Larsens Plads, Marielyst

A seaside meeting place at the heart of Marielyst

Larsens Plads sits on Marielyst Strandvej, the main promenade running parallel to the broad sandy beach, and feels very much like the village’s living room. Spread across several interconnected rooms and outdoor areas, it is one of the largest restaurant complexes in the South Sea Islands, drawing in beach visitors, cottage guests and locals throughout the season. The setting is informal and holiday-focused: sun-hatted visitors drift in from the shoreline, children tug towards the ice cream bar, and the low murmur of conversation spills out across the terrace. The restaurant’s location just a couple of hundred metres from the shoreline gives it a distinctly coastal character. You are close enough to sense the sea breeze, yet sheltered within the bustle of Marielyst’s compact centre, where shops, cafés and amusements cluster together. In the evening, the glow from the restaurant’s windows and courtyard becomes a focal point along the strip.

From 1933 inn lounge to island institution

At the core of Larsens Plads is its old krostue, an inn-style lounge dating back to 1933. Inside, you find a traditional Danish inn atmosphere: sturdy wooden furniture, a central bar and a fireplace that turns the main room into a cosy refuge outside the high summer months. The restaurant has expanded around this historic core over the decades, evolving from a local inn into a multifaceted venue capable of hosting everything from casual lunches to large celebrations. This blend of old and new gives the place a layered personality. The krostue hints at the days when travel to Falster felt like a small adventure and guests gathered for hearty meals after long journeys. Today the same rooms host holidaymakers arriving from nearby cottages, cyclists on coastal routes and families rounding off a day on the sand, yet the underlying spirit of conviviality has remained.

Buffets, classics and a sweet-toothed finale

Food at Larsens Plads revolves around generous abundance rather than fine dining formality. A large buffet for lunch and dinner is a central feature, typically spanning a broad mix of warm dishes, salads and sides that reflect both Danish staples and international comfort food. For those who prefer to order from the menu, a separate card offers favourites such as pizzas, pub-style plates and simple meat or fish dishes suited to an easygoing beach town meal. The sweet side is equally prominent. A sizeable coffee, cake and ice cream bar tempts visitors looking for an afternoon break or a post-swim treat, with classic Danish cakes, soft ice and scooped varieties laid out behind glass. The focus throughout is on straightforward, filling fare that works for mixed groups and families with varied tastes rather than intricate gastronomy.

Courtyard fun, live music and long evenings

One of the most distinctive spaces is the large enclosed courtyard behind the main buildings, which becomes a lively outdoor living room in summer. Here you find a playful mix of seating and amusements: a playground area with climbing structures, a bouncy pillow, trampoline and small go-karts, giving children room to burn off energy while adults linger at the tables nearby. It is easy to spend hours here as an informal base between beach visits and strolls through town. On many evenings, attention shifts towards the small stage or frontage where live music is frequently on the programme. House musicians and guest performers deliver an easy-listening soundtrack of familiar songs, contributing to an atmosphere that is more seaside pub than formal concert. Regular happy hour windows, with two-for-one offers on draft beer and wine at set afternoon and late-night times, further reinforce the sociable, lingering character of the place.

A flexible setting for groups, families and celebrations

Behind the casual façade lies a venue designed to handle scale. Multiple rooms of different sizes make it possible to host birthday gatherings, family reunions and other events alongside everyday diners. Large tables inside and out accommodate extended families and multi-generational groups common in Danish summer house culture, while highchairs and broad aisles reflect a practical approach to visiting with children. Because it stays open from late morning until well after midnight in peak season, Larsens Plads can play several roles in a single day: coffee stop, lunch venue, late-afternoon bar, evening buffet and night-time music hangout. That flexibility, combined with its central position and unpretentious style, has helped it become a familiar anchor point in Marielyst’s holiday rhythm.

Seasonal rhythms on Denmark’s South Sea Islands

Being closely tied to the beach season, the energy at Larsens Plads changes with the calendar and the weather. On bright summer days, the terrace and courtyard fill quickly and doors stay open deep into the night. Shoulder seasons bring a calmer feel, where the krostue’s fireplace and sheltered corners come into their own for long conversations over a drink or simple meal. Even in busier moments, the sprawl of indoor and outdoor spaces means you can usually find a corner that suits your pace, whether you prefer to be close to the music or slightly apart with a view of village life passing along Marielyst Strandvej.