Villa Sjötorp

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A House by the Sea

Perched above Havstensfjorden on the west coast of Sweden, Villa Sjötorp is a cream-white, century-old summer villa with the ornate woodwork typical of its era. The house has its own origin story: it began as a gathering place for friends who came together each summer, a loose collective united by a shared desire to care for and preserve something special. Word spread about the large, lavish, and quietly mysterious house by the water, and over time it grew into what it is today — a hotel, restaurant, and event space that still carries that original spirit of freedom, community, and celebration.

For more than a quarter of a century, Villa Sjötorp has been in the hands of Ellika Mogenfeldt, whose stewardship defines the place. The commitment here is to the land and the seasons: every ingredient comes from close by, shifting with what the surrounding landscape offers at any given time of year.

Swedish Cooking, Rooted in the Seasons

The restaurant's approach to Swedish cuisine is straightforward and uncompromising. A butter-fried, deeply savory malt bread with whole grains, served with chive cream and vivid green dill oil, captures the philosophy well — honest ingredients, careful preparation, and nothing superfluous. The seasonal menu has featured baked celeriac rolled in hay, surrounded by langoustine, rainbow roe, and kohlrabi, a combination that earns its complexity. Carrot appears alongside venison in four preparations — purée, pickled, oven-baked, and preserved — showing the kitchen's inventiveness with humble produce. Evenings end, as candlelight takes over, with a classic apple tart given a quiet twist.

White Guide recognized Villa Sjötorp at Fine level in 2026, noting the inspired range of flavor combinations and the pleasure of sitting on the veranda on a warm evening, well looked after, in stillness and calm. That description is not incidental — the setting is very much part of what the restaurant offers.

More Than a Meal

The villa accommodates overnight guests, private parties, weddings, and conferences, and the outdoor terrace with its fjord views draws guests who come as much for the surroundings as for the Swedish cuisine on the plate. The sustainability program — sourcing seasonally, working with environmentally responsible partners, and minimizing environmental impact — is taken seriously and woven into daily operations rather than treated as an afterthought.

What Villa Sjötorp offers is rare: a place with genuine history, a clear sense of purpose, and cooking that earns serious recognition without losing the warmth of a house that was always meant to welcome people in.