Café Hattesgaard, Rømø

An old captain’s farm reborn as a cosy café

Café Hattesgaard sits within one of Rømø’s oldest farmhouses, once owned by sea captains who sailed far beyond the Wadden Sea. Step through the door and you’re entering a low, timbered building that has seen centuries of island life. A major renovation in 2014 used old bricks, recycled materials and exposed wood, preserving the soul of the house while giving it new purpose as a gathering place. The former cowshed is now the heart of the café. Thick walls, creaking floors and sturdy beams frame a series of intimate rooms where antique dressers, old trunks and painted chairs are not just decoration but part of the experience. You feel more like you’ve been invited into a private country home than a commercial venue.

Cakes, breads and light lunches with a Danish twist

The counter is devoted to indulgence: tall layer cakes, brownies, tarts and seasonal creations, many garnished with flowers and berries. Portions are generous enough to pass for lunch, and you will often find a choice of vegan cakes alongside classic buttery favourites. Freshly ground coffee, fragrant teas and the option of plant-based milks make it easy to linger over an afternoon treat. Beyond sweets, light lunch plates and breads reflect simple Danish café traditions: rustic loaves, creamy toppings and straightforward flavours that work well after a windswept walk on the beach. Everything is presented with an eye for detail, from the crockery to the garnishes, adding to the sense that this is a place where time slows down.

Antiques, curiosities and sea-scented surroundings

Café Hattesgaard doubles as an antique and thrift shop, and almost every item around you carries a price tag. Shelves are filled with glassware, ceramics, framed prints and maritime knick-knacks that echo the farm’s seafaring past. Browsing between bites is part of the ritual here, and it is entirely possible to leave with a vintage treasure alongside crumbs on your plate. Outside, the setting near the Wadden Sea adds an extra layer of calm. On fine days, you can sit in the garden or courtyard, feeling the breeze roll in over Rømø’s open landscapes. The farmhouse stands slightly apart from the island’s busier strands, so even when the café is lively, the surroundings feel rooted in the slower rhythm of rural South Jutland.

A relaxed island stop for all kinds of travellers

Café Hattesgaard functions as a relaxed midpoint in a day of exploring Rømø, whether you arrive with sandy shoes from the beach or as part of a scenic drive across the causeway. Families appreciate the informal layout and roomy tables, while couples and solo travellers tend to gravitate towards the nooks beneath sloping ceilings. The building’s layout is relatively flat at entry level, and access has been arranged so that visitors with limited mobility can reach the main café area. Off-street parking on site makes it straightforward to stop by between other island highlights, turning the café into an easy, low-stress break in any itinerary.

Island atmosphere, from morning quiet to afternoon buzz

Arrive close to opening time and you are likely to encounter a slower pace: the hiss of coffee being ground, the first cakes being arranged in the display and quiet conversations under the beams. As the afternoon progresses, the atmosphere shifts towards a gentle buzz, especially in high season when day-trippers and holidaymakers converge on Rømø. Even when tables fill, the warren of rooms and outdoor seating helps the café absorb people without losing its cosy character. Whether you are here for one carefully chosen slice of cake or an unhurried afternoon of browsing and tasting, Café Hattesgaard offers a distinctly Rømø blend of island history, Danish hygge and indulgent baking.