Ho Kro

Country inn charm in a West Jutland village

Ho Kro sits at the heart of the small village of Ho, a short hop inland from the windswept beaches and dunes around Blåvand. From the outside it looks every bit the traditional Danish kro, with a low profile, pitched roof and a sense of having welcomed travelers for generations. Inside, the mood is intimate and cosy, with wooden beams, candles and snug dining rooms that immediately evoke hygge. It feels like a place made for lingering, whether you drop in for a long lunch or dress up for a celebratory evening. The inn setting also means you are never far from the surrounding landscapes of Ho Bay and the Wadden Sea, and on quieter afternoons the pace can feel delightfully unhurried. Tables are well spaced, and the dining rooms balance rustic touches with a more polished, contemporary finish, so it works equally well for couples, families and small groups looking for a convivial setting.

Gourmet på vestjysk: a local-first kitchen

The kitchen at Ho Kro works under the motto “Gourmet på vestjysk” – gourmet in the West Jutland way. In practice that means carefully plated dishes grounded in regional produce: home-smoked salmon, North Sea fish, local vegetables, and in season, rich game dishes that showcase the forests and heaths inland. Menus lean European and Scandinavian, but sauces, garnishes and techniques are clearly modern. Alongside a monthly set menu of two to five courses, there is typically an à la carte selection where signatures such as the house-smoked salmon or delicately prepared fish on brioche appear. Sauces and purees are treated with the same attention as the main ingredients, and plates arrive looking composed without feeling fussy. Portions are generous enough to satisfy after a day in the coastal air, yet balanced so multi-course menus remain enjoyable.

Slow lunches, indulgent dinners and special events

Ho Kro opens for both lunch and dinner on selected days, and the experience shifts subtly with the time of day. Lunchtime might mean smørrebrød-inspired platters built around fish or butcher’s cuts, relaxed enough for families but still plated with care. In the evening, candlelight and longer tasting menus take over, making it a natural choice for anniversaries, holiday splurges or a final feast at the end of a North Sea road trip. The property also functions as a banquet venue, hosting everything from confirmation lunches to weddings and corporate gatherings in its larger rooms. Set menus, wine pairings and non-alcoholic juice pairings are all part of the repertoire, so it is easy to tailor the experience to different occasions. Despite the fine-dining edge, there is a down-to-earth streak: children’s dishes are available, and staff are practiced at balancing special-occasion service with a relaxed country-inn feel.

Wine pairings, local stories and personal touches

A considered drinks list supports the kitchen, with classic European wines, a few New World bottles, and pairings that can be matched to each course of the set menus. Beer, cocktails and good coffee round things out, so you can start with an aperitif, move through the meal and linger over digestifs without feeling rushed. Non-drinkers are not forgotten, with thoughtfully composed juice or soft-drink pairings that echo the flavors on the plate. One of the distinctive aspects of Ho Kro is the sense of personal hosting. Owners and staff often take time to explain dishes, ingredients and the stories behind them, from local fishing traditions to regional game. On themed evenings, such as wild game nights, storytelling and food go hand in hand, turning a meal into a gentle introduction to West Jutland culture and landscape.

Who Ho Kro suits and how long to stay

Ho Kro suits travelers who enjoy food-driven experiences and are willing to devote an afternoon or evening to a single, carefully paced meal. Couples find it romantic without being formal, families appreciate the flexible menus and children’s options, and multi-generational groups can gather comfortably around larger tables. Wheelchair access and highchairs help make it practical as well as atmospheric. Most diners allow at least two hours for lunch and up to three for a full dinner with several courses and wine pairings. That tempo fits nicely into a broader day exploring Blåvand’s beaches, Ho Bay and nearby nature reserves. Think of Ho Kro less as a quick restaurant stop and more as an anchor point in your West Jutland itinerary – a place where the flavors on the plate mirror the sea breezes and fields just outside the door.