Restaurant & Bryghus Købmandsgården

A historic merchant’s house with a local heartbeat

Købmandsgården occupies an old trading house on Gedser Landevej, a building that has served many purposes over the decades and still carries the solid charm of a rural merchant’s yard. Thick walls, exposed details and a slightly weathered exterior give few clues to the warm, bustling life inside. Step through the door and you enter a series of cosy rooms where wood, warm lighting and shelves of local products create the feeling of a countryside living room more than a formal restaurant. The building’s past as a commercial hub is still tangible. Historic photos, small displays and written stories tell of earlier times when goods, news and gossip all passed through these premises. Today, that role has been reimagined: instead of grain and hardware, it is food, beer and conversation that flow through the rooms, but the sense of being a meeting point for Gedser remains strong.

LF Bryg: beer, wine and stories in every glass

At the heart of Købmandsgården is LF Bryg, Gedser’s own microbrewery. Copper-coloured ales, seasonal brews and experimental styles are created in small batches a few steps from the tap. Guests can sample them as classic pints or as tasting flights, comparing flavours and strengths while watching the activity around the bar. Some beers even find their way into the cooking, deepening sauces or adding character to slow-cooked dishes. Alongside the brewery sits a small wine venture, drawing on vines grown just outside town. Light, crisp whites and occasional rosé underline how seriously this quiet corner of Falster takes its craft drinks. Guided tours can be arranged with the brewer-owner, who explains the journey from pilot and foot therapist to full-time brewer and host, as well as the practicalities of brewing in the Danish climate.

Comfort food with a Falster accent

The menu leans into what might best be called serious comfort food. Expect generous burgers, open-faced classics, fish dishes and seasonal specials designed to satisfy both travellers and locals. A well-made “stjerneskud”, crisp fish fillets, salads and hearty plates built for a post‑beach appetite all feature regularly, often accompanied by house beer or a glass of local wine. Local ingredients are central, with vegetables, meat and fish sourced from the wider Lolland‑Falster region whenever possible. Portions tend to be substantial rather than dainty, with an emphasis on honest flavours and clear compositions. This is the kind of place where you can arrive straight from the ferry or the beach and be sure of leaving full and warmed through.

Art, culture and everyday village life

Købmandsgården is more than a restaurant and brewery; it functions as a cultural house for Gedser. Walls are hung with works by local artists, many depicting the sea, the harbour and the flat coastal landscapes that define this southern tip of Denmark. Artworks rotate, and much of what you see can be purchased, blurring the line between gallery and dining room. Throughout the summer there are music evenings, small concerts, tastings and other events that turn the old merchant’s house into an informal venue. Exhibits on Gedser’s history and the story of the building itself add another layer, making it easy to combine a meal with a quiet wander through the displays. In daytime, the house also serves as an informal information point where maps and leaflets about local attractions can be found.

A welcoming pause at the edge of Denmark

Situated near Denmark’s southernmost point, Købmandsgården is a natural stop for road‑trippers, cyclists and ferry passengers moving between Gedser and the rest of Falster. The mood is relaxed and unhurried, with indoor tables, cosy corners and outdoor seating when the weather allows. Families, couples, solo travellers and small groups all slot easily into the mix. For many visitors it becomes a basecamp between excursions to the harbour, the beaches and the southernmost tip. You might drop in for a simple coffee, stay for a full lunch with beer pairings or return in the evening for live music. Whatever the occasion, the combination of historic surroundings, local flavours and an easygoing village atmosphere makes this merchant’s house a particularly characterful place to linger.