Cheap and tasty food in Gothenburg

The cost of eating out in Gothenburg can add up; particularly if you add wine to a meal. But there are ways to enjoy eating out without blowing a hole in your budget (and it does not involve eating a Whopper-Mc-Shite-Meal). Below are my five best tips to eat cheap in Gothenburg:

Take advantage of weekday lunches

No doubt, the best food deals in Gothenburg happen around lunch. That can start as early as 11.30 am for a Gothenburger with most places quieter (possibly closing) around 14.00. Daily (“dagens”) lunch menus generally offer bread, a salad buffet, main course, coffee and biscuits, all for less than 100 SEK. You have limited menu options to choose from, but at that value, you can’t complain! And even cheaper lunches are found at ICA Focus’s Restaurant.

Vegetarians should definitely check out Andrum on Östra Hamngatan, just a couple of minutes walk from Brunnsparken. They have an amazing value, self-service buffet and always have vegan alternatives in the kitchen – just ask. If I’m in the mood for a special lunch that would cost twice as much if served in the evening, both Giardino Bistro and Pigalle have a great lunch menu for around 130 SEK. 

Eat for free

When I say “free”, remember that “nothing in life is free”. It will cost you the price of a drink, but even that’s likely to be discounted during “After work” hours, typically 17-19:00 on weekdays.

Yaki-Da offers free pizza every Friday (it’s also a really fun club, so if you want to stay out – you don’t need to leave). Also on Fridays, at Cafe Hängmattan, they sell beer for 100 SEK which seems expensive until you realise it comes with free access to a Mexican buffet.

Just search “After Work Buffet” and see the many options available.

Street food

Gothenburg is a foodie city and so it’s no surprise to find the Food Truck trend alive and well here. There are always Trucks at Magasinsgatan, Kungstorget and often at Gustav Adolfs Square too. Here you can buy restaurant-style lunches in a box, so there’s no-frills and sometimes no seat either! There are a whole variety of cuisines to sample, from artisan Swedish food to Asian fusion cooking. Jinx food truck, on Magasinsgatan, is one of my favourites.

Then, pre-dating the food trucks are Gatukök street kitchens. They are fast food joints selling decent Thai, sausage, falafel or pizza for 70-80 SEK; you’ll find them peppered throughout Gothenburg. Vegetarians and vegans should check out Jonsborgsgrillen on Avenyn for a quick but filling fast food pit stop.

Stora Saluhallen

Affordable and quality meals are available Monday-Saturday from 11-6 pm in Stora Saluhallen. The cheapest eats, around 75 SEK, tend to be found inside the hall itself, rather than in one of the restaurants found on the outside of the market hall. However, don't expect the added extras (bread, salad buffet, coffee etc.) of a restaurant-style lunch menu. With around forty restaurants and delicatessens housed in the impressive, late-19th Century building, it’s fun to wander around and see which menu draws you in. With much of the eating done at bars, rather than tables, it works really well if you’re eating alone.

We particularly recommend Banh Mi Vietnamese who do tasty and fresh rice, noodle and soup dishes.

Find yourself a Tullen

A place I often find myself eating at is Ölstugan Tullen. It's a local chain that's quickly and recently spread around the city – not all are shown in the map below, it'd simply take over! – you can find a full list of locations here. Open from 15:00 on weekdays, and 13:00 at weekends, almost everything on their menu costs 120 SEK. For this you can expect healthy portions of honest, seasonal food. You’re guaranteed at least one veggie and often a vegan option too. And although the food here won’t win any culinary prizes; it won’t fail to please a hungry stomach or your bank balance!  

If you are in Gamlestaden

Old Corner in the “Old Town” has a comfy and cosy pub feel with a wide choice of vegan and vegetarian options. The service has its own charm and varies, but the vegan pizza is the best in town.

Cheap food options near Avenyn

In Gothenburg, fast food means much more than McDonald’s and Burger King. Vigårda on Avenyn has cheap drinks and all sorts of tasty burgers including vegetarian and vegan options. Bryggeriet has 2-for-1 meal deals for both evening and lunch with all food prepared from scratch.

Be sure to check out our guide to Cheap Drinks in Gothenburg.

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This Is Gothenburg [2023]