A taste of Sweden

Did you know that Gothenburg is one of Europe's top culinary destinations? Boasting four restaurants with a Michelin star, and blessed with the fine location by the sea it's hardly surprising.

It's rare that I get very dressed up for dinner, but on hearing about the restaurant Linnea and its stylish setting it seemed essential. I was very glad I did. On arrival, the majority of customers were suited and booted and the atmosphere, although very comfortable had a classy air about it. I received a very professional and inviting greeting and was taken to a table with crisp white linen and an impressive array of crystal glasses. My culinary experience was amazing. We opted for the tasting menu and allowed the restaurant sommelier to choose our wines for us for the true Linnea culinary experience. I started the meal with a lovely glass of bubbly followed by a pre-starter of sweetcorn mouse with salmon. Then, after the warm up, the full on experience began. In total I had four wonderful courses each accompanied by a full glass of carefully selected wine. It was clear to see the food was made with love! Lobster mousse, seared scallops and chunky turbot was all beautifully presented. By the time I got to pudding and my 4th glass of wine I was beginning to feel slighly tipsy to say the least. None-the-less, this didn't distract from the divine chocolate ice-cream and wine berry sorbet. Linnea specialises in fish and seafood but does also serve local meat. It's definitely the perfect restaurant for a romantic meal, a business lunch or dinner, or a special occasion. Find out more at www.restauranglinnea.com/

When in Sweden, you must do as the Swedes do, at least for lunch! "Dagens lunch" is served daily in most restaurants and is a choice between a fish, meat or a vegetarian dish with salad and a soft drink. Prices start from about £5 (SEK 70). With four Michelin star restaurants to choose from in Gothenburg I thought I'd better try at least one. It was a real treat to visit Fond for my "Dagens lunch". Fond, located in the cultural heart of Gothenburg, is a bright semi-circular glass structure just next to the art museum. You might think Michelin star restaurants are dead posh, but Fond uses simplistic Scandinavian design throughout and has a very relaxed atmosphere. I felt perfectly comfortable in my jeans and woolly jumper. My choice of fish for lunch were similar to that of luxuriously fish goujons. Lovely! Find out more at www.fondrestaurang.com/.

The spotlights and low lighting combined with deep sea blue walls, create a relaxed and almost bohemian feel to the friendly neighbourhood restaurant. Sat up to a chunky table, I struggled to choose from the rather adventurous menu. Famous for their meatballs and other traditional Swedish fare, I finally opted for white bait roe with bruschetta, dill, chives and yoghurt as a starter and a steaming bowl of fish gratin for my main. Other tasty looking dishes on the menu include smoked reindeer on rye, and pan fried Arctic char. Yum. Mains on average are around £11.50. (SEK 150). If you fancy a tipple before or after your meal, there is a cosy little bar just around the other side of the restaurant. Find out more at www.smaka.se.

If I were a local to Gothenburg, I'd definitely make a weekly visit to Saluhallen Market Hall. Not only is it a food market with around 40 shops, there also lots of lovely little places to stop and have a bite for lunch or a coffee. It's the perfect place to go if you want to buy food for a picnic on a sunny day. The market is housed in an old building dating from 1873. It's not the only market in the city, for fresh fish, visit the Fish Market Hall selling top quality fresh fish and seafood or the fish auction, the largest auction in Sweden. Find out more at www.goteborg.com.

No trip to Gothenburg is complete without "fika" the Swedish for coffee and preferably a Swedish cinnamon roll. As alcohol is more expensive than some other European countries, it's cheaper and more commonplace to go out for a coffee and a light bite. My favourite coffee shops were in the Haga district and near the central stations, but Gothenburg is full of them. If you haven't got a sweet tooth, there is a huge selection of open sandwiches with delicious toppings to choose from. I didn't spot any Costa coffee shops or Starbucks, and it's a joy to explore different cafes in different neighbourhoods. Each are unique and special in their own way, varying from contemporary through to kitsch. It's a lovely experience to watch the city go by, from the window of a cute and quirky coffee shop. Find out more at www.goteborg.com.

If you love history, culture, fresh seafood, and cosy cafes, visit friendly and cosmopolitan Gothenburg either as a superb city break or the beginning of an adventure exploring the archipelago and varied landscapes of west Sweden.

• For more information on trips to Sweden visit www.visitsweden.co.uk.
• For more information on Gothenburg visit www.goteborg.com.
• Double rooms at the Avalon Hotel start from SEK 1290 (approximately £95) per night, including breakfast. For more details or to book visit www.avalonhotel.se or call 0046 31 751 02 00.
• SAS (www.flysas.com / 0870 60 727 727) offers flights from London Heathrow to Gothenburg from £108 pp return.
• Ryanair (www.ryanair.com / 08712 460 000) offers flights from London Stansted to Gothenburg, with fares starting from £10 one-way including taxes. Pick up a hire car from the airport and drive north for just over an hour.