MolsCafeen at Basballegaard

A country cafe on the slopes of Mols

MolsCafeen sits on Kølbakken, a gentle hillside in the countryside above Ebeltoft, where fields, hedgerows and wide skies set the tone long before you reach the door. The building forms part of Basballegaard, a traditional Danish property that feels more like a farmstead than a formal hotel. Red tiles, whitewashed walls and simple garden furniture create a relaxed, rural frame for both a restaurant and a small bed and breakfast. Step inside and the mood is unhurried and informal. Wooden tables, soft lighting and simple decor underline that this is a place to linger over a meal rather than rush through it. Large windows and outdoor terraces keep you connected to the landscape beyond, so you are never far from a glimpse of Mols Bjerge’s undulating silhouettes.

Flavours rooted in Djursland

The kitchen at MolsCafeen follows the rhythm of the local seasons, drawing on produce from Djursland and wider Jutland wherever possible. Menus tend to highlight straightforward, well-executed dishes: think fresh fish from nearby waters, vegetables from regional farms and comforting classics with a modern touch. Portions are generous enough for a leisurely lunch or dinner after a day outdoors. On warm days, guests often eat in the garden, surrounded by the scents of grass and flowers and the soft sounds of the countryside. As the evening light stretches over the hills, the cafe becomes an inviting spot to watch the sky change colour, with the outlines of Mols Bjerge softening into the distance. Inside, candlelight takes over as the main illumination, giving the dining room a gentle, intimate glow.

Staying the night at Basballegaard

Beyond the cafe, Basballegaard offers a handful of guest rooms in a bed and breakfast setup. The accommodation is deliberately small-scale, more akin to staying in a rural home than in a large hotel. Expect individual rooms with simple furnishings, crisp bedding and the quiet of the countryside once evening falls. Waking here often means birdsong rather than traffic, and the first light of day easing across the surrounding fields. Mornings typically centre on a relaxed breakfast, with bread, spreads and light dishes that prepare you for time outdoors. With so few rooms, it is easy to find a quiet corner to sit with a book, sip coffee or plan routes into Mols Bjerge National Park and the nearby coastline.

Gateway to Mols Bjerge and the Ebeltoft coast

One of MolsCafeen’s quiet strengths is how easily it connects food and lodging with nature. From the property, you are only a short journey away from the trails, viewpoints and heaths of Mols Bjerge, as well as small coves and beaches along the bay. The hills visible from the garden are part of a protected landscape shaped by ice age glaciers, today criss-crossed by paths and dotted with grazing animals. This position on Kølbakken also means big horizons: sunrises and sunsets can be striking, with the sky often stealing the show. Even on overcast days, the constantly shifting light lends the surroundings a moody beauty that suits slow walks and quiet reflection.

A relaxed base for slow travel in Djursland

MolsCafeen at Basballegaard is best approached as a laid-back base rather than a packed resort. The combination of homely restaurant, informal rooms and rural setting encourages a slower rhythm: long lunches in the garden, unhurried dinners as the sun drops behind the hills, and evenings spent simply enjoying the stillness. For travellers exploring Djursland and Ebeltoft, it works well as an overnight stop on a road trip or as a two- or three-night stay to unwind between more intensive sightseeing days. Whether you come for a single meal or a longer pause, the constant elements are the surrounding landscape, the sense of space and the easy, country-side atmosphere that defines this corner of Mols.