Köttbullar · 159 SEK · Central Gothenburg
The best Swedish meatballs in Gothenburg
Hand-rolled from Swedish beef and pork, served the way they are actually eaten here — with mashed potato, cream sauce, raw-stirred lingonberries and pressed cucumber. 159 SEK. A fifteen-minute walk from Gothenburg Central Station.
What you get on the plate
One dish, done properly, on the menu every day we are open.
Our meatballs with mashed potato, cream sauce, lingonberries and pressed cucumber.
Meatballs — 159 SEK
A balanced mix of beef and pork, all of it Swedish meat. Rolled in our own kitchen, never bought in.
Served with homemade mashed potato, a proper cream sauce, raw-stirred lingonberries and pressed cucumber. That combination is not a garnish — it is the dish. The lingonberries are tart rather than sweet, and they are meant to be eaten together with every bite.
There is one more ingredient in the mix. We are not telling you what it is.
What Swedish meatballs actually are
In Swedish they are called köttbullar — literally "meat balls". If you have only met them at a furniture shop, the version served in a Swedish restaurant is a different thing: larger, softer, and always plated with the same four companions.
Gräddsås — cream sauce
Not a gravy and not a béchamel. It is built on cream and the pan juices, and it should be pourable rather than thick.
Rårörda lingon — lingonberries
Stirred raw with sugar rather than cooked into a jam, so they stay sharp. The tartness is what cuts the cream.
Potatismos — mashed potato
Made in the kitchen here, not from a packet. In Gothenburg you will also hear it called gött mos.
Pressgurka — pressed cucumber
Thin cucumber pressed with vinegar and sugar. The part visitors most often leave on the plate, and the part they should try first.
Meatballs are one of several dishes on our menu. If you would rather eat the local Gothenburg speciality, ask for the Halv special.
What guests say
Restaurang Olivedal holds 4.6 ★ on TripAdvisor from 59 reviews, ranked #4 of 55 bars and pubs in Gothenburg, and 5.0 ★ on the Swedish review site Thatsup from five ratings.
★★★★★
"For the small amount you pay for a meal, you get real quality on the plate. I can only take my hat off to the people in the kitchen."
— Anton H. via Thatsup
Translated from Swedish
★★★★★
"Really good service from a cheerful, kind girl, plus a lovely setting and atmosphere!"
— Stina K. via Thatsup
Translated from Swedish
Finding us and opening hours
Restaurang Olivedal
Ranängsgatan 8, 416 64 Gothenburg
In Stampen, by Svingeln and Friggagatan — east of the centre, not in the Olivedal district.
Central Station — 16 min walk
Ullevi stadium — 12 min walk
Scandinavium — 5 min by tram 6 or 8
Opening hours
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 15.00–23.00
Wednesday: 14.00–23.30
Thursday: 14.00–23.30
Friday: 14.00–late
Saturday: 13.00–late
Sunday: 15.00–23.00
On Sundays the kitchen closes at 21.30. We open on Mondays for major football matches.
Questions visitors ask
Do you speak English?
Yes. Our staff serve guests in English every day, and the menu has an English section further down the page.
Do I need to book a table?
Not always, but Friday and Saturday evenings fill up, and so does any evening with a big match at Ullevi. Booking takes a minute on our booking page.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, and card is the normal way to pay in Sweden. Most places here, including us, are effectively cashless.
What does a meal cost?
Meatballs are 159 SEK. Snacks run from 69 SEK and main courses from 149 SEK. Draught beer starts at 56 SEK. See the full menu →
How far is it from the city centre?
About sixteen minutes on foot from Gothenburg Central Station, or a short tram ride. We are in Stampen, just east of the centre and close to the Ullevi and Gamla Ullevi stadiums.
Is there anything for vegetarians?
Yes — breaded cheddar with pickled red onion, mini spring rolls, padrón peppers and garlic bread. Tell us about allergies when you order and the kitchen will work around them.
Come and try them
Meatballs, mash, cream sauce and lingonberries for 159 SEK, fifteen minutes from the station. Book ahead if you are coming on a weekend.
Svensk version: Köttbullar i Göteborg · More for visitors to Gothenburg
