Where To Eat: Jimmy & Joan’s New York, Gothenburg.
New York is one of those places you see in movies and dream about visiting when you are a child (not living in the US). I had the chance of visiting New York winter 2014 and I still remember New York as something different. It wasn’t Times Square, the flashy shops or tourist attractions like the Statue of Library or the Empire State Building that was special for me though. No, what I remember was the lights, the air, the thousands of thousands cars (and all the yellow TAXI cars), the rush, the vibe, the feeling and just… New York.
About 3 years ago I got an invitation to an opening event here in my own home city, Gothenburg (Sweden), where it said “we invite you to the private invitation only celebration Jimmy & Joan’s New York”. I took my sis with me and I still remember that evening as if it was yesterday. It was glam, it was New York - but In Gothenburg - and that was the start of something big opening in my own home city that I want to tell you all about today. So listen up, I’m about to tell you all about Jimmy & Joan’s New York.
Jimmy and Joan’s New York is an authentic New York bagel shop located on Teatergatan in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is the real deal. The owner, Elizabeth, who is a real New York lady, moved to Sweden a few years ago and opened this bagel shop as a tribute (or love letter as she says herself) to her father (Jimmy) and her aunt (Joan). She has put so much thought and love into the place, and it really is the small things you as a customer might not believe are anything special, that stay true to her heart. She says that the “the signature navy walls were the color in my childhood living room/dining room” and on the walls of the place you can also find beautiful black-and-white photos of Jimmy and Joan together. She even has a section on the menu called “Charlotte’s Sweet Spot” where all her passed mother’s favorite recipes are.
The place - interior wise - is in general gorgeous, and it’s not anything I have seen anyone ever had in Sweden before. It is the navy walls, the gold, the white, the glam, the luxury and you know, the New York feeling. Without doing it in a tacky way, she brings in different American elements like the cookies in the cookie jar, the American sodas, the bagels and well, the American outgoing, social personality from Elizabeth herself.
Also worth mentioning now since it’s summer time, Jimmy & Joan’s has an outdoor serving that is so nice located on the street, with sun during the day. So even if the place indoors is rather small, you have many seating options in their outdoor serving.
I can keep talking about this place forever, but I think it’s time to talk about the food now…
Jimmy & Joan’s New York is a bagel shop and sells first and foremost - of course - New York bagels. The place has bagels of various kinds with both sweet and savory fillings. The owner has kept it true American and brought in her own favorite bagel and well as her family members’. You can also find a few kinds of salads on the menu, their salmon nuggets (O M G. Just wait, I’ll tell you all about these) as well as some sweets.
I have visited Jimmy & Joan’s New York several times since it opened officially some years ago, but this latest time I went to visit the bagel shop with my big sis and we decided to order:
The Classic - an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, cold smoked salmon,
red onion, capers and tomato. This was Joan’s favorite.Flat iron - Poppy seed bagel, fresh herb roasted turkey breast, swiss cheese, crispy lettuce, tomato, red onion and mayonnaise, sea salt & pepper. This was what my sister ordered.
Salmon Nuggets
Lemonade
Bullet Proof Coffee
New York Cheesecake with fresh blueberry compote - Elizabeth’s mom’s recipe.
About the food:
Since I have visited Jimmy and Joan’s New York several times before I already knew what bagel I wanted. “The classic” is my favorite; being created with scallion cream cheese, cold smoked salmon, red onion, capers and tomato. I think it’s a so delicious combination and that salmon is just TO DIE FOR. I also just have to mention the actual bagels and the quality of the bagels. It’s not an ordinary bread, but a bagel - these NY bagels - are proofed for 12 hours, boiled in water and then baked. Each bagel needs so much love and consideration to be made correctly and then they be given that chewy texture. It is a different thing compared to other “fake bagel” places I have visited. Honestly.
We also ordered Jimmy & Joan’s salmon nuggets. The salmon nuggets are small salmon bites that are absolutely delicious. I really recommend you to try these when coming here if you eat fish. They are so delicious and you can buy them in different flavors. My favorites are the one with chili flakes.
To dessert we had bullet proof coffee (which is some fine coffee if you ask me) and their New York Cheesecake. If I’m going to be totally honest, only coming for a piece of cheesecake is worth it. You get such a big slice (a bite for sharing is ok… in case you want to eat it yourself of course) and that cheesecake is so delicious! It literally melts in your mouth and it’s just enough sweetness. I love that it’s topped with the blueberries too. A M A Z I N G.
Jimmy & Joan’s New York is definitely a place I think you should visit in Gothenburg if you’re looking for something new, exciting and high quality food. I think many places in Gothenburg (and maybe Sweden in general) just does the same thing over and over again, but here you get something new, something exciting and something I haven’t tasted. At the same time, it’s always a pleasure coming to Jimmy & Joan’s, you always feel so welcomed and there’s a happy and open atmosphere that I love.
You pay approx 100 SEK for a bagel or a salad, and all of their portions are big and you will get full. Don’t underestimate it.
So if you haven’t been to New York yet and haven’t tried a New York bagel yet, I really recommend you to visit Jimmy & Joan’s New York on Teatergatan in Gothenburg. If you are not shy, say “hello” to Elizabeth and say I greet her, and I’m sure she will take extra care of you.
Ps. Check out my tiktok @100kitchenstories to see a review of this place in a tiktok video.