Silvis
“Spread Hummus!”
I love Middle Eastern food. It is naturally a very vegan friendly cuisine with plenty of options such as the classics hummus or baba ganoush, but also different types of vegetables in all sorts of forms. Unfortunately, Gothenburg doesn’t offer many places with a cuisine like that, and primarily you will find shady falafel sheds. So, Silvis is a nice sight, as it tries to give Middle Eastern cuisine the respect and celebration it deserves.
Silvis is located somewhat hidden in a side street right next to Andra Långgatan. To me, it was invisible for years until I finally got to know of it. Upon entering however, a beautiful vibe was presented. This feels like someone with passion is owning and managing this place. Good first impression, despite the randomised tiles with no clear pattern.
Upon seating we receive a massive menu, but it offers tasting menus with a variety of dishes for the undecided folks like we are. We opted for the small version, Aladdin, for 269 SEK/person. They can make all of them vegan, so that’s a great sight. Despite having a fully packed place, waiting time was quite short and we started to receive our first dishes, hummus, baba ganoush, salad, olives and some bread. And oh boy, was the hummus a heavenly experience. In this sense: if your hummus is good, you already win.
Our second part of dishes had some halloumi in it, but the waiting staff was very professional and changed it up fast, so we received our next dishes shortly thereafter. An assortment of falafel, tahini sauce, skillet fried cauliflower and filled wine leafs. Again, all of it was rather well adjusted and we started to fill up. Just as we were about to finish our food, being happily full, we got a surprise: another course with some more food! Quite unexpected, but alright.
Unfortunately the third round consisted of meat alternatives to chicken and minced meat, made in a similar fashion. I wasn’t a particularly happy about all of that, but hey, I didn’t know it will come either. Still, next time I would choose to opt out of this course and instead add a few more bowls of hummus or have more cauliflower.
The bill ended up being somewhere around 310 SEK per person, so all in all very affordable for a large variety of good Middle Eastern food. Professional service on top and this really feels like a place you can show your loved ones. It was a good evening.
Price:
Menu with a variety of vegan dishes: 269/329/349 SEK/person
Small dish such as hummus: 59 SEK
The Verdict
Silvis delivers. The hummus is fluffy as clouds look like, the right balance of acidity and earthy taste is found and the whole menu assortment is a beautiful evening. Only downside are the vegan alternatives to meat (Oomph instead of chicken and vegan mince instead of minced meat) as they just fall flat and don’t have the same vibe. My advice: just don’t take them and instead get more cauliflower or falafel or whatever you desire.
Definitely worth visiting and coming back!
5/5 Leaves
Pro
A lot of vegan options
Cosy atmosphere
Well educated service personnel
Con
Can get crowded fast (not your spontaneous place)
Some dishes use vegan substitutes such as Oomph and don’t feel right
Lavash (bread) is average
Location
Nordhemsgatan 18
Opening Hours
Mo: closed
Tu-Th: 11:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 21:00
Fr: 11:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 22:00
Sa: 16:00 - 23:00
Su: 16:00 - 20:30
