When your husband has birthday, you want to celebrate in a special way. For him “a special way” always means pizza, so I’ve decided to book a table at one of the best reviewed Italian restaurants. Tavolo in Göteborg was the choice I’ve made without any detailed research. Was it worth it? Let’s find out!
The Concept Behind Tavolo in Göteborg
After we arrived, we’ve been introduced to the concept behind this place. All dishes are meant to be ordered and shared between all the people at the table. However, if you feel like it, you can easily enjoy the whole dish on your own. Portions are big enough so you definitely leave full and satisfied.
The Ambiance and Atmosphere
What makes this thing special, even before you try the food, is the location and decor. Stepping into Tavolo in Göteborg is like entering a carefully curated museum of history, art, and culture, seamlessly blended with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The attention to detail in the décor creates an immersive dining experience, with each element telling its own unique story.
Artilleristallarna: A Historical Foundation
The restaurant is housed in the historic Artilleristallarna, built in 1835 under pressing conditions as frost threatened the survival of the cavalry horses. The building’s heritage adds a rustic charm and an authentic sense of place that enhances the dining experience.
Above, elegant Carossa Srviza wind turbines from Napa Valley gently turn, contributing to the ambiance with both visual appeal and subtle functionality.
Adding a touch of mystery and elegance, the doors at Tavolo have their origins in Florence, “honestly stolen” from Marcese di Torigiani’s estate on Campoccia 88. Their weathered charm speaks volumes about their storied past.
Leonardo’s Horse: A Majestic Centerpiece
At the heart of the space stands an impressive 6,800 kg replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s Cavallo di Forcione. The statue’s history is equally fascinating—its sketches were discovered under the marble floors of the Siena Cathedral in 1971. Crafted by master stonemasons Peter Apelgren and Sven-Ingvar Johansson, the project took over four years to complete and now serves as a symbol of artistry and dedication.
The Floor: A Slice of Sicilian Heritage
The walnut floorboards, sourced from a slaughterhouse in northern Sicily, are laid in four different widths. This choice not only pays homage to history but also adds warmth and texture to the space.
Pompeii-Inspired Mosaic
Beneath your feet, you’ll notice a stunning mosaic floor, an intricate copy of traditional tavern flooring from Pompeii. For an unexpected surprise, a similar version of this timeless design can be found in the restrooms of oil magnate J. Paul Getty in Malibu.
Art and Statues: A European Influence
The walls and corners are adorned with statues imported from Florence, offering a nod to Italian craftsmanship. Adding to the intrigue, the painting “Näst Sista Måltiden” (The Next-to-Last Supper), created by artist Peter Apelgren, serves as a playful reinterpretation of the famous Last Supper.
The Water Station
For a final authentic touch, the water station comes directly from a mountainside village outside Bergamo, transporting guests to a quiet corner of Italy.
The Menu: A Celebration of Italian Flavours
The menu is divided into starters, pizzas, pastas, meat dishes and desserts. There is plenty of vegetarian or vegan options. There’s no much flexibility in terms of switching ingredients or giving up on some of them in case you really like particular dish (or pizza) that has this one ingredient you don’t really like or want.
My aunt doesn’t eat meat for health-related reasons, she asked if there’s a possibility to order pizza of the day without putting salami on it which was not an option unfortunately.
Prices are pretty normal and comparable to other Swedish restaurants. I would say, there are many worse places with higher prices. Tavolo sticks to 200-300kr / main dish which is absolutely average price for places better than local pizzerias. After knowing it was featured in Michelin guide, I was almost certain prices would be much higher.
Quality and Presentation of the Food
There were four of us and we were encouraged to order 5 dishes to share however each of us had already our favourite option in the menu so we stuck to them.
One thing we’ve all shared was a board with selection of Italian cold meat and cheese – there was enough for each of us to try each kind of product. They didn’t disappoint with the quality – eating them I had flashbacks from our Croatian Road Trip from earlier this year.
Tomas and my aunt both took pizza of the day (evdening) for 240 kr each.
My mom and I couldn’t decide if we want to get pasta or meat so we decided to order both and split them in a half. From pastas we’ve chosen La Zozzona, which I briefly described as spicy and tomato-ish version of Carbonara. There was rigatoni pasta, salsiccia, guanciale, Pecorino Romano, egg yolk, smoked tomato sauce, garlic, red onion, Calabrian chili, and black pepper.
From meat dishes, we’ve chosen Pollo alla Parmigiana which was parmesan crusted chicken with tomato and basil sauce, Calabrian chili, mozarella, and parmesan bread crumbs. Although it was tasty, this was the weakest option from all ordered options – parmesan made it a bit too salty and I have an impression it was missing some vegetables on side to balance the flavours.
Service and Staff
The staff in Tavolo is friendly and helpful. They were more than happy to suggest the best options or tell us more about ordered dishes. We visited the restaurant on Friday evening so the place was pretty busy, however the service was really fast and smooth so you couldn’t feel there are crowds around. Maybe except the noise around which wasn’t disturbing but gave a nice vibe of a busting place.
Tavolo in the Michelin Guide: Why It Stands Out
In the very beginning, I mentioned we didn’t do any research about this place so it was a surprise to see a Michelin guide mark by the entrance. It turned out, the place was marked as Michelin’s favourite and you can check it on the official Michelin website.
I think there’s a reason why Tavolo was highlighted – it is not just great culinary experience but also chance to spend time in absolutely unique place with soul. At the same time, it is not too fancy, so you can go there not only on special occasions.
Practical Information
Tavolo in Göteborg is located on Magasingatan 19. There are some city parking lots around. You can easily get there with public transport – the nearest stop is Grönsakstorget where you can get with trams 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, X and buses 16, 25, 60, 61, Röd.
Restaurant is open Sunday-Thursday 17:00 – 23:00, Friday 17:00 – 00:00 and Saturday 12:00 – 00:00.
Book your table in advance via restaurant’s website or by phone (031 787 98 09) to make sure you have your table once you show up.
Where to Eat in Göteborg: Is Tavolo Worth Visiting
This unexpected visit turned out to be so successful, we’re already planning our re-visit and can’t wait to take there our friends and other members of our family. Tavolo in Göteborg is a place not just for pizza lovers like my husband but also a great chance to taste great pasta or meat dishes with Italian vibe.
Tavolo has our recommendation – let us know if it met your expectations after you pay them a visit!
