Sea the light – be guided to West Sweden for world-class seafood
West Sweden is a veritable seafood sensation. There’s no escaping the fantastic fruits de mer, which are a central part of the diet for Swedes in this region, and visitors will be hooked on the fresh flavours of the ocean too. West Sweden’s oysters and lobsters rank among the best in the world – so what’s the secret? Patience - they grow slowly in the region’s cold waters.
An oyster odyssey
• Most of Sweden’s oysters come from the coast north of Gothenburg and many of these are hand-picked near Grebbestad. One of the highlights of the oyster year is focused on this town when the Oyster Festival takes place from 20-22 April. Oyster-openers battle it out in the Nordic Championships and the whole family can get acquainted with this sought-after shellfish; have a go at opening yourselves or take part in boat trip activities.
• Take an oyster break on the tranquil, secluded island of Karingon near Orust and get selfish with your shellfish at the oyster bar (ostronbaren). Here you can indulge yourself with oysters and champagne – overlooking the sea - in a large hot tub full of seawater heated by a wood-fired furnace.
• Another option is to go wild on an oyster safari. Visit wild oyster banks with underwater binoculars and a landing net to learn all about these molluscs – and enjoy a taste straight from the seabed. To get even closer, visitors with diving certificates can join divers at Grebbestad and head in to the blue to hand-pick the delicacy.
• Perfect your oyster knowledge with a visit to the Oyster Academy, dedicated to oyster-lovers all over Sweden, at Grebbestad.
Black gold – luscious lobster
• Each year the west coast transforms into a huge seafood party on the first Monday after 20 September. From the tiniest boatshed to the fanciest gourmet restaurant, everyone joins the celebration with lobster taking pride of place on the menu.
• A safari with a different set of claws: lobster safaris take place at various locations around the region. Handelsman Flink, a small, family-run hotel just an hour and a half’s easy drive north of Gothenburg, invites guests to accompany an expert lobster-catcher for half a day. Pull up the lobster pots and set them again, tie the lobster’s claws and hear your host’s stories about the creatures and life at sea. That evening, you’ll help cook the catch and enjoy your self-sought dinner in a cosy atmosphere.
• The Grebbestads Bryggeri (brewery), in Grebbestad, releases a special beer in homage to the lobster which is available at restaurants across the coastal district and in Gothenburg.