The Swedish julbord is an extensive spread that has evolved from a variety of traditions and today consists of an elaborate buffet of typical Christmas food. It is popular not only to sit down for a julbord on Christmas Eve with family, but also to go out for a special julbord meal at a restaurant in the run-up to Christmas – with family, friends or work colleagues.
See here for the low-down on the Swedish julbord.
Reflecting the city's fishing industry heritage, many of the julbord spreads on offer in Gothenburg are a bit heavier on the seafood than what you might find in and around other Swedish cities, such as Malmö (see our Malmö Julbord guide here) and Stockholm (see our Stockholm Julbord guide here).
Below are the best julbord spreads we can find in Gothenburg.
All prices listed are per person, unless otherwise stated.
This charming and very classy restaurant, based in an old 1920s Grand Café, gets a mention in the Michelin Guide and is an outstanding place for a high-end julbord.
The restaurant promises to serve up "all the tasty classics which we've always made", with "a wonderful combination of tastes both old and new with inspiration from the delicacies of the sea".
When: November 21st-December 22nd (lunch from November 27th).
Price: 945 kronor for lunch, 1,245 kronor on evenings and weekends
This 19th century hotel by Gothenburg's central station promises a julbord that is "one of the most atmospheric and cosy" in Gothenburg, and it leans heavily on classic and traditional dishes such as Jansson's Temptation, meatballs, herring, cabbage, and ribs. Glögg and coffee are included.
When: November 21st-December 20th
Price: Between 825 and 925 kronor, depending on time and day
Onboard a boat in the archipelago
You can have a julbord buffet at sea on one of two vessels operated by Strömma, Gothenburg's main operator of ferries to the islands in the archipelago. The company has buffets on two of its boats, the early 20th century M/S Göteborg and the more modern M/S Carl Michael Bellman.
On the former, the chef Lotta Bäckström promises to "mix up classic Christmas favourites with new dishes and exciting flavours", with dishes on offer including saffron pears, bilberry herring, and green pepper salmon with orange, as well as the classics like Jansson's temptation.
On the latter, you can eat to the sounds of a singer who will regale you with Christmas favourites.
When: November 26th to December 21st
Price: Between 775 and 925 kronor depending on time and day.
Lunch from 750 kronor. Dinner from 830 kronor.
The rival Skärgårdslinjen ferry service is offering a julbord with a Christmas show on board two of its cruisers.
"Forget sausage and meatballs, here we serve up the delicacies of the sea," the company declares, promising langoustine, prawns, mussels, fish and lobster soup.
When: November 13th to December 20th
Price: Between 895 and 1195 kronor for adults, price varies depending on date and time
The Hamnkrogen restaurant in Liseberg is a popular place for julbord. Photo: Goteborg & CoAt the Liseberg theme park
The Liseberg theme park might not seem like the most atmospheric place to have a Christmas buffet, but it is home to two restaurants which do offer that experience: Hamnkrogen and 1923.
Bear in mind with these two julbord offerings that entrance to the theme park is included, but you'll have to pay extra if you want to go on any of the rides.
Hamnkrogen supplies a julbord along the same seafood-centred lines as at Fiskekrogen, with shellfish and fish dishes, although they also promise traditional julbord favourites and "a large selection of vegan dishes".
When: November 21st to December 21st
Price: Between 675 and 950 kronor. Entry to Liseberg included.
The julbord at 1923 is absolutely traditional, with no additional emphasis on seafood and comes slightly cheaper.
When: November 15th to December 21st
Price: Between 655 and 845 kronor. Entry to Liseberg included.
The Imagine restaurant on the 29th floor of Gothia Towers offers a julbord with a view across Gothenburg and beyond. It's a reliable rather than flashy spread of all the classic dishes.
Gothia Towers has been surpassed as Gothenburg's tallest building by the new Karlatornet, but that doesn't do anything to detract from the view.
When: November 21st-December 24th (selected dates)
Price: Between 895-995 kronor
If you head out of the busy centre to the coast, Långedrag Värdehus offers what they call "a classic julbord inspired by the sea with all the Christmas delicacies". And you get a sea view.
When: November 20th to December 23rd
Price: Between 945 and 1095 kronor
Gunnebo Slott offers an organic Christmas buffet in beautiful surroundings. Photo: Gunnebo SlottIf you're willing to go even further afield, the Tullhuset restaurant on the island of Honö out in the archipelago offers "a pure fish and shellfish" julbord, which promises culinary "creativity", but "neither ham nor meatballs". There are, however, vegetarian and vegan options.
When: November 21st to December 21st
Price: Between 525 and 895 kronor depending on date and time
While vegans might feel deprived at some of the other restaurants in Gothenburg, they won't at Blackbird, which promises to "veganise Christmas dishes such as herring, ham, sausage and Jansson's Temptation", while also focusing on all the vegetables which are in season.
When: December 3rd to December 21st
Price: Between 539 and 569 kronor
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