. rumforinspiration.se

Tell Me More

For those shoppers looking to scoop up Scandinavian accents for their home, look no further than Tell Me More. This concept store sells everything from linen table textiles and hemp rugs to ceramic candle holders, perfect for creating a hygge ambiance. tellmemore.se/en

Fåfängan Antiek

This corner antique store is filled to the brim with curiosities like stacks of old photographs, costume jewelry from the 50s to 70s, tea cups and silver platters. fafangansantik.com

Thrive Conscious Fashion

Bring yourself up to speed with some of the best sustainable brands at this storefront which puts the environment at the forefront. It’s stocked with style-forward sustainable brands including Jane N’ June, wunder[werk], HoodLamb and shoes by Bydney Brown and B Boheme. thrivestore.se

Café Husaren

For the ultimate indulgence, head to Café Husaren to taste their giant cinnamon bun, which has become their claim to fame. Grab a table, either indoors or out, and savor this sweet treat alongside a coffee for a fika. They also serve an ample menu including sandwiches with vegan and vegetarian options. cafehusaren.se

Le Petit Café

This whimsical, yet cozy restaurant, with walls clad in oversized floral wallpaper serves up nutritious food that rotates on a daily basis. Diners have the option to order from the menu or try a bit of everything with their sampler buffet. Be sure to leave room for their tempting pastry offerings, some which are vegan and gluten-free. lepetitcafe.se

Kafé Magasinet

A bright and leafy all-day spot is situated on Långgatorna, a bustling street dotted with bars and restaurants. Here you can sip on fair trade, organic coffee or order from their menu which includes salads, bowls and pizza, all under the worn industrial interior. kafemagasinet.se

The striking exterior of the Palm House in The Garden Society of Gothenburg.

Antique shops in the charming Haga neighborhood.

Elsewhere Around Gothenburg

The Garden Society of Gothenburg, Trädgårdsföreningen

Flower and plant lovers will delight in this peaceful, green oasis situated in the city center. Amid grassy lawns dotted with statues, the park boasts two spectacular rose gardens, one with modern breeds and another with old garden blooms, with 1,200 flowers blossoming each season. The Palm House, built in 1878, proliferates with a variety of tropical botanicals encased inside its glass and cast iron structure. Admission to the park and greenhouse is free. tradgardsforeningen.se

The Sauna in Frihamnen

Embrace Swedish culture by taking a trip to the sauna, located across the river in Jubileumsparken Park, an up-and-coming section of town. Designed by Raumblabor Berlin, the structure is assembled mostly from recycled materials—the changing facilities are comprised of 12,000 glass bottles—while one of the plunge pools looks out onto the harbor. During the winter months, slots must be booked in advance, but during the summer, it’s on a first come first serve basis. Learn More

Röhsska Museum of Design and Craft

Spend a few hours tracing back in design history at this newly renovated museum that showcases a vast array of relics, some dating back centuries—the oldest object being 4,500 years old to a glass collection from the 19th century and a restored kitchen designed by Le Corbusier. rohsska.se

Where to Stay

Upper House

For stellar views over Gothenburg paired with luxe accommodations, book a stay at Upper House. This five-star hotel is home to a pantheon of design elements like a Jean Nouvel designed lobby, an on-site florist and custom furniture throughout. There are a few restaurant concepts on the premise, including Upper House Casual Dining and Heaven 23--where they serve their famous shrimp sandwich--both incorporating locally grown ingredients, including dishes that includes their own honey from bees they keep on the roof. The rooms and suites are outfitted with custom Carpe Diem mattresses and dressed with Egyptian cotton sheets, while the Spa offers treatments, yoga and pools for the ultimate relaxation. en.upperhouse.se

Getting Around

While the city is walkable, if you are looking to fit in as many sights as possible, hop on a local tram, bus (30 SEK for a single ticket) or rent a bike with Styr & Ställ, the city-wide system.

Shopping Around the City

There are many thrift stores throughout the city, including Myrorna. This multi-leveled shop, which is part of the Salvation Army, is teaming with treasures waiting to be discovered. Pop Boutique is another option selling a highly curated selection of vintage wears, plus some home pieces. Krut & Krusiduller stocks everything from plants and garden accessories to glazed ceramic dishes. The Kitchen by Artilleriet located off the busy shopping street Magasinsgatan showcases impeccable home goods like handmade brooms, copper pans and tactile water pitchers. Go analog at Rum för Paper, tucked away on the charming walkway, Victoriapassagen, here you can purchase colorful papers, stationary and cards.

Food Around the City

Dining options abound at Zamenhof, an all-day spot that includes three different restaurants including Café Gazette, which serves a dynamite fish and chips; MayDay’s menu is focused around poke bowls and The Silver Lining serves barbecue alongside beer. Break for a fika and head to one of da Matteo’s locations and savor a treat from homemade bread to a cinnamon roll, in addition to their coffee roasted on the premises. For dinner, head to Koka, a Michelin starred restaurant devoted to modern Swedish cuisine blended with inspiration from around the globe. All of the dishes call for local and organic ingredients and a recent menu--diners can choose from three, five or seven course meals—included a consommé of celeriac and lovage followed by an unsweetened waffle dolloped with cream of seaweed and showered in chives. The meal ended with iced fermented plum shaved atop coffee ice cream and garnished with hazelnuts.

A very special thank you to West Sweden for hosting this trip.

Exploring Gothenburg, Sweden | Where To Eat & What To Do