Ölstugan Tullen
“Smaken är som baken - the taste is like the bum”
Ölstugan Tullen is a popular pub chain in Sweden with plenty of locations around the country. They are famous for their cosy atmosphere and their Swedish menu. No joke, it’s a pub that is generally recommended to tourists to try authentic Swedish food. And in all fairness, the animal-based options are quite alright for the price. But how do the vegan options hold up?
Going to Tullen is actually quite a common occurence for me. Especially the one next to Kville is located in a cosy old industrial building from the 19th century and just oozes charme. So I like coming here for drinks. But even the other Tullen around Gothenburg, such as the one at Johanneberg or Andra Långgatan have their own way and are worth a visit. In terms of food, however, I usually avoid them.
So far I have eaten in two different Tullen and tried three different vegan dishes, and well, to put it shortly, I am not a fan. But let me go deeper into it.
The menu differs somewhat between each Tullen, but seems to have some stables nevertheless. The one in Johanneberg has two dishes, one with a cabbage patty in sauce and with boiled potatoes, and one with a mustard-based soy-mince patty with roasted potatoes. The one in Kville has only one dish, cauliflower patties with roasted potatoes and a coleslaw-sort of salad.
While that sounds reasonable enough, it’s the execution that throws me off. It looks appealing enough, but the taste is just questionable. Whether it’s being the bland potatoes, the heavy mustard taste of the patty or just a bitterness from overheating the ingredients. Every bite is a disappointment and you regret it more and more.
I am primarily surprised about the bitterness of the ingredients. I couldn’t specify really what it was that made all food so bitter. The lettuce was old, so that’s that, but the rest seems to have been a heating issue. In any case, I don’t think the dishes Tullen offers are in any way tasteful, despite the cheap price.
I mean, sure, there is no need for an extensive vegan menu in a pub. But I just wonder what’s up with the weird experimentation? Why do you try to reinvent the wheel, when the solution is so simple. Put out some (vegan!) mashed potatoes, add some plant-based meat balls (IKEA has good ones for example), and serve them in a simple sauce and with lingonberries. It’s so obvious that it confuses me why it’s not on the menu.
Not a fan.
Price:
Vegan Dish: 110 SEK
The Verdict
Tullen is a pub, so expectations are low. While they provide quite a decent meat/fish experience, the vegan options are definitely not a charmer. Weird compositions, bad execution and a clear sign, that vegan food is just an afterthought to have something on the menu. Sure, you don’t go to a pub for food, but once your non-vegan friends start eating, you might want to snack on something yourself. Unfortunately, Tullen will fill your belly with shady food and regret only.
Go for the beers and atmosphere, but eat before coming - or after.
2/5 Leaves
Pro
Cosy atmosphere
Swedish food, veganised
Between 1-3 vegan options
Con
Uninspired, bland food
Often bad composition (one-sided)
Bad execution (bitterness, burnt)
Quality of raw ingredients questionable (salad)
Location
Herkulesgatan 3A
Andra Långgatan 13
Utlandagatan 14
…and more
Opening Hours
Mo-Th: 15:00 - 01:00
Fr-Su: 12:00 - 01:00
