Where to Drink in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has plenty of traditional beer halls, a significant and growing craft beer scene, cosy wine bars with sophisticated nibbles, and relaxed nightlife. Coffee is a national obsession in Sweden and Gothenburg has cafés ranging from homey to chic where you can pause for “fika"—a chat with friends over coffee and a bite of something sweet.

Kyrkogatan 13, 411 15 Göteborg, Sweden
At the far end of a charming courtyard is this tiny café that is also a record store and a record label. So please don’t hesitate to comment on the music while ordering your coffee and homemade biscuits or enjoying your lunchtime soup. Sometimes Höga Nord arranges concerts with bands from their own label, Höga Nord Records. Expect psychedelic and Swedish prog rock. Sometimes the owners of Höga Nord can be found behind the DJ booth of restaurant Folk, which means unknown and unusual music like Serbian synth rock will be played that night.
21 Linnégatan
Locals, cinema lovers, and hipsters of all ages enjoy the alternative cinema Hagabion, where this friendly bar is situated. The café here served vegetarian food long before it became a thing in Sweden. Wash it down with a local beer (try something from local craft brewer Stigbergstorget) and enjoy the atmosphere.
Kyrkogatan 13, 411 15 Göteborg, Sweden
At the far end of a charming courtyard is this tiny café that is also a record store and a record label. So please don’t hesitate to comment on the music while ordering your coffee and homemade biscuits or enjoying your lunchtime soup. Sometimes Höga Nord arranges concerts with bands from their own label, Höga Nord Records. Expect psychedelic and Swedish prog rock. Sometimes the owners of Höga Nord can be found behind the DJ booth of restaurant Folk, which means unknown and unusual music like Serbian synth rock will be played that night.
Kungstorget, 411 17 Göteborg, Sweden
The city’s most historic food hall is housed in a grand old building with a distinctive arched roof of copper and glass that lets light flood into the bustling interior. Come here to browse the 40 or so stalls and buy cakes, cheese, fish, meat, and vegetables to take away, or better yet, perch at a counter and eat right there amid all the hubbub of the market. The building was completed in 1889 and was landmarked as one of the country’s important buildings in 1985.
Stigbergstorget 1-2, 414 63 Göteborg, Sweden
This record store is an iconic destination for music aficionados, and also a place where many artists have signings when their record is released. If you are looking for recent releases or vinyls of the more exclusive kind, this is the place to be. The front café with its stage is the first venue many Gothenburg bands ever play.
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