Launched earlier in 2025, the Gothenburg Meal competition aims to create pride in local food, inspire healthier eating habits and highlight sustainable food experiences. With over 40 entries from professional chefs and food enthusiasts received, Malin Boban’s “Gothenburg Royale” was recently announced as the winner, becoming Gothenburg’s new signature dish.
The project was also presented during “The Feast, the Flop, the Fix,” best practice session at the 2025 Annual General Meeting in Lyon where Sofie Mantzaris, PR & Gastronomy at Göteborg & Co discussed the unique aspects of this collaborative project.
"Food is one of the strongest reasons to travel, and with the Göteborg Meal we now have a dish that puts the city even more clearly on the food map. The new signature dish is proof of how our city can combine tradition, sustainability and innovation in a way that truly reflects Gothenburg,"
Gothenburg Royale is a new variation on the internationally famous dish Lobster Roll. A mixture of crab and mussels, Wrångebäcks mayonnaise and horseradish is served on Hönökaka (a local bread from the archipelago) with dried tuberose. Malin Boban, the creator of the dish, says: "I am incredibly proud that my dish is now Gothenburg's signature dish. It feels fantastic to contribute to the city's food culture and at the same time highlight sustainable ingredients from our region."
A signature dish for the future
The winning dish will be an addition to Gothenburg's gastronomic identity, alongside classics such as the shrimp sandwich and the "half special". It will be featured in several contexts, for example at the city's new food festival Food Fest Gothenburg, with the hope of becoming a new symbol of the city's food culture. Starting September 16th 2-25, it will also be served at the lobby bar Tventyforseven at one of the largest hotels in Gothenburg – Gothia Towers.
Later this year, the City of Gothenburg will take over primary responsibility for the project.
“The Gothenburg Meal is more than a competition, it is part of our larger work to create a sustainable local food system. By highlighting sustainable and local food, we show that good food experiences can go hand in hand with our environmental goals and the vision of a more resilient city,” says Kristina Fermskog, Department of Environmental Strategy at the City of Gothenburg.
Signature Dishes within The Food Capitals
Cities are balancing the need to adapt to trends, while preserving local culinary heritage. Without careful attention, authentic recipes risk dilution, and urban food cultures begin to converge.
Similar to Gothenburg’s initiative, the City of Castelldefels has created the “Arroz de Castelldefels,” a signature sea and mountain rice dish created by local chefs and historians to reflect the city’s essence. Made with fresh, local ingredients, it showcases Castelldefels’ identity –between sea and mountains- and highlights its commitment to quality, sustainability, and culinary heritage.
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Background
The Gothenburg Meal competition, a collaboration between Gothenburg & Co, RISE/Switch Food Hub, the West Sweden Tourist Board, Chalmers University and the City of Gothenburg, was launched in January 2025. Over 40 entries were submitted. Six made it to the semi-finals and three to the finals – and now the winner has been chosen.
More information:
The Gothenburg Meal – Gothenburg & Co
Switch Food Hub
Photo credits © Klara Hammerth-Goteborg&Co; © Martin Berg; © Ajuntament de Castelldefels
