HUSET PALSGAARD, Østerby Havn

A harbour house at the heart of Østerby

HUSET PALSGAARD occupies a prime corner of Østerby Harbour, its terrace and windows facing directly onto bobbing fishing boats, stacks of gear and the soft clink of masts. Step inside and it feels more like a lived‑in coastal home than a formal restaurant, with wooden floors, shelves of ceramics and textiles, and the hum of a working café drifting out from the open counter. The setting makes it an easy pause point during a stroll along the quay. You can sit outside in good weather and watch ferries, yachts and fishing boats glide in and out, while seabirds circle above. Indoors, small tables and window seats invite you to slow down, warm up on cooler days and simply absorb the rhythm of harbour life.

From Galloway cattle to charcuterie plates

Food here leans heavily on Læsø’s own pantry. In their in‑house smokehouse and sausage kitchen, the team turns Læsø Galloway cattle into charcuterie and salami, as well as cuts of beef to take home. They also prepare classics such as fishcakes and rich langoustine soup, often available frozen to go, blurring the line between café, deli and butcher. On the plate, expect light lunch dishes: open‑faced sandwiches loaded with local toppings, simple fish specials, and often a seasonal tapas board where cured meats, cheeses, pickles and island delicacies are arranged for sharing. Portions are designed for lingering over a midday meal rather than formal dining, making it easy to mix and match with snacks or cake.

Cakes, coffee and a local drinks list

The counter usually holds freshly baked breads and cakes, from dense loaves to sweet slices that pair well with an afternoon coffee. A short but considered drinks list features draft beer from nearby Østerby Bryghus, wines by the glass, soft drinks and island specialities such as blackcurrant juice made on Læsø. If you are only mildly hungry, there are sandwiches and snacks aimed at those heading back out onto the water or continuing along the coast. It works just as well as a quick coffee stop as it does a lazy lunch spot, with service paced to the island’s unhurried tempo.

A shop curated around island living

Beyond the café tables, HUSET PALSGAARD doubles as a small concept store. Here you will find shelves of interiors, kitchen tools, gift items, delicacies, skincare and health‑food products, many sourced from Scandinavian makers. The mix is coastal without being kitsch: muted textiles, useful utensils, well‑designed ceramics and carefully chosen cosmetics. This retail side makes it a handy place to pick up edible souvenirs, pantry treats or a small gift without leaving the harbour. Locally produced charcuterie, salts, preserves and sweets often share space with design‑led homeware, so you can stock up for a picnic or bring a piece of Læsø’s slow‑paced lifestyle back home.

All‑season retreat on a weather‑shifting island

HUSET PALSGAARD trades on atmosphere as much as appetite. On bright summer days light pours in through the windows and the terrace hums with conversation, while in shoulder seasons it feels almost like a harbour living room, a place to shelter from wind, drizzle or sea mist with a hot drink and something freshly baked. The café keeps hours across the year, though precise opening times shift with the season. Whenever you visit, expect a relaxed, island‑casual mood and a flexible space that works whether you are a solo traveller with a book, a couple pausing on a bike ride, or a small group gathering around a shared board of local specialities.