Restaurant Gonzalez Feilberg MARE

Waterfront dining on Nykøbing Falster’s marina

Restaurant Gonzalez Feilberg MARE occupies a prime position on Slotsbryggen, overlooking the small-boat harbor of Nykøbing Falster. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the masts and reflections outside, giving the space a quietly nautical feel without slipping into cliché. The interior is modern and pared-back, with clean lines, uncluttered tables and lighting that softens as the evening progresses, so the focus stays on the plates, the glasses and the water beyond. Because the restaurant opens only for dinner several nights a week, the pace is unhurried. Guests tend to settle in for the evening rather than rush through a single course, and the room gradually takes on a cosy glow as the marina darkens outside. On long summer evenings the last light lingers over the water, while in colder months the reflections of the dining room dance in the windows like a mirror image of the scene inside.

From Baltic waters to Nordic plate

The kitchen leans heavily into the restaurant’s waterfront setting, with fish and shellfish taking a starring role. Menus often feature Nordic takes on local catches: curry herring lifted with gentle spice, seafood salads layered on dark rye, crisp fish fillets with bright, herb-driven sauces and grilled squid that nods to southern Europe while keeping a distinctly Danish sense of restraint. Lunchtime service in the past showcased smørrebrød with a twist; the dinner offering builds on that precision, turning familiar flavors into composed plates and tasting sequences. The cooking philosophy can be summed up as local-first and seasonal, with producers from Lolland-Falster providing much of the fish, vegetables and dairy. Classic Danish lunchtime staples like open sandwiches are reimagined for a more refined, evening setting, often paired with elements such as pickled vegetables, house-mixed toppings and artful garnishes that add both texture and color.

A wine bar with serious shelves

Alongside the kitchen, the wine bar is a defining feature of MARE. Shelves and fridges hold a broad selection that ranges from crisp northern whites well suited to seafood to deeper, more contemplative reds for slower courses and cheese plates. The list is deliberately expansive for a restaurant of this size, rewarding guests who want to explore beyond familiar labels. There is a clear emphasis on thoughtful pairing. Many guests choose a glass-by-glass journey to match each dish, while others settle on a special bottle to stretch across the entire evening. You will find both classic European regions and a scattering of more experimental or small-producer wines, including options from Denmark and its neighbours, reflecting a broader Nordic interest in cool-climate viticulture.

Atmosphere, service and setting

Despite its culinary ambitions, the atmosphere at Gonzalez Feilberg MARE remains relaxed rather than formal. Staff tend to strike a balance between knowledgeable guidance and an easy, conversational style, happy to talk guests through the menu, share context about ingredients or suggest a wine flight without overwhelming the table. The relatively compact dining room helps service feel personal and attentive. Seating is arranged to make the most of the marina views, with window tables particularly coveted at sunset when the sky begins to glow over the masts. Interior tables, meanwhile, benefit from the warm, minimalist design and the gentle hum of conversation from the wine bar. The overall effect is of a contemporary neighbourhood restaurant elevated by its waterside location and a quietly confident kitchen.

Part of a broader local food story

MARE belongs to a small family of ventures that have helped put Lolland-Falster more firmly on Denmark’s culinary map, alongside a sister restaurant in nearby Nakskov focused on farm-to-table lunches and reimagined open sandwiches. Together they showcase how local producers, from fishing boats to vegetable growers, can anchor ambitious yet accessible dining. In Nykøbing Falster, this plays out at the junction of town and water: a modern building at Slotsbryggen connecting guests to both the marina and the broader flavours of the islands. For travellers exploring southern Zealand and the surrounding area, Gonzalez Feilberg MARE offers an evening snapshot of the region’s food culture, condensed into a few carefully chosen courses and a well-curated line of bottles along the wall.