Fra Chilli Til Safran – Café Dyrehøj at Dyrehøj Vingaard

Vineyard café on the Røsnæs peninsula

Fra Chilli Til Safran sits within Dyrehøj Vingaard on Røsnæs, a scenic peninsula just outside Kalundborg known for big skies, coastal light and some of Denmark’s sunniest weather. Here, between vine rows and rolling fields, the café occupies part of the working farm, so you dine with tractors, barrels and trellises never far from view. It feels more like visiting a countryside estate than a standalone restaurant, with gravel paths, barns and vineyard buildings framing your arrival. The setting is intimate in scale but wide open in outlook. Step through to the central yard and you are surrounded by brick facades and wooden doors, while just beyond lie long, gentle slopes of vines leading down towards the water. On clear days you catch glints of the fjord and the sense of being right at the edge of Zealand, where land tapers out into sea.

Kitchen led by seasons and world flavours

In the kitchen, the team builds menus around seasonal produce and inspiration from global cuisines. Lunch might bring open-faced sandwiches with a twist, salads built on late-summer vegetables, or warm dishes with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern notes. Tapas-style selections and sharing boards appear frequently, making it easy to graze with a glass of wine rather than commit to a heavy meal. The name hints at the range of flavours you can encounter, from gentle spice to saffron-scented dishes. While offerings change over time, the constant is a focus on honest cooking, straightforward plating and ingredients from local producers on Zealand wherever possible. The café also prepares food out of house for events and special occasions, so parts of the menu are designed to travel or serve larger gatherings.

Courtyard charm and rustic interiors

Much of the café’s character comes from its flexible spaces. On warm days, tables spill into the cobbled courtyard, enclosed on all sides by the old farm buildings. Here you sit under open sky with potted plants, simple wooden furniture and the pleasant murmur of other guests tasting wine or heading out to the vines. Indoors, you find low-key, rustic rooms with whitewashed walls, exposed beams and large windows. Décor is simple rather than ornate: bottles from the vineyard, a few carefully chosen details and the occasional blackboard menu. This is a place where the view, the food and the wine do most of the talking, and where you can linger over coffee without feeling rushed.

Pairing local wine with unfussy dishes

One of the distinctive pleasures here is the chance to pair lunch with wines made just a short walk away. Dyrehøj Vingaard produces a range that can include crisp whites, rosés and dessert wines, often available by the glass or bottle in the café. Staff can usually point you toward a pairing for your chosen dish or suggest a small tasting if you are curious. For many visitors, a meal at Fra Chilli Til Safran is only one part of a wider vineyard experience. It often fits naturally alongside a stroll through the vines or a visit to the farm shop to sample and purchase bottles. The café also participates in occasional events, themed dinners and seasonal celebrations that tie food more closely to the estate’s calendar.

Rhythm of the day and surrounding nature

Opening hours centre on daytime service, so the mood tends towards leisurely lunches, late-morning brunches and coffee breaks rather than late-night dining. Mornings can feel almost contemplative as light spills across the courtyard, while afternoons often bring a gentle hum of conversation as walkers, cyclists and wine enthusiasts pass through. Røsnæs itself invites you to slow down: after eating you can wander out towards viewpoints, coastal paths and fields, carrying a takeaway coffee or a pre-ordered picnic basket. The combination of vineyard landscape, sea air and a relaxed café table makes this a rewarding stop on any exploration of northwestern Zealand.