Eat and fika in the Gothenburg archipelago

Where to eat in the archipelago

In the YouTube series Where to Eat? Gothenburg, Alicia Andersson – a finalist in Sweden’s MasterChef – guides you to some of the city’s best food experiences. In this episode, she explores the unique Gothenburg archipelago, with foodie stops at the seafood restaurant Isbolaget and Popsicle Café on Donsö, a seaweed safari with Algblomman, and seaside dining at Kajkanten Vrångö.

Restaurants and cafés on the southern islands of the Gothenburg archipelago

Donsö

In a small green oasis in Donsö harbour, you will find the charming restaurant and café Popsicle. Here, you can choose between tasty lunches and homemade ice cream. If you would like to dine with the sea just outside, head to Isbolaget. The old ice warehouse has been transformed into a restaurant and a cosy hotel.

Styrsö

Next to Donsö lies Styrsö. Here, you can head to Tångbaren, where much of the fish and seafood on the menu comes directly from Styrsö’s own fishing boats. The restaurant is located on a jetty over the sea, where you can enjoy views across the archipelago.

If you would like to combine a good meal with accommodation and wellness, visit Kusthotellet Styrsö, a peaceful oasis with sea views and a true archipelago feel. Here, you can enjoy a meal in the restaurant Astri, take in the views from the outdoor terrace or unwind in the wellness area.

By the ferry terminal at Styrsö Tången, you will find Båtebackens Caférestaurang, serving simpler dishes and home-baked buns. From here, you also have lovely views of the neighbouring islands of Känsö, Vargö and Brännö.

If you instead head to the ferry terminal at Styrsö Bratten, you will find Brattens Wärdshus where you can stop for food or fika while watching the ferry traffic go by.

Brännö

If you find yourself on Brännö, a visit to the classic Brännö inn (Brännö Värdshus) is well worth it. It is located in the middle of the island in the old pilot’s residence, offering both small, cosy dining rooms and a large outdoor terrace in the garden. The menu ranges from simpler dishes to à la carte options, with plenty of fish and seafood featured.

If you are looking for something tasty on the go, head to Kärran. This pink food truck serves Asian dishes with a Swedish twist, homemade pastries, juices and iced coffee. You will find the truck at Varpevägen 3 on Brännö, overlooking Gärdet and the harbour entrance, open from April to September. For more information, see their Instagram.

If you have spent the day exploring and are catching the ferry from Brännö Husvik, stop by the café  Le Shack. Located right next to the Brännö Husvik ferry terminal, it offers everything from sandwiches to fika. For opening hours and selection see Facebook or Instagram.

Asperö

If you are in the mood for a bite to eat or a fika in a leafy garden setting, head to Knutssons Garden Café on the island of Asperö. In addition to cakes and ice cream, they also serve delicious sandwiches. Open during the summer season.

Vrångö

Are you in the mood for truly fresh seafood? Then head to Fiskeboa and pick up crayfish, prawns or whatever you fancy. If you would rather sit down and eat, visit Hamnkrogen Lotsen at the hotel Kajkanten Vrångö, known for its dangerously good fish ’n’ chips.

By the ferry terminal on Vrångö, you will find Restaurant Ternan. Here, carefully selected dishes are served with a focus on fish and seafood. Flavourful vegan options are also available, and there is always a dish of the day that is not sea-based. The menu is kept concise, with a few high-quality dishes designed to minimise food waste.

Knarrholmen

On the small island of Knarrholmen, you will find Restaurant Knarrholmen. The focus is on well-prepared food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Everything is made from scratch, and whenever the opportunity arises, the staff head out to catch their own crabs, lobsters and whatever else the sea has to offer.

Restaurants and cafés on the northern islands of the Gothenburg archipelago

Hönö

On Hönö, in the lively harbour of Hönö Klåva, you will find plenty of restaurants open all year round. Tullhuset is a fish and seafood restaurant, and on its outdoor terrace you sit almost directly on the rocks, with the sea as your closest neighbour.

If you are in the mood for freshly baked bread, generous salads, burgers, hot sandwiches and homemade pies with fantastic sea views by the quay, head to Zivers Veranda..

Next door you will find Franses. The historic setting, with the scent of tar in the air, reveals that the premises once housed a rope-making workshop, and the worn wooden floorboards bear witness to the hard work once carried out here. Today, you can enjoy well-prepared food, live music and various activities. There is even a special menu for dogs.

For those who would like to enjoy food, fika and charming interiors all in one place, visit Lilling Cottage. Here you will find beautiful and selected flowers, food and interior design items under one roof. The menu draws inspiration from the Mediterranean, coffee is served from the café da Matteo, and delicious pastries are enjoyed alongside lovely sea views.

At Klova Hamnkrog, you can enjoy good, well-prepared food made from scratch. New dishes and flavours are tested ahead of each new menu. Here, you can experience properly prepared food in the restaurant’s cosy dining rooms or on the outdoor terrace, which often offers shelter from the sea breeze. For more information, visit the restaurant’s Instagram or Facebook.

Skafferiet is the restaurant of Skärgårdshotellet. The concept is simple, really good ingredients served in a welcoming setting in a relaxed manner. The menu changes frequently, with a focus on local and seasonal produce.

Öckerö

On the island of Öckerö, you will find Nimbusgården. Here, you can both stay and dine right by the water. The café serves delicious lunches and pastries, and in summer you will find swimming spots and crab fishing just around the corner.

Down by the quay, you will find Öckerö Hamncafé. Here, you can enjoy the dish of the day as well as fika in many different forms. For more information, visit the café’s Facebook or Instagram.

Gothenburg is a beer city, and that is noticeable in the archipelago too, where several microbreweries have opened in recent years. One of them is Hönöbryggeriet, which has been brewing beer on Öckerö since 2014. During spring and summer, the brewery opens its doors for visits and beer tastings.

Hälsö

Hälsö Brygga is driven by a great passion for food and good meetings. Coffee, homemade fika and ice cream are served directly by the water, and the glass-enclosed, openable outdoor terrace makes it possible to sit outside almost regardless of the season.

Källö-Knippla

On the small island of Källö-Knippla, you will find several places to eat. At Vadbinderiet, hot food and cold drinks are served throughout the day in premises with a long history linked to the fishing industry. As the evening sets in, guests can choose from the menu of cooked dishes and enjoy a cold beer or a glass of wine. You can count on really good fish and chips, beef burgers, pasta salad and delicious pancakes.

Matjes på Knippla is a real gem where every dish is a guaranteed catch. Here, the menu features the best of the sea, paired with suitable drinks. Among the dishes served is the “Archipelago Lunch”, a seasonal creation composed by the kitchen.

If you would rather take your food to go and sit down on a jetty, head to Spiken. Order from the hatch and enjoy fish ’n’ chips or a burger right by the water.

Hyppeln

Out on the island of Hyppeln, you will find Stora Oset, a genuine archipelago restaurant located right in the harbour. Here, there is something for everyone, good food, refreshing drinks and a welcoming atmosphere, all set in a beautiful archipelago setting.

Rörö

At the very northern tip of the island of Rörö, you will find several culinary gems. At Röröboa, you can count on two particularly good things on the menu, burgers and gelato. The café was originally intended to focus solely on gelato, something it is now well known for, but it soon became clear that proper food was also in demand. A kitchen was added, and since then Röröboa has become a natural stop for anyone feeling hungry on Rörö.

At Fiskeboa, you can buy freshly boiled crayfish, prawns and various kinds of fish. They also sell juice, chocolate and other small treats. Next door, at Fiskeboa Krog, you can enjoy good food and drink, with both lunch and dinner served.

Björkö

As the name suggests, you are right by the sea when you visit Seaside on Björkö. With its wonderful sea view, the restaurant is a popular stop for both sailors and families with children.