Restaurant Vinhuskælderen, Hotel Vinhuset

Dining Beneath Centuries-Old Vaults

Restaurant Vinhuskælderen sits in the vaulted cellar beneath Hotel Vinhuset on Sct. Peders Kirkeplads, right in the historic heart of Næstved. The cellar dates back to the late Middle Ages, with brick arches and thick walls that have witnessed more than five centuries of town life above. Today the space has been transformed into an intimate restaurant, but the underlying structure still clearly tells its age-old story. As you step inside, your eyes adjust to the soft, warm lighting that picks out each curved vault. The low ceilings and sturdy pillars create a series of smaller rooms and alcoves, giving the restaurant a tucked-away, almost secret feel. Despite being underground, it feels inviting rather than gloomy, with whitewashed brickwork, polished tabletops and carefully placed candles softening the historic bones of the building.

From Storage Cellar to Refined Supper Room

Over the centuries this cellar was primarily used as a storage space, sheltering goods from the elements and keeping provisions cool in an age before refrigeration. Local lore once suggested that an underground passage might have run from here to the monastic complex at Skovkloster, today’s Herlufsholm, weaving the cellar into a larger network of medieval stories. That romantic tale has been debunked, but it captures the way the space fires the imagination. The modern restaurant makes a point of honouring this practical past while embracing contemporary comfort. Original brickwork has been left exposed where possible, but the floors, furnishings and lighting have all been updated so that dinners are about lingering enjoyment rather than rustic hardship. It feels like a place where merchants might once have sealed deals over a cask of wine, now reimagined for leisurely multi-course dinners.

Seasonal Menus with a French Accent

Vinhuskælderen serves as Hotel Vinhuset’s dedicated evening à la carte restaurant, typically open Monday to Saturday for dinner service. The kitchen focuses on well-executed dishes built around seasonal ingredients, with a distinct French influence filtered through a Scandinavian lens. Menus change several times a year to follow what is fresh, whether that means local vegetables, Nordic fish or richer game in the colder months. Expect composed plates rather than rustic sharing platters: thoughtfully balanced starters, classic mains given a modern twist and desserts that lean into both indulgence and clean flavours. A monthly or set menu is often available alongside the à la carte selection, allowing guests to follow a curated sequence of courses. The wine list plays an important supporting role, designed to match the cellar setting and the French-leaning style of the kitchen.

Intimate Evenings and Special Occasions

With room for around forty diners, the restaurant is small enough to feel personal but large enough to accommodate small groups and celebrations. The arched ceilings naturally dampen noise, so conversations stay at the table, while the slightly hidden location beneath the hotel adds a sense of occasion to even an ordinary weekday dinner. The setting particularly suits unhurried evenings: anniversaries, date nights, or business dinners that call for a setting with character rather than formality. Stone, brick and candlelight combine to create a calm, cocooning atmosphere, away from traffic and street glare. Yet you remain just a few steps from Næstved’s central square and the silhouette of Sct. Peders Kirke above.

Part of Næstved’s Historic Fabric

Hotel Vinhuset itself is one of Næstved’s long-established buildings, and the cellar restaurant forms an integral part of that story. Eating here offers a small window into how the town’s architecture has been adapted over time, shifting from mercantile storage to modern hospitality while retaining its physical core. The interplay between the church square outside and the vaulted rooms below captures the layered nature of this South Zealand town. For travellers staying at the hotel, Vinhuskælderen is a convenient way to sample refined local dining without leaving the building. For those coming in from elsewhere in Næstved or the wider region, it works as an atmospheric end point to an afternoon exploring the old streets and nearby cultural sights, rounding off the day with dinner in a cellar that quietly carries the weight of history.